Eternal Living: Reflections on Dallas Willard's Teaching on Faith and Formation

Received a handmade bookmark in the book. Very thoughtful!

perhaps this is the only biography that will come closest to an autobiography published a year after Dallas Willard's death. It is written by those closest and dearest to him. I was a Fuller D. Min student who attended his seminar twice, once for audit and the following year for credit, and told Fuller authorities that 'the Dallas Willard Seminar' was worth the whole program if this was the only seminar I was able to attend.' Attending the seminar was the first time I met Dallas in person, and as I listened, I realized he was 'lecturing' not from his notes, but from his life.... I was drawn to his reflections, his wisdom, his gentle spirit; here stood a man who is living in God's presence... As I read the book I nodded in agreement over many comments made, and recognized many of the quotations... I wept along as if it was a special memorial service as we talked together about the man whose life and writings made such a deep and lasting impact on our lives and ministry. Yes, it also filled in many gaps about his early life for me too. I strongly recommend this book as a 'companion' to this other writings, such as 'The Divine Conspiracy'; 'The Spirit of the Disciplines'; and 'Renovation of the Heart.'

For all Dallas Willard's fans this is a must read. Thirty writers were hand chosen to write how they met Dallas and how he personally influenced their life. The "Dallas isms" are interwoven by the three memorial services which catorgized the breath of his friends. The Funeral Service first was conducted at Dallas' Home Church and attended by family and very close friends. The second service to honor Dallas was given at a gathering of approximately120 individuals who knew him best as an academic philosopher. Some said this was the most moving because these came to the Caruso Catholic Center at USC.This setting seemed so fitting because of the images of Teresa of Avila and Augustine who looked down from the walls with the beatitudes seen behind each speaker.Their stories wrote from the perspective of Dallas's daily life as a professor, colleague, dissertation chair, department head and secular writer. Third service took place in the auditorium of the Church on the Way in Van Nuys, Ca. Those hundreds who gathered here came from all walks of life, college presidents and college drops outs, business, elite and unemployed, successful editors and those who had no desire to write. . "A man raised in obscurity as a child lived a life that changed the lives of tens of thousands."

Dallas Willard's books have had a huge impact on me since I met him in Seattle at a luncheon where everyone received a copy of his just-published "Divine Conspiracy." Before that I had never heard his name; after that, I immediately bought every book he authored and often bought additional copies for friends. He is (was) simply the wisest, most insightful, and most gifted writer of "real world" books I have ever encountered since C. S. Lewis. I didn't have high expectations for "Eternal Living" when I ordered it because it is a book of reflections about Willard, not by Willard. But I trusted it would be a wise investment anyway. And it is! The reflections are by people who knew Dallas Willard well and for a fairly long time. Their observations and memories simply confirm the truth of his writings. He was a man who practiced what he preached. I love him even more (if that's possible).

How wonderful is the tribute to Dallas Willard outlined in this book! He was truly an exceptional and spiritually gifted individual. It wasn't just his philosophy and love of God but his natural ability to live the talk. Dallas is sometimes so far beyond my level of thinking that I have trouble following him, but some things sink in and in every sense inspire me. Another merit of this book for me is that several of the contributors were able to summarize and explain concepts that had somewhat eluded me before. Although it would often make Dallas blush to read the tributes, the book is a treasure for the rest of us.

I have been a great Dallas Willard fan since the 90s. He has impacted me greatly through his writings. This is a picture of just how much he impacted about 20 others as they reflected on Dallas' teaching on faith and formation. They come from the realms of the academy, church, business and government. I remember the day he left us and how I grieved the loss of a great servant of the Living God.

I don't usually read biographical books written by many different people, all of whom share their personal insights of one friend they have in common but this one was recommended by a friend and I found it quite interesting.In this case it provided highlights of Dallas from a variety of perspectives. I'm now more motivated to his books.

"Becoming Dallas Willard" was so much better than this book. I watched a lot of the recorded eulogies on Youtube and I've come to know a lot of the people that were close to Dallas Willard so this book did not offer anything new. With that said, I love reading about Dallas so I am glad I bought the book.

This book makes you realize Dallas actually lived what he taught, and because of that I want to listen to what he said.