Christian Spiritual Formation Research

M. Robert Mulholland Jr. defines spiritual formation as "the process of being formed in the image of Christ for the sake of others." Compact and solid, this definition encompasses the dynamics of a vital Christian life and counters our culture's tendency to make spirituality a trivial matter or reduce it to a private affair between "me and Jesus."In Invitation to a Journey, Mulholland helps Christians new and old understand that we become like Christ gradually, not instantly. Not every personality is suited to an early morning quiet time, so Mulholland frees different personality types to express their piety differently. He reviews the classical spiritual disciplines and demonstrates the importance of undertaking our spiritual journey with (and for the sake of) others.This road map for spiritual formation is profoundly biblical and down to earth. In the finest tradition of spiritual literature, it is a vital help to Christians at any stage of their journey.This edition is revised and expanded by Ruth Haley Barton with a new foreword, practices and study guide.

What does a real relationship with God look like What is the biblical vision of true spiritual life How do we grow in spiritual maturity How we answer these questions influences the health, potency, and witness of Christians in an increasingly complex and hostile world. Conformed to His Image, Revised Edition answers these questions with clarity and insight, offering a comprehensive, balanced, and applicable guide to spiritual growth. Designed for use in college and seminary courses but also highly appropriate for any serious Christian wanting to grow, this revised edition helps readers build their lives on a fully biblical foundation.

This holistic and accessible introduction to Christian spiritual formation written from a broadly evangelical perspective joins Scripture with themes of community, formation, and mission in a single integrative guide.