What do you think?
Rate this book
The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self
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. The expanded edition includes a study guide for individual reflection or group discussion.
183 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 13, 2006
175 people are currently reading
658 people want to read
About the author
M. Robert Mulholland Jr.
8 books53 followersM. 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 Shaped by the Word (Upper Room), Revelation (Zondervan), and the landmark spiritual formation book Invitation to a Journey (IVP).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 21, 2022
I viewed Dr.Mulholland's class on Revelation at the Biblical Learning site online from years ago when he was still alive. I was impressed by his scholarly approach to the Bible, so decided to read some of his books. I have struggled as some of the language seems very mystical, but not very practical and a struggle for me to stay with it. I am not sure why Dr.Mulholland decided to change the language he uses to describe things that the such as the "false self identity" instead of using the language of the Bible which is that it is the old nature or the flesh. I felt like using different language to describe the same thing just made it more confusing.
May 5, 2008
I wouldn't recommend this as an introduction to spiritual formation--Mulholland's Invitation to a Journey and Willard & Simpsons' Revolution of Character are great places to start. But if you are ready for a deeper journey with the Holy Spirit into transformation in the depths of your character, this book offers powerful help. I'm currently on my second or third read-through.
Mulholland starts each chapter with a brief prayer. As soon as I started reading/praying the opening prayer for chapter one, I knew this was going to be a challenging and powerful book for me. It tackles Jesus' teaching of dying to our self, and clarifies by describing the False Self--what Paul called the "old person." Exegeting Colossians in particular (among other texts), Mulholland takes us on a painful journey into having our false selves exposed, and then even deeper into exposing our religious false selves. From there he then leads us into the refreshing and joy-filled realm of having Christ formed in us--into living the reality of our new life in Christ.
Favorite quote/concept: "We are thoroughly self-referenced beings."
Mulholland starts each chapter with a brief prayer. As soon as I started reading/praying the opening prayer for chapter one, I knew this was going to be a challenging and powerful book for me. It tackles Jesus' teaching of dying to our self, and clarifies by describing the False Self--what Paul called the "old person." Exegeting Colossians in particular (among other texts), Mulholland takes us on a painful journey into having our false selves exposed, and then even deeper into exposing our religious false selves. From there he then leads us into the refreshing and joy-filled realm of having Christ formed in us--into living the reality of our new life in Christ.
Favorite quote/concept: "We are thoroughly self-referenced beings."
September 15, 2024
I could start this book again tomorrow and have my mind blown again. Such a good book that speaks to the goodness and challenges of heart work in order to love God and love others.
January 25, 2019
Of the dozens of titles I’ve been assigned to read for my spiritual direction certification, The Deeper Journey is my favorite by a large margin. Those of you who know us, know that Brian and I have relentlessly pursued freedom and healing to live from our truest selves - that part of us imagined and designed by our Creator God. We’ve learned from many good teachers on the subject, but Mulholland seems to synthesize the essence of the theology of our human identity redeemed by Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. He writes with depth but not dryness, hope for all but not patronizing of the reader’s experience, and truth but not theological imprecision. Read this book.
April 19, 2023
Sometime in 2008 or 2009 I bought this book while I was taking classes with Dr. Mulholland. However, for one reason or another, I never made it around to reading this until now. It was just what my heart needed.
Theology, exegesis, prayerful meditation, and practical application, sprinkled with stories and illustrations – this book is a reflection upon what it means to have “our life hidden with Christ in God.” Union with Christ and putting to death of the flesh (“the false self”) is how we find our true selves and what it means to live out our vocation as being created in the Image of God.
Even though I technically finished this book, I am going to be spending more time with it, hunting down all the biblical passages, and meditating on the questions that Dr. Mulholland raises. So rich! All the stars.
Theology, exegesis, prayerful meditation, and practical application, sprinkled with stories and illustrations – this book is a reflection upon what it means to have “our life hidden with Christ in God.” Union with Christ and putting to death of the flesh (“the false self”) is how we find our true selves and what it means to live out our vocation as being created in the Image of God.
Even though I technically finished this book, I am going to be spending more time with it, hunting down all the biblical passages, and meditating on the questions that Dr. Mulholland raises. So rich! All the stars.
June 8, 2025
This is a follow up book to Mulholland's Invitation to a Journey (one of my favorites). It focuses specifically on the issue of how we are transformed from lives dominated by our "false selves" (Paul called this "the flesh") to the "new self" that regains all that God intended for us to be.
There are several helpful insights to the book particularly Mulholland's holistic perspective on holiness. He insisted that holiness is not simply escaping the presence of sin but ultimately embracing the life God offers in His abiding Spirit. He asserted that transformation begins with a focus on our nature on not simply on behavior. Here was an example of this line of thinking: "Repentance is not being sorry for the things that you have done, but being sorry that you were the kind of person that did those things."
Throughout the book there was an emphasis on identity in Christ, having the mind of Christ and living under the grace Christ offers instead of striving to merit that grace (the latter he called another manifestation of the false self). This focus, in particular, I found to be very beneficial.
Mulholland's voice was pastoral and courageously honest with several personal examples of how God was reshaping his own fallen nature. His last chapter addressed certain spiritual practices that move us towards a greater awareness of our identity in Christ. This was a real strong portion of the book.
Overall, while The Deeper Journey does not arrive to the level of Invitation to a Journey (few books do in my mind), it does offer a very helpful commentary on the larger issues of the transformed heart that is found in Christ's atonement. And, in this age of competing ideas on spirituality, this can be a useful text to guide readers into a more intentional pursuit of God's best for their lives.
There are several helpful insights to the book particularly Mulholland's holistic perspective on holiness. He insisted that holiness is not simply escaping the presence of sin but ultimately embracing the life God offers in His abiding Spirit. He asserted that transformation begins with a focus on our nature on not simply on behavior. Here was an example of this line of thinking: "Repentance is not being sorry for the things that you have done, but being sorry that you were the kind of person that did those things."
Throughout the book there was an emphasis on identity in Christ, having the mind of Christ and living under the grace Christ offers instead of striving to merit that grace (the latter he called another manifestation of the false self). This focus, in particular, I found to be very beneficial.
Mulholland's voice was pastoral and courageously honest with several personal examples of how God was reshaping his own fallen nature. His last chapter addressed certain spiritual practices that move us towards a greater awareness of our identity in Christ. This was a real strong portion of the book.
Overall, while The Deeper Journey does not arrive to the level of Invitation to a Journey (few books do in my mind), it does offer a very helpful commentary on the larger issues of the transformed heart that is found in Christ's atonement. And, in this age of competing ideas on spirituality, this can be a useful text to guide readers into a more intentional pursuit of God's best for their lives.
November 6, 2022
I struggled with this book. I put it down more than once to read something else and finally made myself finish the thing just to get it over with. I’m glad I did, though, because the last chapter was the most practical and satisfying.
The rest of it was a review and rebranding of basic Christian theology…circular and repetitive. His writing style was impenetrable to me. For a book covering the wonders of a dynamic walk with Christ, the writing was incredibly dull. But, it got better toward the end, so much so that I was taking notes.
The rest of it was a review and rebranding of basic Christian theology…circular and repetitive. His writing style was impenetrable to me. For a book covering the wonders of a dynamic walk with Christ, the writing was incredibly dull. But, it got better toward the end, so much so that I was taking notes.
April 6, 2023
A powerful exploration of the false self vs. the true self and what it means to live in Christ. This is a good follow up to Mulholland’s classic Invitation to a Journey.
June 17, 2008
I found this book extremely helpful in identifying some of my own underlying issues. The first half of the book focuses on identifying the "false self" and especially the "religious false self" which is the identity that we foster apart from Jesus. Mulholland does a great job of describing the characteristics of these false selves and diagnosing some of the many lies we believe about our identities.
The second half of the book deals with breaking down these lies using truths from Scripture. I like that he uses arguments drawn from the Word but the difficult part of this is that it's hard to draw out many practical applications since much of it deals with uprooting false perceptions and needing a change of heart/mind (though this may just be my religious false self talking).
Overall, this book was very helpful and I enjoyed it a lot. It's probably not for everyone but it definitely brings up some issues that are deeply rooted for many of us.
---edit---
I take back what I said about the second half not being that practical. After spending some time reflecting more on Colossians and some of the questions posed in the book (and also recognizing how much of a religious false self I really am), I'm struck by the fact that Scriptural truth IS the most practical thing there is. The false self can be undone by nothing less.
The second half of the book deals with breaking down these lies using truths from Scripture. I like that he uses arguments drawn from the Word but the difficult part of this is that it's hard to draw out many practical applications since much of it deals with uprooting false perceptions and needing a change of heart/mind (though this may just be my religious false self talking).
Overall, this book was very helpful and I enjoyed it a lot. It's probably not for everyone but it definitely brings up some issues that are deeply rooted for many of us.
---edit---
I take back what I said about the second half not being that practical. After spending some time reflecting more on Colossians and some of the questions posed in the book (and also recognizing how much of a religious false self I really am), I'm struck by the fact that Scriptural truth IS the most practical thing there is. The false self can be undone by nothing less.
Read
December 29, 2015Thick and deep. Mulholland does a good job of mixing deep theology, his deft understanding of Koine Greek in the Biblical text, and personal life accounts to make this a good read for the initiated disciple of Jesus Christ. Probably too much for new Christians, but for pilgrims who have been on the journey for many years and paused to wonder what else there might be, this is a good read.
July 23, 2017
A wonderful invitation to experience the Kingdom of God at a transformational level that is often overlooked A challenging read but equally encouraging for those wanting to be part of the unfolding of Gods story
December 3, 2018
This was an excellent book on inner spiritual formation that I hope takes a deeper hold in my spirit. I read this for my church small group. Mulholland does a good job of both outlining the pitfalls of what he terms "the false self" and the true task of Christian spiritual formation which is following a God outside of us who challenges us. The false selves include those aspects of ourselves concerned with our own pride, what others think of us, achievement, etc. Basically, ways of achieving self-worth that are self-referential. They deal with our own psychology, our own selfish needs oftentimes. The "religious false self" can be the most dangerous aspect of Christian spiritual formation gone wrong. The religious false self puts on the appearance of true Christian formation but is secretly self-referential in that God is put into a box of our own making. It is being spiritual enough for appearances sake or spiritual in a way that is self-gratifying rather than other-centered. Being other-centered, seeing God in others, and thus being directed towards a God that challenges our safe notions of spirituality is what true spiritual formation should be about.
November 22, 2024
4.5 stars
Highlights:
- Helped me see sin defined through a new lens of playing god (or at least attempting to) over your own life. Saying "God, no, I don't need you, I'm going to go my own way and make this thing I really want work even though you already told me no," and rejecting God as God on God's terms
- Beautiful interpretation of the Lord's Prayer, particularly the line "Our Father" as a tool to orient your perspective of others as God's beloved sharing our inheritance with Christ, not simply threats or objects to be used to fullfill our own desires and agenda
- Helpful breakdown of the "daily office" or quiet time as a gateway to and maintenance of the deeper journey
- Helpful contrast between the false self (what Paul describes as the flesh, our reactionary and worldly selves, what Paul says to die to) as well as a religious false self (the outwardly religious looking version of the flesh) and our true self which Mulholland often describes as "hidden with Christ in God for the sake of the world"
Highlights:
- Helped me see sin defined through a new lens of playing god (or at least attempting to) over your own life. Saying "God, no, I don't need you, I'm going to go my own way and make this thing I really want work even though you already told me no," and rejecting God as God on God's terms
- Beautiful interpretation of the Lord's Prayer, particularly the line "Our Father" as a tool to orient your perspective of others as God's beloved sharing our inheritance with Christ, not simply threats or objects to be used to fullfill our own desires and agenda
- Helpful breakdown of the "daily office" or quiet time as a gateway to and maintenance of the deeper journey
- Helpful contrast between the false self (what Paul describes as the flesh, our reactionary and worldly selves, what Paul says to die to) as well as a religious false self (the outwardly religious looking version of the flesh) and our true self which Mulholland often describes as "hidden with Christ in God for the sake of the world"
January 8, 2022
A great continuation of Mulholland's first book Invitation to a Journey. His discussion of false self/true self especially resonated with me.
"A corollary of our false self's fear is our protectiveness. When we rely solely on our own resources for our identity, meaning, value, and purpose, our false self, like Cain, constructs a 'city' for itself. Our false self creates a complex matrix of perspectives and attitudes, habits of head and heart, patterns of behavior, structures of relationships, modes of relating and reacting to the surrounding world that not only serve to define our identity but also protect and defend us against real or imagined threats. We seek to amass for our self a treasure of resources with which we can strengthen our protective matrix. Our false self builds an extensive network of relationships, not merely to affirm our identity and value but as a resource that can be called on for defense in a time of threat to our identity and value."
"A corollary of our false self's fear is our protectiveness. When we rely solely on our own resources for our identity, meaning, value, and purpose, our false self, like Cain, constructs a 'city' for itself. Our false self creates a complex matrix of perspectives and attitudes, habits of head and heart, patterns of behavior, structures of relationships, modes of relating and reacting to the surrounding world that not only serve to define our identity but also protect and defend us against real or imagined threats. We seek to amass for our self a treasure of resources with which we can strengthen our protective matrix. Our false self builds an extensive network of relationships, not merely to affirm our identity and value but as a resource that can be called on for defense in a time of threat to our identity and value."
September 20, 2023
There is no clearer writer of the True and False self than what is written in this book. M. Robert Mulholland Jr. writes from a deep well of spirituality. It is one of the best modern Christian books that I have ever read. It won't suit someone who is a new or new-ish Christian but someone who has spent time with God and developing a prayerful and word filled life. Such insight and also exposition of some scriptures. Truly one for the mature Christian who really is seeking and has sought the deeper spiritual life in Christ.
October 31, 2017
The heading is misleading as it sounds like a self help book. Yet the reminders are timely and necessary as we allow our sinful false selves to steer our lives instead of allowing God to be preeminent in our lives. Though the themes are a little repetitive, the final analysis is a call to a radical abandonment and availability to God in love for the benefit of others. Nothing more that Loving God with all you are and Loving Others as Yourself.
February 18, 2020
This book isn’t for giving the practical how-tos of growing deeper in your spiritual life. It does briefly mention a few spiritual practices, but doesn’t go into detail about any of the how-tos. What this book does, and does brilliantly, is explain the struggle that we experience in trying to grow closer to God because of our “false-self.” This was an immensely helpful way to look at my spiritual life, and for that this book gets 5 stars.
July 23, 2021
Dense with meaning. Full of deep truths. Insightful. I found it difficult to read. I wasn't sure I was "getting" everything that he said. Or maybe I just knew deep down that it was going to be hard work to live out. Needs to be read again to be absorbed.
In summary, Robert says:
Jesus is indicating that the purpose of the Christian life is a life of loving union with God at the depths of our being.
In summary, Robert says:
Jesus is indicating that the purpose of the Christian life is a life of loving union with God at the depths of our being.
March 13, 2024
Longing for deeper intimacy with God? This book is a beautiful companion to your journey as you delve into what it means to grow and dwell in God. The chapters are easy to understand and the examples are poignant and practical, offering tangible ways to live out your faith. Highly recommend! My copy is highlighted and underlined throughout and I know I will return to its pages again, especially as a spiritual director who gets to companion others on their journey of faith.
August 27, 2024
This was a well-written explanation to help us distinguish between our false self, which tries to creep in and assert control everywhere, and our true self, which is abandoned to God. I appreciate Dr. Mulholland's insights and language regarding how we can grow deeper in Christ and take on the new nature He has given us, i.e., the true self. It is deep subject matter, so it will take thought and time to read through. It is well worth it though.
May 23, 2022
Great book walking through Paul's letter to the colossians looking at the false self vs life in loving union with Christ. Mulholland does a good job grounding these principles in Scripture. There could have been more practical - how to's but it was still helpful to process secular and religious false selves we can create
May 13, 2024
4.9 stars. (warning spoilers)
This book is a roadmap to how we put off the flesh (the false self) and put on Christ (the new self). Mulholland leans on his experience as a new testament theologian by exegeting Colossians to prove his point. Once again Mulholland proves that he is master at holding truth in tension to allow the glory (character) and power of God to shine through.
This book is a roadmap to how we put off the flesh (the false self) and put on Christ (the new self). Mulholland leans on his experience as a new testament theologian by exegeting Colossians to prove his point. Once again Mulholland proves that he is master at holding truth in tension to allow the glory (character) and power of God to shine through.
October 31, 2024
If you have any interest at all at taking the deeper dive into your Christian faith, this is a great book for you. At times it can be scholastic because he breaks down the Greek of very familiar Scriptures, he also includes personal stories and very practical exercises to introduce you to The Deeper Journey.
August 28, 2025
Mulholland takes the "false self vs. true self" understanding of the gospel and incisively explores the characteristics of both and the movement from false to true. The ultimate goal and pursuit of the Christian life is loving union with God for the sake of others. This is a great spiritual formation resource for those who desire to grow closer to God and grow in Christlikeness.
September 21, 2020
I'm growing so much more appreciative of Mulholland's writings. I will seek out his other books and resources. What a gifted writer with a true calling to call us deeper into loving union with Christ.
February 9, 2023
Excellent read, and an excellent sequel to "Invitation to a Journey".
Chapters 2 & 3 were some of the most pointed and challenging chapters I've ever read on the false self, and idolatry. It's a critical diagnosis that should be taken seriously.
Worth a read for sure.
9.3/10
Chapters 2 & 3 were some of the most pointed and challenging chapters I've ever read on the false self, and idolatry. It's a critical diagnosis that should be taken seriously.
Worth a read for sure.
9.3/10
July 22, 2018
This is a hard look at ourselves! Excellent reading!
May 3, 2021
A transformational book if applied.
March 3, 2022
Excellent
July 20, 2022
Though not as practical — I felt — as his “Invitation to Journey,” Mulholland’s follow-up challenges me just as much. I’m very tired so I’ll write an actual review at some point.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews