Product Description

A major new book that 'rediscovers our hidden life in God' from one of the most exciting authors emerging from North America. 'A masterpiece and a wonder -- the book I have been searching for all my life' from the foreword by Richard Foster. At the end of the twentieth Century a new expression of Christian Spirituality is forming which is focused on biblical truth but is less concerned with denominational labels. Drawing its support from both Catholics and Protestants, writers such as Richard Foster and Henri Nouwen have been the most popular. Now comes a major new addition: Dallas Willard. The Divine Conspiracy is a moving and penetrating exploration of human existance and human nature. It considers in a fresh way the abiding truths of judgement and grace and what he memorably calls 'theologies of sin management'. All this is set against a backdrop of modern materialism. 'His stories charm. His examples teach,' says Richard Foster, here is 'a soul satisfying banquet,' which he places alongside the writings of John Wesley, Martin Luther, Teresa of Avila 'and perhaps even Thomas Aquinas and Augustine of Hippo.' This is a book for the next millennium.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35549 in Books
• Published on: 1998-10-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Dallas Willard, an acclaimed theologian and professor of philosophy at the University of Southern California, fulfils the longing of many Christians who want to live as true disciples of Christ rather than distant dabblers. Likewise, he scoffs at consumer Christians who are simply banking on admittance to heaven as their payoff for attending church. Or worse still, those who use Christianity to advance their political agendas rather than their spiritual ones. But this is not a scolding book. Rather, Willard devotes his efforts to discussing specific and inspiring ways to develop a discipleship to Jesus--not as an act of sacrifice or even one of spiritual luxury--instead, as everyday people committed to the teachings of Christ. "The really good news for Christians is that Jesus is now taking students in the master class of life", writes Willard. "So the message of and about him is specifically a gospel for our life now, not just for dying. It is about living now as his apprentices in kingdom living, not just as consumers of his merits." --Gail Hudson

About the Author
Professor in the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California.

Customer Reviews

Second Best Book Ever Written
This is the second best book I have ever read. Dallas Willard has captured so much wisdom in one volume that it is amazing. Buy this book if you cant afford it sell your car,house just get a copy, read it and read it again.

Dallas looks in a fresh way at the reason we are alive, he looks at the beatitudes from new and inspirational perspective.

He looks at the key disciplines to becoming a true student of Christ and how to become a person through wholm natural works of rightousness flow, not through effort but as a natural process of a transformed life.

Excellent

Important and worth reading- but think about it carefully
This book has been hailed by many as ground-breaking, classic stuff. I certainly think it's worth reading, but have to be slightly more reserved in my praise; and I don't think it deserves to sit alongside CS Lewis's works, for example.

The book essentially explains Willard's contempt for 'cheap grace': the idea that salvation is all about the afterlife- and once we are 'saved', we can do what we like (an idea which seems to be fairly popular in the States, I think). He turns this on its head, and a large chunk of the book is taken up with looking at the Sermon on the Mount: what is this, asks Willard, but instruction to strive to live a better, more moral life for God- here, before we die?

His look at the Sermon on the Mount is refreshing and engaging, and a lot of people seem to get a lot out of it: it is not at the academic end of the scale, and is very practical (as the Sermon itself is, of course). However, if you want a commentary, I wouldn't get this book.

After reading the book I felt a strong desire to really live out my faith. For this alone, the book is worth commending. But I was slightly worried by Willard's approach on a lot of things; he seems to assume a fair amount about the nature of God, and quotes thinkers who I would have second thoughts about (John Hick, for example). I imagine that anyone solidly focused on the Bible as their final authority might find a couple of problems with this book. And if you are unclear about what the 'gospel' is, this book won't make it any clearer. However, as I've been a Christian for a while, I could ignore these bumps in the road and get a lot out of reading it.

This book will help you to develop as a Christian, if you have been a believer for a while already: but I don't think it will help new Christians very much, to be honest. And it is a bit longer than it really needs to be!

An absolutely deserved 5 stars
Of all the books (with the exception of the Bible) I have read in the past two and a half years on the topics of Christianity, discipleship, and renewal this book-The Divine Conspiracy is the absolute best. Dallas Willard has clearly been gifted by God as both an author and teacher. He exhibits these gifts in this wonderful book. One cannot read this book and not be challenged. Discipleship is not for just the few. It is a demand on every Christian. We are not following the call of Christ if we do not heed the call to discipleship. Mr. Willard seeks (quite effectively) to lead us in this path. I beseech you ... wherever you are spiritually, get this book and then read it.