Recommended Reading
This reading list is organized by subject, often identifying the specific editions of the books Dallas used, with links to versions of the books currently available. Dallas extensively studied a wide range of subjects and developed a keen insight into them and the authors who best represented them. These books contributed to his understanding of those subjects in a meaningful way.
Apologetics
A Place for Truth: Leading Thinkers Explore Life's Hardest Questions
Various Authors
Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2010. This is a collection of talks given at Veritas Forums and edited by Dr. Willard.
Does God Exist?: The Debate Between Theists & Atheists
J. P. Moreland
Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books, 1993.
Who Is This Man?
John Ortberg
This book is a magnificent piece of work. An appropriate and necessary foundation for revolution in ministry, with pastors as teachers of the world. See my endorsement inside the book.
Biographies/Autobiographies - Examples to Follow
Interior Castle
Teresa of Avila
Translated and edited by E. Allison Peers. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1961.
Journal of George Fox, The
George Fox
Edited by Norman Penney. London: Dent, 1948. Also in various other editions.
Letters by a Modern Mystic
Frank C. Laubach
Foreword by Alden H. Clark. Edited and compiled by Constance E. Padwick. Syracuse, N.Y.: New Readers Press, 1955. First published in 1937. The Association of Christian Schools International brought the book back into print in 2007 with a new Foreword by Dr. Willard (Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications).
Madame Jeanne Guyon: Her Autobiography
Jeanne Guyon
Edited by Jan Johnson. Jacksonville, FL: SeedSower Christian Publishing, 2008.
Contemplative Prayer
Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home
Richard J. Foster
New York, NY: HarperCollins,1992.
Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, The
St. Ignatius of Loyola
Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Image Books, 1964.
Devotional Classics
The Imitation of Christ
Thomas a Kempis
Apart from the Bible itself, this is undoubtedly the more republished work in Christian history. Absolutely indispensable. Many editions available.
Introduction to the Devout Life
Francis de Sales
Translated by John K. Ryan. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Image Books, 1957.
The Life of God in the Soul of Man
Henry Scougal
This is really a magnificent piece: One of the most influential pieces of writing on the Evangelical side of modern religion. Many of the great modern Evangelicals point back to this book as a landmark in their lives. Read it if you want to really understand the heart of Evangelicalism as a historical movement. Many editions available.
Rule of St. Benedict, The
Anthony C. Meisel
Translated by Anthony Meisel and M. L. del Mastro; Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1975.
Introduction to Philosophy
Introduction to Logic
Irving M. Copi
When asked for a beginner's book on logic, Dr. Willard always recommended getting an older edition of this book.
Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview
J.P. Moreland and William Lane Craig
Intervarsity Press, 2003. This is an excellent discussion by the finest of scholars and philosophers, who are also Christians. Good as an introduction to Philosophy and Theology for those with limited background and a desire to dig deeper. (Winner of a 2004 Gold Medallion award in the Reference category from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.)
Kingdom Living and Spiritual Formation
A Practical View of Christianity
William Wilberforce
Hendrickson Publishers, 2006.
A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life
William Law
Try to get a complete edition of it.
Autobiography of Charles Finney, The
Charles Finney
First published in 1877. Many editions available.
Deeper Experiences of Famous Christians
James Gilchrist Lawson
Anderson, IN: Warner, 1970.
Humility & Absolute Surrender
Andrew Murray
Hendrickson Publishers, 2005. This is two books combined.
The Imitation of Christ
Thomas a Kempis
Apart from the Bible itself, this is undoubtedly the more republished work in Christian history. Absolutely indispensable. Many editions available.
Invitation to the Jesus Life
Jan Johnson
Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress, 2008. This is Jan's "Curriculum for Christlikeness." Foreword by Dallas Willard.
Man of Prayer: Selected Writings of a World Missionary
Frank C. Laubach
From "The Heritage Collection" (Within that especially Letters by a Modern Mystic and Game With Minutes.) Laubach Literacy International, 1990.
Our Favorite Sins: The Sins We Commit and How You Can Quit
Todd Hunter
Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2012. Foreword by Dallas Willard.
Practical Works of Richard Baxter, The
Thomas a Kempis
Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1981. Practical advice on applying Scripture to all areas of life.
Revival Lectures
Charles Finney
Old Tappan, N.J.: Fleming H. Revell Company, n.d., 1995.
Systematic Theology
Charles Finney
Several editions available. Get the unabridged if you can.
Whole Life Transformation
Keith Meyer
Intervarsity Press, 2010. Foreword by Dr. Willard.
Moral Development
Moral Development and Reality: Beyond the Theories of Kohlberg and Hoffman
John C. Gibbs
Sage Publications, 2003.
Sanctification
A Plain Account of Christian Perfection
John Wesley
Dr. Willard has called this the best explanation of sanctification he has ever read.
Spiritual Disciplines/Discipleship
A History of Christian Spirituality
Louis Bouyer
New York: Seabury, 1982. This three volume set will be hard to find. Single volumes may also be available.
Gospel Mystery of Sanctification, The
Originallly published in 1692. Several editions available.
Translated by Elizabeth Stopp. London: Mowbray, 1954,
Habits of a Child's Heart: Raising Your Kids with the Spiritual Disciplines
Valerie E. Hess and Marti Watson Garlett
Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2004. An excellent resource for teaching children and teens about spiritual disciplines.
Holy Living and Dying
Jeremy Taylor
Many editions. Practical directions on the use of the body for spiritual growth by a great Christian of the sixteenth century.
Letters and Papers from Prison
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
London: Fontana, 1953.
Life of the Servant, The
Henry Suso
Translated by James M. Clarke. Cambridge: Clarke, 1982.
Life With God: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation
Richard J. Foster
San Francisco, CA: HarperOne, 2008.
Lives of the Saints
Various Authors
Translated with an Introduction by J. F. Webb. Baltimore, MD: Penguin, 1973.
Mysticism: The Nature and Development of Spiritual Consciousness
Evelyn Underhill
New York: New American Library, 1974.
On Cleaving Unto God
Albertus Magnus
Translated by Elizabeth Stopp. London: Mowbray, 1954,
Spiritual Life, The
Edgar Sheffield Brightman
New York: Abingdon Cokesbury, 1942.
Spiritual Rhythms in Community: Being Together in the Presence of God
Keith Meyer
Intervarsity Press, 2012.
The Body: A Study in Pauline Theology
John A. T. Robinson
London: SCM Press, 1952.
The Life You've Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People
John Ortberg
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002. John has called this his "Dallas for Dummies" book.
The Screwtape Letters with Screwtape Proposes a Toast
C.S. Lewis
New York: Macmillan, 1962.
Spiritual Healing
Is The Kingdom of God Realism?
E. Stanley Jones
New York, Nashville: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1940.
The Four Gospels
Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, The
Alfred Edersheim
An excellent help in understanding the four Gospels. There are many versions, look for a "complete and unabridged" copy.
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