Praise for Dwelling in Christ
Praise for Dwelling in Christ
“If you’re weary of formulaic spirituality and yearning for a deeper life with God, Dwelling in Christ will be a welcome companion on the journey. With clarity and wisdom, Jonathan R. Bailey draws from the rich tradition of the Threefold Way to offer a compelling vision of how genuine transformation in Christ unfolds through intentional rhythms of grace.”
Tim Wildsmith, pastor and author of Daily Scripture Guidebook
“I have known Jonathan R. Bailey for about fifteen years. Over those years he has demonstrated a rare gift for innovation and clear, illustrative teaching. His work in creating the Dwell app is a gift to the Christian world, as has been his leadership within Renovaré. So I was not surprised to see all of these talents showcased in this important book. Jonathan has dug deeply into the mines of the ancient faith and brought out pure golden nuggets for the modern reader who has begun to wonder whether or not a transforming friendship with God is actually possible.”
Gary W. Moon, founding executive director of the Dallas Willard Center for Christian Spiritual Formation and the Renovaré Institute and author of Becoming Dallas Willard
“With beautifully crafted phrases and sentences, Jonathan R. Bailey draws us into the eternal journey for which we have been created. Drawing upon the timeless wisdom of the ancient Threefold Way—purgation, illumination, union—he stirs our heart’s desire to become reflectors of God’s self-giving love. Most helpfully, he shares generously from his own learnings and failures to provide us with an accessible map for our own pilgrimage into our mutual indwelling with Christ. Our times cry out for fresh voices who will become our companions and guides along this Way. I give joyful thanks for this voice!”
Trevor Hudson, author of Discovering Our Spiritual Identity and In Search of God’s Will
“In Dwelling in Christ, Jonathan R. Bailey unwraps the often-missed contours of a truly relational life with God. I’m so grateful he helps us replace dry, transactional approaches with personal ways of interacting with God.”
Jan Johnson, author of Meeting God in Scripture and chair of Dallas Willard Ministries
“Through years of thoughtful study and practice, Jonathan R. Bailey has faithfully mined a great historic treasure. Jonathan’s writing is accessible, personal, and inviting—this work will stand the test of time.”
Nathan Foster, author and host of the Life with God podcast
“Jonathan R. Bailey walks us through not only his journey but all our journeys, following the Threefold Way of purgation, illumination, and union—an ancient, clear, simple, balanced, reliable structure for spiritual growth that accommodates our own unique path. No quick fix is offered, but if you want to grow and change, this is your manual. The writing is honest and beautiful, inviting and at times heartbreaking. This book did for me what all great books do—it made me want to do what it prescribes.”
James Bryan Smith, author of The Good and Beautiful God
“Dwelling in Christ is an eminently practical and deeply encouraging guide to growth and intimacy with Jesus, mined from Scripture, centuries of Christian teaching, and Jonathan R. Bailey’s own lived experience. Read this book as soon as you can. Bring your hunger and a highlighter!”
Carolyn Arends, recording artist, author, and director of education at Renovaré
“Dwelling in Christ is a beauty and a wonder, filled with wisdom, transparency, struggle, hope, and the invitation to slow, genuine, time-tested transformation. Jonathan R. Bailey offers no easy solutions to spiritual transformation, for there are none. Instead, he invites us to join him on the threefold path. Heed his invitation. You’ll be encouraged. If I reduced my reading list for the year to one book, this would be it.”
Christopher A. Hall, former president of Renovaré and author of A Different Way: Recentering the Christian Life Around Following Jesus
“Not many can walk the tightrope of faithfully bringing forward ancient Christian wisdom about growing closer to God while keeping it accessible for everyday people. Jonathan R. Bailey sticks the landing.”
Ted Harro, president of Renovaré
“The stories of the Christian saints can seem remote and fantastic. How could ordinary people embody such generous love and courageous faith? In this book, Jonathan R. Bailey sets out to answer that question by leading us in the ancient ways of purgation, illumination, and union. In this practical, compassionate, and personal book, he explores how we can walk the same Threefold Way that transformed the stories and souls of the church’s earliest witnesses and can form us powerfully today as well. This book will be a gift to those who crave a way to move beyond a faith that is merely performed, to a life shaped by deepening prayer and growing joy.”
Sarah Clarkson, author of Reclaiming Quiet
“Jonathan R. Bailey’s Dwelling in Christ is a rare, outstanding debut—beautiful, wise, and precise. He seamlessly translates ancient Christian wisdom regarding purgation, illumination, and transformation for the contemporary reader. It is clear Jonathan has written this from a place of deep communion with God, having practiced what he preaches and having walked through suffering. In a culture of anemic Christianity, this book is a breath of fresh air. Energizing. It is robust and solid food, not a formula but a practical field guide. Jonathan offers both recollections of the pathway trodden by saints in the past and a direct and gracious invitation for us to follow in their footsteps. It is what Dallas Willard called a curriculum for Christlikeness. This book is a gold mine of practical wisdom for anyone depending on God’s grace to become like Jesus. It’s phenomenal.”
Marlena Graves, author of The Way Up Is Down and Bearing God
“Many timely books about spiritual formation are published each year but only occasionally does a timeless book come along. Dwelling in Christ is just such a book. Jonathan R. Bailey’s deep well of knowledge and his approachable, humble manner combine to make Dwelling in Christ a most valuable companion for the spiritual journey. Highly recommended!”
Richella J. Parham, author and chair of the Renovaré board of trustees
“I am so grateful for Jonathan Bailey’s work on Christian formation. He has played no small role in helping me learn to let Christ and his word dwell in me.”
Justin Whitmel Earley, CEO of Avodah Legal and author of The Common Rule and The Body Teaches the Soul