All Things Bright and Beautiful

Why is the local church important? In this episode we’re joined by Erin Wheeler to discuss the centrality of the church in the life of the Christian. We discuss how culture has impacted our ecclesiology, the gift the church can be in how we serve one another, and the necessity of our physical presence in the local church. We discuss the purpose of the church, criticisms of the church and how we should think about them, how we can prioritize the local church in various stages of our lives, and the ins and outs of discipleship.

Resources mentioned

The Church: Delighting in the Doctrine of the Church by Erin Wheeler

The Good Portion Series

Episode 16: “How Can Women Thrive in the Local Church” with Guest Keri Folmer

Christ: The Doctrine of Christ, for Every Woman by Jenny Manley

Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus by Mark Dever

Fix Your Eyes by Amy Gannett

Jesus Through the Eyes of Women by Rebecca McLaughlin

Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves

Priscilla Talk

Why do we take the time to introduce ourselves as “confessionally reformed?" In this episode we discuss Carl Trueman’s book The Creedal Imperative. We talk about why we think confessionalism is important and warn against the cultural influence that causes us to approach tradition with suspicion. We discuss authority, tradition, the power of words, and how embracing creeds and confessions can lead to worship and unity.

Resources Mentioned

The Creedal Imperative by Carl Trueman

Rediscovering Conservatism by Yoram Hazony

Episode 20: Expressive Individualism and Strange New World by Carl Trueman

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

The Apostles Creed for All God’s Children By Ben Myers

The New City Catechism

The Westminster Shorter Catechism

The Good News We Almost Forgot by Kevin DeYoung

Affirming the Apostles Creed by J.I. Packer

Art and humor can be difficult to define, but we all know it when we see it. But how should Christians think about the arts and humor? Are there boundaries and rules to what Christians produce and consume? In this episode we’re joined by BBC comedy writer, author, and podcaster, James Cary. We discuss the importance of enjoying the arts, how comedy is about truth-telling yet still seems to be at odds with religion. Cary discusses his view that Art is important, life is poetry, the Bible is funny (and that Jesus is too). He answers questions on the risks of reading the Bible without a sense of humor, and the essentially human component of humor.

Resources mentioned

The Sacred Art of Joking by James Cary

Cooper and Cary Have Words

Sitcom Geeks

Popcorn Parenting

How Lightyear is a bit of a Buzzkill by James Cary

Life is Beautiful (movie)

The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis

1984 by George Orwell

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Perelandra by C.S. Lewis

The Gospel According to a Sitcom Writer by James Cary

Water into Wine by James Cary

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Going to Church in Medieval England by Nicholas Orme

Cynical Discourses by Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay

The Real Great Escape by Guy Walters

Stranger Things Season 4

Substack James Cary

At the heart of the transgender debate is the issue of human dignity. Therefore, it is crucial that Christians should care about current public policy and firmly defend biblical principles that promote truth telling and human flourishing. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Andrew Walker. Together we discuss the overturn of Roe, how to think about current social and political issues from a biblical perspective, and what the average Christian should think of as their duty in the face of ethical issues such as abortion and transgenderism. Dr. Walker gives practical, compassionate advice on how we should think about gender, the call we have all been given for truth-telling, and what the landscape of religious liberty looks like now (and may look like in the future) as we engage with these pressing issues.

Resources

Liberty For All: Defending Everyone’s Religious Freedom in a Pluralistic Age by Andrew Walker

God and the Transgender Debate by Andrew Walker

The Case for Life by Scott Klusendorf

The Transgender Fantasy: What I Wish Every Pastor Knew by Andrew Walker

Alliance Defending Freedom

World Opinions

How should we address the issue of abortion and what should we do in the wake of the recent overturn of Roe? In this special episode we interview Dr. Brent Boles, discussing his book Supremely Wrong: The Injustice of Abortion. He gives a thorough overview of abortion and the issues surrounding it, historically, medically, and legally. He addresses common myths about abortion, what Roe accomplished, and what its overturn means for those of us who value life.

Resources mentioned

Supremely Wrong: The Injustice of Abortion by Brent Boles M.D.

Should I? Things to Consider Before an Abortion by Brent Boles M.D. and Julia Boles MSN

Surrendering the Secret by Pat Layton

Pregnancy Care Centers

American Association of Pro-Life Obstericians and Gynecologists

The Case for Life by Scott Klusendorf

Pro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Questions by Randy Alcorn

Unplanned by Abby Johnson

UnAborted Podcast

Heartbeat International

And Then There Were None

LoveLine

LiveAction

What is the “authentic self” and does it have the authority our culture leads us to believe it has? In this episode we discuss Carl Trueman’s latest book, Strange New World; a book we both believe every Christian should read. We talk about expressive individualism, education, the sexual revolution, transgender ideology, personhood, ethics, religious freedom, and how Christians ought to respond.

Resources mentioned

Strange New World by Carl Trueman

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman

The London Lyceum: Karl Marx and Marxism with Carl Trueman

All Things Bright and Beautiful Episode 7: Frankenstein: A Guide to Reading and Reflecting

When Harry Became Sally by Ryan T. Anderson

The Coddling of the American Mind By Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt

PresbyGirls Podcast: Rosaria Butterfield: Sin, Side B, and Hospitality

The Compelling Community by Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop

Are emotions good, bad, or neutral? How should Christians think about them? In this episode we discuss Untangling Emotions, by J Alasdair Groves and Winston T Smith. We talk about a theology of feelings, how we should engage our negative emotions—like anger and sorrow, and what God’s role is in our emotional life.

Resources mentioned

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

The Emotional Life of our Lord by BB Warfield

Spiritual Depression by Martyn Lloyd Jones

Emotions Like Christ by Jenna DiPrima

How should Christians think about the things of this world? How do we enjoy God's good gifts without making them idols? In this episode we discuss Joe Rigney's book, Strangely Bright, a helpful treatise on how Christians should interact with God's good gifts to us. We talk about Augustine's "disordered loves", Christian hedonism, the gift of nature and family, and the necessity of Scripture and corporate worship. We discuss how loving God most enables us to have the greatest enjoyment and right ordering of the good things God has made.

Resources Mentioned

Desiring God by John Piper

Spiritual Disciplines by Donald Whitney

All Things Bright and Beautiful Episode 14: Discipline and "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" and "Atomic Habits"

Confessions by Augustine of Hippo (regarding Disordered Loves)

Why tackle the confusing world of Shakespeare? In this episode we talk about Shakespeare’s Macbeth using Leland Ryken’s helpful guide. We discuss the importance of the classics, practical tips for how to face the challenge of reading Shakespeare, Shakespeare’s faith, and why we think it’s worth it to read a tragedy like Macbeth. We cover the resounding Christian themes in the play, especially the destructive and escalating nature of sin, guilt and repentance, the disorder of the Macbeth marriage, and the human desire for a virtuous king.

Resources Mentioned:

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Christian Guides to the Classics: Macbeth by Leland Ryken

Realms of Gold by Leland Ryken

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare by Ken Ludwig

In this episode Jenna interviews Keri Folmer on church life and her book How Can Women Thrive in the Local Church? Keri lives in Dubai and her husband John is the senior pastor of the United Christian Church of Dubai. Keri’s passion is encouraging women from all over the world to enjoy the Scriptures. Keri and Jenna discuss why it’s important for women to join their local church, how to serve the church and pursue discipleship. Keri gives helpful advice for how to enter into worship on Sunday, how to prepare our hearts, regardless of what stage of life we’re in; and how to prioritize church life in our busy lives.

Resources Mentioned

How Can Women Thrive in the Local Church? by Keri Folmar

The Good Portion: Scripture by Keri Folmer

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever

Rediscover Church by Jonathan Leeman and Colin Hansen

Instagram @keridianafolmar

The Good Portion Books

Faith: A Bible Study on James for Women