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Dwelling in Christ: Discover the Threefold Path of Spiritual Transformation
From Transactional Faith to Transformational Life in Christ
Are you tired of feeling stuck in your faith? Do you long for real, lasting spiritual transformation that feels relational rather than formulaic?
Like many Christians, you may feel as if you're living in a cycle of fits and starts, seeking to grow closer to God but feeling disillusioned in your faith. In a culture of hustle and hurry, maybe you long to trade a transactional faith for a transformational relationship with God.
In Dwelling in Christ, Jonathan R. Bailey reintroduces the Threefold Way―an ancient, time-tested path of Christian spirituality. Moving beyond quick fixes and performance-based faith, this well-worn path offers a practical movement through three stages for growing in Christlikeness over a lifetime.
Discover anew how to walk the Threefold
Learn to release the harmful and unloving things that pull you away from God. Dwell more deeply in God's presence as you intentionally and gradually align your heart more and more with his. Experience an ever-deepening friendship with God that increasingly transforms you into Christlikeness from the inside out. Aided by the wisdom of ancient monastics, contemporary theologians, and thoughtful reflections on his own spiritual journey, Bailey invites you to trade the illusion of control for the reality of love. In continuity with spiritual voices such as Dallas Willard and Richard Foster, this book offers a hopeful and practical way of life through retrieving a framework reaching back into the earliest centuries of the church. With Dwelling in Christ, be free from chasing quick fixes and enter the steady, lifelong journey of becoming like Christ.
Are you tired of feeling stuck in your faith? Do you long for real, lasting spiritual transformation that feels relational rather than formulaic?
Like many Christians, you may feel as if you're living in a cycle of fits and starts, seeking to grow closer to God but feeling disillusioned in your faith. In a culture of hustle and hurry, maybe you long to trade a transactional faith for a transformational relationship with God.
In Dwelling in Christ, Jonathan R. Bailey reintroduces the Threefold Way―an ancient, time-tested path of Christian spirituality. Moving beyond quick fixes and performance-based faith, this well-worn path offers a practical movement through three stages for growing in Christlikeness over a lifetime.
Discover anew how to walk the Threefold
Learn to release the harmful and unloving things that pull you away from God. Dwell more deeply in God's presence as you intentionally and gradually align your heart more and more with his. Experience an ever-deepening friendship with God that increasingly transforms you into Christlikeness from the inside out. Aided by the wisdom of ancient monastics, contemporary theologians, and thoughtful reflections on his own spiritual journey, Bailey invites you to trade the illusion of control for the reality of love. In continuity with spiritual voices such as Dallas Willard and Richard Foster, this book offers a hopeful and practical way of life through retrieving a framework reaching back into the earliest centuries of the church. With Dwelling in Christ, be free from chasing quick fixes and enter the steady, lifelong journey of becoming like Christ.
192 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2026
About the author
Jonathan R. Bailey
3 books7 followersJonathan R. Bailey serves at the intersection of Christian Spiritual Formation and technology. He is Co-founder at Dwell, an app that is helping thousands spiritually thrive in our technologically driven world. He also sits on the Board of Directors for Renovaré, a non-profit ministry that models, resources, and advocates fullness of life with God experienced, by grace, through the spiritual practices of Jesus and of the historical Church.
He is the author of The Eternal Journey, a booklet that explores the classical stages of Christian transformation. You can download a free chapter from his forthcoming book on his website. Plus, get a new micro-essay in your inbox every Sunday morning. He lives in North Dallas with his wife Kori, son Gray, and daughters Abigail and Liv.
He is the author of The Eternal Journey, a booklet that explores the classical stages of Christian transformation. You can download a free chapter from his forthcoming book on his website. Plus, get a new micro-essay in your inbox every Sunday morning. He lives in North Dallas with his wife Kori, son Gray, and daughters Abigail and Liv.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 20, 2026
This has been one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I did not disappoint. As a matter of fact, I'd say it even exceeded my expectations. Jon is a fantastic communicator, an honest writer, and a kind companion for all of us discovering the threefold way of spiritual transformation.
In Dwelling in Christ, Bailey quickly gets at a couple key concepts written throughout the narrative: the insufficiency of our current evangelicalism to make disciples and the long, slow process of transformation seen in the life of Jesus, biblical teachers, and early Christians. A pleasant surprise was how much of Jon's writing was in the form of personal narrative. Using story, Bailey puts real-life on top of facts, theory, and concept that helps to bring these idea alive for us--ancient, yet modern. I deeply appreciate how Bailey approached his evangelical upbringing--calling out the faults of its transactionalism while honouring the good pieces and how it shaped him. I found myself resonating with much of his experience, as I'm sure many others will as well.
It's often said that an author is trying to write themselves into a better life. In this book, Jon simply lays a framework that he has been and is journeying and is trying to help write us all into a better life along the threefold way of Jesus of purgation, illumination, and union. The beauty is found in the written transparency of Jon's journey and what still lies ahead of him while also not giving us an answer or prescription to a better life, but an invitation that has extended from the life of Christ Himself and seen in action through the early church fathers and desert dwellers.
Tackling themes found within the work of the desert dwellers like humility, charity, a rule of life, Jon displays his academic prowess, the heart of a practitioner, and a simple communicator. Coming out of this book, I feel I have gained new perspective of the Christian spiritual life as well as some new ways to engage in the process of the Spirit's transforming work in me.
I am proud of Jonathan and the work he has put in to make this book a reality. It is a book deeply needed for our time and moment, and I truly believe it will become a strong work of Christian spirituality for people to turn and return to in the years to come.
In Dwelling in Christ, Bailey quickly gets at a couple key concepts written throughout the narrative: the insufficiency of our current evangelicalism to make disciples and the long, slow process of transformation seen in the life of Jesus, biblical teachers, and early Christians. A pleasant surprise was how much of Jon's writing was in the form of personal narrative. Using story, Bailey puts real-life on top of facts, theory, and concept that helps to bring these idea alive for us--ancient, yet modern. I deeply appreciate how Bailey approached his evangelical upbringing--calling out the faults of its transactionalism while honouring the good pieces and how it shaped him. I found myself resonating with much of his experience, as I'm sure many others will as well.
It's often said that an author is trying to write themselves into a better life. In this book, Jon simply lays a framework that he has been and is journeying and is trying to help write us all into a better life along the threefold way of Jesus of purgation, illumination, and union. The beauty is found in the written transparency of Jon's journey and what still lies ahead of him while also not giving us an answer or prescription to a better life, but an invitation that has extended from the life of Christ Himself and seen in action through the early church fathers and desert dwellers.
Tackling themes found within the work of the desert dwellers like humility, charity, a rule of life, Jon displays his academic prowess, the heart of a practitioner, and a simple communicator. Coming out of this book, I feel I have gained new perspective of the Christian spiritual life as well as some new ways to engage in the process of the Spirit's transforming work in me.
I am proud of Jonathan and the work he has put in to make this book a reality. It is a book deeply needed for our time and moment, and I truly believe it will become a strong work of Christian spirituality for people to turn and return to in the years to come.
September 5, 2026
I really like this book. Bailey clarifies how we usually see spiritual growth, as transactional. We do this thing and we expect a certain result. He tried again and again but his best efforts led to frustration. He advocates growth that is transformational. It is a slow process and will take a lifetime. We never finish because we are always becoming. We never will arrive until we see Jesus face to face.
I like how Bailey has investigated the experiences of Christians over the centuries. He goes through the three fold path, explaining how each transforms us. By his own admission, he has not come into the union stage. That in itself may take the rest of his life.
This is a great book for every Christian frustrated by the usual means of growth. Bailey's personal way of explaining what he has learned makes for a very good listening experience. I highly recommend this book. There are additional resources at the book's website.
I received a complimentary digital audio copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.
I like how Bailey has investigated the experiences of Christians over the centuries. He goes through the three fold path, explaining how each transforms us. By his own admission, he has not come into the union stage. That in itself may take the rest of his life.
This is a great book for every Christian frustrated by the usual means of growth. Bailey's personal way of explaining what he has learned makes for a very good listening experience. I highly recommend this book. There are additional resources at the book's website.
I received a complimentary digital audio copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dwelling in Christ: Discover the Threefold Path of Spiritual Transformation
A truly excellent book.
Bailey is really a skilled writer. I was immediately impressed by his writing, and it kept me engaged through the whole book.
A really good companion book to one of my favorites - A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society.
The book really stepped me through the practical ways to get closer and be more like Christ over your life.
I am so glad I got to read this book.
Highly recommend it!
Huge thanks to Netgalley for the advanced review copy!
4.8/5
A truly excellent book.
Bailey is really a skilled writer. I was immediately impressed by his writing, and it kept me engaged through the whole book.
A really good companion book to one of my favorites - A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society.
The book really stepped me through the practical ways to get closer and be more like Christ over your life.
I am so glad I got to read this book.
Highly recommend it!
Huge thanks to Netgalley for the advanced review copy!
4.8/5
September 8, 2026
I listened to this which makes it hard to note everything that stood out to me.
Bailey writes about the “threefold path” of spiritual formation.
Purgation, Illumination, Union
I laughed, I cried, I could relate to his experiences of faith. I am appreciative of the author’s vulnerability of his own story.
I look forward to reading this one again.
Bailey writes about the “threefold path” of spiritual formation.
Purgation, Illumination, Union
I laughed, I cried, I could relate to his experiences of faith. I am appreciative of the author’s vulnerability of his own story.
I look forward to reading this one again.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews