Incredible insight into not only the practice of the spiritual disciplines but also the motivation to practice them. Plus a practical look at how real life impacts the practice of the disciplines. Chuck ( )

The second book I've read now by Dallas Willard, the first being The Divine Conspiracy. He continues to bring fresh perspective, this time in dealing with the spiritual disciplines.

Key quote = “We have one realistic hope for dealing with the world’s problems. And that is the person and gospel of Jesus Christ, living here and now, in people who are his by total identification found through the spiritual disciplines. Why? This faith and discipline yields a new humanity.” ( )

An excellent work on the importance of the spiritual disciplines in the life of a disciple of Christ. Willard provides thorough and complete arguments for the disciplines in the realm of a grace-filled life as opposed to in a life led by legalism. Willard will challenge you to develop the habits of Christ in your everyday life. A must read for anyone desiring a more meaningful and purposeful walk with Christ. ( )

Excellent for in-depth discussion. Not "easy reading" but meaningful and foundational to serious study of spiritual disciplines. ( )

In his preface, Willard says that "this book is a plea for the Christian community to place the disciplines for the spiritual life at the heart of the gospel." That is, to be a Christian is more than merely believing and confessing a set of propositions about God, Jesus, and salvation; it is to be like Jesus and to practice the righteousness he requires. Willard indicts the church in America for failing to help believers actually become like Jesus in thought, word, and deed. Christians need explicit training in how to express in their bodies the essence of Christlikeness in the moment-by-moment of each day through the practice of spiritual disciplines.

Willard provides clear definitions of several of the classic disciplines, benefits they can bring to a church and individual believers, and practical ways of doing them. He devotes a substantial chapter to the question of poverty as a spiritual discipline, asking the question, "Is Poverty Spiritual?"

One thing Willard does well in all his writing is provoke critical self-examination without laying on a guilt trip. The result is often, for me, either repentance, spiritual enlightenment or both. The book contains chapter endnotes, a full bibliography, and name, subject, and scripture indices. ( )