[.ca] Renovation of the Heart: Putting On the Character of Christ (ISBN 1576832961)

From Amazon.com:
Although Dallas Willard's Renovation of the Heart is an accessible handbook for learning about spiritual formation, it's not lightweight by any stretch of the imagination. It compels the reader to take in the concepts slowly, underline important passages, scribble notes in the margins, and slowly absorb and put into practice the ideas Willard espouses. "Although there is much talk about 'changing lives' in Christian circles, the reality is very rare, and certainly much less common than the talk," writes Willard. But, he adds, no one need live in spiritual and personal defeat. Rather, the way of change is through inner transformation and taking the small steps that lead one to it. Beginning with an introduction to spiritual formation, he then outlines the avenues through which transformation takes place, including thoughts, feelings, choices, social context, the body, and the soul. Each chapter concludes with questions for personal or group reflection. Read it once, then keep it close for further reference--it's a book that will continually refresh a spiritual journey. --Cindy Crosby

Spiritual Formation Step by Step:
Renovation of the Heart is a step by step guide to spiritual formation, in which Dallas Willard talks about how to change in mind, heart, body, and soul. Willard has a wonderful grasp of the psychology of human beings to which he applies his insights from Scripture in teaching us how to put on the character of Christ. If you have ever wanted to get beyond doing the right things to being the right person, if you long for transformation not just in your external behavior but in your automatic responses, if you want to avoid not only committing acts of sin but being driven by sinful desires, you can hardly afford to miss this book. It is one of the most powerful books on transformation available today.

An Addition to the Canon on Spiritual Formation:
The 2nd half of Renovation of the Heart is by far the most insightful look into the "mechanics" of how spiritual formation happens I have ever read. Willard is a philosopher, and a philosopher of phenomenology at that, making him well-positioned to explain the elements of human personality and will, and the process by which these can be changed. For readers who have given up on actually becoming a new creation in Christ, particularly those who have received little instruction along these lines beyond 'just pray harder', this book will play a critical role in your growth into Christlikeness. Willard has yet to reveal the overlap between Edmund Husserl - the 20th century German phenomenology philosopher - who Willard masterfully translates and interprets for his colleagues, and Jesus. I'm real curious, as I know many others are, to know. Renovation - a book on human nature - seemed like the perfect opportunity to reveal the Willardian ontology, and to situate it next to those of Plato, Descartes, Kant and Nietzsche. But he chose, for good reasons I'm sure, not to do that. Willard writes a paragraph on existentialism in Renovation, and drops in one-liners about philosophers in Divine Conspiracy. But I'm sure Willard could take the 2,000-year-old conversation on the relationship between Athens and Jerusalem a couple steps forward if he were to write on the topic. Unfortunately, from the list of his current projects on his web site, it doesn't look like that's coming down the pike any time soon.

A Christian Perspective on Human Personality:
In a culture awash in psychology, Christian perspectives on the human personality have been sadly lacking. Dallas Willard has entered this void with his characteristic incisiveness, overarching vision, unique insights, and wealth of footnoted resources. The purpose of Renovation of the Heart is intensely practical - assisting Christians in becoming Christ's disciples. Willard's premise is that by better understanding ourselves, we can better participate in God's transforming work in our lives. Renovation of the Heart complements three earlier books by Willard: A Divine Conspiracy, Spirit of the Disciplines, and Hearing God. A Divine Conspiracy describes Christian discipleship and underscores its centrality and importance in Christ's own preaching. Spirit of the Disciplines outlines specific spiritual practices that are foundational and even indispensable in changing our thoughts, feelings, and actions to conform with those of Jesus. Hearing God addresses the loss of an intimate, conversational relationship with God in the contemporary church and how such a relationship can be recaptured and cultivated. Renovation of the Heart methodically explores the multiple dimensions of human personality and provides direction for participating with God in the renovation of the whole person. It is, as with all of Willard's books, dense with thought and meaning and requires careful, prayerful reading. For the diligent reader this effort will be well rewarded. In an age of stifling confusion about what it means to be human, Renovation of the Heart brings clarity, hope, and specific suggestions that will be of invaluable assistance along the journey toward likeness to Christ.

Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ:
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.

The best book on spiritual formation I have ever read:
Most books on spiritual formation are superficial and/or offer cookie cutter formulas for how to grow. This book presents a well thought out formulation of the human personality that is consistent with scriptural teachings and then offers practical advice on how to surrender all aspects of that personality to Christ so that we might become like him. The practical advice is not formulaic but suggests the types of thinking, praying and actions one should consider in trying to develop into a more Christ-like person. I read it too quickly the first time and now I need to go back through and absorb it more carefully. Dallas has set forth a sound theory and a sound method to slowly grow in the image of Christ, which is refreshing in a culture of fast food spirituality.