Rating: 
Summary: Clear, consise, makes sense.
Review: This book explains, in easy to understand terms, the process and pitfalls that we face in our journey to become like Christ. Why, for example, working to "think" holy, or forcing ourselves to "act" holy just don't work by themselves for many believers. We must find those broken parts and work them into the equation also. I find this book along with "Spirit of the Disciplines" and Foster's "Celebration of Discipline" to be some of the most important books written in the end of this century. This book will not appeal to anyone who does not think (want to admit) that the effects of the world in a persons past have any effect on their present walk. If you are of the opinion that Christ instantly transforms you to sinlessness on acceptance, and don't want to read other points of view, find another author.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Thoughtful Advice
Review: This book is not for people seeking an easy path to enlightenment. Those would be better off reading Deepak Chopra or Caroline Myss. But Mr. Willard's excellent discussion is for those who are sincere about spiritual growth and willing to make the effort to become more Christlike. Mr. Willard has carefully explained all the parts that make up the human being, has explained where the person must concentrate his energies in order to enact spiritual change, and, in the end, he has left it up to the reader to implement a plan for growth. Don't expect the "Seven Steps to Spiritual Growth." Do expect to be challenged. And to the extent you can meet the challenges, expect to be rewarded.
Rating:
Summary: Rennovation of the Heart
Review: This book provides some very key and profound life changing principles in living the spiritual life. My first read of this book went by quick and I enjoyed the material. My second read has gone much slower as I contemplate more fully the content and then consider how I might apply theses principles. I think this might be the book that helps me to get over the hump in those areas of my life that has kept me from following the way more closely.
Rating:
Summary: Spiritual Transformation in a World of Chaos
Review: When confronted with challenging situations, our decisions on how to act or react are very much dependent upon our prior internal preparations (spiritual formation/transformation). The purpose of learning, Dallas Willard points out, is to enable us to give appropriate direction to our actions without having to actually make conscious decisions. We need to develop a Christ-like character, which will enable us to live a life like Jesus. In other words, we need to learn to do what is right, simply because it is right (it is what Jesus would do). We often deceive ourselves to think we are in control, when we clearly are not. Thus it becomes extremely difficult to make correct choices in a world that thrives off of chaos. Willard argues that as people, and especially as Christians, we need to decide in advance on what kind of choices we are going to make. Will I act in a Christ-like way (as a suffering servant to use Mark's analogy), or will my actions be dictated by what is best for me? All too often the answer is that we act exclusively in our own interest. In our modern society, as Dallas points out, the individual "self" has become a primary idol of worship. Self-worship unfortunately occurs both in and out of the church. Willard's book is a practical look at what he calls the six essential dimensions of the human being (body, soul, thought, feeling, social context, and will (heart/spirit) and how to transform these dimensions. This transformation, which can be called "death to self", is presented in a classic "vision-intention-means" model. While many of the ideas in the book are quite thought provoking and helpful in regard to Christian growth, this book is not for everyone. Not everyone will agree with the author's basic assumption of our self-absorbent, sinful nature or that the world trains us to do wrong before we even have a chance to think about it. If you are a Christian wanting to grow in your relationship with the Lord, this book has some interesting ideas that will help you understand human inner turmoil a bit more clearly. Even more important is the practical advice on how to grow in the inner areas of our lives, which are presented at the end of each chapter. Spiritual formation is an important subject for the Christian in their every day life. While I do not agree completely with every idea as presented in the book (especially the downplay of the role of evangelism toward the end of the book) it is none-the-less a solid book, Biblically based, with a plethora of useful information. Always remember, the only flawless book is the Bible itself.
Rating: 
Summary: Some good points, poor writing, suspicious theology
Review: Willard covers many of the essential points in spiritual formation. Unforunately it took a lot of effort to mine the useful ideas in this book. The authors writing style is overly complicated. There is an abundance of irrelevant information. It is a difficult read, and I don't believe it was worth the effort. Williard's theology is suspicious on some points. Williard defines 6 different aspects of the human being. His definitions for 'Spirit' and 'Soul' lack biblical basis. His understanding of Paul's concept of the 'flesh' is weak. The college I work at is using this book as a textbook for a spiritual formation class. This book has received nothing but negative feedback from the students. I don't recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid Principles within a Stodgy Presentation
Review: Willard offers some excellent ideas in this latest work. His presentation however, is lacking in readability and relevance. His intention is to describe how God works to transform persons into disciples of Christ. The author throughout this volume elaborates on the six human dimensions in which God brings change: thought, feeling, will, body, social context, and soul. His insights are very helpful, especially to Christian leaders and pastors. He stresses that discipleship is not an option for the follower of Christ, but is the essence of what it means to be a follower of Christ. Willard undoubtedly is a gifted thinker and devout believer. If his writing style were not so bland and even boring at times, he would minister to a much wider audience. As it is, I can recommend this book only to professional Christian leaders who have the time and the motivation to mine the nuggets of truth found here.
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