All Things Bright and Beautiful

In this episode, we discuss The Supper of the Lamb by Robert Farrar Capon—a book that is at first glance a cookbook but is really a meditation on food, creation, and the goodness of ordinary life. Capon invites readers to see meals not merely as fuel or nutrition, but as gifts to be received with gratitude and delight.

Together, we explore what a distinctly Christian view of food looks like, how modern food culture has shaped our habits and expectations, and why so many of us struggle to enjoy food without guilt, anxiety, or utility. We also consider practical ways to resist a diet-obsessed culture and recover the joy of gathering around the table, savoring creation, and receiving God's gifts with thanksgiving.

Resources

The Supper of the Lamb by Robert Farrar Capon

Bread of Life by Abigail Dodds
Episode 9: Hospitality  

In this episode, we discuss The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien, the beloved first volume of The Lord of the Rings. As we follow Frodo and his companions on the first stage of their journey, we explore Tolkien's rich vision of a world where evil leaves its mark on everything it touches, yet goodness, beauty, and hope endure.

Along the way, we reflect on the surprising courage and humility of the hobbits, the power of friendship in the face of darkness, and Tolkien's gift for storytelling. We consider why this story continues to resonate with readers and what it reveals about courage, sacrifice, fellowship, and perseverance in a fallen world.

Resources:

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

In this episode, we’re joined by Alex DiPrima to explore why biographies matter. We share some of our favorites, examine common pitfalls in historical writing, connect Hebrews 11 to the way we remember the past, and consider the unique benefits of reading both secular and Christian biographies.

Spurgeon: A Life by Alex DiPrima

O Church Arise by Keith and Kristyn Getty

When Activists Do History by Alex DiPrima

Jonathan Edwards: A Life by George Marsden 

Histories and Fallacies by Carl Trueman

Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century by J.C. Ryle 

Episode 11: On the Incarnation by Athanasius

Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones Biography by Iain Murray

Becoming C.S. Lewis by Harry Lee Poe

Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton

The Last Lion: Winston Churchill by William Manchester

Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow

Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham

And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle by Jon Meacham

Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts

Hamilton by Ron Chernow

A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughan

J.R.R Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter

C.S. Lewis: A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet by Alister McGrath

Destiny of the Republic by Candace Millard

Hero of the Empire by Candace Millard

1776 by David McCullough

John Adams by David McCullough

Americans in Paris by David McCullough

John Newton by Jonathan Aitken

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

Emblem of Faith Untouched: A Short Life of Thomas Cranmer by Leslie Winfield

Thomas Cranmer: A Life by Diarmaid MacCulloch

Memoir and Remains of Robert Murray M’Cheyne by Andrew Bonar

In this episode, we discuss the purpose and practice of women’s ministry in the local church. As women who are passionate about helping women grow in biblical literacy, we talk through some of the common pitfalls we’ve observed in women’s ministry culture, what we’ve implemented in our own church context, and practical ways women’s ministry can flourish in churches of any size. Whether you lead a women’s ministry, participate in one, or simply care about discipleship in the church, we hope this conversation encourages you to pursue deeper faithfulness to God’s Word and meaningful Christian community.

Resources:

Simeon Trust

In this episode, we discuss The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes, a beloved Puritan classic that has encouraged Christians for generations. Drawing from Isaiah's picture of Christ as the One who will not break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick, Sibbes offers profound comfort to weary, struggling, and weak believers.

We reflect on the book's themes of weakness, humility, and the sufficiency of Christ, share some of our favorite passages, and discuss the ways Sibbes has shaped and encouraged our own walks with the Lord. Whether you are familiar with Puritan literature or picking up Sibbes for the first time, this conversation highlights the beauty of a Savior who meets His people with gentleness, patience, and grace.

Resources

The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes

Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin

In this episode we’re joined by Bobby Jamieson as we discuss his most recently published book, Everything is Never Enough. Jamieson's book is a resonate survey of the truths of Ecclesiastes applied to the modern day. We talk about the complexity of Ecclesiastes and its evangelistic potential. We touch on receiving life as a gift, learning to relinquish control, and the art of writing.

Resources Mentioned:

Everything is Never Enough by Bobby Jamieson

Sermons on Ecclesiastes by Bobby Jamieson

The Uncontrollability of the World by Hartmut Rosa

Resonance by Hartmut Rosa

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

The Supper of the Lamb by Robert Capon

Pensees by Blaise Pascal

On the Writing Life by Annie Dillard

Poetry by George Herbert

Poetry by A.E. Stallings

First You Write a Sentence by Joe Moran

How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One by Stanley Fish

In this episode we discuss Richard Llewellyn’s book, How Green Was My Valley. We talk about its beauty, timelessness, and insight into the world; especially family, men and women, and the challenges universal to all mankind.

Resources Mentioned: How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn

Join us as we discuss technology and how the internet shapes our human desires with Samuel James, the author of “Digital Liturgies.” James encourages us to use Biblical wisdom as we navigate technology in our online age. He writes, “Rather than being a neutral tool, the internet is an epistemological environment– a spiritual and intellectual habitat–that creates in its members particular ways of thinking, feeling, and believing.” Technology is powerful. Therefore, we must evaluate how to use it wisely. We also cover topics like how the internet has changed the publishing industry and the importance of the physical gathering, congregational singing, and friendship in our disembodied age.

Resources Referenced-

Digital Liturgies by Samuel James

The Shallows by Nicholas Carr

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman

Completely Unsolicited, Totally Anecdotal, But Perhaps Marginally Helpful Thoughts on Being a Christian Writer by Samuel James

Digital Liturgies Substack

Most would agree that Christ had emotions, but they have not given a great deal of thought to the significance of Christ’s emotional life. By neglecting to reflect on the Lord’s emotional life, we fail to think deeply about what it means that the Son of God became a true human being for our sakes. Our understanding of the significance of the incarnation itself is at stake. 

Join us as we discuss B.B. Warfield’s excellent book, The Emotional Life of Our Lord. We talk about some common errors we make when thinking about Christ’s emotions, what we can learn from the emotional life of Christ, and what this means for our own emotions. 

Resources mentioned:

The Emotional Life of Our Lord by B.B. Warfield

Warfield on the Christian Life by Fred Zaspel

Good and Angry by David Powlison

Spiritual Depression by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

In this episode we interview Alex DiPrima on his latest book: “Spurgeon: A Life” and discuss Charles Haddon Spurgeon who was the most-well known minister of the gospel in the nineteenth century. We also discuss whether Spurgeon should be considered a “celebrity pastor” and why he was appealing to so many. We cover a few of the many things we can learn from Spurgeon and ways we should seek to emulate him. Alex shares with us how Spurgeon has personally affected him as a Christian and as a pastor. We also discuss the criticism that Spurgeon faced and the Downgrade Controversy, which was one of the most significant events in Spurgeon’s life.

Resources mentioned:

Spurgeon: A Life
Spurgeon: A Biography by Arnold Dallimore
Spurgeon the Pastor by Geoff Chang
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels by J.C. Ryle
Holiness by J.C. Ryle
Simplicity in Preaching by J.C. Ryle
Spurgeon’s sermons (Alex especially recommends sermons in the early 1880s)
The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon
All of Grace by Charles Spurgeon
The Soulwinner by Charles Spurgeon
Servants of Christ, Lovers of Men by Alex DiPrima
Spurgeon’s Sorrows by Zack Eswine
Susie by Ray Rhodes
Episode 2: The Life of Susannah Spurgeon and "Susie" with Guest Author Ray Rhodes Jr.
C.H. Spurgeon Autobiography
The Forgotten Spurgeon by Ian Murray
Episode 27: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael