Every now and then you read a book that deserves to be read again and again. Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy: Discovering Our Hidden Life in God is such a book for me. It's so rich and dense with biblical wisdom that reading and re-reading, there is no shortage of new insights for my walk with Christ and new challenges for my life as a disciple of Christ.
Discipleship is the theme that runs throughout. Willard writes that "we do not routinely teach those who profess allegiance to [Jesus] how to do what he said was best." An emphasis on "political and social action," whether left or right, has led to "the practical irrelevance of actual obedience to Christ" and, as a result, "the weakened effect of Christianity in the world today."
Willard dwells deeply in the words and teaching of Christ, mining meaning and applications that are sure to be fresh to any reader. If your goal as a Christian is to obey Jesus and be like him, The Divine Conspiracy is worth your time. And it does take time. At least it should. No offense to my brothers in Christ, popular preachers whose lightweight books flood the Christian publishing market. Some of them are valuable and inspirational, but most popular pastor books are building sandcastles in a sand box compared to Willard's building impressive high rises.
Having read The Divine Conspiracy straight through several years ago, and again this month, I am reminded that there is more here than I can soak in quickly. A slower, deliberate reading, taking time to meditate on the scriptural passages, would be better. If you feel "the absence of Jesus the teacher from [your] life," and sometimes "seem prepared to learn how to live from almost anyone but him," Willard will point you in the right direction. Become a disciple of Jesus.
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