Transforming the Body: A Journey to Moral Knowledge

 

Summary

In our exploration of the profound insights of philosophers Dallas Willard and Dietrich von Hildebrand, we delve into the intricate relationship between the human body, moral knowledge, and spiritual transformation. Both thinkers lament the disappearance of moral knowledge in the modern era, a loss that has profound implications for how we understand ourselves and our place in the world. This journey begins with a recognition of the integral unity of the human person, a concept championed by my mentor, Juan Manuel Burgos, in his model of integral personalism. This model emphasizes the interconnectedness of body, psyche, spirit, and knowledge, suggesting that moral knowledge must be an integral part of our understanding of the human person.

Willard and Hildebrand both address the misconception that spirituality and physicality are opposed. Instead, they argue for a harmonious relationship where the body is not merely a vessel but an essential part of our spiritual journey. Willard, in particular, offers practical steps for the transformation of the body, urging us to release our bodies to God, avoid idolizing them, and ensure they are properly honored and cared for. This transformation is not just about avoiding sin but about allowing our bodies to be instruments of God's grace.

The Sabbath emerges as a central theme in this discussion, serving as a practical center for the care of the body. Willard emphasizes the importance of rest, not just as a physical necessity but as a spiritual discipline that allows for transformation. Hildebrand, on the other hand, approaches the Sabbath from a liturgical perspective, highlighting its role in directing both mind and body toward God.

Ultimately, both philosophers call us to a deeper understanding of our metaphysical situation—created, fallen, and redeemed—and the journey of transformation that leads to a loving union with God. This journey is marked by a commitment to moral knowledge, the sanctification of the body, and the cultivation of a good person, as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Integral Unity of the Person: The human person is a complex unity of body, psyche, spirit, and knowledge. Moral knowledge must be integrated into this understanding, as each aspect of our being resonates with the others, impacting our spiritual journey. [06:31]

2. Spiritual and Physical Harmony: Spirituality and physicality are not opposed but complementary. Our bodies are integral to our spiritual lives, and their transformation is essential for Christ-likeness. This involves releasing our bodies to God and ensuring they are properly honored and cared for. [10:10]

3. The Role of the Sabbath: The Sabbath is a vital practice for the care of the body, providing necessary rest and serving as a celebration of God. It is a time for spiritual renewal and transformation, allowing us to align our lives with God's purposes. [21:35]

4. Transformation Through Grace: Both Willard and Hildebrand emphasize the journey of transformation, where the inner world of the self takes on the character of Jesus. This transformation is facilitated by spiritual disciplines and the grace of God, leading to a life that reflects Christ's teachings. [17:07]

5. The Good Person as a Moral Ideal: The restoration of moral knowledge begins with the cultivation of the good person, who embodies trust, admiration, and a desire to imitate. This is central to moral theory and reflects the teachings of Jesus, who focused on the type of person we are called to be. [29:14]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - Introduction to Willard and Hildebrand
- [01:01] - Personal Background and Influences
- [01:36] - The Role of Poetry in Understanding
- [02:04] - The Disappearance of Moral Knowledge
- [03:38] - Reclaiming Essential Knowledge
- [04:47] - Consequences of Lost Moral Knowledge
- [05:46] - Integral Personalism and the Human Person
- [07:40] - Misapprehensions About the Body
- [09:08] - Historical Views on the Body
- [10:10] - The Repressionist View of the Body
- [13:29] - The Journey of Transformation
- [17:07] - Spiritual Transformation and the Body
- [21:35] - The Sabbath and Body Care
- [29:14] - The Good Person in Moral Theory

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 2:2-3 - "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."
2. Romans 12:1 - "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."
3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, how do Dallas Willard and Dietrich von Hildebrand view the relationship between spirituality and physicality? [10:10]

2. What practical steps does Willard suggest for the transformation of the body, as mentioned in the sermon? [18:23]

3. How is the Sabbath described in the sermon, and what role does it play in the care of the body? [21:35]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of moral knowledge in understanding the human person? [06:31]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the concept of the body as a "living sacrifice" in Romans 12:1 relate to the sermon’s discussion on honoring and caring for our bodies? [19:01]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Sabbath can lead to spiritual renewal and transformation? How does this align with the biblical understanding of the Sabbath? [30:41]

3. How does the sermon’s view of the body as an integral part of our spiritual journey challenge or affirm your current understanding of spirituality? [10:23]

4. What implications does the sermon draw from the idea that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, as stated in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20? [23:18]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current practices regarding the Sabbath. How can you incorporate rest as a spiritual discipline in your life, and what changes might you need to make to honor this practice? [31:13]

2. Consider the ways you currently care for your body. What specific actions can you take to ensure your body is an instrument of God’s grace, as suggested in the sermon? [19:27]

3. How can you practically release your body to God, as Willard recommends? What steps can you take this week to begin this process? [18:34]

4. Identify an area in your life where you might be idolizing your body. How can you shift your focus to honoring God with your body instead? [19:53]

5. Think about a time when you felt spiritually renewed. How did rest or Sabbath play a role in that experience, and how can you recreate that in your current routine? [21:35]

6. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of moral knowledge in your daily life, and what resources or practices might support this journey? [06:31]

7. Reflect on the idea of transformation through grace. What spiritual disciplines can you incorporate into your life to facilitate this transformation? [17:07]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

Day 1: Integral Unity of the Human Person
The human person is a complex unity of body, psyche, spirit, and knowledge. This integral unity suggests that each aspect of our being resonates with the others, impacting our spiritual journey. Moral knowledge must be integrated into this understanding, as it is essential for a holistic view of the human person. Recognizing this interconnectedness helps us appreciate how our physical, mental, and spiritual lives are intertwined, and how each part influences our overall well-being and spiritual growth. [06:31]

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: Consider how your daily habits reflect the unity of your body, mind, and spirit. What is one practical step you can take today to honor this interconnectedness?


Day 2: Spiritual and Physical Harmony
Spirituality and physicality are not opposed but complementary. Our bodies are integral to our spiritual lives, and their transformation is essential for Christ-likeness. This involves releasing our bodies to God and ensuring they are properly honored and cared for. By doing so, we allow our bodies to become instruments of God's grace, participating in the divine work of transformation. This harmonious relationship between the spiritual and physical aspects of our lives is crucial for a holistic spiritual journey. [10:10]

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on how you view your body in relation to your spiritual life. What is one way you can honor your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit today?


Day 3: The Role of the Sabbath
The Sabbath is a vital practice for the care of the body, providing necessary rest and serving as a celebration of God. It is a time for spiritual renewal and transformation, allowing us to align our lives with God's purposes. By observing the Sabbath, we create space for rest and reflection, which are essential for our spiritual and physical well-being. This practice helps us to focus on God's presence and to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. [21:35]

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work." (Exodus 20:8-10a, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally set aside time for rest and spiritual renewal this week? What specific activities will help you honor the Sabbath as a day dedicated to God?


Day 4: Transformation Through Grace
The journey of transformation involves the inner world of the self taking on the character of Jesus. This transformation is facilitated by spiritual disciplines and the grace of God, leading to a life that reflects Christ's teachings. By engaging in practices such as prayer, meditation, and service, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's grace, allowing our lives to be shaped by His love and wisdom. [17:07]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual discipline can you commit to this week to allow God's grace to transform you more into the likeness of Christ?


Day 5: The Good Person as a Moral Ideal
The restoration of moral knowledge begins with the cultivation of the good person, who embodies trust, admiration, and a desire to imitate. This is central to moral theory and reflects the teachings of Jesus, who focused on the type of person we are called to be. By striving to become good persons, we align ourselves with the moral ideals exemplified by Christ, fostering a life of integrity and virtue. [29:14]

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one character trait of Jesus that you admire and wish to cultivate in your own life. What practical steps can you take today to develop this trait?

Quotes


Willard addresses the spiritual life of the body initially by recognizing many a misapprehension about the relation between spirituality and our physicality. A lot of the personals I work with don't want to talk about the body they want to talk about corporeality and the notion that it's not just the physical stuff. [00:07:40]

He takes a more balanced and fully Christian view stating that the spiritual and the bodily are by no means opposed in human life they're complementary he recognizes the human person as a Unity practically speaking then this means that both body and spirit the human person are called the sanctification. [00:10:10]

Spiritual transformation into Christ likeness as the process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it takes on the character of the inner being of Jesus himself the result is that the outer life of the individual increasingly becomes a natural expression of the inner reality of Jesus and of his teachings. [00:17:07]

He gives four recommendations and renovation of the heart the how this process of bodily transformation can begin and continue I'm not going to ask you to do them here but think about doing them when you're home alone. It's a matter of not just seeing the body in an isolated way but the whole person has four recommendations. [00:18:20]

The Practical Center for proper care of the body is the Sabbath the center for care of our body is the Sabbath I'll return to this after we've looked at Hildebrand lastly for Willard he speaks of the body's plasticity this is the term one often hears a neuroscience about the way the brain can change its structure and connections by new learning experience. [00:21:35]

Willard writes we must see the soul and the person in his ruined condition as I said we need to see that it can be reformed and we also need to think very practically about how this can be done. We have to begin from where we actually are and this includes our redeemed State as well. [00:16:26]

The good person is a central subject of moral theory at the conclusion of The Disappearance of moral knowledge this is very much in keeping with the gospel message as well Jesus talked relatively sparingly about rules and regulations but he talked a great deal about the type of person he wanted us to be. [00:29:14]

In real life the good person stands out as one who characteristically evokes trust admiration support and a desire to be associated with and to imitate it provokes a value response I think is the way that Hildebrand would put that we are confronted with a good person someone who radiates goodness and we respond to that in these ways. [00:29:32]

Willard calls the Sabbath a celebration of God and says that Sabbath is inseparable from worship and indeed genuine worship is Sabbath. I suspect for most of us two things come to mind when we hear the word Sabbath we don't work that day and we go to church that's true but it is a beginning. [00:30:38]

The appropriate response to the value that is a human person Hildebrand says includes reverence respect and love was personalistic Norm is the person is the kind of entity two toward whom the only proper response is love now this response to value is connected to hildebrand's vision of the person. [00:26:06]

The Sabbath teaches all beings whom to praise teaches all beings move to praise not a Graven image but God Dallas Willard and teacher from Hildebrand both recognize the roots of the loss of moral knowledge and both of them meet well as criteria of the good person there's very much agreement there. [00:35:06]

The return of the Soul and Spirit of persons is in an embodied self is a necessary precondition to the restoration of moral knowledge this involves the defense of the immaterial nature of the soul and mind and an account of the relation between the soul and the body no small task. [00:41:06]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jul 05, 2023. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?