Why a "Wilderness Christianity" Series Now?

Why am I doing a "Wilderness Christianity" series at this time for Missio Dei? I thought it might be helpful to offer a few words about the motivation behind this series that I am developing. 

First, in my work as a professor of biblical studies I spend lots of time reading and teaching New Testament texts. For about ten years now I have been struck by how every author in the New Testament, and I really mean every author, draws on wilderness traditions and the wilderness itself in order to explain what Jesus has accomplished and to orient Christians to their identity and mission. It is a pervasive theme in the New Testament, and one that does not seem to get much attention both in scholarship as well as from the pulpit and in more popular writings on the Bible. So, this is something I have always wanted to explore and write about. This short series is a first crack at putting some thoughts down. 

Second, with the sudden advent of COVID-19 and all its disruptions and consequences, we find ourselves in a kind of wilderness experience. The wilderness is a helpful metaphor for thinking about our place and our response to this upheaval. The wilderness is a place of isolation; it is a place of scarcity and danger; it is a place where temptation lurks around every corner. It can feel like a hostile environment. But the wilderness is also a place of provision, and at times uprising abundance. It is also a place of revelation. Throughout the Bible, God has chosen to reveal Himself to others in the wilderness. And God often sends His people into the wilderness to learn about themselves; he uses the isolation and scarcity of the desert to teach His people how to trust and to look to God for all they need. So, it seemed to me that this might be a good time to highlight the wilderness themes in the New Testament as a way of equipping us for our wilderness journey in these days ahead of us. 

Finally, this semester we had an exciting Missio Dei teaching lineup that we did not get to complete. I look forward to hearing more from Dr Lett on Sexual Ethics, and from Dr Compton on poetry. But rather than resort to doing nothing, I though it might be good for us to have some teaching time on Wednesdays that will keep us engaged between Sundays. 

So, my prayer is that you find this series to be helpful in your journey over the months to come. And I pray that this neglected theme enables us to better understand our identity and mission in Christ.