Reading Together

In this episode we turn to Dallas Willard's discussion of what he calls "disciplines of abstinence." These disciplines are various ways in which we learn to say NO to ourselves, to our desires, to our flesh, and to the world. These disciplines are focused not on saying NO to bad things, but to good things so that we can be more fully aligned with God in all dimensions of our lives.

Dallas Willard begins examining the spiritual disciplines in depth. He distinguishes between disciplines of abstinence and disciplines of engagement. This episode sets up that distinction which will be developed in the next two episodes.

In chapter 8 Willard looks at some of the history of spiritual disciplines in the Christian tradition, exploring monasticism, asceticism, and responses to each. His emphasis is on the disciplines as means to the end of life in Christ.

In chapter 7 Willard looks at Paul's teaching on how we train ourselves to take up the way of Jesus by use of spiritual disciplines.

In chapter 6 of The Spirit of the Disciplines, Willard continues to emphasize the role of the body in spirituality. Christian spirituality is rooted in our creation as a psychosomatic unity. We are not separable into bodies (which are unspiritual, even bad) and souls/spirits (which are good). God made us physical beings. As bodily beings, spiritual disciplines work on our bodies to bring our total being - including out bodies - into alignment with God and his kingdom.

Willard brings together the nature of human life and spiritual life. By taking up the "spiritual disciplines" we give God room in our life to transform us and connect us to his Reality and what comes with it.

Dallas Willard looks at our calling & purpose as humans. Working from Psalm 8 and other texts, he claims that God made us a little lower than "god" - elohim in Hebrew. From a biological perspective we may not be very impressive, but God made us - all humans - to share in ruling over creation. Our theories of redemption/salvation need to account for this purpose and not just for getting us forgiveness or entrance to heaven.

In chapter 3 of his book The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard addresses the role of the body in salvation. Biblical teaching on salvation is much more than mere forgiveness of sins or translation (someday) to an existence that is purely spiritual. God made us embodied beings and the salvation he gives us in Christ includes our bodies.

We find what's been called "The Great Commission" in Matthew 28:18-20. In those last verses of Matthew's gospel, we hear the resurrected Jesus say to his disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Surely I am with you, even to the end of the age." In this chapter we encounter a theme Willard later developed into his book The Great Omission. The church has neglected, Willard claims, to practice that bit of the Great Commission about "teaching them to obey everything" Jesus commanded. Neither the church nor individual  Christians have taken seriously enough the work of planning to obey Jesus.

In chapter 1 of The Spirit of the Disciplines, Dallas Willard works from Jesus' invitation to take "his yoke" upon ourselves. Additional teaching on this subject can be found in my messages on the Yoke of Christ and Outdoors with Jesus: Solitude, Silence, Prayer.