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Summary: A new life with Jesus Christ
Review: "Dallas Willard changed my life with his book Divine Conspiracy and his guidance in Renovation of the Heart has drawn me ever closer in my relationship to Jesus Christ. Dr. Willard's thoughtful style and incredible insight into the heart and soul of human beings has helped me to see where I have kept myself from being a true disciple of Jesus. When asked if they are Christians, many people cite their denominational affiliation. The true question is one of the heart or spirit. Can we, through an inner transformation of our heart, mind, soul, and being, be transformed into Christlikeness? Can we heed his call and follow in his footsteps? In Renovation of the Heart, Dr. Willard explains that "we must never forget that the indispensable first step in caring for the soul is to place it under God.... Spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself." Moreover, "Our walk with Christ, well learned, is a burden only as wings are to a bird or the engines are to an airplane". Dr. Willard speaks to those seeking a better understanding of their spirit and how it can be radically transformed into Christlikeness. If you truly intend to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, if you truly want to see your life made new, if you desire to have the kingdom of God be a right-here-and-right-now experience, then this book is a must read and I'm sure that you will be as passionate about it as I am. One word of caution; reading Renovation of the Heart and embracing the concepts and ideas held inside will radically change your life (just as Jesus intended). "
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Summary: Revelation Meets Reason
Review: Agree with everything said in this book. A great read. Agree, also with the May 8, 2002 reader who said we should also learn about renovation of the heart through reason, as well as, through revelation by reading the book "West Point: Character Leadership Education". Now having read both, I can see how revelation meets reason. Now I understand life.
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Summary: The 'Brass Tacks' of Living in Christ
Review: As usual, Willard has written another thought-provoking book. I found it difficult to 'speed' through his material, and the first half of this book was not as interesting to me as the second half, but the latter portion was a great blessing! His insights on transforming our 'bodies' and 'social dimensions' were particularly helpful. And I felt it was one of those books that would help to 'bump up' my walk in Christ several notches! I'm already planning to read through it again.
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Summary: Buried Treasure
Review: Dallas Willard is a philosopher who often writes on Christian themes. As with many philosophers, this book is not an easy read. He starts with a description of the spirit, mind, body, social, and soul aspects of humans. This can become confusing and cause a casual reader to lose interest. However, the reader who persists will strike gold. Willard quickly challenges the simplistic two-dimensional view that is so prevelant in American Evangelical Christianity and replaces it with a depth that has the reader thirsting for a deeper understanding of God. This is not the "theological junk food" that is so often found in Christian bookstores today. This book can start the reader on a path to a transformed life.
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Summary: To live is Christ
Review: Dallas Willard's book Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ is an outstanding book. It is a must read for any person who wants to become like Christ: to be transformed to that place where "peace flows like a river." That is, you can reach that level of spiritual maturity where your actions are like "our Lord's" (e.g., Loving God, and living with a clean mind and heart). The inner you can be transformed. It does not come over night. For one's spiritual process is a process, and one must strive (with the help of God's Holy Spirit) to rid oneself of the old self. Lastly, reading this book helps one understand human nature; and how "your" nature is not an excuse for sin, but a reason for repentance.
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Summary: Green vegetables for the Christian soul
Review: Dallas Willard's previous book, "The Divine Conspiracy" wowed me with the brilliance of its insight and analysis. "Renovation of the Heart" lacks that "wow" factor. It is a book that, like green vegetables, is good for you and even necessary for healthy growth, but what's good for you is not always what is the most appetizing. Willard is correct when he asserts that spiritual growth does not just happen, that one has to work at it. Using the VIM model (vision, intention, and means), he presents the tools for meaningful spiritual formation. Willard does a painstaking analysis of the interrelationship between the six human dimensions: thought, feeling, will, body, social context, and soul. The analysis is so thorough that the casual reader may be put off by such attention to detail. It is understandable that some readers may find this book rather dull. However, if you take your time to grasp all the concepts presented here, it will pay off. It may take a certain amount of spiritual discipline to even finish this book, just like it takes discipline to eat all your broccoli, but it is ultimately rewarding. Don't despise what's good for you.
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Summary: Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ
Review: I am returning ...to order four more copies of "Renovation of Heart" by Dallas Willard. A prominent member of the University of Southern California Medical School and his wife introduced me to Willard three years ago by giving me a copy of "The Divine Conspiracy." I enjoyed the book immensely. (I have since bought four copies of it for others) Once done, they suggested I get a copy of "Renovation.." I did so in mid-2002 but took a year to get around to it. Wish that I had read it sooner. I have just finished reading it and can report that I found the book totally absorbing. I am a business executive and find Willard's words relevant to the times, not just in business, but for all walks of life in our society. I was going to skip the last sections on the Congregation but ended up reading them. I am glad I did. He makes some great points on what Churches should be, as many have lost their way.
Those of us who consider ourselves part of the Church can work not only for our own "Renovation of Heart" but for that also of the Church. Willard shows us what to focus on. There are other reviews here that do a better job in reviewing content. My purpose is only to say that this book is not just for members of the religious, or those who consider themselves religious, but for all. I have gained immensely from reading this book...a book I will read over and over again.
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Summary: Renovation Of The Heart: Belief, Reason
Review: I recommend Dallas Willard's "Renovation of the Heart". It's a book that encourages you to follow the teachings of Christ. You have to feel your heart needs to be renovated, however. You need to have the will to do so, and only through belief. If you are really interested in this subject, I also recommend that you read Norman Thomas Remick's book "West Point: Character.. Education..." for a renovation of the heart through reason.
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Summary: Wordy Willard
Review: I was wholly dissatisfied with Dallas Willard's work, Renovation of the Heart. I believe that Mr. Willard's heart was in the right place when he wrote the book, but he could not clearly or effectively communicate his message. His writing style is unnecessarily wordy, does not flow well, and forced me to re-read section after section because of his point's obscurity. Additionally, the work was poorly edited and contained innumerable choppy sentences and gross typographical errors, the worst of which is on page 255. I believe the word in this example is supposed to be "Christlikeness" but instead reads "C;keness."
Willard also brings up points of interest only to quickly drop them by making some cryptic statement like, "we can say little more than that." (see bottom of page 79) Within this same topic Willard inserts a footnote to give the impression that there was a reliable source quoted that supported his opinion. But the footnote itself is a reference to more of Willard's own opinions merely stated elsewhere. This is just not good writing.
I did glean some useful information from this book, but overall, I am disappointed with its quality and content, and hope that others have found the work more useful than I did.
Rating:
Summary: Wordy Willard
Review: I was wholly dissatisfied with Dallas Willard's work, Renovation of the Heart. I believe that Mr. Willard's heart was in the right place when he wrote the book, but he could not clearly or effectively communicate his message. His writing style is unnecessarily wordy, does not flow well, and forced me to re-read section after section because of his point's obscurity. Additionally, the work was poorly edited and contained innumerable choppy sentences and gross typographical errors, the worst of which is on page 255. I believe the word in this example is supposed to be "Christlikeness" but instead reads "C;keness."
Willard also brings up points of interest only to quickly drop them by making some cryptic statement like, "we can say little more than that." (see bottom of page 79) Within this same topic Willard inserts a footnote to give the impression that there was a reliable source quoted that supported his opinion. But the footnote itself is a reference to more of Willard's own opinions merely stated elsewhere. This is just not good writing.
I did glean some useful information from this book, but overall, I am disappointed with its quality and content, and hope that others have found the work more useful than I did.
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