Review of Dallas Willard’s ‘The Allure of Gentleness’ – by Caleb Miller

Dallas Willard has always been an inviting author. Meaning, his books are approachable. In an age when a topic like apologetics brings up the recent Ham/Nye debate, or the stuffy, dry-aired halls of University discussion, it might seem odd that a book about said topic is called “The Allure of Gentleness”. It’s not often that a book I’m reading for review has me reaching for my highlighter and writing software so frequently. Needless to say, I was drawn in by Willard’s words. Even where my theological differences would have likely gotten the better of me and caused me to set the book aside, the gentle reminders that this is all about Jesus were so pervasive, I couldn’t help but to hang my disagreements and finish the book. There’s a little bit of a different style to the writing—I’m guessing due to various hands putting it together—but the material is unmistakably “Willard”. There’s peace and love in every chapter, and that’s enough for me to say we need more scholars with the attitude Willard carried.