Renovation of the Heart

Putting on the Character of Christ

By: Dallas Willard

Narrated by: Dallas Willard

Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

We aren't born again to stay the way we are. But how many times have we looked around us in dismay at the lack of spiritual maturity in fellow believers?

It is evident in the rising rate of divorces among Christian couples. We find it in the high percentages of Christians, even pastors, who regularly view pornography. And we face it each time a well-known leader in the Christian community is found in sexual sin or handling finances dishonestly. Perhaps you have struggled with your own character issues for years, even decades, to little avail. That's good news. You can experience significant growth in your Christian walk, shed sinful habits, and increasing take on the character of Christ.

In Renovation of the Heart, best-selling author Dallas Willard calls it "the transformation of the spirit"- a divine process that "brings every element in our being, working from inside out, into harmony with the will of God or the kingdom of God." In the transformation of our spirits, we become apprentices of Jesus Christ.

©2002 Dallas Willard (P)2002 christianaudio.com

I am truly grateful

This man has taken me thru a journey to find that you can find christ not only within yourself but others too.

Intelligent and easy to understand

This is an understandable look into the deeper thoughts in the Bible. Willard explains subject matter that often gets glossed over because most of us simply do not have the education or experience to "see" the way history and current events are affected by Biblical events.

Complete Model of Self in the Context of Others

Dallas reading this book makes it all the more special to me. I majored in psychology 20+ years ago, and nearly entered a doctoral program in cognitive social psychology. Though I loved the subject and hungered for greater wisdom, all I could see the research model producing was esoteric and fragmented information. I could see nothing relevant to life... nothing I could share with others outside the academy... nothing but isolation. I desired depth and width and unity and relevance. I chased it many directions and through several careers. I've been reading Dallas' work for 6 years, but had not read this book until recently. The model of the self that Dallas lays out rings so true. This book lays a framework for the ultimate and complete social psychology with the God of the universe as the foundation through our LORD Jesus Christ. This work of Dallas connected all the dots for me, and Dallas always points his students to Jesus and not himself. Now I have a social psychology framework to study and apply for all eternity - one that is infinitely deep and wide and relevant to everyday life. This work is truly wisdom for my life, and ties together all Dallas' works on spiritual formation into Christlikeness through discipleship to Jesus Christ. This work helps me see and understand where I am at so that I can more clearly discern where my LORD has me going. May this book bless you, your work, your family, and your ministries, regardless of where and when God has placed you!

The Ultimate Solution

This is the best book I’ve read relating to being a disciple of Christ. It lays out Christ’s plan for Spiritual formation that will aid us in becoming more like Christ.

Incredible

I’ve read several other books by Dallas Willard and am completely amazed. After completing this I am listening to it again. I highly suggest this book.

Kind, Fatherly, Well-reasoned Teaching

When the author first started reading I confess that I wasn't very impressed with his voice or delivery. But after just a very few minutes I started feeling like I was being taught by a kind and elderly man who knew the Lord a lot better than I did, and that I was, in fact, very privileged to be listening in.

While the audio format is great for many books, and while I'm glad that I listened (see above), I don't think I followed his outlines very well in my head and I feel that to get the maximum benefit from this book I'm going to have to open and peruse the hard copy.

Since I desperately want my heart renovated I admit I feel a little disappointed that no great epiphany accompanied my listening, but I believe that is consistent with the teaching of the book, which includes a great deal about continuing and consistency.

Read again and again

One of the best books on spiritual formation I have ever read.

I wish all our churches would focus on this

Rich, dense, thought provoking

This book is packed full of so much dense profound insight, it will be a book that I will come back to for reference for the rest of my life.

Prepare to live fully

Narrated by the author himself this book is that much more enjoyable to listen to. Dallas Willard took me on a thorough journey to become more like Christ. He goes into great detail about the condition of the body, soul, thoughts, emotions, free will and how to regain control of it all. A must read for Christians at any point in their journey.

Tears of gratitude and love

This book is a jewel. It is read by Dallas himself and I might just go back to hearing it again immediately as it felt like a grandfather teaching me how to follow Jesus. Beautiful. I am thankful.