Author Wins Dallas Willard Center Award

The Dallas Willard Center for Spiritual Formation honored James K. A. Smith, professor of philosophy at Calvin College, with its annual book award for “You are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit” during chapel Jan. 26 in Murchison Gym. Smith, the Gary and Henrietta Byker professor in applied reformed theology and worldview, has written more than 20 books bridging topics between the academy, society and the church.

As part of the Martin Family Institute for Christianity and Culture, the center’s award emphasizes the intellectual legacy of Dallas Willard, including his focus on the possibility and path to authentic spiritual and moral transformation.

Trustee Vice Chair Patty Martin and her husband, Eff, who made a significant donation to establish the Martin Institute and Dallas Willard Center, presented Smith with the award.

“‘You are What you Love’ provides an accessible overview of Augustine’s insight that we are shaped most by what we love most,” Patty Martin said. “What we love and worship is more important to our formation than what we think and do. The book is also a powerful reminder that while Christians often desire to shape culture, we are often not aware of how culture is shaping us.”

Smith, who was born in Embro, Ontario, studied at the University of Waterloo and Emmaus Bible College before earning a Master of Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies and a doctorate from Villanova University. His other books include “Imagining the Kingdom,” “Who’s Afraid of Relativism?” and “Who’s Afraid of Postmodernism?”