Dallas Willard

Date of Birth: September 4, 1935

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: May 8, 2013

Biography

Dallas Willard was an influential American philosopher, renowned for his work in Christian spiritual formation and his role as a professor of philosophy at the University of Southern California (USC). Born in Buffalo, Missouri, Willard’s academic journey began with a degree in psychology from Tennessee Temple College. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and religion from Baylor University, followed by a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1964. Willard was not only a scholar but also a deeply spiritual individual whose work focused on the integration of rigorous philosophical thought with Christian theology. His contributions to the field are extensive, but he is perhaps best known for his writings on spiritual disciplines and the formation of the Christian character. His seminal works include “The Spirit of the Disciplines,” “Hearing God,” and “The Divine Conspiracy,” which have had a lasting impact on both academic and religious communities. Throughout his career, Willard emphasized the importance of personal transformation and the lived experience of faith. His teachings have inspired countless individuals to pursue a deeper relationship with God through the practice of spiritual disciplines. Willard continued to write, teach, and speak until his death in 2013.

5 Interesting Facts about Dallas Willard

1. Dallas Willard was awarded the USC Associates Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1976.

2. He served as the director of the School of Philosophy at USC from 1982 to 1985.

3. Willard’s book “The Divine Conspiracy” was named Christianity Today’s Book of the Year in 1999.

4. He was known for integrating phenomenology, particularly the work of Edmund Husserl, into his theological writings.

5. Willard was a frequent speaker at Christian conferences and retreats, emphasizing the practical application of spiritual disciplines.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dallas Willard

1. “The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it’s who you become. That’s what you will take into eternity.”

2. “Spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder, but of training wisely.”

3. “The aim of God in history is the creation of an all-inclusive community of loving persons with Himself included in that community as its prime sustainer and most glorious inhabitant.”

4. “We don’t believe something by merely saying we believe it, or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true.”

5. “Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures on Dallas Willard’s net worth are not widely documented, his influence and contributions to both the academic and religious communities were invaluable. As a professor and author, he earned a respectable income, but his true wealth lay in his intellectual and spiritual legacy.

Children

Dallas Willard and his wife, Jane Lakes Willard, had two children: John Willard and Rebecca Willard Heatley. Both children have carried forward their father’s legacy in various ways.