Faithful Intellect
Engaging Culture with Faith and Reason
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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.
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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…
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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…
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On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble – Book Review
In “On Getting Out of Bed,” Noble delves into the complexities of mental suffering. He asserts that the core question of existence lies in affirming the value of life, rooted in our identity as creations of God. Offering insights on living with mental health conditions, Noble emphasizes acceptance, navigating uncertainty, and seeking help. Ultimately, he…
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The Deconstruction of Christianity by Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett Book Review
In “The Deconstruction of Christianity,” Childers and Barnett delve into the trend of faith deconstruction within evangelical circles. They advocate for a return to biblical authority. They address the why, how, what, and who of deconstruction. They propose a process of reformation over deconstruction. However, their narrow definition and focus on authority may not fully…
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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…
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The Ballot and the Bible by Kaitlyn Schiess Book Review
“The Ballot and the Bible” by Kaitlyn Schiess: 6/10. This book examines the historical use of Scripture in American politics, analyzing different eras from the Puritans to modern-day politicians like Bush, Obama, and Trump. Top takeaways are the need for a comprehensive understanding of Scripture and caution against biblical literalism.
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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…
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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…
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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…