Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus

Reading the Bible like Dallas Willard

De: Dave Ripper, Gary W. Moon - foreword

Narrado por: Dave Ripper

Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus offers a unique pathway to deeper spiritual engagement, using Dallas Willard's revolutionary approach to reading the Bible. More than a study tool, this book invites you to transform your encounters with Scripture from mere information gathering to profound spiritual experiences. Using primary source material and insights from Willard, Dave Ripper takes you on an immersive exploration of Scripture that mirrors the intellect of a philosopher, and the heart of a mystic.

You'll find experiential exercises designed to prompt reflection and foster enriching group conversations, helping you not just to read, but to truly know the God of the Bible. Perfect for pastors, ministry leaders, and spiritual seekers shaped by voices like Eugene Peterson and Richard Foster, Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus offers a call to experience God's presence in new and vibrant ways. This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding and connection with Scripture as a disciple of Jesus. It offers practical tools, insights, and exercises that can be applied both individually and in group settings. By incorporating the teachings of Dallas Willard, Experiencing Scripture as a Disciple of Jesus provides a unique perspective on reading the Bible that goes beyond simple information gathering.

©2025 David Scott Ripper (P)2025 Christian Audio

Excellent presentation of Dallas Willard

If you've struggled to read Dallas Willard's work, this book presents it in a way that a lay person can understand. Highly recommend!

Thoughtful and intense guidance for a better way to walk with Jesus!

Slow down and read scripture they way Christian mystic philosopher Dallas Willard did, by meditating on and memorizing words from scripture to grow your relationship with the Almighty Creator of all that is.

A Great Book

This was one of the best books on Willard's work I've ever read, and had plenty of its own profound insights. Ripper is an incredible writer.

Just two criticisms:

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1. I'd invite Ripper to reconsider his criticism of Dallas' interpretation of the Beatitudes (he piggy backs on another writer for this; I wasn't familiar, but Ripper spoke highly of him). His basis for the critique seems to be that as Mathew 5: 8-10 are virtues, Dallas couldn't have been quite right. If each condition Jesus cites is a condition of frustration (Dallas articulated these as undesirable states), why would virtues like 'hunger and thirsting for righteousness" and "clean of heart" fit? Those are, after all, desirable, right? Aren't they virtues?

My reading of Dallas was that it is precisely because they are virtues that these are frustrated states. No one suffers more in a fallen world than a well-meaning and virtuous person. Indeed, Jesus (the perfect man), suffered the most--precisely because of his goodness. So what Dallas is saying (convincingly, I think) is that Jesus is inviting us to confidence that wherever we feel the despair and crushing hopelessness of frustrated desire in a fallen world (and our well-ordered desires for authentic goods are MOST poignant here), we can meet him, and IN him, experience the fullness of that desire. He is the only one who can provide what we actually long for. In short form, Dallas invites us to consider Jesus as telling us that wherever we feel crushing limits of fallenness most, we can turn to him as the solution to that problem. This is why it is SUCH GOOD NEWS.

In a sense, it seemed like Ripper (and the other critic he applauds) are overthinking this. And it was unfortunate because I think that is Dallas' single finest contribution to Biblical interpretation (which is really saying something), and one that completely revolutionized my understanding of the Gospel itself (took my breath away).

2. My second criticism of Ripper might be odd as it was not a major feature of the book, but it bothered me. Put simply, I would issue a strong caution about public confessions. Ripper uses an example of asking middle schoolers to confess their screentime during a speaking event at a Christian middle school. He wrote that this led to a student being "exposed" for reporting 13 hours of use a day. Now, I agree that it is not good she was spending so much time on screens. But I would suggest this was not good practice, no matter how much Ripper tried to make it a collective experience ("we were all exposed").

It sounded like she was humiliated. And though her mortification was in the service of his speaking event/spiritual point, Ripper seemed to simply not see the problem.

This is something Dallas actually specifically cautioned against (he would say "Now, don't answer this" as he wanted people to "have thought of their answer" without leading to their embarrassment--which is even more pressing with children). Though his concerns about technology were well-founded (especially vis-a-vis teenagers), Ripper didn't seem to catch that this was likely more damaging to the student than the screentime itself. The same point could be made without utilizing speaking events as confessionals.

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Those two things aside--and some of the usual quibbles across the Catholic/Protestant divide--the book is phenomenal and well worth your time. Ripper has a brilliant command of language and is among the best curators of Dallas' unique contributions and wisdom I've come across. Ripper's lectio divina method was wonderful, and his chapter on the Old Testament was phenomenal. The praise could continue for the rest of the afternoon. Suffice it to say I think this is a strong candidate for my book of the year and it is only January.

I'm really thankful to Dave for writing it and I highly recommend you check it out.

Great view of Disciples and DW

I thoroughly enjoyed this discourse on life with God from Dallas Willard’s perspective. The inclusion of his many writings and simple yet profound insights was spot on.