I hesitate to promote anything really, simply because I hate to presume that what speaks to me is the answer for someone else . . . however in the case of this new book I am reading “The Great Omission” by Dallas Willard, I will make and exception. This book, is without a doubt one of the finest pieces that I have read on the subject of discipleship in a very long time. Most everything else that I have read on discipleship that was worth recommending was written more than 500 years ago, but now Willard comes out with a simple treatise on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. I do not think that I have ever been more challenged by an author than I am now in reading Willard’s book.
Just to pique your interest a little, here is a short excerpt from the book.
“For at least several decades the churches of the Western world have not made discipleship a condition of being a Christian. One is not required to be, or to intend to be, a disciple in order to become a Christian, and one may remain a Christian without any signs of progress toward or in discipleship. Contemporary American churches in particular do not require following Christ in his example, spirit, and teachings as a condition of membership-either of entering into or continuing in fellowship of a denomination or local church. I would be glad to learn of any exception to this claim, but it would only serve to highlight its general validity and make the general rule more glaring. So far as the visible Christian institutions of our day are concerned, discipleship clearly is optional.
In place of Christ’s plan (make disciples) historical drift has substituted – Make converts, to a particular faith and practice, and baptize them into church membership.”
Excellent read with ongoing challenges to where I am at in my spiritual journey. If you don’t want to buy the book but want to read it, I will be happy to loan my copy to anyone who would like to have a look.
