C. S. Lewis once wrote, “If you join at eleven o’clock a conversation which began at eight, you will often not see the real bearing of what is said.”
In a word, this is the problem faced by many who read Renovated. Most laypersons and even many pastors and scholars are only vaguely aware of the genius of Dallas Willard and the tremendous insight he brought to our understanding of the Christian life. And if Renovated is a person’s first serious introduction to the teachings of Dallas, then they are entering the conversation without enough background to see that they are being misled at every step.
I cannot account for Wilder’s gross misrepresentations of Dallas’ work. But having studied Dallas’ writings for over 20 years myself, I found the extent of Wilder’s confusion truly astounding. And having been blessed in a thousand ways by what Dallas taught, and having grown spiritually as a result — in more ways than I can say — the charge that Dallas’ approach to spiritual formation is a slow process was unfounded and irresponsible.
It is for these reasons that I ask those who took the time to read Renovated would also take the time to read every page on this website. It really doesn’t take that long. My hope is that it will give people a reason to go back and learn more about the power of spiritual formation.