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Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge

by Dallas Willard

4.16 · Rating details · 380 Ratings · 47 Reviews

At a time when popular atheism books are talking about the irrationality of believing in God, Willard makes a rigorous intellectual case for why it makes sense to believe in God and in Jesus, the Son.

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Hardcover, 240 pages

Published May 26th 2009 by HarperOne (first published April 21st 2008)

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Jun 02, 2017 Mark rated it it was amazing

Great book on knowledge. I'm still grasping some of what he is saying but his argument for the existence of God and thus Jesus is worth the price of the book.

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Mar 27, 2015 Alexander Velasquez rated it really liked it

Shelves: philosophy, theology, religion, christian

Dallas Willard's theme in this book is knowledge and the role knowledge plays in the Christian faith. He argues that Christ's Kingdom does not simply rest on what he calls 'blind faith' or a 'leap of faith' of being the correct worldview. Rather, he argues that there is actual knowledge that Christ's Kingdom actually rests its foundations upon.

In Chapter 1, Willard defines knowledge: "We have knowledge of something when we are representing it (thinking about it, speaking of it, treating it) as i Dallas Willard's theme in this book is knowledge and the role knowledge plays in the Christian faith. He argues that Christ's Kingdom does not simply rest on what he calls 'blind faith' or a 'leap of faith' of being the correct worldview. Rather, he argues that there is actual knowledge that Christ's Kingdom actually rests its foundations upon.

In Chapter 1, Willard defines knowledge: "We have knowledge of something when we are representing it (thinking about it, speaking of it, treating it) as it actually is, on an appropriate basis of thought and experience. Knowledge involves truth or accuracy of representation, but it must also be truth based upon adequate evidence or insight. The evidence or insight comes in various ways, depending on the nature of the subject matter. But it must be there." (Pg. 15) He then uses the rest of the chapter to also define belief and commitment; things that are separate from knowledge but can also play a role alongside knowledge. He then sets out to prove that being a Christian is not based off 'blind faith' or a 'leap of faith' (Kierkegaardian type faith), but rather it is based on a firm foundation of knowledge that is available to all who seek after it.

Chapter 2 discusses the consequences for our lack of knowledge, specifically the worldview that society deems as the correct worldview in contrast to the one Jesus gives in the gospels. Chapter 3 elaborates on Chapter 2 by discussing the disappearance of moral knowledge within our institutions of higher learning and educational institutions in general. This is because, according to Willard, the worldview which Christ preached has been displaced by a secular one which does not give definite answers in the ethical realm.

Chapters 4 and 5 are where Willard proves his thesis. In Chapter 4 he proves God's existence using a form of the contingency cosmological argument. Without getting too technical, he basically argues that the reason for my existence, your existence, your parents' existence, their parents' existence - lies outside of ourselves and themselves. Now the 'universe' is simply the totality of all of these contingent objects. Therefore, there has to be something that can explain the contingency of the universe outside of the universe itself. This being would be the explanation for not only the universe, but also be self-sufficient to Himself as the first cause of the universe. And then he gives rebuttals to major objections for this argument. In Chapter 5, after making the case for a transcendent creator, he proves that Christ was the revelation of this Transcendent Creator through Christ's resurrection. He shows the possibility of miracles in our universe to make this the case, and he quotes a leading scholar in the New Testament - N.T. Wright - to back up his point.

After proving God's existence and Christ's resurrection, the last three chapters give details of the consequences for these facts. Chapter 6 gives details on what it is to live in Christ's Kingdom (which is probably one of Willard's bests chapters I've read in any of his books), Chapter 7 explains Christian pluralism, or what the consequences are in matters for other religions or people outside of Christ's Kingdom, and Chapter 8 details how pastors must play an influential role in disseminating real knowledge in today's contemporary world - both in the Church and the secular world.

Overall, I gave the book 4/5 stars because I felt that Chapters 4 & 5, which are set to prove his main thesis, could've been done better. He could've given a better proof for God's existence in my opinion, and in Chapter 5 he could've gone over more supplemental evidence for Christ's resurrection. I was a bit disappointed by the lack in those areas. Also, I read this with a friend in hopes that he would see the truth values behind the Christian faith, but I feel that he didn't appreciate the style it was written and came out slightly more skeptical. Maybe this book is better for those who are already disciples of Christ and are already believers, or for those who believe but would like a bit more evidence for their beliefs rooted in a firm foundation of knowledge. ...more

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Jun 14, 2013 David rated it it was amazing

Shelves: apologetics, christian-spirituality-advanced

This was the first of three Willard books I read this summer. His purpose in the book is to argue that Christianity, discipleship to Jesus, rests on actual knowledge. Our world tends to reserve “knowledge” for one sort of thing, such as science. Religion, it is said, is mere opinion. Hence people can assert that all religions are the same, since they are all equally devoid of truth or knowledge. But if there is truly spiritual knowledge, truly a way things really are, then religion is more than This was the first of three Willard books I read this summer. His purpose in the book is to argue that Christianity, discipleship to Jesus, rests on actual knowledge. Our world tends to reserve “knowledge” for one sort of thing, such as science. Religion, it is said, is mere opinion. Hence people can assert that all religions are the same, since they are all equally devoid of truth or knowledge. But if there is truly spiritual knowledge, truly a way things really are, then religion is more than mere opinion.

Honestly, having read my share of apologetics books, I did not expect apologetics here. So I was somewhat surprised when Willard began rehearsing familiar arguments for God’s existence and miracles as part of his reasoning for why we can trust spiritual knowledge. I am not sure how I expected him to argue for how we can trust spiritual knowledge when I began the book, but I didn’t expect arguments for God’s existence. That said, apologetics of the usual sort only supplies a portion of Willard’s arguments (plus, his casting of the arguments is a bit different then those familiar with them might expect). He goes on to talk about how we can know Christ where we are. His method for this are the spiritual disciplines, “time-tested spiritual practices that can help us in our learning process.” In other words, we grow in knowledge as we interact with God. It should be said then that while we can trust spiritual knowledge, it is still not the exact same as scientific or historical knowledge. We can trust all these things, but we learn what each says in its own way (i.e., the scientific method is not how we learn spiritual truth).

Perhaps the most important chapter is the second-to-last where he discussed pluralism. If, as Willard argues, there is spiritual knowledge and this truth rests in Jesus Christ, then how one handles diversity and disagreement becomes vital. In other subjects where knowledge exists, those who take a minority view may be shunned – think of those who question the received view of science or history. Religion, more like politics or philosophy, has a myriad of views. Willard greatly emphasizes humility and that even though there is spiritual knowledge, we know that none of us are perfect in our understanding of it.

Overall, this is a fantastic book. ...more

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Feb 14, 2015 Jeff rated it it was amazing

Another wonderful book by Dallas Willard. "Knowing Christ Today" explains in clear fashion how it is that Christians have available to them knowledge that is not available to those that live within the confines of the modern scientific worldview that dominates Western culture and society. In typically Willardian fashion the author writes with both gentleness and humor as he takes apart so much of what passes for deep-thinking on the part of Christianity's (and other faith's) cultured despisers. ...more

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May 31, 2009 Laurie rated it really liked it

An excellent intellectual defense of the foundational truths of the Christian worldview, beginning with the logical necessity of postulating a supernatural intelligence as the source of the universe. Willard at his most thorough and understandable. Digest this book, really grapple with the arguments and make them your own, believers! We need to be able to speak persuasively for the truth of what we KNOW..."belief" or "faith" is NOT divorced from knowledge and reality.

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Jan 02, 2017 Jkanz rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017

Knowing Christ today by Dallas Willard is a useful, informative understanding of Christian worldview particularly as it pertains to moral knowledge. Willard is a gifted communicator and a clear thinker. In my opinion, chapter 6, "knowledge of Christ in the spiritual life" is worth the price of the book alone.

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Jul 14, 2017 Eric rated it it was amazing

First off, if you are to read Mere Christianity by Lewis and wonder what book should you read next, this would be it.

First, Willard goes after faith and knowledge. Too often people separate the two and live their lives. Willard argues this as a huge fault, and demonstrates how higher ed was held responsible for displaying what knowledge is; including moral knowledge. The church embraced a leap of faith route and became skeptical of knowledge. Well both institutions have failed.

Willard then goes First off, if you are to read Mere Christianity by Lewis and wonder what book should you read next, this would be it.

First, Willard goes after faith and knowledge. Too often people separate the two and live their lives. Willard argues this as a huge fault, and demonstrates how higher ed was held responsible for displaying what knowledge is; including moral knowledge. The church embraced a leap of faith route and became skeptical of knowledge. Well both institutions have failed.

Willard then goes on to argue that we have failed to know because if we did, we would have to face the facts of what we don't want. Bingo. He cites examples, but this is 100% true. The sin here is idolatry (he cites Hosea). A mistake about reality, and an error in worldview level is idolatry. He says,"it arises from the crying need of human beings to gain control over their lives." He further goes on citing how modern today it could be government, marketplace, technology, etc. World views are dangerous.

Further trust in our idols has led us to put our trust in feeling good, and further idolatry. We put trust in our government, or our justices that we like, further promoting our feelings and not putting in something like knowledge and truth. Willard puts forth Jesus' worldview answers.

He then goes toward somewhat apologetically on can we know God exists, the miraculous, etc. Then, spiritual formation. This is what a person needs to step toward after Lewis. Willard has stood by formation and spiritual disciplines as tools to be Christlike; to be his students and disciples. I don't know how much this is catching on in the church, but by appearances I would lean toward not much. Spiritual formation connects knowledge and faith quite well. To not want to be more Christlike or just thinking that you will magically have character formation is wrong. You might as well be an atheist.

He discusses pluralism and Christianity. I get the vibe he follows a weak pluralism over a strong one. It's important to note that Jesus is after the hearts of people, not people who say they believe in a creed and then act like jerks.

His final chapter is on pastors/teachers being teachers of the nations. He firmly believes this is the pastors job and I agree. If your a pastor, it's your job to be aware of Christ and conflicting views. It's your job to present it without manipulation, because God's word should be able to stand up for itself, right? Otherwise you don't really believe it yourself. It's your job to be present with all you can muster. If you think you need Greek/Hebrew to better serve, do it.

Willard argues against discipleship only for the church, as that way leads to death. Discipleship, being a student of Christ, applied to all life. If I spend most of my time at my job, that's where discipleship ought to happen. None of this double life crap. This is why Christians have come across is hypocritical; of saying they believe one thing and then doing another if not the opposite. Jesus did not come to make Christians or churches. He ends it with discipleship is for all the world to be lived purely.

The book is a gem. I'm happy to know that truth is still out there, and yet I'm saddened to find so little of it in reality. Here's hoping. ...more

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Jul 15, 2017 Paul rated it it was amazing

Shelves: apologetics, christianity, spirituality, discipleship, epistemology

A wisely nuanced, carefully balanced and insightful book. Here Dallas Willard outlines the essential basis that Christianity has in knowledge, not just belief. The book is only lightly apologetic in that sense. The real, and most important, message of the book is in the implications of that knowledge for the way Christians live, think and act toward others; true love of God and others being the primary characteristic. The final chapters on the "Spiritual Life," "Christian Pluralism" and the role ...more

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Dec 09, 2012 Bryon rated it really liked it

Knowing Christ Today
Author: Dallas Willard
New York, HarperCollins, 2009
Number of pages: 212

The universe hangs on the Word of God but knowledge of God is not treated as a credible by contemporary scholars and educators. What can actually be known about God is not even given passing consideration but off-handedly and unfairly relegated to education ghettos by those responsible for educating about what is real and knowable.

"In practical terms, reality is what you rely on... Mistakes about realit ...more

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Jun 03, 2009 John M rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crem-de-la-crem, philosophy

Without question, Willard is one of my favorite contemporary theologians, outshining Marcus Borg, Walter Wink, and all of the popular theologians (John Piper, R.C. Sproul, etc.), even sharing a healthy periphery of the limelight held by the sadly shriveling Hans Kung. What distinguishes him from most is his philosophical background; this allows him to actually elucidate theological terms (this for a one-time preacher), but also appears to save him from the rigid mentality of strictly trying to f Without question, Willard is one of my favorite contemporary theologians, outshining Marcus Borg, Walter Wink, and all of the popular theologians (John Piper, R.C. Sproul, etc.), even sharing a healthy periphery of the limelight held by the sadly shriveling Hans Kung. What distinguishes him from most is his philosophical background; this allows him to actually elucidate theological terms (this for a one-time preacher), but also appears to save him from the rigid mentality of strictly trying to fit reality to his Biblical exegesis. Interestingly, he's a very conservative author, even though (as he finally reveals in the book) he believes in evolution and a faint shade of Christian pluralism (better called Inclusivism).

Of course, there are none of his "spiritual" books that even halfway reveal the full selection of his philosophical weaponry. Here (finally, thankfully, blessedly) things have changed. The theme is simple: knowledge is an attribute that once was rightly shared by religious and theological circles, but as of recently (primarily because of a science-based or "scientistic" worldview) things have changed and these types of knowledge have been removed from the mainstream, even digressing from the particular circles themselves. Insofar as executing the theme is concerned, he holds nothing back, and in a concise space he draws out how knowledge disappeared via a subtle line of historical reasoning. He goes even as far to say that knowledge of God is possible, through complicated (but ultimately satisfactory) arguments for a creator -- which he points out very explicitly doesn't unveil the particular God from the Judaeo-Christian rubric.

Near the beginning of the book he introduces four main areas: knowledge, belief, commitment, and profession. His definition of knowledge is nice and pragmatic: representing something as it really is. The only bad thing about this fourfold explanation is that faith is nowhere to be seen. Is faith a form of belief or commitment? It appears, at least from my personal view, that it's somewhat of a synthesis of the two based on his definitions, but he doesn't say. Interestingly, perusing through the index of his four hundred page masterpiece, "The Divine Conspiracy", faith is also strangely absent as well. Let the reader decide, I suppose.

This main theme, however, is by far not the only gem in the book. He provides a brilliant analysis of the disappearance of moral knowledge through its excommunication from the universities during the mid-twentieth century. Even more rewarding for me is his chapter on Christian pluralism, where he basically points out that people from other religions *can*, at least in principle, gain access to God without a historical knowledge of Christ. He provides ingenious analyses of the two central passages that appear to work against this claim: John 14:16 ("I am the way, the truth, and the life..."), Acts 4:12 ("...there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."). And these explanations really, truly work.

So, slight terminological quibbles aside, try this book. You'll have to take it slow, but deliciously so. Willard is the reason I'm beginning to loosen my fideistic shackles, and for as stubborn as I am that says something worth focusing on. ...more

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Jul 06, 2009 Tim rated it it was amazing

As always, Dallas Willard is brilliant in this latest book. Unlike most of his books, spiritual formation occupies only one (very good) chapter, while the bulk of this volume deals with the more philosophical question of spiritual knowledge.

Willard is responding to the pervasive assumption in society and the academy that when it comes to religious faith, a person can believe whatever they want because we can’t really know anything about God (if he even exists). So what does it matter what one be As always, Dallas Willard is brilliant in this latest book. Unlike most of his books, spiritual formation occupies only one (very good) chapter, while the bulk of this volume deals with the more philosophical question of spiritual knowledge.

Willard is responding to the pervasive assumption in society and the academy that when it comes to religious faith, a person can believe whatever they want because we can’t really know anything about God (if he even exists). So what does it matter what one believes? Religious faith is treated as an optional extra (either cute or sinister, depending on one’s perspective) some might entertain, but not regarded seriously as actual knowledge. Faith is equated with opinion.

Willard, however, argues that in the same way one can have knowledge of anything which exists in reality, if God does exist then there can be actual knowledge about him. Such knowledge may not be comprehensive, but one may evaluate their beliefs to see whether or not they are tied to actual knowledge. Willard goes on to talk about the good reasons to believe that the God of the Bible is indeed real and the reasons we can trust the knowledge we have of him. Willard asserts that having knowledge, and treating that knowledge as knowledge, is indispensible as a foundation to life in Christ.

I found his perspective here to be unique, and very helpful. As a pastor, I couldn’t help but think of many I lead who see their own religious knowledge much as the world sees it – as a collection of quaint notions about something no one really knows anything about. How much more robust our faith would be if we did the intellectual work needed to see how our beliefs are grounded in knowledge! And his exhortations to pastors, as having the important calling of imparting knowledge of God to others, was very enriching.

One chapter will likely be somewhat controversial, as he outlines a form of “Christian pluralism” which speaks to the issue of whether those outside of Christianity have any hope of salvation. Willard does not assert that such people can, but based on God as revealed in Christ as perfectly loving and just, he leaves open the possibility that some may encounter and trust in the cosmic Christ without knowing him as such. His perspective is very close here to that of C. S. Lewis, as he maintains that no one is saved apart from Christ and no one is saved apart from grace (aka no one can earn salvation by their good behavior), and ultimately expresses a hopeful agnosticism on the issue. This is a difficult issue, and I’m yet to encounter a position on it which I am entirely comfortable with, but Willard’s position is grounded in both Scripture and reason and is very challenging.

An excellent book – highly recommended!

...more

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Jun 08, 2009 Jasonlylescampbell rated it liked it

This was a very good book ... not consistently or at least some parts were less interesting than others. His explanation of spiritual life is solid and refreshing and his history of the "disapearance of moral knowledge" is very important. I see in the acknowledgments that this was adapted from 8 talks he gave on the topic and it does feel like that in some parts. BUT, there is much to recommend and as far as something readable like this, I know of no better book to show us some ground to stand o This was a very good book ... not consistently or at least some parts were less interesting than others. His explanation of spiritual life is solid and refreshing and his history of the "disapearance of moral knowledge" is very important. I see in the acknowledgments that this was adapted from 8 talks he gave on the topic and it does feel like that in some parts. BUT, there is much to recommend and as far as something readable like this, I know of no better book to show us some ground to stand on.

Overall he helps me see that academic and high culture has effectively killed all knowledge beyond narrow physical and scientific truth and has failed to replace it with anything solid ... and so effectively has left us to the wolves. By wolves I mean advertising and media ... they are the new meaning makers since all other traditions have been exploded. No wonder we are in deep need of a shepherd. Another way to put it, to borrow from Dorthy Sayers, is that society increased literacy with a decrease in ability to reason and judge truth ... leaving us as unarmed children in the face of the onslaught of the biggest media-blitz ever.

How can we see it any other way? Symbol is lost and replaced with logo. Moral judgement loses out to truth based on desire and what feels good. I am sure I sound like an old man, but I have trouble seeing it any other way. He ends by explaining that the call to discipleship is for the sake of the world, not for the church. The Kingdom of God is for "the whole life and for all of life. Jesus is not just a sacrificial lamb whose death gets us off the hook of our guilt. He is also the reigning Lord of all."

I am reminded of Bonhoeffer in some of his later letters from prison. He tells Eberhard (his best friend) that he is tired of the god of the gaps ... there to meet us at the limits of life (sin and death). God is a God of life and so the church should not be off to the side, ready to receive us when we are pitiful and broken, but at the center of life. "The church stands, not at the boundaries where human powers give out, but in the middle of the village." Dallas Willard is always calling us to live at the center of the village. Perhaps it goes back to his own choice. When he was younger and trying to decide which path to take between philosophy and theology, he decided that if he went with theology the world would never listen to him, but if he went with philosophy he could speak to the world and the church. This isn't everyone's choice, but it was his and he has taught at University of California in Berkeley for most of his life.
...more

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Jun 24, 2015 Noetic_Hatter rated it it was ok

Shelves: library-books, christianity, religion, 2015-read

Came across this one at the library on an endcap and remembered Willard as a big name for me when I was still into that sort of thing. Had a few hours, so I sat down and read it.

Willard is a lovely writer, though not as complex as he claims to be when he warns readers how complicated and difficult the book will be. He does start out with a thought-provoking discussion about the difference between knowledge, faith, belief, and commitment. And towards the end, he makes a case for a kind of Univer Came across this one at the library on an endcap and remembered Willard as a big name for me when I was still into that sort of thing. Had a few hours, so I sat down and read it.

Willard is a lovely writer, though not as complex as he claims to be when he warns readers how complicated and difficult the book will be. He does start out with a thought-provoking discussion about the difference between knowledge, faith, belief, and commitment. And towards the end, he makes a case for a kind of Universalism that is making some Christians (at least in the amazon reviews) uncomfortable. Those are the best parts.

But for me, the book fails in its title premise. He says you have to have spiritual knowledge, but he never makes a convincing case for why we can trust this knowledge.

Along the way, he trots out the usual apologetic arguments for the existence of god, including:

Prime Mover/First Cause
No Morality Without God
Intelligent Design
2000 Years of the Church proves Jesus was resurrected

And so on. (That last one cracks me up. So 1000 years of Islam's world effect proves Mohammad and the Koran are true? 5000 years of Hindusism proves the Gita is true?) He offers nothing new here on the argument front, frequently coming up with "we don't know how things began, therefore god" type answers and starting the discussion with the old standby about how spiritual knowledge is different than material knowledge and thus doesn't follow the same rules for proof. At least he's willing to admit that his arguments for the existence of god don't lead to the Christian god - but then he proceeds on the assumption that the Christian god is the best answer anyway.

Willard also operates on the assumption that the Bible is a trustworthy and true document. He never once that I recall made a case for why it could be trusted - he simply assumes that what it says about Jesus, for instance, is completely accurate. In fact, at one point he even says something along the lines of "if all we had was the Bible for the proof of Jesus, then he could understand people not accepting it." Then he simply states that we have more than the Bible and proceeds as if his case has been proven. LOL whut?

In the end, Willard's argument comes down to subjectivism. Disciples of Jesus will know Jesus, and they will know that they know Jesus. And anyone who doesn't subscribe to this circular reasoning is simply being stubborn and refusing to accept spiritual "truth".

Umm, okay. ...more

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Oct 06, 2011 Steve rated it liked it

Shelves: spiritual-growth

Audio version: His concept is that there is rational cause to believe that we can know God. While I agree, I don't believe most skeptics would be moved by Willard's reasoning. His explanations are not concise enough to follow easily. I do appreciate his concern about the impact on our society as we move farther away from truth and instead rely on concensus.
I would not recommend the audio version for this book. He uses highly conceptual language that is difficult to piece together. I wish I woul ...more

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Jul 16, 2009 Glen Grunau rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Willard makes a persuasive case for how Christians have allowed themselves to be intimidated by the "knowledge institutions" of our modern society. He challenges us to consider why we allow so-called experts to undermine our confidence in legitimate spiritual knowledge with arguments that are clearly outside their area of expertise. Willard makes a strong case that philosophical debate (clearly his area of expertise)is not dead in our post-modern era. I loved the way he breaks down knowledge int ...more

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Sep 23, 2013 Matthew Green rated it liked it

Not my favorite of Willard's books. It is by far his most philosophical book amongst his pastoral works and therefore, in a way, the least practical. It is still a practical book in intention, but much of it still seems to be dedicated to staying in your head more than taking action.

The book is also an adaptation of a series of lectures given, and it had that feel to it to some extent. While there was progression from one chapter to the next, it still felt somewhat disjointed in some ways, with ...more

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Sep 02, 2013 Merv Budd rated it really liked it

Dallas Willard was a philosophy teacher at UCLA and his writing reflects this. At times I had to re-read what was written. Yet, I found Willard’s book very encouraging. At times it was prophetic, at times it was profound, and it requires careful reading so as to properly understand the point that he is making and what meaning he pours into certain terms. It would be easy to rip what he says out of context in order to paint him as heretical (as some have tried to do) but this would be to misunder ...more

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Feb 15, 2012 James Wheeler rated it really liked it

Willard is steaming mad at pomo, relativistic, whatever is true for you is true gooble dee goop. Especially when someone turns that radical perspectival lens on Christianity. What Christianity has is knowledge, good, stable, truthful and reliable knowledge. He deals with popular claims to the contrary, such as, religion breeds intolerance and bigotry. He smacks that down with some solid rebuttal focusing on how the claims of Christ if they are taken and actually applied as true will lead to the ...more

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Oct 03, 2009 Christina rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I actually didn't really enjoy this book very much. Willard makes a very good point that Christianity is often seen in our churches as a religion of faith separate from reason/knowledge. The more "blind faith" we have in God, the more 'Christian' we are. But there is a very crucial link beteween faith and knowledge. One of the main problems I had with this book is that in Willard’s argument against the modern Christian’s dichotomy between belief and knowledge, he seems to express, ironically, hi ...more

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Jun 06, 2014 D.j. Lang rated it it was amazing

I didn't actually read this in one day...more like three days. I just didn't enter it into my Goodreads list for a couple of days. My book publishing date states 2009 and I wish I had read it back then. It's a life changing book. Willard answers the big questions in a logical and empirical way. So, heads up, some folks I know think the writing style is too difficult to read, but my copy is colorful because I've highlighted so much. (I'm so glad I bought the hardbound copy!) I intend on reading t ...more

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Jul 02, 2011 Frank Peters rated it really liked it

This is completely different than all the other Willard books that I have read. This book engages my head fully, but does not engage my heart like his other books. Here, Willard has started something very important. He has taken on the scientism assumptions that undergird our society and has challenged them. Ultimately, this book is about real truth and real knowledge that science is incapable of saying anything about. And the importance of passing on this knowledge, as it has the power to trans ...more

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Aug 27, 2011 Jeremy rated it really liked it

Shelves: philosophy

In a world whose barometer of truth measures feelings and sensuality rather than knowledge and good thinking, this is such a timely volume. Willard breaks down common misconceptions of what knowledge is and how we can get it, asserting that knowledge is not just something owned by hard science, but that morality and spirituality have legitimate claims on things we can know. But this is far from a primer in basic epistemology; he masterfully weaves the implications of having such knowledge into d ...more

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Apr 16, 2011 David rated it really liked it

Shelves: theology

Willard's central point in this book is that apprentices of Jesus have knowledge—knowledge by acquaintance, in fact—of God and his kingdom, and that this knowledge ought to be described as such if it is to be taken seriously as a guide to what reality is like and how one can live intelligently in it. While I would have framed some of the definitions and arguments differently, I was deeply grateful for Willard's sensible persistence in drawing the reader's attention to what the reality of life in ...more

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Feb 11, 2011 Jesse rated it it was ok

This book makes the important point that scripture is knowledge about God. We anchor our faith in the knowledge that He gives us in His word. We can actually "know" things about God. Renovation of the Heart and Spirit of the Disciplines are better books in my opinion.

The last part of the book where he ventures into speculation about people who have never heard about Christ was unnecessary and irresponsible. This part of the book literally ruined it for me and is why I love Willard but will neve ...more

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May 24, 2015 John Wilson rated it it was amazing

The fact that the Lord has taken Dallas Willard home to be with him is a testament to Willard's finished work for the sake of Christ and his kingdom. In "knowing Christ Today" Dallas Willard gives us perhaps his most important work today--teaching and showing that Christian knowledge can truly be known and that knowledge of Christ deserves and must be recognized as truth in the public domain of knowledge world wide. An amazing and poignant read!

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Oct 21, 2014 Luis A R Branco rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lidos-em-2014

Dallas Willard is always a great writer to read. This is another of his fantastic books. Dallas Willard speaks about the very base of Christian beliefs and challenges the writer to apply all that he learns in his personal life. I like what he says about Christian institutions of high education, but I also think that we as Christian need to cause more than just present Christ in our institutions we need to enter the secular institutions and change it from inside.

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Feb 09, 2010 Shep rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Willard's book is largely unhelpful. His apologetic method is a weak version of Thomism, he appears to argue for religious pluralism, and he makes a number of pseudo-Gnostic sorts of statements. I disagreed with Willard a lot and found his arguments and his methods of arguing unpersuasive and floppy. Overall I was disappointed in this book, which seems content to lead its readers to a vague theistic version of Christianity rather than to truly "Knowing Christ Today."

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Jun 19, 2016 Keith rated it liked it

At first i had a hard time with the opening emphasis on epistemic knowledge. It seemed all a little to modernistic to me, but Willard then takes knowledge beyond mere empirical boundaries to a deeper knowing firmly based on genuine practical and lived experience. The truth we know must be a truth we are able to live, which is confirmed not by mere belief, but in the laboratory of everyday life. Only then is it authentic and persuasive.

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Jun 19, 2014 Meshach Kanyion rated it really liked it

This book presents a very convincing argument on knowledge of Christ: what it is, what it isn't, and why it is important. You must come prepared to learn and think. I'd recommend reading it with a notebook where you can track your thoughts. In my opinion it is the long version of chapter 1 from The Divine Conspiracy. It is worth your time and effort.

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Aug 13, 2009 Paul Lee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: theolgyish

A good book for the 21st century Christian, especially anyone in higher education. Willard addresses how following Jesus does not have to be just mere faith or commitment that is void of knowledge. He also has a good section on pluralism and good insight into what Christian pluralism should look like.

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About Dallas Willard

DALLAS WILLARD was a Professor in the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He taught at USC from 1965, where he was Director of the School of Philosophy from 1982-1985. He has also taught at the University of Wisconsin (Madison, 1960-1965), and has held visiting appointments at UCLA (1969) and the University of Colorado (1984).

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Books by Dallas Willard

The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God

The Spirit of the Disciplines : Understanding How God Changes Lives

Renovation of the Heart: Putting On the Character of Christ (Designed for Influence)

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God

The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship

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“Jesus is the human face on the kingdom of God. He makes it concretely accessible.” — 2 likes

“the revelation of God in Jesus Christ (which is the object of Christian faith) is something very different from religion.”5 Religion has many critics, but Jesus very few. He is a self-authenticating reality beyond the myriad social cocoons. He belongs to humanity. He called himself “Son of Man.” — 2 likes

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