Renovation of the Heart

Putting on the Character of Christ

De: Dallas Willard

Narrado por: Dallas Willard

A high school student reared in a Christian home turns to drugs and alcohol. A woman tries to stop criticizing others—for ten years. A father knows he needs more patience with his children, but his efforts seem in vain.

What do these people have in common? They are all in desperate need of further renovation of the heart, of transformation of the spirit. But just what is this transformation? Author Dallas Willard explains that its ideal end is when "all of the essential parts of the human self are effectively organized around God, as they are restored and sustained by Him. Spiritual transformation in Christ is the process leading to that ideal end, and its result is love of God with all of the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and of the neighbor as oneself."

Although you may acknowledge this as the ideal, you may still wonder how to get there? Renovation of the Heart helps to answer that inquiry. It lays a foundation for understanding the ruin and restoration of humanity by discussing human nature and its components, how they operate, and how they are renewed. It describes common misunderstandings about our human nature and the discipleship process. Most important, it outlines the general pattern of personal transformation—not as a formula, but as a systematic process that we have the responsibility to undertake as intentional apprentices of Jesus. Only then will our transformation be accomplished, through interaction with the grace of God in Christ, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and spiritual treasures stored in the body of Christ. //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? There's good news. You can experience significant growth in your Christian walk, shed sinful habits, and increasingly take on the character of Christ. Willard calls this "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."

©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.

Unique approach to discipleship of Jesus

Important to be aware of necessity of authentic belief through inner spiritual change. Thanks Dallas Willard

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.

MESSAGE WOULD HAVE BENEFITTED FROM BREVITY - MATTHEW 6:7

YEARS AGO, I FELT I NEEDED TO PRAY FOR THE LORD’S PEOPLE TO BE MIRACULOUSLY GUIDED INTO PATHWAYS AWAY FROM THE DELUSION AND DECEPTION USED BY THE FALSE PROPHETS, APOSTLES, MESSIAH’S, FALSE REPRESENTATIVES OF CHRIST, TEACHERS, LEGALIZERS AND THEIR FOLLOWERS, WHOM JESUS, PETER, PAUL, JAMES, JOHN AND JUDE WARNED US ABOUT. I’D FALL ASLEEP, MAKING LISTS OF LEADERS I BELIEVED WERE CORRUPT. ONE NIGHT, I REALIZED THAT, WHEN JESUS GAVE THAT WARNING TO HIS DISCIPLES, HE KNEW EXACTLY WHO THE FALSE LEADERS WERE, AND DID NOT NEED ME MAKING LISTS FOR HIM. I FOCUSED ON THE LORD’S NEXT ADVICE TO HIS DISCIPLES: “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” MATTHEW 6:8. I BEGAN THANKING THE LORD FOR KNOWING EVERYTHING WE NEED, INCLUDING BEING MIRACULOUSLY GUIDED INTO PATHWAYS AWAY FROM THE DELUSION AND DECEPTION USED BY CORRUPT RELIGIOUS LEADERS. , OUR PRAYER IS THAT THE AUTHOR WILL LEARN HOW TO BEGIN EACH DAY, THANKING THE LORD THAT THE LORD ALREADY KNOWS EVERYTHING HE NEEDS.