The Great Omission: Reclaiming Jesus's Essential Teachings on Discipleship

by Dallas Willard Narrated by Grover Gardner

Overview

The last command Jesus gave the church before he ascended to heaven was the Great Commission, the call for Christians to "make disciples of all the nations. "But Christians have responded by making "Christians," not "disciples."

This, according to brilliant scholar and renowned Christian thinker Dallas Willard, has been the church's Great Omission.

An EChristian, Inc production.

Editorial Reviews

In The Divine Conspiracy, theologian Dallas Willard disdained "consumer Christians" who regard their religion merely as an insurance against death. Instead, he counseled that true Christians focus on discipleship in the whole of their daily existence. In The Great Omission, he thoroughly demystifies discipleship in lucid, reflective prose. "Being a disciple or apprentice of Jesus," he writes, "is a definite and obvious kind of thing. To make a mystery of it is to misunderstand it."

Library Journal

In his latest endeavor, Willard (The Divine Conspiracy) presents all Christians with a call to action, with a chief premise that all too often they neglect the latter part of Jesus's "Great Commission," in which he directed his followers to go into all nations and "make disciples" of people. According to Willard, the fact that "discipleship is optional" in today's churches and Christian institutions is a travesty. In a straightforward and thoughtful way, he argues that discipleship and spiritual formation are in some way mandatory for anyone who professes to be a Christian ("We could never credibly claim to trust a doctor whose instructions we would not follow"). Only when following Jesus's instructions becomes their fundamental goal, he professes, will Christians live abundant and fulfilled lives. All in all, this book makes for engaging reading for any Christian who aspires to lead a more spiritual life. Although certain passages may upset some readers (e.g., apathetic Christians are often given a scolding), Willard speaks his truth in such an eloquent, passionate, and powerful way that one can't help but be moved to action. Recommended for all libraries.-Wesley A. Mills, Empire State Coll. SUNY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

From the Publisher

Dallas Willard keeps calling us to take this life of Jesus seriously as disciples, as apprentices to a Master.” — Eugene Peterson, author of The Message

“There is NO one like Dallas. Finding more of his words is like getting hidden treasure. Read and grow!” — John Ortberg, author of God Is Closer Than You Think

“This is vintage Willard, and it must be read by all who hunger to grow as Jesus’s disciple.” — J.P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, and author of Love Your God With All Your Mind

“If you have any desire to find the life God offers you, read this book.” — John Eldredge, author of Captivating

“Every leader, whether professional or lay, who cares about the church of Jesus Christ, should read this book.” — Paul D. Robbins, President, Christianity Today International

“I know no one like Dallas Willard who can express profound things so simply and simple things so profoundly.” — Os Guinness, author of The Call and Unspeakable

“Dallas Willard reminds us that a relationship with Jesus only makes sense when we choose to become his apprentices.” — Alan Andrews, U.S. President of the Navigators

“The Great Omission may be Dallas’s most important work yet.” — Ruth Haley Barton, president, Transforming Center, author of Sacred Rhythms

“Another classic from the pen of this remarkable writer. Incisive and insightful...” — Alister E. McGrath, Professor of Historical Theology, Oxford University

“The Great Omission is, simply put, great. I recommend it highly.” — Richard J. Foster, author of The Celebration of Discipline

“There are few better thinkers or students of Jesus than Dallas Willard.” — Ken Blanchard, co-author of The One Minute Manager and The Secret

“It is no accident that one of the most fruitful lives I’ve been privileged to observe offers this valuable resource.” — J. Stanley Mattson, founder and president, C.S. Lewis Foundation

“...Willard speaks his truth in such an eloquent, passionate, and powerful way...” — Library Journal

“Dallas Willard is a brilliant, modest, immensely experienced Christian older brother, calling to us.” — Christianity Today

J.P. Moreland

This is vintage Willard, and it must be read by all who hunger to grow as Jesus’s disciple.

John Eldredge

If you have any desire to find the life God offers you, read this book.

Alister E. McGrath

Another classic from the pen of this remarkable writer. Incisive and insightful...

John Ortberg

There is NO one like Dallas. Finding more of his words is like getting hidden treasure. Read and grow!

Os Guinness

I know no one like Dallas Willard who can express profound things so simply and simple things so profoundly.

Richard J. Foster

The Great Omission is, simply put, great. I recommend it highly.

Eugene Peterson

Dallas Willard keeps calling us to take this life of Jesus seriously as disciples, as apprentices to a Master.

Paul D. Robbins

Every leader, whether professional or lay, who cares about the church of Jesus Christ, should read this book.

Alan Andrews

Dallas Willard reminds us that a relationship with Jesus only makes sense when we choose to become his apprentices.

Ruth Haley Barton

The Great Omission may be Dallas’s most important work yet.

J. Stanley Mattson

It is no accident that one of the most fruitful lives I’ve been privileged to observe offers this valuable resource.

Ken Blanchard

There are few better thinkers or students of Jesus than Dallas Willard.

Christianity Today

Dallas Willard is a brilliant, modest, immensely experienced Christian older brother, calling to us.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172412837
Publisher:	EChristian, Inc.
Publication date:	09/01/2007
Edition description:	Unabridged

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