Becoming Dallas Willard, by Gary Moon

The biography of an author should not only highlight the life and background of the writer, but provide an overview of the author's work in such a way that the reader is compelled to read it.  Gary Moon has accomplished this in Becoming Dallas Willard: The Formation of a Philosopher, Teacher, and Christ Follower.  I have read some of Willard's books over the years, some more than once.  His writing is of such depth and richness that I can't help feeling like I'm missing out on some of the meaning and need to read it again.  Moon brings together Willard's writing and teaching, highlighting themes and streams of thought.  I appreciate the way he illuminates Willard's books.

As a professional philosopher, one of Willard's focuses is realism.  Things we encounter are real, even things we can't see.  This seeps into his Christian teaching, as he teaches the we can experience God and Jesus and the Kingdom, even though we can't see them.  He once told a student, "Now when you pray, Jesus will walk right up to you and he will listen to you."  It's a simple point, maybe an obvious one, but to me it's a revolutionary idea.

He did not shy away from the idea of visualization in prayer.  This was a source of some resistance from Christians who thought his emphasis on visualization and other contemplative practices reeked of Eastern religions.  He had a perfect answer when someone asked him about similarities of this practice with other world religions: "Just because Buddhists eat breakfast doesn't mean I'm not going to eat breakfast."

Regular guys like me can be encouraged that Willard was a regular guy, too.  "The fact is Dallas was a real, sweaty, tobacco-spitting, occasionally cussing, often lusting, God-fearing Missouri farm boy."  He was sometimes not a great student, even failing some college classes.  He prefers paper plates to china, and always maintained a simple lifestyle.  He always found time for his students, pastors he mentored, and others who sought counsel from him.

Dallas Willard exemplified and taught a life lived in communication and fellowship with God.  He believed that "it is possible to live life 'with' God."  Life with God is not just about salvation.  When told of someone who "had accepted Jesus as his Savior," Willard responded, "Well, I hope that was good for him and leads him into accepting Jesus as his life."  Being a Christian means life with Jesus, day in and day out.

If you know Dallas Willard and his writing, Becoming Dallas Willard is essential reading.  If you don't, this is a great place to start to see how accessible and, at the same time, revolutionary his ideas are.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!