All Things Bright and Beautiful

How do we engage both charitably and critically with books, ideas, and those with whom we disagree? In this episode we have special guest Jordan Steffaniak, from The London Lyceum Podcast. We discuss Beth Allison Barr’s book, The Making of Biblical Womanhood, and Jordan’s review of this popular book. We talk fallacies, complementarianism, how to be precise in our arguments, and how we can interact with a world of ideas with an eye toward both truth and unity.

Resources Mentioned

The London Lyceum Podcast

The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr

Book Review: The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Jordan Steffaniak

Carl Trueman Lectures

Logic and the Way of Jesus: Thinking Critically and Christianly by Travis Dickinson

Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey (audiobook available for free with Audible membership here)

Mere Sexuality: Rediscovering the Christian Vision of Sexuality by Todd Wilson

All Things Bright and Beautiful Podcast Episode 5: Gender Roles and “Men and Women in the Church” by Kevin DeYoung

Men and Women in the Church by Kevin DeYoung

On the Meaning of Sex by J. Budziszewski

One Body: An Essay on Christian Sexual Ethics by Alexander Pruss

The Kindness of God by Janet Soskice

The Metaphysics of Gender by Charlotte Witt

Transcending Gender Ideology: A Philosophy of Sexual Difference by Antonio Malo

The Wrong of Injustice: Dehumanization and its Role in Feminist Philosophy by Mari Mikkola

*Please note: we do not necessarily endorse all of these books or all of the ideas in each of these books. Please listen to the podcast episode for a further description of these resources.

Habits tend to reflect what we truly value and set the course for change in our lives, what does this mean for Christians? In this episode we discuss both Atomic Habits and Spiritual Disciplines, and how current research about how people form and keep habits is consistent with the spiritual disciplines God requires for the sanctification of his people. We talk about how our identity in Christ motivates us, the freedom of self-discipline, how community helps or hinders us, and how reflection and self-assessment keep us from becoming stagnant in our growth.

Resources Mentioned

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results by James Clear

Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science by Drew Dyck

10 Questions to Ask Yourself at the Start of New Year by Donald Whitney

The Holy Club’s 22 Questions by John Wesley

Praying the Bible by Donald Whitney

Is there a uniquely Christian way to think about the body? In this episode we discuss Sam Allberry’s book What God Has to Say about Our Bodies, and how our view of the body has far reaching implications. We talk about gender, sexuality, technology, body image, and aging; how our culture has influenced us, and how Scripture helps us make sense of our bodies and what they are for.

Resources Mentioned

What God Has to Say about Our Bodies by Sam Allberry

On the Incarnation by Athanasius

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman

Episode 5: Gender Roles and “Men and Women in the Church” by Kevin DeYoung

How should parents cultivate a love of work in their kids? In this episode we chat with Mary Beeke, author of Teach Them to Work: Building a Positive Work Ethic In Our Children. We discuss how Christians should think about work, the tone we set in our home and how to teach our children cheerfulness and diligence in their work. We talk about appropriate expectations, how to balance work and play, and encouragement for the overwhelmed parent or the parent late to training their children.

Resources Mentioned

Teach Them to Work by Mary Beeke

Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr Kevin Leman

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

Parenting: 14 Gospel Truths That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp

The Law of Kindness: Serving with Heart and Hands by Mary Beeke

It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of the Christmas season and lose sight of what we’re celebrating, but it’s worth taking a moment to meditate on the beautiful truth of the incarnation of Christ. In this episode we discuss Athanasius’ brilliant, yet accessible book, On the Incarnation. It's not a typical Advent read, but a wonderful choice nonetheless. We discuss Christmas traditions, Santa Clause, the importance of reading primary sources and old books, the continuity of Christ in Creation and Redemption, and the problem of sin and the solution found in the Word made flesh.

Resources Mentioned

On the Incarnation by Athanasius

Jesse Tree

Advent Blocks

The Story of St. Nicholas: More Than Reindeer and a Red Suit by Cheryl Odden

The Story of St. Patrick: More Than Shamrocks and Leprechauns by Voice of the Martyrs

The Story of St. Valentine: More Than Cards and Candied Hearts by Voice of the Martyrs

The Nicene Creed

Elisabeth Elliot’s life was one marked by a common theme: willing surrender to God. In this episode, special guest, Leah Finn, joins us in discussing Elisabeth Elliot’s life and works. We discuss her influence on purity culture, the timelessness of her writings, the story of history, and the importance of reading Christian biographies.

Resources Mentioned

Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn

Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot

Elisabeth Elliot: A Life (Forthcoming from Crossway Publishing)

Devotedly: The Personal Letters and Love Story of Jim and Elisabeth Elliot by Valerie Shepard

Elisabeth Elliot: Joyful Surrender by Janet and Geoff Benge

Shadow of the Almighty by Elisabeth Elliot

Suffering is Never for Nothing by Elisabeth Elliot

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

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

Lovely War by Julie Berry

Ten Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity by Rebecca Mclaughlin

Confronting Christianity by Rebecca Mclaughlin

The Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe

The Elisabeth Elliot Podcast

How does hospitality help us love people? In this episode Jenna and Lydia discuss what biblical hospitality is (and isn't). We discuss the biblical commands to be hospitable, the challenge of making time for it while balancing work and families, what it looks like in different seasons of life, and tricks we’ve found that can make it easier to say yes to warmly welcoming others into our homes and lives.

Resources mentioned

Verses on hospitality

Explicitly mentioned: Leviticus 19:33-34; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9

Implied: Matthew 10:11-14, 25:35, 38, 43-44; 1 Timothy 5:10; James 2:21, 25; 2 John 5

When People are Big and God is Small by Ed Welch

The Gospel Comes with a Housekey by Rosaria Butterfield

A Meal with Jesus by Tim Chester

The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon

The Simplest Way to Change the World by Dustin Willis and Brandon Clements

Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Lifegiving Collection by Sally Clarkson, Clay Clarkson, and Sarah Clarkson

We have heard it said, “do justice”, but what is justice? In this episode Jenna and Lydia discuss Thaddeus Williams’ book, Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth, with special guest Dr. Alex DiPrima. We talk social justice, the mission of the church, the importance of defining terms, and how our investment in the local church is the primary avenue for just ministry and reconciliation. Alex draws from his pastoral experience, educational background, and biblical knowledge, to give helpful, and gracious insight into how we should think about issues of Social Justice, oppression, and Critical Theory.

Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth by Thaddeus Williams

Law, Legislation, and Liberty by F.A. Hayek

Race and Racism: A Biblical Perspective (Part A) By Alex DiPrima

One Blood by John Perkins

What is the Mission of the Church by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert

Biblical Justice vs. Social Justice by E. Calvin Beisner

Discrimination and Disparities By Thomas Sowell

Intellectuals and Race By Thomas Sowell

A Conflict of Visions By Thomas Sowell

Black Rednecks and White Liberals By Thomas Sowell

Evangelicals and Race Theory (article) By Carl Trueman

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman

Books Mentioned (but not endorsed)

How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi

White Fragility by Robin D’Angelo

What can a contemporary Christian learn from reading an 18th-century science fiction novel? In this episode Jenna and Lydia discuss Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. We discuss who Mary Shelley was, and how the radical ideals around her shaped her life and writings. We touch on themes of life and death, original sin, and the dangers of isolation and selfish ambition.

Resources Mentioned

Frankenstein: A Guide to Reading and Reflecting by Mary Shelley and Karen Swallow Prior

A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft

Romantic Outlaws by Charlotte Gordon

Paradise Lost by John Milton

Theogony by Hesiod (regarding Prometheus)

Ozymandias by Percy Bysse Shelley

We are women, how then should we live? In this episode Jenna and Lydia interview Abigail M Dodds, author of "(A)Typical Woman." Dodds shares her wisdom and delight in the Lord as she speaks about the beauty of rooting ourselves in a Scriptural understanding of womanhood. She gives perspective on what it means to be a woman and how it should shape our lives. We also discuss various stereotypes, submission, envy, and vocation.

Books Mentioned

(A)Typical Woman by Abigail Dodds

Resurrection Sunday in the ICU by Abigail Dodds

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

Kristin Lavransdatter Trilogy By Sigrid Undset

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Men and Women in the Church by Kevin DeYoung

Seeing Green by Tilly Dillehay

Abigail’s Podcast with Tilly Dillehay: Home Fires

Personal Blog https://hopeandstay.com/hope-and-stay/

Upcoming book: Bread of Life: Savoring the All-Satisfying Goodness of Jesus through the Art of Bread Making