Dordt University Dean of Chapel writes new book on Christian discipleship and imagination

Dr. Justin Ariel Bailey, dean of chapel at Dordt University, has written a new book. Discipling the Diseased Imagination, published by Baker Academic, is now available for purchase.

Originally rooted in academic research on how psychological science understands imagination, attention, and attachment, Bailey’s work evolved into a focus on pastoral, everyday discipleship. “In the spring of 2023, I gave a series of chapel talks built around the phrase ‘the eyes of the heart and the cries of the heart,’” says Bailey. “The imagination, I suggest, is the eyes of the heart, and prayer is the cries of the heart.”

Combining enduring concerns and timely cultural challenges, Bailey invites readers to examine how culture influences our imaginations. “We are living in a moment when it feels increasingly difficult to imagine shared life in the midst of polarization and fragmentation,” says Bailey. “This book names the ways our imaginations—both individually and culturally—can become distorted, and it asks how those imaginations might be mended and healed.”

“I hope readers are motivated to take the imagination seriously,” says Bailey. “We are always being formed by what we pay attention to, whether we realize it or not. Discipling the imagination is not optional; it is already happening, for better or for worse.”

In many ways, the book is an extension of Bailey’s daily work as dean of chapel at Dordt. “My primary calling at Dordt is to help shape imaginations, to cast a compelling vision of the beauty of Jesus Christ that brings relief, hope, and direction,” he says. “I do that most visibly through chapel, pastoral care, and campus ministry leadership, and also through the classes I teach.”

According to Dr. Leah Zuidema, vice president for academic affairs at Dordt, the book is not only a continuation of his earlier work on the Christian imagination. “It’s also a good example of the kind of work that our Dordt faculty as a whole do on a day-to-day basis in their teaching. One of the learning goals for all of Dordt’s academic programs is ‘Cultivating a Christian imagination.’ Our Educational Framework explains that goal like this:

Students should be formed by the story of Scripture…living out this story, students should seek faithful ways to respond creatively to contemporary issues, sustained by a Christian hope for restored relationships with God, neighbor, and creation.”

“We are thankful for the leadership that Dr. Bailey shows in helping us to cultivate a healthy imagination, not only in this book, but also in his everyday work with our campus and community,” adds Zuidema.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.