Cries from the Wilderness

Nyhet

Reimagining Church Culture in an Age of Uncertainty

Häftad, Engelska, 2026

AvDavid Pocta

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This book explores the memoirs of three contemporary sojourners (Rachel Held Evans, David Gushee, and Macy Halford) asking: What postures were common in his or her journey that helped them navigate their spiritual wilderness? David Pocta argues that a primary problem within many faith communities is that members rarely see themselves in the spiritual wilderness. Pocta contends that spiritual communities are often ill-equipped to nurture the spiritual life of disoriented or questioning Christians. By acknowledging their own spiritual journey and drawing lessons from healthy wilderness postures, church communities are better positioned to transform and mature their community while creating a nurturing environment for individual sojourners. In doing so, Pocta addresses one of the most prevalent challenges in contemporary Christianity: navigating the relationship between the individual and their faith community, particularly when the Christian enters spiritually challenging times (periods of aridity, misunderstanding, suffering, or darkness.)

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2026-04-30
Mått152 x 229 x 12 mm
Vikt318 g
FormatHäftad
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor232
FörlagBloomsbury Publishing Plc
ISBN9781666944020

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Biblar inom Filosofi och religion
Religion: allmänt inom Filosofi och religion

AcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: The Story of a SoulChapter 2: Macy HalfordChapter 3: Rachel Held EvansChapter 4: David Gushee Chapter 5: Navigating the WildernessChapter 6: What Went Wrong with Their CommunityChapter 7: A Theology and Spirituality of WildernessChapter 8: A Model to Frame "Deconstruction" and CommunityChapter 9: Contextualizing the Contemporary WildernessChapter 10: Reimagining the Church: Some SuggestionsConclusion: Some Final Uncensored ThoughtsBibliography

Cries from the Wilderness is a plea for evangelical churches to become more gracious in accommodating the experiences of individuals enduring periods of doubt or dryness in their spiritual lives. Pocta uses the term “wilderness” to describe these episodes and suggests they are almost unavoidable in contemporary America. Pocta argues that instead of construing them as signs of spiritual failure these experiences provide opportunities for religious growth and maturation. Citing Paul Ricoeur, he says the end result can be a “second naiveté” of more nuanced faith in God and richer engagement with the larger ecumenical Christian community. Pocta, who self-identifies as an Evangelical, describes how the lives of Macy Halford, Rachel Held Evans, and Davis Gushee exemplify this process. He urges fellow evangelical Protestants to embrace a wilderness style of spirituality, even though evangelicalism’s dogmatism and persistent “tribalism” often precludes it. [Individuals] passing through their own spiritual wilderness may be encouraged by its message. Recommended. Professions and general readers.