The Gospel of Bushcraft: Applying Faith and Skill

In an era of escalating global instability- wars, famines, and natural disasters looming—knowing how to survive and thrive in the wilderness is a vital skill. The Gospel of Bushcraft by Jason A. Hunt is a powerful guide that blends primitive survival techniques with spiritual resilience, drawing from biblical narratives like the Israelites’ exodus. This book moves beyond short-term crisis response to teach long-term self-reliance using God’s creation. Whether you’re a prepper, a Christian seeking practical faith, or an outdoor enthusiast, this blog post explores key lessons from The Gospel of Bushcraft, why it’s essential reading, and how to apply its teachings to prepare for an uncertain future.

What Is The Gospel of Bushcraft?

Building on The Gospel of Survival, The Gospel of Bushcraft shifts from immediate emergency skills to sustainable wilderness living. Structured around biblical festivals—Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot—it parallels the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the wilderness, teaching readers to rely on the land when gear fails. Hunt emphasizes skills like fire-making, shelter-building, water purification, and foraging, all underpinned by faith in God’s provision. It’s a call to master creation’s resources with minimal tools, preparing for both physical and spiritual trials.

Key Lessons from The Gospel of Bushcraft

1. After Bugging Out: Surviving the Wilderness (Chapter 1)

Chapter 1, “Bugged Out, Now What?”, addresses the critical phase after you’ve fled a crisis with your Bug-Out Bag (B.O.B.). Hunt likens this to the Israelites’ exodus, escaping Egypt only to face thirst and fear at Marah (Exodus 15:22-24). A B.O.B., or Tier 3 Kit, should sustain you for 72+ hours with essentials like a knife, fire starter, tarp, cordage, and water filter—the “Emergent C’s.” The chapter stresses mobility, mental resilience, and trusting God’s provision as resources dwindle, preparing you to transition from packed gear to land-based survival.

Pro Tip: Pack a B.O.B. with versatile items (e.g., #36 bank line, stainless steel bottle) and practice a 20-mile trek to simulate a bug-out. Keep your kit accessible, like in your car for commutes.

2. Reconnecting with Creation (Chapter 2)

“The Creation Connection” explores the wilderness as a place of physical and spiritual renewal. Hunt cites a 2012 study on grounding, showing barefoot contact with the earth reduces stress and pain by 74-93%. He ties this to Genesis 1-2, where God’s Spirit (Ruah) hovers over creation, weaving humans from its fabric. Stepping into the wild sheds society’s noise, syncing you with God’s design.

Actionable Advice: Daily, spend 15 minutes barefoot on grass or soil to reduce stress. Practice slow breathing to connect with the Spirit in nature.

3. Silencing Complaints with Faith (Chapter 3)

“Stop Complaining!” draws from the Israelites’ grumbling at Marah, where bitter water sparked discontent (Exodus 15:23). Hunt reveals a bushcraft solution—filtering water with acacia bark—while urging readers to trust God over fleeting hardships. This mindset is vital for enduring long-term wilderness challenges when food and water run low.

Pro Tip: Learn to filter water with natural materials like bark or charcoal. Journal frustrations during practice to build mental endurance.

4. Shedding Gear Dependence (Chapter 4)

“Gear and Resource Reduction” teaches reliance on the land as gear fails. Hunt starts with five essentials—knife, ferro rod, tarp, cordage, container—then pushes readers to replace them with flint blades, nettle cordage, or leaf shelters. This mirrors Pentecost’s call to trust God’s provision over material comforts, preparing you for prolonged wilderness living.

Actionable Advice: Practice crafting cordage from willow bark or a flint blade from creek stones. Start with your B.O.B., then reduce to a knife-only kit.

5. Kindling Fire from the Land (Chapter 5)

“Fire from the Landscape” details percussion (flint and steel) and friction (bow drill) fire-making. Hunt connects fire to God’s presence—Sinai’s blaze, Pentecost’s tongues—making it a survival and spiritual act. He shares techniques like striking ironstone or spinning a cedar bow drill, ensuring warmth and cooking when modern tools fade.

Pro Tip: Source flint or chert from riverbeds and practice bow drilling with softwoods like willow. Keep punk wood or charred cattail as tinder.

6. Crafting Natural Shelters (Chapter 6)

“Sukkah: Natural Shelters” teaches building temporary shelters, like cattail mats or debris huts, inspired by the biblical sukkah (Leviticus 23:42-43). These protect against elements when tarps tear, embodying God’s provision in the wild.

Actionable Advice: Weave a cattail mat for a portable bed or shelter wall. Practice building a debris hut with leaves for insulation.

7. Sustaining with Wild Foods (Chapter 12)

“Food to Endure” covers foraging trail nibbles (nuts, berries, greens) and preserving food via smoking or sun-drying. Hunt details the Tunisian Bird Trap, a net-based trap for small birds, and handline fishing with bone hooks, ensuring long-term sustenance when supplies run out.

Pro Tip: Identify edible plants like dandelion or nettle in your area. Practice smoking meat over a low fire to extend shelf life.

8. Mastering Knife-Only Survival (Chapter 13)

“Knife Only Bushcraft” elevates the knife as the ultimate tool. Hunt shows how to carve bow drills, build shelters, craft spears, and purify water with a single blade, likening it to God’s pruning (John 15:2). This minimalist approach hones skill and faith.

Actionable Advice: Practice carving a figure-4 trap or hollowing a log for water with a 5-6” carbon steel knife. Keep it sharp with a stone.

9. Preparing for End-Times Trials (Chapter 14)

“Fire on the Mountain” frames bushcraft as preparation for apocalyptic chaos, citing Matthew 24’s wars and famines. Hunt sees the wilderness as a refuge (Revelation 12:6), where skills and faith sustain God’s people. He urges readiness through practice and prayer, echoing Pentecost’s transformative fire.

Why The Gospel of Bushcraft Is a Must-Read

The Gospel of Bushcraft uniquely blends practical survival with spiritual depth, making it accessible to beginners and seasoned preppers alike. Hunt’s authentic experiences—striking flint by Kentucky creeks, teaching classes—ground the book in real-world application. Its prophetic warnings resonate with those sensing global unrest, offering a roadmap for enduring trials. By tying skills to biblical narratives, it inspires both physical preparedness and faith-driven resilience.

Who Should Read It?

• Survivalists: Master advanced bushcraft for gearless survival.

• Christians: Strengthen faith through skills rooted in Scripture.

• Outdoor Enthusiasts: Enhance camping with primitive techniques.

• Beginners: Follow clear instructions for fire, shelter, and food.

How to Apply The Gospel of Bushcraft Now

1. Prepare a B.O.B.: Build a 72-hour kit with the Emergent C’s and test it on a hike.

2. Hone Primitive Skills: Start with flint-and-steel fire or a cattail mat. Use local materials.

3. Learn Edible Plants: Identify three safe plants (e.g., cattail, sassafras) and their uses.

4. Build Endurance: Walk with a loaded B.O.B. to prepare for long treks.

5. Pray in Practice: Reflect on God’s provision while crafting tools or foraging.

Thrive in the Wild with Faith

The Gospel of Bushcraft is a lifeline for uncertain times, teaching you to thrive in the wilderness with a knife, a skillset, and unwavering faith. As global tensions rise, Hunt’s blend of practical bushcraft and biblical wisdom equips you to face challenges with confidence. Start practicing today—spark a fire, weave a shelter, trust God’s provision—and prepare for the wilderness calling.

Ready to embrace the wild? Get The Gospel of Bushcraft and share this post with your survivalist and faith communities. Let’s build a resilient future together.

#gospelofbushcraft #gospelofsurvival #campcraftoutdoors

Pick up your copy in the Campcraft Outdoors shop or on Amazon here.

Disclaimer: Check local laws before trapping or foraging. Consult experts for safe plant identification.