God in the Desert
A Spiritual Theology of Wilderness in the Old Testament
by Noel Forlini Burt
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Pub Date 14 Apr 2026 | Archive Date 14 May 2026
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Description
Find Meaning in the Wilderness through Scripture and Spiritual Practice
The desert is a place of paradox. In the desert we encounter silence and revelation, hunger and provision, barrenness and abundance, absence of God and intimate awareness of God's presence. The image of wilderness is a key theme in Scripture, from Abraham, Moses, and the prophets to Jesus. And throughout church history, people of faith have found it to be a useful metaphor for the spiritual life.
In God in the Desert, Old Testament scholar and spiritual director Noel Forlini Burt explores Old Testament wilderness narratives in conversation with wise voices from throughout church history, bridging the gap between biblical studies and spiritual formation. Journeying through stories such as Hagar, Elijah, and the Israelites at Sinai, each chapter also engages with figures like the desert fathers and mothers, Parker Palmer, Henri Nouwen, Richard Rohr, and Eugene Peterson.
God in the Desert
- connects biblical studies and spiritual formation,
- traces the theme of wilderness in the Old Testament and its implications for Christians, and
- combines scholarly depth with practical and inspiring spiritual reflection.
In this book, you'll walk through key themes and practices in spiritual formation like solitude, rebirth, prayer, spiritual reading, attachment, and how they can nurture the souls of readers today. Connecting biblical texts to her own experiences and those of Christians across time, Forlini Burt unpacks how wilderness can still be a place of transformation as God's people respond to the God of the desert. Whether you're a scholar, student, pastor, or spiritual formation practitioner, you'll find deep engagement with the Scriptures and spiritual wisdom for the Christian life in God in the Desert.
Advance Praise
"I loved this book. I often talk to people who ask, 'Why did this happen to me?' or 'Why did God let that happen?' Noel Forlini Burt beautifully guides us through the lives of biblical figures who face wilderness experiences and similar questions. With wisdom, scholarship, an understanding of attachment patterns, and narratives of 'not enough,' the author opens pathways that slowly lead to a healing trust in the God who sees you!"
-Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, author of The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, Invitations from God, and Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram
"Noel Forlini Burt takes us on a spiritually rich journey informed by her expertise in both the Old Testament and spiritual formation. She has drunk deeply from the Scriptures themselves as well as from the insights of the desert fathers and mothers and others who have written profoundly about wilderness experiences and their important role in our spiritual formation. Her discussion of attachment theory and our need for attachment to God enriches the rest. This biblically and spiritually rich book is a must-read for all who walk in the desert or are called to minister to those the wilderness."
-Roy E. Ciampa, professor emeritus at Samford University
"In this beautifully written book, Noel Forlini Burt engages in conversation with a wide range of voices, both ancient and modern, as she invites the reader into a rich and compelling reflection on Scripture. Her work, however, is not simply a rehearsal of a biblical theme. More profoundly, it is an invitation to the wilderness, the 'place where we learn that God is the one before whom we are all laid bare.' In this moment when Christianity has been so culturally co-opted, we need a book that calls us back to the places of deep faithful formation. This is that book."
-W. Dennis Tucker, Jr., professor of Christian scriptures at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781514010303 |
| PRICE | US$28.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 208 |