Divine Conspiracy 2 - What Is a Human Being?

Follow along with Dallas's slides: dwillard.s3.us-west-1.amazona...
Description: Some of the biggest battles of our time involve trying to understand what a human being is. In this session, Dallas explains the unavoidable truth of human nature, walks us through the dimensions of the person (spirit/heart, mind, body social context, soul), and explains our role in the cosmos as part of God's Divine Conspiracy to develop a community of people who have the character and power of Jesus Christ Himself. Dr. Willard ends on this note: "The Divine conspiracy is God's aim to defeat this dreadful decline from God's world and God's kingdom by bringing out a world and history wide community of people who have the character and power of Christ himself."
Major texts: Romans 1; Psalm 2; Eph. 4:17-24; Gen. 1:26; Isa 63; Luke 16; Heb. 2; Rev. 22:1-5
Notes: dwillard.s3.us-west-1.amazona...

[@irisbristow2977]

I thought she did not ever want to come back. I am convinced the late Queen would never have granted her a one to one.

[@PoweredbyPurpose]

Who would I contact for permission to use these videos in a local study group?

[@hunthome1]

What Bible Translation does he use in these teachings?

[@dallaswillard]

Good question, Ron, we ask ourselves the same thing. : ) Dallas borrows from many places: NASB, KJV, NSRV and sometimes he makes up his own translation. Hope that helps. -DWM

[@davidmorton5949]

When was this recorded?

[@dallaswillard]

I don't have an exact date, but I believe it's been about 15 years.

[@awakened514]

I have a source, conversatiodivina, that indicates that it was recorded in July 2004.

[@awakened514]

Starting at @13:55, Dallas makes some factual statements about the origins and history of AIDS. Can someone help me know where to look to determine if these facts have been found now to be false or are they held to be true?

[@dallaswillard]

David, thanks for contacting us. According to WHO, about 40 million have died from AIDS and about 40 million currently suffer from it. AIDS is a tragic disease and most of us have friends or family who have been affected. Our response to anyone who is suffering is always one of compassion and support. Here is a link www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/hiv-aids If you were around in the 80's and 90's, it was common to hear predictions that a 100 million or more would die. Fortunately, treatments have been developed that have saved tens of millions, including a few close friends. We thank God for those breakthroughs. But I think it's important to remember that Dallas is not teaching about AIDS, but using it as an illustration of how our current understanding of morality prevents us from saying anything that might be considered judgmental, even if those behaviors cause great suffering. Dallas considered his teachings on moral knowledge to be some of his most important ones because much of Western society and academia have thrown out the idea (as well as the Bible) that we can know with any certainty if behaviors are either moral or immoral. We have a playlist on The Disappearance of Moral Knowledge Symposium where a number of university profs share papers on this subject, if you would like to go deeper. Bill Dwyer

[@alcpower1]

40:38

[@awakened514]

Hello Bill, I am a huge respector of Dallas Willard and your reply reminds me of his main point. However, I am wanting the fact checked because I think it is important to continue to assess Dallas as the honest, humble, person I suspect he is based on testimony from others and observation of his videos. If it could be confirmed for me, I could point this out to people as Dallas has, to help people understand how desire trumps honest inquiry at times.

[@francesschireson-dody1516]

If this presentation is a stumbling block for you, look at the principle instead of the example. The example can be false and the principle still correct. For instance, we know that AIDS began in Africa; but it began in the heterosexual community first. It spread rapidly due to a somewhat globally held idea that disciplining one's sexual life is restrictive and cumbersome. In African culture, men had more "liberty" than women in the sexual arena. That "liberty" brought HIV home to their wives and children. It decimated whole villages. The effects of colonialism and racism also played a part in that many African men could not find employment near their villages and were far from home for extended periods of time. Prolonged deprivation decreased resistance to temptation. When it came to the USA it initially spread to a different population. However, the principle is the same: The true idea is that if desires are not subordinated to what is good, they will become destructive. So please set your heart at rest and don't fret about the example's validity.

[@awakened514]

@@francesschireson-dody1516 , there is no stumbling block for me here. If anything, I have a problem with believing almost everything Dallas Willard says. This is actually my attempt to get better at being more critical of Dallas. And, in this case, the principle is well received. I am only concerned with someone who can help me with validating the fact. I really am only concerned with that. And there is no existential strain connected with it. Just curiosity and general search for truth.