For those of you who aren’t familiar with the books of Dallas Willard, or who may have only read a book or two of his, here is a brief guide to his seven essential works by ERB editor Chris Smith.
Which books have you read? Which have impacted you most?
The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives
I know that when many people think of Willard, they think of this book. It is a superb introduction to the spiritual disciplines and makes a powerful case for their importance. By Willard’s own account, this book was written as a companion to Richard Foster’s CELEBRATION OF DISCIPLINE. However, for me, Foster’s work — which I read first, and which still seems to be rooted in a heartier ecclesiology — seems to overshadow Willard’s book somewhat. Regardless, this is an important book and when read together with Foster’s book, the reader will find that the two books offer a compelling case for the spiritual disciplines as central to Christian discipleship.
The two most influential for me were Renovation of the Heart and The Divine Conspiracy. Both have shaped my ministry as well as the trajectory of my personal life (I am in my current doctoral program in large part due to the change in thinking those two books caused in my life).
Have also read Spirit of the Disciplines, Hearing God and listened to many lectures and talks.
Thanks for sharing, Carl!