Wilderness Spirituality

Wilderness as a metaphor for life has a long and honored tradition. It was seen most clearly in the journey of the Israelites from Egypt into Canaan. The Israelites, under the guidance of Moses, wandered for forty years in the wilderness. But God provided certain markers which sustained and guided them. As we stand on the eve of the 21st century, thousands of years removed from the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness, in some ways we are not much different than they. We confront our own hostile desert tribes, symbolized by such things as rising crime, the escalation of violence, pollution of our environment, economic recession, disintegration of our most cherished institutions and international mistrust. In the midst of these problems we are all looking for the same thing, a safe landing where we and our children can be free and content. We are trying to get home to our own 'Promised Land'. The New Wilderness shows how belief and faith can transform the wildernesses of life from areas of confusion and fear into places of emancipation and hope. There are as many kinds of wildernesses on this earth as there are cultures and beliefs. Our culture has a strong effect on what we do with the various wildernesses we encounter, but in the end it is our belief, springing from our own spirituality, that brings about transformation. The New Wilderness offers concrete direction for readers to find their spiritual way through the wilderness of life. Part 1, The Wilderness experience, deals with the various wildernesses we experience, from nature to death. Part 2, Wilderness Markers, offers 12 universal markers by which the spiritual explorer can chart his or her course through the spiritual wilderness of this age, a kind of spiritual 12-step program. Each marker is also accompanied by 'Beatitudes of the Wilderness' to remind us of the blessings that sustain us on our journey.

Rodney Romney is senior pastor of Seattle First Baptist Church, the largest Baptist church in the Northwest. He is a popular speaker at interdenominational conferences in the U.S. and internationally. He has spoken for organizations such as CFO International and United Christian Ashram. His weekly radio program is listened to by over 30,000 people. Romney has written several other books, including 'A Promise of Light' and 'Love Without Conditions'. He lives in Shoreline, Washington.