Renovation of the Heart, Ch. 6

My wife is a psychologist, so this chapter resonates with what she has taught me. Smacking of Christian CBT, Willard humbly and robustly paints a picture of the transformation of the mind. Willard believes that our thinking is the most critical place to start our transformation. Vision leads us toward growth and, if we are limited in our thinking, we will be limited in our vision. If our vision is limited, we will not grow very far at all. Willard offers four main factors of our thinking: 1. Ideas - assumptions about reality; these are deeply rooted in our mind and very difficult to change. 2. Images - symbols, stories or models that are presented to our perception and are often emotional and sensuous; Jesus understood this and presented certain images before us in the cross, baptism, communion, stories and of course, Himself. 3. Information - knowledge or matters of fact our mind must apprehend; thus the role of evangelism is proclamation of information 4. Ability to Think - connecting things up; to see what must be or cannot be the case if certain information is so. Willard suggests that the ability to think well is essential to the prospering of God's Kingdom. But, our thinking must begin with right views and worship of God (see Tozer quote). Willard then turns toward the practical. He says that the transformation of our lives happens when we stand at each moment before God in right position. "Am I undertaking some task? Then I in faith do it with God, assuming and finding his power to be involved with me. That is the nature of His Kingdom." Willard then lists 4 dangers in our thought life: 1. Pride (in doctrine, practice and tradition) 2. Ignorance (of facts/information) 3. Sovereign Desires (allowing them to guide our thinking) 4. Wrong Images (the symbols we let into our soul) It seems like Romans 12:1-2 and Philippians 4:4-8 would be fundamental verses for spiritual formation. Willard provides some simple practices for growing in our thought life: Scripture memorization Adopting songs, phrases and symbols to remind us of deep truths (cross, catch phrases) Community - to serve as accountability, models and coaches of growth