Have you ever found yourself mystified by the intricacies of Leviticus, or wondered how ancient laws could connect to our modern spiritual lives? Tanner Versage joins us to offer a fresh perspective on the roles of the priesthood and the law within the grand narrative of the Bible. We journey from the sands of Sinai to the heart of God's covenant with Israel to seek the relevance of this ancient wisdom in our relationship with the divine today. 

Tanner sheds light on the balance between God's awe-inspiring otherness and His intimate desire to dwell among His people. We confront the challenges of reflecting divine character in our daily walk, discussing the balance between being in the world but not of it. Our conversation today is an exploration of how the law provides foundational principles for justice and community, all while ensuring that worship and sacrifice remain accessible to everyone. 

Topics Discussed: 

 - Tanner Versage introduces his work and experiences with the book of Leviticus and its implications for contemporary faith 

- The intersection of law and priesthood in the wilderness era and its manifestation of God's promises to Abraham 

- The balance between divine initiative and human obedience within Israel's covenant with Yahweh 

- The Ten Commandments as a reflection of God's holiness and the formation of Israel as a nation meant to bridge heaven and earth 

- The concept of holiness as being set apart for God, and its representation in the laws given to the Israelites 

- Leviticus's provisions for the poor as an example of the accessibility of worship and the importance of justice and community  

- The role of the priesthood in mediating between the holy and the profane and their various duties, including sacrifices and education 

- The gravity of the priests' responsibilities and the consequences of failing to uphold them, illustrated by the story of Aaron's sons 

- The symbolism of the tabernacle curtain and its connection to the Garden of Eden, representing separation from the divine 

- The second giving of the law in Deuteronomy as a reminder of God's leading and the relationship between God and Israel 

 
Links: 

Dr. David Pocta   
Hannah DeSouza 

Find out more about Tanner Versage's ministry 

Slideshow 

In today’s episode, Dr. Bernard McGinn joins us to explore the link between the academic study of God's presence and its practical application in daily life. As Hannah DeSouza and Dr. David Pocta engage with Dr. McGinn's extensive knowledge, they explore the connections between mysticism, divine presence, and their manifestations in scripture and daily life. 

Dr. McGinn's scholarly insights, personal anecdotes, and co-host Hannah's reflections on her recent studies reveal that mysticism is an accessible treasure for all, urging us to embrace a life imbued with sacred awareness. The discussion spans from historical theophanies to modern-day practices that seek to bridge the gap between humanity and the divine.

Topics Discussed:

Links:

Dr. David Pocta  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpocta/

In today’s episode, Dr. Bernard McGinn joins us to explore the link between the academic study of God's presence and its practical application in daily life. As Hannah DeSouza and Dr. David Pocta engage with Dr. McGinn's extensive knowledge, they explore the connections between mysticism, divine presence, and their manifestations in scripture and daily life. 

Dr. McGinn's scholarly insights, personal anecdotes, and co-host Hannah's reflections on her recent studies reveal that mysticism is an accessible treasure for all, urging us to embrace a life imbued with sacred awareness. The discussion spans from historical theophanies to modern-day practices that seek to bridge the gap between humanity and the divine.

Topics Discussed:

Links:

Dr. David Pocta  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpocta/

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 

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 

In today’s episode, we're unpacking the tale of the Exodus. More than a historical account, the Exodus narrative unveils the essence of God as the redeemer and how spirituality profoundly shapes our worldview. We're invited to consider the power of partnership with the divine, seen through figures like Moses, and how aligning with God's redemptive work is crucial to our faith.  

This episode guides you through the roles of key players such as Yahweh, Moses, Pharaoh, and the Israelites, dissecting their contributions to the drama of liberation. The narrative's framework showcases the powerful shift from oppression to a life of promise. We explore the Passover's significance and the lasting impact on the Israelite identity and spiritual journey. 

Topics Discussed 

Quotes:  

“So, our spirituality is how we hold ourselves in the world. It's our framework with how we see everything. It's our posture and how we engage the world.” Dr. David Pocta 

 “I know I mentioned at the start Pharaoh being the villain, but actually I think this kind of unsettled me a bit to see the agency being, on God's part, there for the hardening of the heart.” –Hannah DeSouza 

 “They have secured 100% deliverance, which really is the culmination of this Exodus story, that when God delivers, god fully delivers, it's complete, it's powerful, it's powerful, it's significant.” Dr. David Pocta 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

In today’s episode, we're unpacking the tale of the Exodus. More than a historical account, the Exodus narrative unveils the essence of God as the redeemer and how spirituality profoundly shapes our worldview. We're invited to consider the power of partnership with the divine, seen through figures like Moses, and how aligning with God's redemptive work is crucial to our faith.  

This episode guides you through the roles of key players such as Yahweh, Moses, Pharaoh, and the Israelites, dissecting their contributions to the drama of liberation. The narrative's framework showcases the powerful shift from oppression to a life of promise. We explore the Passover's significance and the lasting impact on the Israelite identity and spiritual journey. 

Topics Discussed 

Quotes:  

“So, our spirituality is how we hold ourselves in the world. It's our framework with how we see everything. It's our posture and how we engage the world.” Dr. David Pocta 

 “I know I mentioned at the start Pharaoh being the villain, but actually I think this kind of unsettled me a bit to see the agency being, on God's part, there for the hardening of the heart.” –Hannah DeSouza 

 “They have secured 100% deliverance, which really is the culmination of this Exodus story, that when God delivers, god fully delivers, it's complete, it's powerful, it's powerful, it's significant.” Dr. David Pocta 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

In today’s episode, we start a new series that we’re calling God’s Nation, Formed. Today, we take listeners on a deep dive into the spiritual journey of Moses, as recounted in the book of Exodus. Our discussion revolves around the formation of God's nation, the trials Moses faced, and the transformational power of divine encounters. The episode presents an intricate examination of the complex narrative surrounding Moses, from his life-altering encounter with the divine at the burning bush to the miraculous plagues that led to the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.  

We analyze key biblical verses, such as Exodus 3:12, and engage with theological insights from Belden Lane's "The Solace of Fierce Landscapes," drawing parallels between Moses's journey and the transformative power of wilderness experiences in our lives. We explore the paradoxical desire for influence amid suffering and discuss how true character is forged in life's deserts. Today’s episode offers a fresh perspective on Moses's experiences and draws parallels to our spiritual growth and potential for leadership. 

Topics Discussed 

Quotes: 

“The reason that's important is that we see the initiative for each of these signs rests with God, that every time there's an encounter between Moses and Pharaoh it's a divinely inspired and controlled event.” –Dr. David Pocta  

“I think the idea of, in this verse at least, where it says that God remembered his covenant with them after hearing the cry, is interesting, because we know that God never forgets.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“So the desert exposes, the desert can teach us, as you say, by subtraction. The classic Christian word for that is purgation, that God purges things from us in those spaces.” –Dr. David Pocta 

In today’s episode, we start a new series that we’re calling God’s Nation, Formed. Today, we take listeners on a deep dive into the spiritual journey of Moses, as recounted in the book of Exodus. Our discussion revolves around the formation of God's nation, the trials Moses faced, and the transformational power of divine encounters. The episode presents an intricate examination of the complex narrative surrounding Moses, from his life-altering encounter with the divine at the burning bush to the miraculous plagues that led to the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.  

We analyze key biblical verses, such as Exodus 3:12, and engage with theological insights from Belden Lane's "The Solace of Fierce Landscapes," drawing parallels between Moses's journey and the transformative power of wilderness experiences in our lives. We explore the paradoxical desire for influence amid suffering and discuss how true character is forged in life's deserts. Today’s episode offers a fresh perspective on Moses's experiences and draws parallels to our spiritual growth and potential for leadership. 

Topics Discussed 

Quotes: 

“The reason that's important is that we see the initiative for each of these signs rests with God, that every time there's an encounter between Moses and Pharaoh it's a divinely inspired and controlled event.” –Dr. David Pocta  

“I think the idea of, in this verse at least, where it says that God remembered his covenant with them after hearing the cry, is interesting, because we know that God never forgets.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“So the desert exposes, the desert can teach us, as you say, by subtraction. The classic Christian word for that is purgation, that God purges things from us in those spaces.” –Dr. David Pocta 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

This chapter wraps up our series on God's People Birthed, focusing on the transformative 40 years Moses spent in the wilderness. Today, we explore the significance of Moses's time in Midian and how his years of solitude and shepherding were crucial to shaping him into the leader that God needed. We discuss the concept of the economy of words in ancient narratives and the implications of Moses's experiences on his character.  

We also examine how the wilderness serves as an allegory for spiritual development in our modern lives, drawing parallels between the physical rigor of past generations and the spiritual challenges we face today. The conversation touches on the theme of hardship as a catalyst for character development, a thread we intend to continue unraveling in our next series. 

Topics Discussed 

Quotes: 

“God often has to stop us in our tracks and strip down a lot of things in our life so that there's space to listen, and I think we're going to see that a lot play out.” –Dr. David Pocta  

“So, we're called not to perfection in the moral sense, we're called to perfection in the sense of becoming the mature version of ourselves, the progressed version of ourselves.” –Dr. David Pocta 

 “It's a nice idea that we're unfinished, like we're ever growing. That's kind of freeing.” –Hannah Desouza 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow