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beings, and thus spiritual formation must itself be holistic. Willard argues that human persons
are complex, interrelated beings. There are, he contends, six basic dimensions of our lives as
human beings, which together and in interplay constitute our "human nature." They are
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Thought (images, concepts, judgments, inferences)
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Feeling (sensations, emotions)
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Choice (will, decision, character)
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Body (action, interaction with the physical world)
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Social Context (personal and structural relations to others)
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Soul (the factor that integrates all of the above to form one life) [DW, 30].
Willard understands that the human "mind" involves both the aspects of thinking and of feeling,
and that the dimension of volition or choice is located in the human will or heart or spirit (all
synonymous terms). [DW, 29]. The practical import of this is the fact that for spiritual formation
to be effective, it must touch and transform all of the essential elements of the human person.
Willard says, "The ideal of the spiritual life in the Christian understanding is one where all of the
essential parts of the human self are effectively organized around God, as they are restored and
sustained by him. Spiritual formation in Christ is the process leading to that ideal end . . . [And
as a result] the human self is fully integrated under God." [DW, 31].
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(3) Spiritual formation is accomplished through a life-long process, which is
never fully completed in this life but which nevertheless produces significant growth in
Christlikeness.
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This holistic approach to spiritual formation provides the foundation for Willards
structuring of much of his book, with chapters devoted to the transformation of the mind, both in
its thinking and feeling dimensions, the transformation of the will, of the body, of our social
dimension, and finally transforming the soul. See chapters 6-11 of Renovation of the Heart.