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Bro...did you read all your books in your library? And could you do a video on all the types of books you have. Blessings from SE Asia. 😊

I have spent my life (from age 8) immersed in making computers do my bidding. It’s an interesting proposition to comprehend Jesus’ genius in the field of technology. Of course I buy Dallas’s idea that Jesus is the greatest computer scientist and software developer… if His Word is holding together galaxies, I assume He can handle a handful of electrical signals in a piece of metal. The other side of this thought is that my career work is more about the art of system design and interpersonal relationships (including the appropriate exercise of power) than it is about software code. These topics are universal and timeless, and are right at home in Biblical application.

Dallas has not a giant or a spirit but a genius-christology😅 7:09

Thanks Mike, great video! I read this part just before I got a chemo-therapy and it really gave me so much confidence that Jesus knows what is happening on a molecular level in my body.

so good! Thank you.

Thanks for this. I've been chewing on "do you believe in God or do you just believe in Jesus." I was going over 1 Peter 2 this morning and Peter emphasizes in 2:1-2 "God and...Jesus" and "knowledge of God and Jesus..." So believing in God would involve believing in the order and reality of God, which is bigger than believing in a Person?

He knew literally everything, so yes

Thank you! I felt that you exactly addressed the question I had. The more I think about it we get into contradictory statements if we want Jesus to be the most knowledgeable person ever to have existed in all aspects of humanity. Since experience is one aspect of knowledge he would not know the full experience of what it is like to be a woman . Yet Jesus was perfect (in Aristotelian sense?). Listened to artist Jason Upton “hammer and awkward nail” and I think it captures something important: “Did you straighten that [awkward] nail with a magic tool; did you ever get tired and want to change the rules, Jesus; What’s amazing to me about a man like you is that you raised the dead but had to suffer too, Jesus.

Creating a disrespectful image of our lord for a clickbait thumbnail is not the move. You should change it and repent, lest you have to answer to God for mocking his image "for more views"

I love the 'low & slow' aproach. Thanks for doing it patiently and deeply.

Thank you for the video! I really like the book but this part confused me a bit and perhaps you can expound on this. What would it mean to meet Jesus as he lived in 1st century Palestine? Would the man Jesus know all the equations of general relativity? That is, does he know all the true propositions there is to know of the world? What I found helpful was Daniel Napier’s approach of Jesus as “philosopher” I.e. Jesus knows fully what and how to live life well. In any case what I would like to know is essentially the difference that Dallas took on Jesus with respect to propositional knowledge, “smart” which would be more akin to high IQ (you can still have high IQ w/o knowing all facts) , or the relevant knowledge for how to live and flourish in the kingdom of God.

Thanks Mike & Yes to more theology and philosophy. And how about your excellent book, The Kingdom Among Us!? I recently had discussions with pastors who are sliding into things like dual aspect Monism. They think of themselves as Willard guys, but I find many of the people that say that have not read Willard deeply. This is why I think your book is so important. Getting to the theology and philosophy behind what Willard has written is essential. How can your book be introduced to a wider audience?

This video is even better the second time. Fantastic distillation here Mike.

Love this!

It was a joy! Thank you for your service!

💥 boom 💥

This video reminded me of the term servant leadership. In my opinion, training for leadership overlaps with spiritual formation . Leadership at the highest level requires some sort of self-sacrifice and only spiritual formation from Jesus would enable it.

Burnout and compassion fatigue are a very real thing. We do not rest from our work but work out of rest….easier said then done. Thanks for this resource and look forward to engaging more.

Anybody else know what it is like to want to give up on service?

Accident title alert at 3:52. Oops! But, hey, these aren't masterpieces here.

Thank you for this encouragement!

i totally agree! listening to dallas lecture will help get to know him and make reading so much more enjoyable. i can hear his voice now with every word i read... thanks mike!

Your original video was got me to subscribe to your channel

Agreed - hearing him speak is easier than reading him in my opinion. For reading, I usually direct people to Hearing God/In Search of Guidance or The Spirit of the Disciplines first. Then I suggest The Divine Conspiracy but encourage watching the video series on TH-cam first before trying to tackle the book. Now I'm going to Conversatio to listen to that series you suggested. :)

So, I'm still confused. Is the Kingdom of God only within membership of the Church, or is it in the mystical, invisible Body of Christ worldwide?

Wow! An original Dallas cassette. What a kick!!

Of the various versions of "In Search of Guidance/Hearing God" - which one do you like the best?

I first engaged with Dallas through a video series on the Divine Conspiracy, so I agree. He is easier to listen to than to read sometimes. Then I read Spirit of the Disciplines, Hearing God, Renovation, and DC. I still need to get to Knowing Christ today and now a new book is coming out on his parable teachings. But the parable series is also on audio so I'm not really sure if the book will have anything new?

If we want to start reading Dallas’ philosophy, and we have only taken one intro to Philosophy class at a community college level, is there some foundational philosophy we should read first?

Hey, I've done some of my best reading of The Kingdom Among Us on the toilet! 🙃

I love this "cross-pollination" between Haidt and Spiritual Formation. I found both The Anxious Generation and The Righteous Mind to fuel a lot of insight about the practice of spiritual formation. In my own spiritual journey and my role as a pastor I have come to realize that the danger in much of the spiritual formation movement comes when it becomes divorced from a true community. The local church forces you into areas of resistance and difficulty which help to develop an "anti-fragile" formation. Often I have known or seen people, even some spiritual directors, who do exactly what you described by detaching from community in order to protect their silence and reflection. But this is a dangerous way to pursue formation as it allows you a distorted reality and limits the role of the larger body in your formation. Thanks for making this connection. Thanks for sharing this.

Mike, so important what you have shared here. My eldest son will be 39 in a few weeks. When the internet and computers became a “necessity” we did what you just shared. The computer was put in the TV and family room, they were allowed only 1/2 hour on it, which was quite frustrating as the internet was very slow. It was a way, as you said, to keep an eye on what they were looking at. My 3 children are very socially adaptable people, that is thanks to the fact that they grew up in a Christian community, the church, and they interacted with lots of different individuals. Your point about the difference between community and networking is a very good differentiation. I think as adults, we also need to reflect on how we use technology. If an issue can be solved by talking face to face, let’s not send an e-mail or a text. We believe in a relational God therefore we need to reflect that. Thank you.

Thanks for your commentary on Jonathan Haidt's book. My husband and I read it this summer and we bought copies for our 3 adult children and their spouses. It made an impact on us. I really love how you tied the concept of anti-fragile into spiritual formation.

"I think he got that from....Jesus." love it.

But how? This device has quickly become a multifunctional necessity. It's way past the point of being able to put it in a drawer and go about my day.

what about wanting to watch helpful youtube videos vs wanting to have watched helpful youtube videos

Just 'stumbled' upon this, and I love the critique of a Christianity of ease. Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus promise us that following Him will make our lives easier- in fact, He promises the opposite. We will have "anguish" (John 16:33) in this world, but this is how we grow, and it's beautiful how this principle is baked into creation, as the analogy of the tree shows. I do have a couple of concerns, however, with your advice that we seek out adversity. 1) It's one thing to exhort people to not run from or avoid trouble, quite another to tell them look for it. Life has enough adversity of its own, especially if we follow Jesus. Being a member of a church, practicing real (hard) forgiveness, and responding to the good works that God prepares for us beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10) will bring us plenty of chances to become 'anti-fragile'. 2) Seeking out our own adversity still puts us in 'control' of our own growth. Jesus is the author and perfecter of my faith, not me. If I am picking and choosing when and with whom I will face adversity, I may be more likely to ignore the thing Jesus is actually asking me to do. -I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

I recently found Mr. Willard's books, and some teaching videos. He has put into words things I've experienced in my relationship with God and he has given me things to work on. I haven't read all the books yet, but I recommend taking the dive. Brilliant man he was.

Thanks Mike for this topic. A couple of comments if I may: 1. Living in the story of the "already, not yet" is by default a place of tension. 2. Jesus' teachings would instruct/warn/prepare his followers of the tensions doing so: Parable of Wheat & Tares in Matt.13:24ff, the servants are not allowed to pull out the false wheat but commanded to allow both to grow together - for the sake of the true wheat. Parable of Sheep and Wolves in Matt.10:16ff - He sends out the followers as sheep in the midst of wolves - not amidst the teddy bears. Jesus' teaching on taking up his yoke in Matt.11:25ff - Taking on a yoke presumed there was work to do. A yoke is not ornamental, but functional as a labouring device.

Fantastic video. The book is now on my wish list!

I began to notice the message that Jesus taught. Mark 1 communicates this beautifully. The message was, rethink what you think is true because by following me and doing what I prescribe, the kingdom is now and option. By doing so we are engulfed by the Trinitarian Community. We experience inner transformation, or Spiritually led process, so that we come to think and live as Jesus was able to do. Whatever message we are sharing, is it indeed good news? Is Lordship good news? Is trying to make being poor in spirit as something desirable good news? I've found people often quote Dr. WIllard, but rarely come to be able to communicate his thesis. That the kingdom is now and for anyone and everyone, that eternal living is possible now, that our being right with God is placing our well being on him as Abraham did, takes care of the sin issues, that heaven is as close as the air surrounding our bodies, that "you are with me", that the resurrection proved that everything Jesus said is true. For me, this is good news. As spokespeople for Jesus are we communicating what he said or what we were taught to say?

I'm thoroughly enjoying The Kingdom Among Us. I'm 316 pages into it now. What are your thoughts on Greg Ten Elshof's critique of Willard's take on the beatitudes?

Hello Mike, Do you know what Dallas Willard thought the Bible taught about God’s choice of humans over angels? God has made at least two types of creatures capable of choices that surpass the animals. It appears as if God chose the lesser to be made in the image of God and to have dominion over the remainder of creation. Why did God choose the less glorious creature to be the representative image of God?

I value this 😊

I discovered Dr Willard in 2013. I was drawn to how he didn’t mind someone disagreeing. He taught like a teacher, which I prefer. I bought The Divine Conspiracy in 2014. While I didn’t think at the time it had an impact slowly I changed. I felt I was able to respect other’s experiences and thoughts. I’ve collected every Dallas Willard book. I’m looking forward to meeting him some day in the eternal.

Appreciated the candour Mike. Thank you! Love this channel and what you share here. Keep going! From the other side of the world in NZ.

A few observations: 1. Cool library/office! A great place to read, I'm sure. 2. I really appreciate this video and your perspective. A man of refreshing candor. Suggestion: get rid of your intro or make it less than 10 seconds. Imo, one-cut videos are more elegant! 3. I love the idea of reading vis-a-vis the "whimsical" approach. I think it is always good to ask "why." And also to use prudence when deciding what your time and your mind consume. You're definitely right to say that some books--I think the best books--combine pleasure and education, and this can take many forms. Works by Homer, for instance, teach moral lessons, character, and storytelling itself! 4. Along the lines of your point, I'm fond of keeping 3 books on rotation: 1 spiritual, 1 professional, and 1 fictional. The fictional book usually takes precedence, but I think it helps get the momentum going.

Perfect timing as I'm getting ready to go into my first personal retreat later this week!

I have a little hack that serves me well. I have Amazon Prime and for many books in the Kindle version you can request a sample. They will send a sample to your Kindle. There it sits until I read it and decide if I want to buy it or borrow it. Cheers!

I'm almost done reading Pride and Prejudice and while it is not my cup of tea and I found the first 2/3 to be boring as hell, it is rewarding to get through a text I'm not thrilled with. I may even learn a thing or two by the time I'm done.