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...

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,...

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...

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...

In our latest episode, we traverse the early saga of Moses, from his palace upbringing to the awakening of his Hebrew roots. We explore the first 40 years of Moses' life, contrasting the Israelites' burgeoning population against the backdrop of escalating oppression in Egypt. This dramatic narrative is punctuated by the pivotal moment when Moses, at the age of 40, encounters a call to leadership that will forever alter the course of history.  We also examine the remarkable growth of the...

This episode focuses on the biblical stories of Joseph and Judah from the book of Genesis. Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza are joined by guest Thomas (TJ) Paresi, a PhD student researching the Joseph narrative.    The conversation explores how the threads of Judah and Joseph's stories converge, transforming them spiritually and fulfilling God's promises to Abraham. Judah evolves from selfishness to selflessness, while Joseph maintains integrity through trials. In the end, the family is...

Today’s episode focuses again on Jacob, this time exploring his spiritual journey and its impact on personal growth. The central theme of the episode revolves around the concept of transformation through struggle, as illustrated in Jacob's life. His story is not just an ancient tale but a mirror reflecting our own spiritual battles and growth. From Jacob's longing for independence and his deceitful maneuvers to secure blessings, to his wrestling match at Penuel, we find parallels in our...

 In today’s episode, Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza explore Jacob's complex and spiritually rich life, whose narrative spans from deceit to devotion. Their discussion explores the stages of Jacob's life as he transitions from a self-serving individual to the leader of a nation, drawing parallels to the personal spiritual journeys that many listeners might experience.   Discover the themes of personal growth, ambition, exile, and seeking divine encounters in Jacob's narrative. Jacob's...

Have you ever wondered how the ancient narratives of Sarah and Hagar could influence our understanding of faith, women's struggles, and divine promises?  Our conversation today ventures beyond the surface to examine the cultural dimensions of their time, particularly the poignant decision of Sarah to offer her servant Hagar to Abraham—a choice with resounding effects on the unfolding of biblical history. We navigate through the subtleties of these stories, touching on themes of agency,...

In today’s episode, Hannah DeSouza and Dr. David Pocta take listeners on a deep dive into the Suzerain-Vassal Treaty—an ancient document that offers illuminating insights into the covenant between God and Abraham. This episode invites listeners to explore the formation, stipulations, and implications of these ancient covenants and their significance in a biblical context.  Throughout the episode, Hannah and David explore the concept of covenant and its connections to biblical narratives. The...

This is the first episode of our next Thread Era: God's People Birthed. We'll be looking at the rest of Genesis and zooming in on the lives of Abraham and his descendants, known as the patriarchs, over the next 8 episodes.  What do God's promises mean and how do they reshape existence itself? Join us for a special episode featuring Dr. Courtney Bailey, an attorney and a self-supporting Bible teacher hailing from Jamaica. Dr. Bailey adds layers of depth to our conversation as we examine the...

In today’s episode, Dr. David Pocta and Hannah DeSouza journey through Genesis 10 and 11, dissecting the fascinating stories of Noah's sons' genealogy and the tale of the Tower of Babel. This exploration will deepen your understanding of these biblical narratives.  David and Hannah examine Genesis 10, unraveling the genealogy of Noah's sons and the profound implications of the different languages spoken in their respective territories. As the focus shifts to Genesis 11, you’ll hear an...

Have you ever thought about Noah's Ark beyond the children's story? Dr. David Pocta and Hannah Desouza are ready to expand your perspective. Together, we pull back the curtain on the theological and spiritual aspects of the Flood narrative, emphasizing the larger context of Genesis. From the initial divine dream of an ideal relationship with creation to mankind's first disobedience, we see the transformative power of humility and confidence in this narrative.  Throughout today’s episode,...

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...

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...

 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...

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...

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...

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...

In this podcast episode, hosts Dr. David Pocta and Hannah Desouza introduce listeners to Christian spirituality, comparing it to a spectrum much like sports, with varying players, rules, and complexities. The duo takes a deep dive into the concept of hermeneutics, shedding light on the significance of love as a lens through which the Bible is interpreted.  The episode delves into the history of Christianity, highlighting moments of deviation, and discusses how personal context, culture, and...

In this episode of Thread, co-hosts Hannah Desousa and Dr. David Pocta delve into the transformative power of storytelling and its profound connection to spirituality and faith. With insights from renowned authors like Sarah Clarkson, Brad Kel, and Sandra Richter, they unpack the narrative tapestry of the Bible, exploring how it shapes our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world around us.  The episode highlights the significant role of narrative as the driving genre of Scripture, the...

In this episode of The Thread podcast, Dr. David Pocta and Hannah Desouza delve into the complex topic of our perception of God, examining how formative experiences and spiritual leadership shape our image of him. The discussion begins with an analysis of familial and experiential influences before progressing to strategies for building a healthy image of God that is also dynamic and challenging.  Hannah and David discuss insights from the wisdom of others, contextualized scripture, and...

In this introductory episode of Thread, co-hosts Hannah Desouza and Dr. David Pocta share their diverse spiritual narratives. Hannah recounts her journey from being raised by ministers in London. Dr. Pocta, on the other hand, shares his transformation from a troubled youth to finding spiritual direction. Through their stories and conversations on spirituality, deconstruction, and reconstruction, they hope to help listeners discover their own place in God's grand story. Topics...