The Great Omission

The Great Omission addresses what Dallas Willard sees as a critical gap in modern Christianity - the lack of focus on discipleship and spiritual formation. Willard argues that churches have largely abandoned Jesus's command to "make disciples," instead focusing solely on conversion and church attendance. Through biblical analysis and practical guidance, Willard outlines how individuals can become true apprentices of Jesus Christ through intentional spiritual practices and transformation. The book provides frameworks for understanding discipleship and offers specific methods for spiritual growth through disciplines like solitude, study, and service. Drawing from his background in philosophy and theology, Willard examines why many Christians struggle to experience genuine life change despite their faith. His analysis connects historical Christian formation practices with contemporary applications for both individuals and church communities. The book's core message centers on bridging the divide between belief and practice in Christian faith, suggesting that spiritual transformation requires both divine grace and human participation. This work stands as a call to recover essential elements of Christian living that Willard believes have been overlooked in modern church culture.

Readers consistently note this book's focus on discipleship and spiritual formation within Christianity. Many appreciate Willard's emphasis on intentional spiritual growth and his critique of modern churches that overlook discipleship. Liked: - Clear explanations of how to implement spiritual disciplines - Balance of theological depth with practical application - Challenge to rethink common assumptions about discipleship - Integration of academic and pastoral perspectives Disliked: - Writing style can be dense and academic - Some concepts feel repetitive from Willard's other books - Abstract theological discussions can be hard to follow - Several readers mentioned the book feels like a collection of separate essays rather than a cohesive work Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (300+ ratings) ChristianBook.com: 4.5/5 (40+ ratings) Common review quote: "This book helped me understand why knowledge about Jesus isn't enough - we need to actually follow his teachings in daily life."

The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard A theological examination of spiritual practices that transform believers through intentional discipleship.

Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster A practical guide to classical spiritual disciplines that connects ancient practices to modern Christian life.

The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard An exploration of Jesus's teachings on discipleship and the nature of God's kingdom in everyday life.

Life in the Spirit by Robertson McQuilkin A systematic approach to spiritual formation through biblical principles and time-tested practices.

The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg A roadmap for spiritual transformation through disciplines that shape character and deepen faith.

🔹 Dallas Willard spent over 40 years teaching philosophy at the University of Southern California while simultaneously being a respected Christian theologian and author. 🔹 The book's title plays on the term "Great Commission" (Jesus' command to make disciples), suggesting that modern Christians have largely omitted the crucial element of discipleship from their practice. 🔹 Though published in 2006, much of the book's content comes from Willard's articles and speeches spanning three decades, showing his long-term commitment to the topic of discipleship. 🔹 Willard argued that the American church's focus on achieving conversions rather than developing disciples has created what he called "vampire Christians" - those who want Jesus' blood for salvation but don't want him to transform their lives. 🔹 Before his death in 2013, Willard influenced many prominent Christian leaders and authors, including John Ortberg, Richard Foster, and Eugene Peterson, who all credit him with reshaping their understanding of spiritual formation.