Amazon Prime Free Trial
FREE Delivery is available to Prime members. To join, select "Try Amazon Prime and start saving today with FREE Delivery" below the Add to Cart button and confirm your Prime free trial.
Amazon Prime members enjoy:- Cardmembers earn 5% Back at Amazon.com with a Prime Credit Card.
- Unlimited FREE Prime delivery
- Streaming of thousands of movies and TV shows with limited ads on Prime Video.
- A Kindle book to borrow for free each month - with no due dates
- Listen to over 2 million songs and hundreds of playlists
Important: Your credit card will NOT be charged when you start your free trial or if you cancel during the trial period. If you're happy with Amazon Prime, do nothing. At the end of the free trial, your membership will automatically upgrade to a monthly membership.
-43% $9.71$9.71
Ships from: Amazon.com Sold by: Amazon.com
$8.41$8.41
Ships from: Amazon Sold by: Jenson Books Inc
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Audible sample
The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives Paperback – May 5, 1999
Purchase options and add-ons
How to Live as Jesus Lived
Dallas Willard, one of today's most brilliant Christian thinkers and author of The Divine Conspiracy (Christianity Today's 1999 Book of the Year), presents a way of living that enables ordinary men and women to enjoy the fruit of the Christian life. He reveals how the key to self-transformation resides in the practice of the spiritual disciplines, and how their practice affirms human life to the fullest. The Spirit of the Disciplines is for everyone who strives to be a disciple of Jesus in thought and action as well as intention.
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarperOne
- Publication dateMay 5, 1999
- Dimensions8.02 x 5.32 x 0.69 inches
- ISBN-100060694424
- ISBN-13978-0060694425
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
More items to explore
Editorial Reviews
Review
From the Inside Flap
The Spirit of the Disciplines places solitude and silence, prayer, simple and sacrificial living, meditation upon God's word and ways, and service to others at the heart of the gospel. "We need a deeper insight into our practical relationship to God in redemption," Willard writes. "We need an understanding that can guide us into constant interaction with the Kingdom of God." Speaking to what Willard identifies as "a widespread and deep longing among Christians and non-Christians alike for the personal purity and power to live as our hearts tell us we should," the observation of the disciplines can make the process of deepening and revitalizing our relationship with God a part of daily existence.
"We can increasingly resemble Christ in character and in power by following him in his overall style of life," Willard affirms. "This was the method of his earliest disciples, and it is as valid today as it was then...To enter into and increasingly master such a life is what having faith in Christ really means." To enter into the spirit and practice of the disciplines is to move toward the authentic life of faith. The Spirit of the Disciplines is an intelligent, thoughtful guide to an enriched spiritual life, a book about how to live as Christ lived, directed to those who hope to be his disciples in deed as well as intention. It details why the disciplines are essential to our deliverance from the concrete power of sin, and outlines the ways they can help each of us achieve the blessings of the companionship of Christ.
From the Back Cover
How to Live as Jesus Lived
Dallas Willard, one of today's most brilliant Christian thinkers and author of The Divine Conspiracy (Christianity Today's 1999 Book of the Year), presents a way of living that enables ordinary men and women to enjoy the fruit of the Christian life. He reveals how the key to self-transformation resides in the practice of the spiritual disciplines, and how their practice affirms human life to the fullest. The Spirit of the Disciplines is for everyone who strives to be a disciple of Jesus in thought and action as well as intention.
About the Author
Dallas Willard was a professor at the University of Southern California's School of Philosophy until his death in 2013. His groundbreaking books The Divine Conspiracy, The Great Omission, Knowing Christ Today, Hearing God, The Spirit of the Disciplines, Renovation of the Heart, and The Divine Conspiracy Continued forever changed the way thousands of Christians experience their faith.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The Spirit of the Disciplines - Reissue
Understanding How God Changes LivesBy Willard, DallasHarperSanFrancisco
Copyright © 2004 Dallas WillardAll right reserved.
ISBN: 0060694424
Chapter One
The Secret of the Easy Yoke
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.-- Matthew 11:29-30His commands are not burdensome.-- I John 5:3, NIVA more reasonable estimate of human costs and values will lead us to think that no labour is better expended than that which explores the way to the treasure-houses of the spirit, and shows mankind where to find those goods which are increased by being shared, and which none can take from us. -- William Ralph Inge"Christianity has not so much been tried and found wanting, as it has been found difficult and left untried." So said that insightful and clever Christian, G. K. Chesterton. Whether or not he was totally serious, there is almost universal belief in the immense difficulty of being a real Christian. The vast, grim "cost of discipleship" is something we hear constantly emphasized. Chesterton's observation can at least be taken as reflecting the attitude of many serious people toward The Way of Christ.
But it must not be left to stand as the whole truth. We would do far better to lay a clear, constant emphasis upon the cost of nondiscipleship as well. As Søren Kierkegaard reminds us, "It costs a man just as much or even more to go to hell than to come to heaven. Narrow, exceedingly narrow is the way to perdition!"
Proverbs 13:15 tells us that it is the way of the transgressor that is hard. We can also learn this by candid observation of life. Actually, a large part of the Old Testament book of Proverbs merely records the results of such observation. The whole book is a song of praise for the path of the righteous over that of the wicked, leaving no doubt in which life, joy and strength are to be found.
To depart from righteousness is to choose a life of crushing burdens, failures, and disappointments, a life caught in the toils of endless problems that are never resolved. Here is the source of that unending soap opera, that sometimes horror show known as normal human life. The "cost of discipleship," though it may take all we have, is small when compared to the lot of those who don't accept Christ's invitation to be a part of his company in The Way of life.
The words of Jesus quoted above from Matthew 11:29-30 present an alternative to the desolation of life lived apart from God. Yet, in all honesty, most Christians probably find both Jesus' statement and its reiteration by the author of 1 John (5:3) to be more an expression of a hope or even a mere wish than a statement about the substance of their lives. To many, Jesus' words are frankly bewildering. We hear them often quoted, because the idea they express is obviously one that attracts and delights, but there seems to be something about the way we approach them, something about what we think it means to walk with Christ and obey him, that prevents most of us from entering into the reality which they express. The ease, lightness, and power of his Way we rarely enjoy, much less see, as the pervasive and enduring quality of our streetlevel human existence.
So we do not have the strength we should have, and Jesus' commandments become overwhelmingly burdensome to us. In fact, many Christians cannot even believe he actually intended for us to carry them out. So what is the result? His teachings are treated as a mere ideal, one that we may better ourselves by aiming for but know we are bound to fall glaringly short of.
It's a familiar story. "We're only human," we say, and "to err is human." Such pronouncements may be for another age or "dispensation", we may think -- or possibly they're for when we are in heaven. But they cannot be for us now. Not really. Jesus could not have imposed anything that hard upon us. And beside, we're in a period of grace -- we are saved by grace, not by anything we do -- so obedience to Christ is actually not necessary. And it is so hard, anyway; it cannot be expected of us, much less enjoyed by us.
And so we reason. All of our reasonings cannot, however, remove the thought that Jesus calls us to follow him -- to follow him now, not after death.
No one denies that we would be far better off and our world an immeasurably better place, if we were to conform in deed and spirit to who he is and what he taught. And all of our lack of understanding doesn't cancel his offer of an easy yoke and a light burden, in which our souls can find rest. That offer, like his call to follow him, is clearly made to us here and now, in the midst of this life where we labor and bear impossible burdens and cry out for rest. It's true. It's real. We have only to grasp the secret of entering into that easy yoke.
What then is the secret? There is a simple answer to this' all important question. It is one that can be introduced and even made completely clear, by comparing some facts with which we are all familiar
Think of certain young people who idolize an outstanding baseball player. They want nothing so much as to pitch or run or hit as well as their idol. So what do they do? When they are playing in a baseball game, they all try to behave exactly as their favorite baseball star does. The star is well known for sliding head first into bases, so the teenagers do too. The star holds his bat above his head, so the teenagers do too. These young people try anything and everything their idol does, hoping to be like him -- they buy the type shoes the star wears, the same glove he uses, the same bat...
Continues...Excerpted from The Spirit of the Disciplines - Reissueby Willard, Dallas Copyright © 2004 by Dallas Willard. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Product details
- Publisher : HarperOne; Reprint edition (May 5, 1999)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0060694424
- ISBN-13 : 978-0060694425
- Item Weight : 8 ounces
- Dimensions : 8.02 x 5.32 x 0.69 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #10,449 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
DALLAS WILLARD (1935-2013) Dr. Willard has deeply affected many people through his writing and speaking. He displayed a scholarly acumen and a pastor's heart, seeking to integrate philosophy, theology, and ethics with practical discipleship and Christian day-to-day living.
Dr. Willard studied at William Jewell College, Tennessee Temple College, and Baylor University before earning a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin. He was a professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California from 1965 to 2012, working in the fields of logic, philosophy of mind, and epistemology. He loved teaching and considered it a noble profession responsible for the condition of the world in years and centuries to come. His teaching, writing and research continues to nurture young minds towards truth, reason and God, and his groundbreaking books have forever changed the way thousands of Christians experience their faith. Richard Foster, author of the book Celebration of Discipline, says of Dallas, “Rarely have I found an author so penetrating in his intellect combined with so generous a spirit.”
The life of Dallas Willard had a radically life-changing effect on those who came in contact with him, and many of his former students are now university professors committed to furthering the ideas they learned from him. His books will touch both your mind and your heart.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book insightful and helpful for spiritual formation. They describe it as a foundational book on spiritual disciplines that answers many theological questions. Readers consider it an excellent read and worth the price.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book insightful and helpful for spiritual formation. It provides foundational information on disciplines and answers theological questions. Readers say it helps their spiritual journey and opens their eyes to different forms of worship. The author views things simply but profoundly, providing a deeper understanding of the Gospel.
"...aspects of all of Dallas' SD is that he masterfully unpacks, in a very thoughtful and gracious manner, how one can presently begin living a properly..." Read more
"...Dr. Willard gives us a preliminary list of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible study, fellowship, service, solitude, meditation, fasting,..." Read more
"...how each of us can use spiritual disciplines to reshape and guide our lives day to day...." Read more
"...This does not replace the Gospel but is rather a fuller understanding of how to access the benefits available to us in our salvation...." Read more
Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the author's deep understanding of spiritual disciplines and their importance. The beginning and end are praised for their clarity.
"...is motivated by the thrill of taking honest-to-goodness, real, tangible actions that routinely improve their relationship to Jesus...." Read more
"Wonderful book by Dallas Willard about how each of us can use spiritual disciplines to reshape and guide our lives day to day...." Read more
"This book is a classic and one that every Christian should have in their library." Read more
"...It's the most well-rounded, compelling, foundational approach to Spiritual Disciplines that I've ever read!..." Read more
Customers find the book a good value for money. They say it's worth the price and effort, though not an easy read.
"Good buy" Read more
"...(Is Poverty Spiritual; Disciplines & Power Structures) are worth the price of this book!" Read more
"...as the discussion of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus is of great value...." Read more
"...This guy is the real deal and knows God in a way I can only hope to emulate...." Read more
Reviews with images
This book should be definitely part of your collection
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2014This review, like any review of a book written by Dallas Willard, borrows from his other writings as it is difficult to unpack his main points without reference to his entire program. After the unfortunate and recent passing of Dallas Willard I purchased "The Theology of Dallas Willard: Discovering Protoevangelical Faith" written by Dr. Gary Black, Jr. This fantastic book is largely based on Dr. Black's Ph.D dissertation, it is the first and only of its kind, solely focused on Dallas Willard's teachings. The newest book, "The Divine Conspiracy Continued," is also coauthored by Dr. Black. After reading through the first 100+ pages it dawned on me that it was time to read or re-read one of Dr. Willard's books (allegedly Dallas preferred to dispense with the title of Ph.D next to his name [see `The Steady Confidence of Dallas Willard' on JP Moreland's website at jpmoreland.com]). Believing this statement to be true, I shall refer to Dr. Willard by his first name in the remainder of this review--no incivility intended to those of you that have known this man personally.
The book I chose to start reading was "The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives ("SD")." Just like all of his other writings and teaching, every single sentence of SD oozes with an intoxicating profundity and theological/moral incumbency and authority prompting one to reconsider what it actually means to be an active follower of Christ. Although some reviewers complain of "redundancy" (repetition may be the proper term), these reviewers likely do not understand the context for the content in SD, they have not been exposed to the entire divine conspiracy, or they were simply not in the proper stage of life or state of mind to fully appreciate the import of "repetition"--and there is no actual culpability of redundancy in SD.
(Dr. Black summaries the Dallas' divine conspiracy in `The Divine Conspiracy Continued,' stating "God's divine conspiracy is to overcome the human kingdoms of this world with love, justice, and truth. This includes the whole world and all of human society--at the individual, corporate, and governmental levels" [page 2]).
Any alleged redundancy is wholly intentional and this is a fairly large theme in SD: interactive learning utilizing our actual bodies as we imbibe truths to be utilized for God's Kingdom, defined by Dallas as the range of God's effective will. Again, this is where those exposed to Dallas' wider vision and other teachings are able to glean the import of SD.
For example, Dallas teaches that we are created in such a way that learning comes by way of participation, an "interactive" participation that requires repetition and the use of our physical bodies. Rather than simply read a book or listen to a sermon, if we want the real benefit of learning we ought to write out the main points (the actual use of our body--our hands in conjunction with our intentions--that is required in practicing spiritual disciplines). The result is an ability to retain what we read or are taught is increased by 8 times. We are interactively utilizing our physical bodies and minds, much like my typing this review.
It is somewhat difficult to write a review of SD without being a tad autobiographic. I do not believe that Dallas would have had any aversions. In fact, he would likely embrace such a review as an application and/or conclusion of a purpose of SD. To be honest, then, like many of my brothers and sisters, my thought life has been terribly skewed with feelings of failure and my actions have become marginalized. Worldly circumstances, recent and childhood traumas have manifested and become overwhelmingly difficult to deal with leading to the marginalization of my relationship with Jesus. I have felt this for years, and this became all the more clear after reading SD and Dallas is quick to point out that he is not seeking to condemn to reader. I am 45 years of age, my wife and I have been committed believers for 20 years, I graduated from a well-known seminary and I have been formally involved in the culture war for well over a decade. My focus has been against the relegation of Christian truth claims placed into the category of mere belief and taken out of the category of knowledge.
(For those well read or those in the academy this is known as the epistemic aspect of a worldview (a.k.a. knowledge). SD is also meant to provide a practical medium to combat this marginalization or relegation. However, this says nothing of my relationship, or lack thereof, and the present use of Jesus as a co-worker [or as my Teacher and general] in this fight).
I have become so entrenched in reading the requisite materials to help me engage the culture war that I lost sight of the real power and purpose that lay behind this calling. It took the contents of SD to show me where I have wavered off of the lighten path as Dallas writes and speaks with insights that are brilliantly haunting and difficult to shake.
My feelings of failure are by no means a result of reading SD or being exposed to any of Dallas' materials (as I have read and heard some unfortunately critics suggest). Rather, as a Christian I intuitively know that I am falling short--I am not condemned because of my present state--but I need help at this time of my life and I have found it again in the Christian worldview. I have far to go so it will be interesting to read this review a year from now. In short, I need relational help, counseling, and so forth, and this is where the contents of SD shine. For those of you suffering (even suffering a similar problem) I highly recommend using SD in conjunction with other avenues of help (e.g., counseling).
Up until his final days, Dallas was always very concerned about the same issues and his SD is one part of his overall solution, or divine conspiracy. As a world class philosopher, Dallas taught there is an external world and we can have actual knowledge of the world. In the context of spiritual growth, Dallas teaches that unless we realize we have the power to be like Christ now and to act in accordance with the range of His effective Will, then the answers Christians provide to four fundamental questions will have little import in the public square and the culture war. In his book `Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge,' Dallas states that it is his hope for everyone to understand "knowledge, but not mere belief or commitment, confers on its possessor an authority or right--to act, to direct action, to establish and supervise policy, and to teach" (page 17). What are the four fundamental questions? (1) What it real or what is reality? (2) Who has it made [well-being or blessedness]? (3) Who is a really good person? And (4) How does one become a genuinely good person? For Dallas, the answers to these questions comprise one's worldview.
One of the magnificent aspects of all of Dallas' SD is that he masterfully unpacks, in a very thoughtful and gracious manner, how one can presently begin living a properly full (or fuller) life, manifesting purpose, intention and the character of Christ versus focusing in the so-called "good days" when we were saved by God's grace. Dallas points out that focusing on our salvation and Christ's death (via God's grace) can undermine the full Christian life that is available now, by not simply focusing on an "instant" of God's actualized purpose for our lives when we are saved. The divine conspiracy as encapsulated by Dr. Black.
This is by no means an easy read and I suggest reading SD slowly when you are awake, and are psychologically and emotionally ready or you would be wasting your time (this is apparent in some of the reviews). The core of SD is unpacked in chapter 1 through 3 and 7 through 11. Dallas reserves chapters 4 through 6 for a biblical explanation of who we are and what spiritual life is all about, and he informs the reader to read chapters 7 through 11 and return to 4 through 6 as these are the chapters that focus on human nature and discipleship, including unembodied spiritual power--i.e., the spiritual life. Like some of his later writings, these chapters introduce the reader to God's view of the human persons, the flesh, our bodies working interactively with God's effective will.
Chapter 8 presents a rich "history and meaning of the disciplines" and chapter 9 Dallas presents the spiritual disciplines within two contexts: (1) disciplines of abstinence (solitude, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, secrecy, and sacrifice); and, (2) are the disciplines of engagement (study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, fellowship, confession, and submission). This list is by no mean exhaustive. Each discipline is accompanied by incredibly unique biblical, theological and philosophic insights unlike I have ever read before. SD, like all of his writings, must be read slowly and intently, readers should take notes, and they ought to re-read those sections that are most relevant to your life in order to put the contents into action.
Unlike many other books on spiritual growth, the end of chapter 9 provides the reader to put the disciplines into practice as we are provided a basis to gauge how committed we are in following Jesus. That is to say, Dallas is wise enough to recognize that we are all in different places in our relationship with Jesus. Some readers desire to change and others merely have the desire to want to want to change. Therefore, as a starting point Dallas' informs us that the "range of the disciplines is largely determined by our own established tendencies to sin that must be resisted . . . [hence] (w)hich disciplines must be central to our lives will be determined by the chief sins of commission and omission that entice or threaten us from day to day" (page 191). In other words, we begin with those discipline(s) that are correlated to contravene those worldly habits that we exercise the most.
In closing, I have much to do as I am now steeped in Willardian theology, a practical theology, and I look forward to being an active participant in the divine conspiracy.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2013"What Would Jesus Do?" is an excellent question to ask in those critical moments when we're challenged by trials and temptations. But Dr. Dallas Willard asks a different question: "How Did Jesus Live?" In this book, he answers that question by telling us that Jesus integrated routine disciplines into his "ordinary" daily life, which prepared him for the "extraordinary" challenges he faced. Like all of us, Jesus lived a typical human life: a continuum of ordinary daily routines punctuated by random crises. In order to know what Jesus would do in the crises, we must also know how he routinely lived to prepare for them.
This is analogous to the life of professional athletes, who spend countless hours routinely training and practicing the same repeated exercises and tasks, over and over again, so that they're fully prepared to excel and succeed on game day. They earnestly and eagerly run laps, lift weights, learn plays, drill actions, etc. On their own, most of these activies don't even resemble the game for which they are training. But an athelete must do them regularly and consistently, if they expect to perform well and win the big game.
Spiritual disciplines are the "training exercises" every Christian can integrate into their daily lives to prepare themselves for the inevitable trials and temptations that challenge everyone. More than that, they are the tangible methods and means to seek, follow, serve, and love our Lord Jesus Christ. They allow us to be "more than conquerors" -- they're how we draw near to God, and allow Him to bless us with His love, grace, mercy, and provision.
Dr. Willard gives us a preliminary list of spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible study, fellowship, service, solitude, meditation, fasting, etc. But more than that, he explains why they're important, giving us a solid theology behind their significance. This helps the reader understand that spiritual disciplines are not complusory, obligatory, or merely dry duty. The reader is motivated by the thrill of taking honest-to-goodness, real, tangible actions that routinely improve their relationship to Jesus.
Dr. Willard does not provide or explain a complete list of spiritual disciplines in this book, for that is not his intent. Rather, he intends (and succeeds) in telling us why they're important and how we benefit from them. For more specific details on the disciplines themselves, Dr. Willard recommends "The Celebration of Discipline", by Richard J. Foster.
(http://www.amazon.com/Celebration-Discipline-Path-Spiritual-Growth/dp/0060628391/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1364153520&sr=8-1&keywords=the+celebration+of+discipline)
- Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2024Wonderful book by Dallas Willard about how each of us can use spiritual disciplines to reshape and guide our lives day to day. Was recommended this book by a dear friend and found it to be excellent.
Top reviews from other countries
- R J BrownReviewed in the United Kingdom on November 14, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring read
I have gained a great deal from Prof Willard’s book and look forward now with greater knowledge and confidence that before, to practicing the spiritual disciplines, with God’s help. Thank you
- WilliamReviewed in Canada on August 28, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing companion to "Divine Conspiracy" by the same author
This book as with all of Dallas Willard's books is not an easy read (especially the beginning) but will reward those who invest the time. It is for those who find have found grace in Christ but feel that there must be more to being a Christian than going to Church and reading one's bible and praying. It is for those who want to become like Christ but consistently fall short and want to find a way to have the fullness of life in him. It is also for church leadership as they need to address why Christians for the most part cannot be distinguished from non Christians and how evangelizing alone cannot transform lives.
-
ElianaReviewed in Italy on October 14, 2014
3.0 out of 5 stars Buono
Un libro vero e sincero. Mi ha fatto bene leggerlo, spero di leggere altre cose cosi' in futuro. Grazie. Saluti
- F. MarsdenReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars item exactly as described
the book was in very good condition, and as described by the vendor.
- Amy VGReviewed in Canada on June 4, 2015
5.0 out of 5 stars I love reading Dallas Willard's work
I love reading Dallas Willard's work. For me, his words hit home and I truly feel moved. He is gentle, intelligent, and writes how to become the disciple Jesus is calling all Christians to be. I have read several of Dallas' book, this one got a bit dry at places, but I still read it all, as I didn't want to miss anything Dallas had to say. I found Renovation of the Heart an easier read, also with that book the way its laid out it has small bit size points (1-2 pages) you could quickly read (and re-read) and then put down through out the day.