Category: Spiritual Formation
Spiritual formation is a critical part of the work we do at Faithful Intellect. We need to invest in transformation in order to effectively engage culture with faith and reason. This transformation is not a technique or a self-help program. It is a relationship with Jesus.
Spiritual formation is how we are able to work towards our mission:
We believe that God is the source of all truth and wisdom, and that He calls us to use our minds to glorify Him and serve His purposes. We also strive to explore the reality of creation and culture with humility and curiosity, recognizing our limitations and biases. Our readers are invited to join us in this journey of critical thinking and open-minded inquiry, as we seek to follow Jesus with our intellect by engaging culture with faith and reason.
At Faithful Intellect, our view of spiritual formation is heavily influenced by Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and Mark Sayers. Our current series on 8 Spiritual Insights from Dallas Willard will demonstrate this influence in greater detail about the important and process of transformation. Dallas Willard and Richard Foster have provided a legacy with Renovare. They have inspired many other great writers and resources that continue their tradition.
Top Books on Spiritual Formation:
Divine Conspiracy (https://amzn.to/41Eo9Aw)
Renovation of the Heart (https://amzn.to/3H1GGgN)
Hearing God (https://amzn.to/47nptcm)
Life Without Lack (https://amzn.to/3tCM7jc)
The Spirit of the Disciplines (https://amzn.to/41SGzO8)
Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster (https://amzn.to/3SjkjtN)
The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas (https://amzn.to/3GZUx7b)
Surrender to Love by David G. Benner (https://amzn.to/3RI9ijU)
The Good and Beautiful God (https://amzn.to/48XcZJV)
The Good and Beautiful Life (https://amzn.to/48XcZJV)
The Good and Beautiful Community (https://amzn.to/4aL8Z0L)
The Good and Beautiful You (https://amzn.to/3TJhiE4)
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Dallas Willard: Insight #7 – Grace, Effort, and Earning
In exploring belief and action, Dallas Willard emphasizes that grace isn’t against effort but against earning. Grace, a free gift, contrasts with earning, which is an attitude. Our effort, seen through actions choosing to follow Jesus and practicing spiritual disciplines, helps us align our lives with the Kingdom of God. Read more
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Dallas Willard: Insight #6 – What Is Belief?
In evangelical church culture, being a Believer is often synonymous with being a Christian. But understanding belief, as used in the Bible, is crucial. Belief isn’t just intellectual assent or a ticket to Heaven; it’s a personal choice shaping our actions. Dallas Willard defines belief as acting as if something is true, not just professing… Read more
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The Gift of Being Yourself by David G. Benner
“The Gift of Being Yourself” by Benner explores the intertwined journey of self-discovery and spirituality, emphasizing the essential connection between knowing God and knowing oneself. Divided into three parts, the book delves into transformational knowledge, understanding God, and understanding oneself. Benner highlights the significance of experiential, subjective knowledge over mere theoretical understanding, urging readers to… Read more
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Dallas Willard: Insight #5 – What is Discipleship?
According to Dallas Willard, discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you. It involves aligning our will with God’s will, considering how Jesus would navigate our context. Discipleship entails loving God and others, pursuing others’ flourishing, and maintaining peace rooted in Jesus. It’s not a church growth program or… Read more
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Dallas Willard: Insight #4 – What are Spiritual Disciplines For?
Dallas Willard defines spiritual disciplines as activities of mind and body purposefully undertaken, to bring our personality and total being unto effective cooperation with the divine order. They enable us more and more to live in a power that is, strictly speaking, beyond us, deriving from the spiritual realm itself. This approach offers a compelling… Read more
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Dallas Willard: Insight #3 – Jesus Is the Greatest Genius
Dallas Willard claimed that Jesus was the greatest genius who ever lived. While common perceptions of Jesus often focus on love and sacrifice, Willard contends that Jesus’ brilliance extends beyond moral teachings. We should view Jesus not only as a moral authority but as a genius in all aspects of life. Recognizing Jesus’ genius can… Read more
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Dallas Willard: Insight #2 – What is a human being?
Dallas Willard’s second spiritual formation insight is about human identity and death. Willard defines humans as unceasing spiritual beings with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe. He emphasizes the security and hope we have in God and the eternal nature of humanity. Willard views death as a transition, not an end. Believers will experience… Read more
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Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
“Practicing the Way” is the new release from John Mark Comer. The book delves into the transformative journey of discipleship. This insightful book centers around three goals: being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. With advice on establishing a Rule of Life, Comer guides readers through practices such as sabbath, prayer,… Read more
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Surrender to Love by David G. Benner
“Surrender to Love” by David G. Benner explores love, surrender, fear, and transformation in Christian spirituality. The book emphasizes experiencing God’s unconditional love through vulnerability. Critiques of the book include an underemphasis on the role of the cross and atonement, as well as a need for clarity on the Holy Spirit’s role. Written from a… Read more
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What Did Dallas Willard Believe About Reality and the Good Life?
Dallas Willard’s Four Great Questions of Life delve into the essence of reality, the good life, ethics, and personal transformation. Challenging prevailing narratives, he emphasizes the significance of God’s Kingdom, a life in alignment with God, and the pursuit of agape love to become a truly good person. Read more