In this episode, Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza explore the complex relationship between the Creator and the created, offering insights into the divine intent of God desiring a relationship with us, and the tensions that arise due to our human limitations. Drawing on the metaphor of a potter and his clay, Hannah and David navigate through theological concepts and examine Paul's thoughts in Romans 9 on the diverse creation of mankind.  

The episode also highlights the significance of trusting in the boundaries established by God, and how our unique strengths and limitations contribute to our identity. David and Hannah inspire listeners to question and explore the deeper meanings and interpretations of biblical stories, especially those in Genesis. Today’s show challenges listeners to see beyond traditional interpretations and discover a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey and identity. 

Topics Discussed: 

Quotes: 

“I chose to call this human limitation because we're going to realize that what's happening here is God as the Creator is giving us boundaries and limitations, as the creation or the created.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“I think it's interesting that Eve also seems to misquote the command of God when she adds this additional that they should not even touch the fruit, which was not in the initial prohibition.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“The serpent holds out you will not certainly die. They're thinking physical death, we assume, because they go ahead and eat and then immediately something else happens. That's what deception does.” –Dr. David Pocta 

Links:  

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

In this episode, Dr. David Pocta’s and Hannah DeSouza’s exploration of Genesis takes the listeners through spiritual anthropology and the relationship between mankind and the earth. Hannah and David discuss the unique depth and structure of God's creation and the profound implications of human choices and the presence of evil.  

The episode underscores the significance of reading the Bible with a confessional lens and emphasizes the importance of understanding the implications of our actions as stewards of the earth. This journey through Genesis sheds light on the profound insights of the text, encouraging listeners to read the Bible with a confessional lens and to reflect on human choices and their implications.  

Topics Discussed: 

Quotes: 

“In other words, when we use words like creator creates creation, we see intent, we see relationship, we see love and attention.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“So, we're made in his image and that can't be altered. That kind of stays with us regardless of our actions. But then whether we live out his likeness, that's in our behavior.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“So, God speaks to us himself in a relationship with him, through his word, through the Holy Spirit. He speaks to us through creation and I think he is God is speaking to us right now through creation.” –Dr. David Pocta 

 Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

In this episode, Dr. David Pocta’s and Hannah DeSouza’s exploration of Genesis takes the listeners through spiritual anthropology and the relationship between mankind and the earth. Hannah and David discuss the unique depth and structure of God's creation and the profound implications of human choices and the presence of evil.  

The episode underscores the significance of reading the Bible with a confessional lens and emphasizes the importance of understanding the implications of our actions as stewards of the earth. This journey through Genesis sheds light on the profound insights of the text, encouraging listeners to read the Bible with a confessional lens and to reflect on human choices and their implications.  

Topics Discussed: 

Quotes: 

“In other words, when we use words like creator creates creation, we see intent, we see relationship, we see love and attention.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“So, we're made in his image and that can't be altered. That kind of stays with us regardless of our actions. But then whether we live out his likeness, that's in our behavior.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“So, God speaks to us himself in a relationship with him, through his word, through the Holy Spirit. He speaks to us through creation and I think he is God is speaking to us right now through creation.” –Dr. David Pocta 

 Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

 In today’s episode, Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza explore the intriguing portrayal of light and darkness in the Bible. Hannah and David navigate listeners through the paradoxical use of these metaphors in religious texts and their significance in shaping one's spiritual life. The hosts take a detailed look at the roles of light and darkness, and their intricate interplay in iconic biblical narratives and spiritual transformation.  

 They also provide an in-depth discussion about maintaining faith during dark times and how such periods can contribute to spiritual growth. David and Hannah encourage listeners to embrace the rhythms of life and see darkness not as an enemy, but as an essential part of spiritual growth and transformation.  

Topics Discussed: 

Quotes: 

“I use the word tension a lot when I'm in conversation with them about spiritual things. We have to hold things in tension.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“Sleep is important. It's not bonus hours when you have insomnia.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“Yeah, I would say so much so that we instinctively actually trust people more when we know they've experienced dark times.” –Dr. David Pocta 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

 In today’s episode, Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza explore the intriguing portrayal of light and darkness in the Bible. Hannah and David navigate listeners through the paradoxical use of these metaphors in religious texts and their significance in shaping one's spiritual life. The hosts take a detailed look at the roles of light and darkness, and their intricate interplay in iconic biblical narratives and spiritual transformation.  

 They also provide an in-depth discussion about maintaining faith during dark times and how such periods can contribute to spiritual growth. David and Hannah encourage listeners to embrace the rhythms of life and see darkness not as an enemy, but as an essential part of spiritual growth and transformation.  

Topics Discussed: 

Quotes: 

“I use the word tension a lot when I'm in conversation with them about spiritual things. We have to hold things in tension.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“Sleep is important. It's not bonus hours when you have insomnia.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“Yeah, I would say so much so that we instinctively actually trust people more when we know they've experienced dark times.” –Dr. David Pocta 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

In today’s episode, Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza unpack the mysteries of Genesis, explore the creation of time and seasons, and consider their implications for our spiritual lives. We dive into the concept of spiritual disciplines, and how understanding divine rhythms provides a richer landscape for our faith. From exploring the significance of the Christian liturgical calendar to the complexities of integrating these rhythms into daily life, this episode illuminated the fascinating aspects of spirituality, rhythm, and time. 

This discussion encourages listeners to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and consider how they might better integrate these rhythms into their lives. We end with a discussion about the value of spiritual disciplines such as regular retreats and the celebration of milestones, underscoring the importance of being intentional about incorporating these practices into our daily routines. 

Topics Discussed: 

Quotes: 

“But especially as I get older, I love when nighttime comes. It's just, I mean, I love the day but I love the night.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“Yeah, there's always more that can be done, but knowing when to say something is finished, I think is such a strength.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“So in my personal Christian history spreadsheet every year on my spiritual birthday, I just reflect on what God has done in my life over that last year and it's so helpful for me to think about how God has moved.” –Dr. David Pocta 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

In today’s episode, Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza unpack the mysteries of Genesis, explore the creation of time and seasons, and consider their implications for our spiritual lives. We dive into the concept of spiritual disciplines, and how understanding divine rhythms provides a richer landscape for our faith. From exploring the significance of the Christian liturgical calendar to the complexities of integrating these rhythms into daily life, this episode illuminated the fascinating aspects of spirituality, rhythm, and time. 

This discussion encourages listeners to reflect on their own spiritual journeys and consider how they might better integrate these rhythms into their lives. We end with a discussion about the value of spiritual disciplines such as regular retreats and the celebration of milestones, underscoring the importance of being intentional about incorporating these practices into our daily routines. 

Topics Discussed: 

Quotes: 

“But especially as I get older, I love when nighttime comes. It's just, I mean, I love the day but I love the night.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“Yeah, there's always more that can be done, but knowing when to say something is finished, I think is such a strength.” –Hannah DeSouza 

“So in my personal Christian history spreadsheet every year on my spiritual birthday, I just reflect on what God has done in my life over that last year and it's so helpful for me to think about how God has moved.” –Dr. David Pocta 

Links: 

Dr. David Pocta 

Hannah DeSouza 

Slideshow 

This is the first episode of Era 1: God's World Created. We've moved past our Starting Point, the introductory episodes, and are beginning "in the beginning" with Genesis One. In the Genesis narrative, we witness the emergence of light and darkness, the birth of the creatures of the sea and land, and traverse the seven days of creation. This journey promises an enriching understanding of beauty, its divine origins, and its impact on our lives. Beyond this, we delve into the profound link between beauty and God's call.

In today’s episode, a poignant hymn of beauty during a church service in Moldova is recounted, we explore the Greek roots of beauty, 'kallos,' and calling, 'kaleo,' and we draw inspiration from Jeremiah 6:16, ways to seek the ancient paths of beauty and to live in a good way. Today’s episode serves as a guide for listeners to embrace the vast beauty of the world around them and challenges them to reflect on the beauty and its divine origins, as well as its impact on our lives.

Topics Discussed:

Quotes:

“Beauty is often a neglected but very critical aspect of spirituality.” –David Pocta

“I think there is a lot of coarseness in the culture and in the media and it's easy even to mistake the images that we see or we're confronted with for beauty, when true beauty, I don't think, is manufactured.” –Hannah Desouza

“But one of the other amazing things about beauty is how it meets us wherever we are.” –David Pocta

Links:

David Pocta

Hannah Desouza

Slideshow

This is the first episode of Era 1: God's World Created. We've moved past our Starting Point, the introductory episodes, and are beginning "in the beginning" with Genesis One. In the Genesis narrative, we witness the emergence of light and darkness, the birth of the creatures of the sea and land, and traverse the seven days of creation. This journey promises an enriching understanding of beauty, its divine origins, and its impact on our lives. Beyond this, we delve into the profound link between beauty and God's call.

In today’s episode, a poignant hymn of beauty during a church service in Moldova is recounted, we explore the Greek roots of beauty, 'kallos,' and calling, 'kaleo,' and we draw inspiration from Jeremiah 6:16, ways to seek the ancient paths of beauty and to live in a good way. Today’s episode serves as a guide for listeners to embrace the vast beauty of the world around them and challenges them to reflect on the beauty and its divine origins, as well as its impact on our lives.

Topics Discussed:

Quotes:

“Beauty is often a neglected but very critical aspect of spirituality.” –David Pocta

“I think there is a lot of coarseness in the culture and in the media and it's easy even to mistake the images that we see or we're confronted with for beauty, when true beauty, I don't think, is manufactured.” –Hannah Desouza

“But one of the other amazing things about beauty is how it meets us wherever we are.” –David Pocta

Links:

David Pocta

Hannah Desouza

Slideshow

In this episode, co-hosts Dr. David Pocta and Hannah Desouza delve into the rich tapestry of ancestry, genealogies, and God's grand narrative from Genesis to Revelation. Drawing on personal experiences with ancestry DNA, they explore the significance of origin stories against the backdrop of God's grand vision.  

They trace the narrative through the 1189 chapters of the Bible, exploring the tension between divine intent and human free will. The episode concludes with an anticipation of deep dives into Genesis and Biblical Theology in future episodes.

Topics Discussed:

Quotes:

“So that's what genealogies do for us, right? They help us understand where we come from, our culture.” –Dr. David Pocta 

“I love this idea of bookends, kind of the opening chapters, genesis and these final chapters of Revelation and that continuity there, so that we know where we've started and where we're ending.” – Hannah Desouza

“This is probably a good place for us to end today is how Jesus really was the fulfillment of all those things and even all these things we've started talking about today.” – Dr. David Pocta

Links:

Dr. David Pocta

Hannah DeSouza

Slideshow