Last month at the theology reading group, we discussed Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ by Dallas Willard. I read the 20th anniversary edition, which includes a glowing appreciation by John Mark Comer.
I had wanted to read something by Willard for a long time, since I had heard so many positive things about him and his books. I was also interested because, although he was a popular Christian author and speaker, he was also a serious academic at a secular university.
He argues that to become like Jesus, we need VIM
Vision: a picture of what this looks like for us
Intention: a desire for this vision to become a reality
Means: an idea of the practicalities needed for the intention to translate into personal change
Willard argues that there are six dimensions to a human person.
1. Thought: images and concepts
2. Feelings: sensations and emotions
3. Choice: will, decisions, character
4. Body: actions, physical interactions
5. Social context: personal and structural relations
6. Soul: it integrates all of the other dimensions.
One can argue about characterisation, merits and relative importance of each of these dimensions. All models are wrong, but some are useful. However, I found this helpful as it acknowledges the multi-faceted nature of personhood. Too often, I hear reductionist arguments that claim that one of these dimensions is far more important than any of the others and that if you get that right, then the others will fall in line. For example, right theology leads to right thinking, which leads to right emotions and behaviour. I think we are much more complex than that, and there is a subtle and mysterious interplay between all the dimensions.
On the one hand, I did find the book helpful and personally challenging. For example, the discussion of how our heart can be evil, deceptive, selfish, bitter, and resentful. On the other hand, I was a little disappointed as it did not live up to my high hopes and expectations. For me, there was too much discussion and analysis of problems in the USA church and society. Bible verses were frequently quoted, but there was little Biblical theology. Sometimes made statements that seemed too black and white for me.
My dear wife, Robin, is more practical (and godly) than me. She did not read the book, but instead has been working through
Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice: Experiments in Spiritual Transformation, a study guide by Jan Johnson.
She loves it!
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