The Theology of Dallas Willard: Discovering Protoevangelical Faith

by Gary Black Jr., Scot McKnight (Foreword)

About the Contributor(s): Gary Black, Jr. (MDiv, PhD, University of Exeter) is Chair of the Advanced Studies Department, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, and Assistant Professor of Theology at Azusa Pacific University.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction

268 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2013

About the author

Gary Black, Jr. (MDiv, PhD, University of Exeter) is Chair of the Advanced Studies Department, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, and Assistant Professor of Theology at Azusa Pacific University.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written like a Thesis (I have read it is an adaptation of Black's) and provides many notes/sources of work the information came from. If you don't like that sort of thing, stear clear.

Chapter 1 goes over what is evangelicalism and the history of it. He cites Bebbington's evangelical distinctives that drive the evangelical: conversionism, activism, biblicism, and crucicentrisim. From there Marsden is cited among many that go into the history starting with soteriology, eschatology, fundamentalism, and liberalism, and into the religious right. Neo-evangelicals, baby boomer/church growth movement, to post evangelical spiritual formation and emergent church movement are detailed as well. This alone is worth every penny of the book. I couldn't help but feel sad after reading chapter 1 as Christianity appears to be game one can play but choosing your own doctrines avatar. This is not Black's intent, but it is troubling to see so many schisms. Black did a fine job with his research here.

In chapter 2 we see the Willard approach to Bebbington. In stead of biblicism having the Bible be literally read, Willard approaches it as God and humanity toward a text. We have God being objectively true, inerrant, and trusting, to humanity of the subjective. Thus, we have a bible that reflects both. The majority of this chapter you can learn Fromm Willard's other books Rennovation of the Heart and Spirit of the Disciplines. The latter does an excellent job of reminding us that while the cross is important, let us not forget Jesus' entire life, ministry, and relationships.

Chapter 3 is the Willard I know and love. Willard's breakdown of the person and definitions of the will, soul, mind/feelings, etc. By making Christ just God and atoner, we miss out on Jesus the logician, the physicist, moralist, teacher and guide. Overall Black does a great job of summarizing Willard's work here. Regarding Calvinism vs. Arminianism, Willard appears more of a wedding between the two rather than leaning toward Calvinism.

In the last chapters I find interesting. Black provides great detail to how Willard corrects the gospels of the Right/Left and how they fail to deal with sin at all. Sadly, the choose Christ idea that is pushed in evangelicalism is off. There seems to be the idea that all I have to do is choose Christ and believe he is my savior and I get this glorious ticket to heaven. Or I can to loving things to people and that puts me in cahoots. What you end up getting regarding transformation is having correct doctrine, great social works, or focus on sacraments/ritual. None of these of course have the power to transform. What we have is barcode Christianity. Black provides greater detail here from Willard than I can provide, but it is worth it.

The final chapter before the conclusion is more on philosophy; which, one can't escape. Dallas was a realist, and believed things can be objective regardless of what a thought on it is. He's not post modern or modern at all, but shares their sympathies in regarding the questioning of what is being said.

I really liked what Black did here and hope he publishes all of Willard's essays. They would be a treat. Willard's response to the gospel got wrong was this protoevangelical. While many agree with him, I'm not seeing the drastic change in the churches around me. I don't think Willard would expect them either. I am seeing people change, and time will tell where we are headed in light of current events.

[Matthew Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black has some good material, though it's somewhat hit and miss. The chapter detailing the history of evangelicalism is thorough and quite interesting but feels unnecessary to his overall argument. When detailing Willard's theology, it's mostly a rearrangement of what can be found in Willard's books, just in different categories that are more friendly to typical theological thought. At the same time, his argument for Willard's theology being grounded in an essentia Dei was a nice concept that I think adds a great deal to better understanding his thinking. Black's explanation for why Willard's thought was not modern or postmodern, yet appealed to both based on his philosophical ideals is likewise a worthwhile analysis. Overall, Black's work has some worthwhile thoughts, though it doesn't seem poised to break open any new spiritual movements.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of Willard's theology, placed in its philosophical, theological, and historical context. These backgrounds made it even more clear why Willard's voice has such a strong place in evangelical society, as it points beyond the limitations of traditional evangelical theologies (both conservative and liberal). Willard's practice of looking at reality in its own form, for its own sake, rather than trying to fit reality into a preconceived theological box. Black pointed to Willard's assessment of postmodernism, which does not involve either wholesale rejection or acceptance, but sympathizes with its responses to lacks in modernism and expresses concern for its rejection of knowledge as something knowable.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned of this book only a few weeks ago. I then purchased it and read it straightaway. But this is a book I've been waiting a very long time to read. As I understand it, this book is a re-write for general publication of the author's Ph.D. thesis. It's clear that he knew Willard well and is totally familiar with Willard's thinking and theology. While there are a number of typos or formatting issues with the book that I read, which we normally expect an editor to deal with, these are only a minor annoyance in what is otherwise a very fine, stimulating and helpful presentation of Willard's theology as found in his published works. The first chapter presents the best brief historical summary I've read of the quandary to which Evangelicalism has come; discipleless churches. What I don't get and what the author is not in a position to discuss is why after the wide popularity of Willard's, "Divine Conspiracy" more people in a position to do something about it did not. The question remains for me at to why it has taken so long for someone to write this book on the so-called 'protoevangel' when the popular and stunted version of the gospel as commonly presented is so inadequate in terms of both Scripture and the needs of the world. Better now than never, I suppose. Thanks to Dallas Willard and Gary Black.

[Deanna Rinebolt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. I learned a lot reading this book - especially history of evangelicalism

[Colm Alton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel conflicted giving this only 2 stars. It’s difficult to review as this book is written by someone other than Willard expressing Willard’s views. In terms of outlining what Willard’s theology is for, this book has great insights. I have enjoyed Willard’s actual writings and the vision of God and life in the kingdom they bring. I enjoyed reading how Willards philosophical inquiry helped him form his ideas about God and his kingdom. What troubles me about this book is what I feel are mischaracterisations of contemporary evangelical thought and practice. It’s hard to know if this is hyper inflated by the author or whether these were in fact Willards views. For example the idea that Billy Graham had very little interest in discipleship seems incorrect. A quote i recently came across on Facebook from Graham was the following “Salvation is free but discipleship costs us everything”. The idea that evangelicals don’t have any consideration for becoming more like Jesus doesn’t make sense. Would Willard or the current author say that Tim Keller does not place high importance on becoming more like Jesus. I think Keller would say if there is not fruit to your faith than there is something wrong with your initial faith. And it is clear from the conclusion that the author feels Willard is not just bringing nuance to evangelicalism but turning it upside down. That it needs a total rework. The author also gives zero critique of Willard’s theology. Surely the author does not think Willard has perfect theology that requires no correction? The author compares Willard to CS Lewis which I would also do. But CS Lewis’ views are in my opinion in concert with evangelicalism not opposed to it. I would recommend everyone should read Willard’s writings, but as bringing nuance and fresh vision to evangelical practice, not tearing it down. The negative observations of evangelicalism in this book are partially correct but hyper inflated.

[Stinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the target audience could be conceived as narrow, I could call this a necessary read for me given the degree to which Dallas Willard has influenced me. The opening section recounting American church history went far to enlarge my understanding of why things are the way they are, including in such places as the mega church I attend weekly. One downside of the book is that there was an error in the printing of my edition and words are missing here and there, though it does not seriously detract from the thrust of the author's arguments. I'm glad I read it and recommend this book to serious seekers of the gospel and those who sense something wrong in what's presented as such in the church he or she attends.

[Frank Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those like me who appreciate Dallas Willard, this is an excellent book. It provides a summary of his theology, while outlining and highlighting what is different (from normal) and important about what he taught. The first chapter, which provides a recent history about what went wrong with evangelical theology is brilliant and eye opening. I expect this book will only be of interest to a small group, but if you are in that group the book is highly recommended. I took longer to read this book since I didn’t like the previous book by the author. That was an error on my part, and I wish I had purchased and read this book when it was first released.

[Diane E. Bible · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking

This is heavy in content but a very good overview of what you could say is "old" theology renewed. Evangelicals have been caught in some scriptural tendencies that need to be challenged. And Dallas Willard certainly did that in his lifetime.

[أوسم وصفي]

This book has given perspective to my ecclesiastical struggle