M. Robert Mulholland Jr. - Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation

That was 1994. Invitation to a Journey had just been published, and I was riveted. Here was a New Testament scholar and theologian who was unpacking what I had been experiencing spiritually but from a deeply biblical, richly theological point of view. I entered in with heart, soul, mind and strength. Recently when I pulled out the coursework from that long-ago class, I was amazed to discover an entire journal devoted to the reflections, prayers, wrestlings, groanings and wonderments inspired by this textall on the way to greater wholeness in Christ. I am even able to note aspects of Bobs teachings that I resisted and argued with then but that make all the sense in the world now, so many years of spiritual journeying later.

I see now that God used this book to change my life as well as the trajectory of my path in ministry. Finally, I was able to understandfrom a strongly biblical and theological perspectivewhat had been happening to me in the context of the spiritual disciplines I was practicing outside my former box. Finally, I was able to explain to those who were afraid I was falling off the Christian path that what was happening in my spiritual life was orthodox, deeply rooted in our own Christian tradition. And when it came to the church, finally I had the confidence to begin communicating a clear and nuanced biblical rationale for why spiritual formation is central to the message of the gospel and therefore central to the mission of the church.

Since then I have shared Mulhollands book wherever I go. When I need to choose one book to provide the biblical and theological underpinnings for those seeking a more intentional journey of spiritual transformation, this is it. There are several things that make it such a seminal work. First, his definition of spiritual formation is so clear, compelling and biblical that it is impossible to dismiss it, even for those who tend to be suspicious. Second, his systematic, brick-on-brick approach to laying a clear, biblical and theological foundation gives us all a solid place to stand as we consider how to engage more deeply in our journey toward wholeness in Christ and how we might help others. And third, his approach to describing the process of spiritual formation is highly integrative and therefore, quite comprehensive.

He integrates personal spiritual disciplines with the communal aspects of our faith.

He brings together psychology, spirituality and an understanding of the human personality in fruitful synergy.

He is precise in his ability to talk about sin, but always in the context of grace eloquently described.