As you journey deeper in the Christian pilgrimage, you come to realize that the Christian life is more than merely replicating particular spiritual disciplines or practices. You begin to understand that at the core of Christian faith is the transformation of your very identity.

M. Robert Mulholland Jr. exposes the false selves that you may be tempted to hide behind and helps you to instead discover the true self that comes from being hidden with Christ in God. If the goal of the Christian journey is Christlikeness, then you must reckon with the unhealthy ways that you root your sense of being in things other than God. Along the way, you will discover a growing sense of intimacy and abandonment to God. Not only will you encounter the joy of discovering your own self, you will also find a greater love for others and compassion for the world.

As you journey deeper in the Christian pilgrimage, you come to realize that the Christian life is more than merely replicating particular spiritual disciplines or practices. You begin to understand that at the core of Christian faith is the transformation of your very identity. M. Robert Mulholland Jr. exposes the false selves that you may be tempted to hide behind and helps you to instead discover the true self that comes from being hidden with Christ in God. If the goal of the Christian journey is Christlikeness, then you must reckon with the unhealthy ways that you root your sense of being in things other than God. Along the way, you will discover a growing sense of intimacy and abandonment to God. Not only will you encounter the joy of discovering your own self, you will also find a greater love for others and compassion for the world.

M. Robert Mulholland Jr. (Th.D., Harvard) is professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of several books, including (Upper Room), (Zondervan), and the landmark spiritual formation book (IVP).

Tapping into the desire many Christians have for a deeper spiritual life, Asbury Theological Seminary professor Mulholland (Invitation to a Journey) begins at the end goal of the discipleship journey-"to be like Jesus." But picturing something far beyond wearing a "WWJD" bracelet, he explains that being like Jesus actually implies a deep unity with God. Using scripture and quotations from many famous Christian writers, he paints a picture of profound and even mysterious connection with God. The book's strength lies in its powerful description of the "false self" that all humans construct as a result of their estrangement from God. Using biblical foundations and ordinary life, Mulholland illustrates various characteristics of the "false self," which makes us fearful, protective, possessive, manipulative, destructive, self-promoting and indulgent. He follows with an excellent discussion of the extremely sneaky religious version of the "false self." But beyond "putting off the old self," Mulholland gives direction for "putting on the new self," repeatedly emphasizing that this transformation is and must remain God's work in our lives. Central to his conclusion is his argument that this change absolutely must be lived out in relationship to other people. The prayers and probing questions interspersed throughout provide a very personal invitation into this deeper journey. (Feb.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

"Most of us are aware that there is something that is not quite right within us. When we are honest, we might even admit that there is something terribly wrong. It is called the false self. The Deeper Journey provides understanding and guidance for the journey from the false self to the true self. It is a harrowing journey, to be sure, but it is also a journey of hope and healing and freedom. This book is full of much-needed wisdom from one of the most trusted spiritual guides of our time."

"[Mulholland] paints a picture of profound and even mysterious connection with God. . . . [A] very personal invitation into this deeper journey."

"Dr. Mulholland's exposition of the transforming journey from the noxious web of the false self to the liberating reality of the true self is totally compelling and a must read for disciples serious about the 'with-God' life."

"Mulholland recommends radical honesty about ourselves as an essential part of the foundation of a deeper faith. We Christians in North America definitely need to ponder his conviction that the false self and the religious false self will lead us on dead-end roads. I found Mulholland's invitation to a deeper journey in Christ to be profoundly challenging and winsomely encouraging."

"This book is addressing what I think is a foundational religious concern: Is religion primarily a belonging system or a transformational system? Is it merely about belief or is it about inner experience? The Deeper Journey is a very clear and courageous book, giving biblical themes a compelling and needed language."

"Carrying the journey beyond that introduced in his earlier much-appreciated Invitation to a Journey, this new book by Robert Mulholland will be very helpful to all those who feel called to a deeper journey and who wonder how concepts such as the true and false self relate to biblical teaching. If this is you, read on and be prepared to meet God and yourself more deeply."

"What a wonderfully mending and unsettling read. I read it and started reading it all over again. Mulholland serves as an experienced guide to what it means to have an inner life, a life that is 'hidden with Christ in God.' His voice helps me attend to the well-defended and self-referenced way I do life--even my spiritual life. The Deeper Journey is rich with the practical implications of what it means to be 'in God for the world.'"

"Robert Mulholland has gone deeper on the journey and now we can too. This will benefit all who want to follow Jesus' way."

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