Vision For Life

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Walking Through Infertility: Biblical, Theological, and Moral Counsel for Those Who Are Struggling by Matthew Arbo

Resurrection and Moral Order: An Outline for Evangelical Ethics by Oliver O’Donovan

In this episode of Vision for Life, Autumn and Hunter respond to three listener questions:

Question 1: Trueman's book traces the ideas and technologies that have led to a cultural moment in which the statement "I'm a man trapped in a woman's body" can make sense. This is helpful on a macro level, but what about the individual, personal level? What pastoral response would you offer to a person who says, "I think I might be a man trapped in a woman's body?" How is the gospel of the kingdom and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus good news for someone experiencing great pain around their gender identity?

Question 2: This is a question about desire and identity. It has been my way of thinking that there is a huge difference between having same-sex desire (Not sinful) and committing acts of homosexual intimacy (sinful). I still think so.

But In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus speaks of lust as adultery in the heart and of continuous anger as paramount to murder. As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

I would appreciate your thoughts on the separation of desire and identity in light of these passages.

Question 3: Could you please comment on the use of the terms “Imagination” and “Imaginary”? I have heard these terms used in the VFL podcast on Carl Trueman’s book “Strange New World”, also Autumn, I think I remember you used the “imagination” concept in your recent podcast “Women, Work and Calling.” And Hunter has used the terms in sermons when relating to Christian faith and thought.

However, I have always thought of “imagination” and “imaginary” as relating to fantasy or dreaming and having no basis in reality.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

How Gospel-Centrality Prioritizes Long-Term Fruit in Youth Ministry by Michael Goldstein

Description: It’s election season! Perhaps you’ve weighed the factors and decided how to vote. Maybe you predict staring at your ballot and praying for a cloud to go before you. Either way, the current political climate may have left you weary and confused, feeling the hope and the awkwardness of our Christian allegiance to a kingdom not of this world — or all of the above. Clark Nunnelly and Hunter Beaumont, two of the Pastors at Fellowship, join Autumn to discuss how to think and act like a Christian as we engage in American politics.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

How Do Christians Fit Into the Two-Party System? They Don’t by Tim Keller

The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932-1940 by William Manchester

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Resources mentioned in this episode:

How Gospel-Centrality Prioritizes Long-Term Fruit in Youth Ministry by Michael Goldstein

This fall, the pastors at Fellowship Denver led our church family through six sermons examining what we want to do (our mission), who we want to be (our values), and what we long to see God do (our vision). Jesus defined the mission of his church in Matthew 28 in a statement often called “the great commission.” Our way of restating our public mission, as given to us by Jesus, is “We help people discover and follow the original Jesus.” In today’s episode, Hunter and Autumn reflect on the recent sermon series, Fellowship Denver’s mission, and the bridge graphic we use to explain the locus of the church between the kingdom of God and the world. The bridge graphic displays six pillars:

1. Contend & Contextualize

2. Doctrine & Life

3. Scripture & Orthodoxy

4. Words & Deeds

5. Transformation & Grace

6. Personal Faith & Church

“What is the greatest threat to the church of Jesus Christ today?” Authors Rick Langer and Tim Muehlhoff answer, “quarreling.” Their book, Winsome Conviction, helps Christians disagree well. In today's polarized context, Christians often have committed, biblical rationales for very different positions. How do we discern between core biblical convictions and secondary issues? How do we cultivate better understanding and compassion for those we disagree with? Rick joins Dave and Autumn to discuss the book and provide insight into examining, communicating, and discussing our convictions.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing Without Dividing the Church by Richard Langer

Jim Bridger: Trailblazer of the American West by Jerry Enzler

Jesus and the Powers by N. T. Wright and Michael Bird

Flannery O’Connor: Collected Works by Flannery O’Connor

Brandon Washington, Pastor at Embassy Christian Bible Church and author of A Burning House, joins Autumn and Hunter on the podcast to discuss his recent book. In A Burning House, Washington contends that American Evangelicalism is a house ablaze: burning by its own hand due to an “in-house schism.” The stain of segregation has long tarnished the witness of Christianity and hampered our progress toward a Christ-like vision of Shalom—peace, justice, and wholeness—in the world. Common doctrine may unite black and white evangelicals. However, rifts such as social ethics and cultural influences still separate us, and we are in danger of embracing a truncated or partial gospel.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

A Burning House: Redeeming American Evangelicalism by Examining Its History, Mission, and Message by Brandon Washington

The Fire Next Time and Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin

No Greater Love: A Biblical Vision for Friendship by Rebecca McLaughlin

The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism by Carl F. H. Henry

God, Revelation, and Authority by Carl F. H. Henry

Personality & Worldview by J. H. Bavinck

King: A Life by Jonathan Eig

The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Alone, 1932-1940 by William Manchester

Jen Oshman joins Hunter and Autumn on the podcast today to discuss her book Cultural Counterfeits: Confronting 5 Empty Promises of Our Age and How We Were Made for So Much More. In today’s culture, women and girls are influenced by idols that promise purpose and meaning for their lives―outward beauty and ability, sex, abortion, and gender fluidity. Within the church, women may elevate good things like marriage and motherhood to the status of idolatry. Ultimately, these idols are hollow and leave women feeling unsettled, but where should they turn instead?

In Cultural Counterfeits, Jen encourages women to reject these idols' empty, destructive promises and embrace real hope and peace in Jesus, calling them to recognize their unshakable and eternal identities in him.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Cultural Counterfeits: Confronting 5 Empty Promises of Our Age and How We Were Made for So Much More by Jen Oshman

It’s Good to be a Girl by Jen and Zoe Oshman

King: A Life by Jonathan Eig

Virgil Wander by Leif Enger

How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks

The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark

Dominion by Tom Holland

The Case Against the Sexual Revolution by Louise Perry