The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives (Paperback)

Many academic writers of spiritual material tend to be much too erudite. They seem to be more interested in categorizing God than in knowing him. They also seem to be more interested in identifying and pigeon-holing people than in loving them. Willard cuts against the grain of professiorial arrogance and demonstrates instead an excellent balance of love of God, love for people in community and well-thought out philosophy of Christian faith.

Spirit of the Disciplines discusses the role of the body in the development of spiritual maturity. Willard addresses Christianity's fear of the flesh by walking the user through an intellectually challenging discussion on his perception of the importance of bringing the body into relationship with Christ.

If I could reduce Willard's argument to a single concept (at the risk of too much reduction that might offend brother Willard), I would say this: 'No matter where you are, there your body is. For this reason, your body is key to all that you do as a disciple of Jesus.'

Think about it: the essence of faith is love and love is not expressed through abstract ideas or expressions. Love is done in action for someone else. Love can be spoken or it can be acted out but the body is the source of all expressions of love. Love is not merely thinking how nice it would be if I raked my neighbor's yard. Instead, love is expressed when I move my body to grab a rake and step into my neighbor's yard to complete the job.

Likewise, the body is the source of all expressions of sin. It is for this reason that disciplines are required to bring the body into progressive submission to obedience to Christ. I believe Willard to be saying that the degree to which we express love and sin through our bodies is a measure of our maturity in the faith and the depth of our vital love for God and others.

This book, along with Willard's, "In Search of Guidance," has been one of the most formative books for my walk with Christ. I strongly recommend this rigorous book for excellent brain and heart food.

Though it is certain that his intellect is powerful, these colleagues often don't know that his intellectual genius is complemented by spiritual genius. Dallas is an uncommon man who has exercised and increased the rich and abundant gifts that God has given him. He is no mere mortal. Were he a Roman Catholic, I would anticipate his cannonization as a saint!

If you agree that Chesterton and C.S. Lewis were forceful and entertaining apologists of Christianity; you will find Professor Willard is the superior. Not only is he profoundly wise, his wisdom is agile, and he communicates it with ease. "The Spirit of the Disciplines" explains the most important things in readable, plain english.

If you are well read (you have Aristotle, Aquinas, and Augustine under your belt) or you are a security guard working the late shift in a Westwood office building, this book is for you. If you just want the scoop on Christianity or wonder how to live a Christian life, get this book right now!

This is the rare book that you will want to will to someone because it will serve them far better than mere money ever could. It is priceless. If you are lost, you will be found. If you are blind, you will see... if you read and reread (many times over) "The Spirit of the Disciplines."

-Stan Faryna, Black and Right (Praeger Trade, 1997).