Wilderness Conversations

In this episode of Wilderness Conversations we are joined by Laurence Lepherd for a wonderful discussion on a life defined by faith, music, and service. Born during World War II to navigating a remote teaching posting at Baerami Creek and serving as a musical consultant for the 2002 Christadelphian hymn book, Laurence's journey spans decades of rich and diverse experiences. He discusses the writing of books such as "Conscience in Action", which documents the history of Christadelphian conscientious objection to military service, and explains how his PhD research into the spirituality of men with advanced prostate cancer inspired him to establish AdelphiCare.org and the Pastoral Friend Program. It’s a powerful reflection on how life’s deepest trials can shape our relationship with God, and why trusting in His direction makes all the difference.

Five hundred years ago, a forbidden book, a defiant queen, and a king’s desire collided to change the course of history and put the Bible into the hands of ordinary English speakers for the first time. In this episode of Wilderness Conversations, Peter Osborne unravels the extraordinary true story behind the 1526 English New Testament: how William Tyndale risked everything to translate Scripture from Greek, how Anne Boleyn, a continental-educated Reformation sympathiser branded “a Lutheran” by foreign ambassadors strategically influenced Henry VIII with Tyndale’s own writings, and how their combined legacies broke the Catholic Church’s monopoly on biblical interpretation. Both Anne and Tyndale were executed in 1536, yet just three years later, Henry decreed that an English Bible built on Tyndale’s translation be chained to every church pulpit in England. This is a tale of forbidden texts, political intrigue, and the printing press as a divine weapon - a story that asks: what would our faith look like today if the English Bible had remained illegal?

From gunshots in the Congo to a refugee camp in Kenya's scorching north - this episode of WildernessConversations takes us on a raw, unforgettable journey. Martha Sales, writing under the pseudonym Anna Tikva brings the story to life in Held in His Hands. We join Atembo and Kiza, the real men behind this latest novel, as they recount fleeing rebel soldiers, escaping government military camps, and crossing borders with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In the most confrounting of situations, they managed quiet moments of deep reflection, these two men share how a small, Bible based community in the Kakuma refugee camp changed everything not through miracles or spectacle, but through radical, unmistakable love. This is a story of survival, faith, and a hope that shines from them.

From gunshots in the Congo to a refugee camp in Kenya's scorching north - this episode of WildernessConversations takes us on a raw, unforgettable journey. Martha Sales, writing under the pseudonym Anna Tikva brings the story to life in Held in His Hands. We join Atembo and Kiza, the real men behind this latest novel, as they recount fleeing rebel soldiers, escaping government military camps, and crossing borders with nothing but the clothes on their backs. In the most confrounting of situations, they managed quiet moments of deep reflection, these two men share how a small, Bible based community in the Kakuma refugee camp changed everything not through miracles or spectacle, but through radical, unmistakable love. This is a story of survival, faith, and a hope that shines from them.

On the morning of July 30 and the age of 100, Jim Rosser fell asleep in the Lord. Jim was born in 1926, between the wars a few years before the Great Depression and subsequently lived many decades of service in Christ. This touching recording captures the final public words of Brother Jim Rosser, deliveredContinue reading "117 Final Words – Jim Rosser"

Graeme presents a biblical study of King Hezekiah, arguing that he stands as the second greatest type of Christ after Joseph. The discussion unveils Hezekiah's extraordinary life, from surviving child sacrifice under his apostate father King Ahaz to becoming the king who "trusted in the Lord God of Israel" like no other. Graeme reveals stunning parallels between Isaiah 38 (Hezekiah's illness) and Isaiah 53 (the Suffering Servant), explores the immediate fulfilment of the Immanuel prophecy in Hezekiah's birth, and examines pivotal moments including his temple reformation, the dramatic Assyrian invasion where Rabshakeh challenged the very foundation of his trust, and the mysterious sundial sign. The conversation also delves into Hezekiah's marriage to Hepzibah (possibly a Gentile princess) as a type of Christ's Jewish-Gentile bride, his moment of pride before Babylonian envoys, and how his 15 extra years of life enabled the chain of redemption through Manasseh to Josiah. Rich with chronological detail, typological insights, and fresh perspectives on familiar passages, this episode offers both scholars and casual listeners a profound look at one of Scripture's most compelling figures.

The Tapestry of Scripture encourages Bible readers to discover for themselves the fascination and beauty of the word patterns and literary shapes woven into Scripture. Once these patterns are identified and appreciated, reading the Bible becomes more effective. Passages which may at first seem repetitive or confusing can now be seen as intricately crafted as tapestries organised around a central spiritual truth.

In conversation with Tabby, we discuss her yearlong volunteer experience in Kenya as she shares her experiences. At twenty-one she moved from Australia to a remote village to teach at a high school operated by the charity Agape in Action. She shares the struggle to come to grips with the stark contrast between her privileged upbringing and the extreme poverty faced by her students and neighbors along with details of the physical and emotional challenges of adapting to a new culture, including contracting malaria and navigating the complexities of local education.

We consider an interpretation of Genesis 1:1 and creation theology that suggests that Genesis 1:1 is not describing the physical creation of the universe but rather serves as an executive summary of the six days of creation that follow. We review three main theories about creation (gap theory, young earth theory, and an alternative view) and argue that the Bible uses "heaven" to mean sky, "earth" to mean dry land, and "sea" to represent the oceans.

In this episode, we dive into a crucial conversation with Mark Vincent about Digital Discipleship, exploring how our 'focus 'attention' has become a commodified resource that can lead to a form of "spiritual slavery" if left unchecked.