Dallas Willard on God
An Introduction
- Theology
- Philosophy
- Publisher: Fortress Press (Augsburg Fortress)
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
What is God? Every great thinker, every system of thought answers that question, even if their answer assumes God's non-existence. For the rest of us, however, God may call up an oblong blur. This is not a wise approach to life and many teachers in history - some theologians, some not - can help. Of these, none may be more helpful to this century than Dallas Willard. All of his writing and teaching are pervaded by his idea of God. The trouble is, Willard rarely addressed the topic, as he did many other topics, explicitly and with his signature insight and clarity. Some writers need an introduction because they wrote too much. Willard may need one because he wrote too little. In Dallas Willard on God Michael Stewart Robb invites readers to uncover what Willard thought and taught about God through engaging exploration of his multifarious writings and lectures. With his inviting, low-key style Robb guides readers through four key traits of God which were basic to Willard's view of God's what-ness: self-sufficiency, spiritual-ness, substance and moral personality. With the skill of a trained theologian/philosopher, Robb gently and carefully compares Willard's view with what the other major thinkers have taught about God, making it an excellent introduction to theology proper. Written as an essay for students and seekers, Robb's latest and most accessible book on Willard challenges all to move beyond vague or blurry ideas of God and instead to live, as Dallas Willard himself did, with "a rich and accurate way of thinking and speaking about God" (The Divine Conspiracy).
Endorsements (7)
“Readers who have benefited from Dallas Willard's writings on spiritual formation will find here an outline of his theology of God as Spirit that underlies and funds it. Michael Stewart Robb painstakingly unites two Willards who are often kept apart: the disciple-maker and the metaphysician. It is an apt pairing, for the reality of the God who is love and Spirit--an "unbodily personal power"--is what ultimately enables, sustains, and completes the Christian life.”
“Dallas Willard was my dissertation supervisor and a very close friend. He was the most Christlike person I ever met. He was also a thoroughly Christian thinker who often came up with biblically faithful, creative writing and developed new angles and nuances that others had not seen. These were refreshing, insightful, intellectually rich, and wonderfully practical. The problem is that his views about God are sprinkled here and there throughout his writings. Very few people have the time or skills to dig up and integrate all of them. Here is where Robb's book becomes a unique treasure given to God's people. If you want to understand and bask in Willard's view of God, this is the only place to go. I highly recommend this delightful book.”
“Dallas Willard was a unique voice who sought to blend his philosophically trained mind and his keen conception of spiritual formation together in an attempt to speak of God and Christian life in a way that is compelling, true, and relevant. If you are a non-Willard specialist like me, who nevertheless has found his work to be stimulating and helpful, Michael Stewart Robb's new volume offers us a creative way into making better sense of Willard's view of God and why it matters so much.”
“I never got to meet Dallas Willard. But like so many, I find that his love of Christ, theology, and understanding of the kingdom continue to enrapture my life with wonder, joy, and excitement. Reading Robb's book, Dallas Willard on God, is like sharing a long weekend with the man himself. Robb captures so much of the beauty of Willard's work, offering us a luminous gift that captures the heart and soul of everything Dallas was all about. Highly commended as a faithful guide to the tradition.”
“I often heard Dallas Willard give brilliant presentations on profound philosophical topics at scholarly gatherings. But I never had the chance to ask him how he understood his perspective on these matters--which I share--to be integrated with his immensely helpful practical writings on our personal relationship with the Lord. In this fine book, Michael Stewart Robb has clarified things for me for the benefit of both my mind and my soul.”
“Dallas Willard opened a window on the nature and reality of God for countless people--believers and nonbelievers alike. Here, Michael Stewart Robb opens a window to make Willard's theological work more accessible and "ordered" for that same worldwide audience. It's a gold-mine resource for thoughtful faith. Thank God for God!”
“Michael Stewart Robb has done a wonderful service for those of us who may have been changed, moved, and provoked by Dallas Willard's spiritual writings, but weren't sure how to put him into dialogue with anyone else. This book makes the connections to more traditional doctrines and more conventional forms of theological speech. Robb not only leads readers to neglected Willard lectures, but also draws on ephemera like handouts and cassette tapes of question-and-answer sessions. This is a great guide to Willard and a stimulating introduction to Christian teaching about God.”
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