In this today’s episode, we address the wilderness experience not as a daunting obstacle, but as an essential pathway to a deeper, richer Christian life. We challenge the notion that Christianity's purpose is solely salvation and the afterlife. Instead, we discuss a more holistic journey where Jesus is the guiding force in every aspect of life.  

From the celebration of salvation to the transformative work required in the spiritual desert, we draw parallels with Israel's desert wanderings and discuss the importance of discipline and trust in God's process. Our discussion extends to the multifaceted role of wilderness in personal and communal development, the responses to life's barren stretches, and how faith communities can support each other through these transformative times.  

Topics Discussed: 

Quotes: 

 “We don't fully understand a holistic approach to the Christian life, because we can tend to really focus and really do some things really really well and that becomes what we're known for and that's a wonderful thing.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“I think I've also seen how, when kind of the sum of our Christianity is this salvation paradigm or we reduce it to that, that we do miss out on all the fullness.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“Punishment is love when it comes from God. And we do that even for ourselves, in our own self-love. We want to be better. We punish ourselves. We call it spiritual disciplines.”–Dr. David Pocta 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow