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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
challenging
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
This book really impressed me. Rich offers clear next steps to the five transformative values he discusses. He is clearly all about Jesus. It was digestible and made me consider things in a reflective way. Great discussion comes from this book!
This book really impressed me. Rich offers clear next steps to the five transformative values he discusses. He is clearly all about Jesus. It was digestible and made me consider things in a reflective way. Great discussion comes from this book!
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
In The Deeply Formed Life, Villodas describes how Christianity calls for depth and honesty in Christ-followers' lives so that we become grounded believers and authentic witnesses. The book outlines five topics for focus: contemplative rhythms, racial reconciliation, interior examination, sexual wholeness, and missional presence. While this book is not a deep-dive on any of the five, two chapters are devoted to each topic, the first to describe the topic and the second to provide practical suggestions.
I appreciated this book. The sections on interior examination and racial reconciliation resonated deeply with me (which makes sense considering my postgrad 2020-2022 life experiences). I support Villodas's diagnosis of surface Christianity in present times, and I personally agree with the need for individuals (and organizations) to engage in honest self-reflection in order to become more like Christ - hence, "deeply formed."
Other reviews have pointed out potential blindspots or weaknesses in Villodas's argument or presentation. Particularly, it is easy for a pastor-author to include anecdotes about the wins within their own churches. While we don't know how these statements will age, these stories did not stand out in a negative way to me. Because I know that Villodas works closely with Pete Scazerro (author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, which I had some theological qualms with), I do want to be aware of the monastic/contemplative ideas that can overshadow the key tenets of the gospel.
Overall, though, I am satisfied with Villodas's explorations. Perhaps as the Christian world becomes more emotionally literate/fluent, there will be opportunity in future popular Christian spirituality books for more precise and in-depth analyses of what it means to be deeply formed on each of these topics.
I appreciated this book. The sections on interior examination and racial reconciliation resonated deeply with me (which makes sense considering my postgrad 2020-2022 life experiences). I support Villodas's diagnosis of surface Christianity in present times, and I personally agree with the need for individuals (and organizations) to engage in honest self-reflection in order to become more like Christ - hence, "deeply formed."
Other reviews have pointed out potential blindspots or weaknesses in Villodas's argument or presentation. Particularly, it is easy for a pastor-author to include anecdotes about the wins within their own churches. While we don't know how these statements will age, these stories did not stand out in a negative way to me. Because I know that Villodas works closely with Pete Scazerro (author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, which I had some theological qualms with), I do want to be aware of the monastic/contemplative ideas that can overshadow the key tenets of the gospel.
Overall, though, I am satisfied with Villodas's explorations. Perhaps as the Christian world becomes more emotionally literate/fluent, there will be opportunity in future popular Christian spirituality books for more precise and in-depth analyses of what it means to be deeply formed on each of these topics.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
I feel like Rich is the pastor this generation needs. I appreciate that he has such a clear understanding of where people are at but also the vision to see where they can be. he captures this so nicely in this book. Which is inspiring instead of judgemental. It’s compassionate and a true breath of fresh air when there is so much divide on our social spaces.
Excellent take on spiritual formation. Villodas adds substance to this ongoing conversation.
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
fast-paced
Sadly, I found this superficial and trite. There was little content within that hasn't been shared in many, similarly veined, books previously. A lot of the perspectives were unqualified.
I'd have liked to see new, or uniquely presented insights, backed up and explored at a deep level.
I'd have liked to see new, or uniquely presented insights, backed up and explored at a deep level.
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced