The Difference Dallas Willard Makes

Some people think they can simplify evangelicalism. But the consensus of intelligent minds is that the movement has many beating hearts. David Bebbington, the British historian of evangelicalism, famously proposed that evangelicals have four defining characteristics: They are Bible-centered, Cross-centered, conversion-minded, and activist in their desire to do evangelism and good works.

In his philosophically astute study of Dallas Willard, The Theology of Dallas Willard: Discovering Protoevangelical Faith, Gary Black Jr. examines Willard's beliefs through the lens of these four core commitments. He shows how Willard's theology is framed around the conviction that the overarching goal of God's plan is to conform his people to the image of Christ.