The Vision For Life Podcast

Episode 190.5 | Christmas Break (with Thanks and a Poem for Advent)

December 18, 2024 • Autumn Gardner

Episode 190 | VFL Culture: Local Politics

December 11, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Clark Nunnelly

Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/colorados-2024-vote-a-slight-red-shift-in-a-still-predominantly-blue-state-analysis/article_e0975712-a839-11ef-852c-67a182cf7d59.html by Ernest Luning and Evan Wyloge

Episode 189 | VFL Reads: Taylor Swift's Sexual Revolution

December 4, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Hunter Beaumont

Resources mentioned in this episode: http://www.firstthings.com/article/2024/11/taylor-swifts-sexual-revolution by Patricia Snow

Episode 188 | VFL Reads: The Toxic War on Masculinity

November 27, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Hunter Beaumont

In certain corners of Western Civilization, being male is itself considered toxic. Nancy Pearcey addresses this perspective on masculinity in The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. Pearcey takes a broad view of societal trends, carefully examines Scripture, and provides a constructive way forward for the church. Autumn and Hunter highlight portions of Pearcey’s argument and use her paradigm of the “good man” vs. the “real man” to answer a listener’s question. Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/toxic-war-masculinity-christianity-reconciles/dp/0801075734 by Nancy R. Pearcey

Episode 187 | VFL Culture: What Does the Election Reveal About U.S. Culture?

November 20, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Hunter Beaumont

In the wake of the recent election, journalists, sociologists, political party leaders, and all of us are looking at the voting data, examining what ballot initiatives passed and where, and asking, “What does this data tell us about the people and culture in our country?” Autumn and Hunter discuss four themes that emerged from the election trends. 1) Legacy Media vs. Alternative Media 2) The Broad “Trump Voting Coalition” 3) The Abortion Issue, and 4) The Return to Political Norms. Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.ft.com/content/392e1e79-a8c1-4473-ab51-3267c415b078 https://www.thefp.com/p/no-the-problem-isnt-the-voters by Bari Weiss and Oliver Wiseman https://mereorthodoxy.com/the-doug-electionwww.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/upshot/trump-election-victory.html by Jake Meador https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/upshot/trump-election-victory.html by Nate Cohn http://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/06/us/politics/abortion-ballot-measures.html by Kate Zernike https://www.npr.org/2024/11/05/g-s1-32760/colorado-abortion-vote-results by Bente Birkeland https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/06/us/elections/trump-america-red-shift-victory.html Vote by Zach Levitt, Keith Collins, Robert Gebeloff, Malika Khurana, Marco Hernandez https://musaalgharbi.substack.com/p/contextualizing-the-2024-election by Musa al-Gharbi

Episode 186 | VFL Reads: We Need Good Protestant Ethicists

November 13, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Hunter Beaumont

Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/walking-through-infertility-theological-struggling/dp/1433559315 by Matthew Arbo https://www.amazon.com/resurrection-moral-order-outline-evangelical/dp/0802806929/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2wgmww6hwwtp9&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.14z7tssuhro7pwkkhfydkmx3vafhjuxrypgnxbcjacubossx3ptyuclz96bczejsdczmnspei1i52nttxbwar-5aciszq5mhuqyepbts6t-niasu6iadpd6oz6dkwhcjouakv4gubcxokyk3oncbka.m9vmhvo1wx4gvtpaz4d-wfs_rznz0moqzkmorvvxg6y&dib_tag=se&keywords=resurrection+and+moral+order&qid=1730398726&sprefix=resurrection+and+moral+o%2caps%2c130&sr=8-1 by Oliver O’Donovan

Episode 185 | Vision For Life Q&R

November 6, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Hunter Beaumont

Episode 184 | The Biblical Wisdom of Prioritizing Long-Term Fruit

October 30, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Michael Goldstein

Resources mentioned in this episode: https://rootedministry.com/how-gospel-centrality-helps-prioritize-long-term-success-in-youth-ministry/ by Michael Goldstein

Episode 183 | VFL Culture: Christians and the Two-Party Political System

October 23, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Hunter Beaumont, Clark Nunnelly

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: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/29/opinion/sunday/christians-politics-belief.html by Tim Keller https://www.amazon.com/last-green-valley-mark-sullivan/dp/1503958744/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29n02w4fxgmrs&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.lee0lajfgxdcnyafycflw4dn7t7ywzwykgvnsezzy1lfme5jhuhtkfow0bp8rqubkflanuu7-w17obd8kmtkowfqriij-or1ebn_gncuicts0pdmk5aax7tkexo3qdvwdldrulqjdofln4x9ntg6yhus8pv-x-esx1bgoca9thfbi0zgf4ne1lrj52moiis73bbwwpz-kmcflrejgbxmdkfch45rywzm_z6npo6h2t0.vw2sxc7_2gqrzruhfug1vsj54ygmmi6rg7gyc6506ts&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+last+green+valley+mark+sullivan&qid=1728940985&sprefix=the+last+green+va%2caps%2c127&sr=8-1 by Mark Sullivan https://www.amazon.com/last-lion-winston-churchill-1932-1940/dp/0385313314 by William Manchester https://www.amazon.com/heaven-earth-grocery-store-novel/dp/0593422945/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1or8nxb4yn15v&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.r0yslq0g-ycbsh27iwqfuortoyfx_tdxpttfdej7dgpwv1xrzsq91lkbw11yk6uruxwdqalv0e-we0znot_cuji4wwfe2hmrnpks6pnad7ld2196six2ywvodcksh5ruruu4stkydzexnbzbs1gt3ypqrpxnf9h4idh31wazmrurl-vzoku_dv_sypmlmcavmniwi-da61d6kntaxuilzi6sdoqdfcnsr_a0q6c84bi.tx2rg4a0aogoizfuffbdqawllxu7f4gkl0ljytodkj8&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+heaven+and+earth+grocery+store+by+james+mcbride&qid=1728941008&sprefix=the+heaven+an%2caps%2c124&sr=8-1 by James McBride

Episode 182 | Discover & Follow the Original Jesus

October 16, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Hunter Beaumont

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

Episode 181 | Winsome Conviction

October 9, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Dave Morlan, Richard Langer

“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: https://www.amazon.com/winsome-conviction-disagreeing-without-dividing/dp/0830847995/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1i71d8eywqpcv&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.kcpvxfyipecwcmu_yk8z6p8vhphdo556fxh8varzljjgjhj071qn20lucgbjieps.ueqx931odhx8jwpgg6qscficdrutwfxallmyppaxa2s&dib_tag=se&keywords=winsome+conviction+disagreeing+without+dividing+the+church&qid=1727377129&sprefix=winsome+conviction%2caps%2c132&sr=8-1 by Richard Langer https://www.amazon.com/jim-bridger-trailblazer-american-west/dp/0806168633 by Jerry Enzler https://www.amazon.com/jesus-powers-totalitarian-dysfunctional-democracies/dp/0310162246/ref=sr_1_1?crid=p8blqhcpkqy5&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.kb92gfq60fltyhobfyssw3h-6g8so06f1mzjvwe-poomzbyvdmso18jn6hv9jzdye-tgeav0pxihdx2ugc2tmv3hf52h8jo4rzsvyu3a0-1em9cxhmhazoep20oa1etk-fgmpkutxa279axzjybwlt1rqg0b-xarby0infmekhou9vgyhsv9jneshl07ucm8qahtotrkxliqvvslu1w7nhkgowen6uguf5l9mikyxcg.wyxvcp9crjki9jwagh994_djcd7iqwkuqptrpnifmmw&dib_tag=se&keywords=jesus+and+the+powers+nt+wright&qid=1727377022&sprefix=jesus+and+the+power%2caps%2c150&sr=8-1 by N. T. Wright and Michael Bird https://www.amazon.com/flannery-oconnor-collected-everything-converge/dp/0940450372/ref=sr_1_1?crid=82iux1flcqal&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.pdxhjgjambl0y6u79qiynvlqjcpt1uvpgezdeatnnedkyvidgticutg67a1u6869ls_h0qv5y902vsyq7qwu_v4kjwskqkahfrgfbgfnxn_e3huttzzkivkucqx1rqye1kuidcsomk_g6zs6b4lifru1pppc1vmzbhfp_8p-fci48_lled11knxres37chdlskpkbu22rpd6uxexaonyz24qbgzn50nyuwghu1omz_y.tuyluvdpxytla5ex0mykntlv7gmbln-na-ewo8cfjjk&dib_tag=se&keywords=flannery+o%27connor+collected+works&qid=1727377061&sprefix=the+collected+works+of+flannery%2caps%2c131&sr=8-1 by Flannery O’Connor

Episode 180 | A Burning House

October 2, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Hunter Beaumont, Brandon Washington

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: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310139392 by Brandon Washington https://www.amazon.com/james-baldwin-collected-library-america/dp/1883011523/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1rcyyg32wktgu&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.mr9z01lhzuaas-ti45pfmgxtc4qoz85uwfsrr-2loynbkbvrtopja7867og-k85dhqha1n3_skkkjop9d_fkv-g0xnghcxqaokuebf58uhvdd0cemp12ox9gel3pju5snct9jdtjyjbwwd24et29rbtlue1tkow6dsvtfjlfzalckhumqf0bdnhqfbl4labcp2dyzni0ywl8ovdhe1vrnrnuqj0chprtqvbjt1agrsr3uveaayungv-9ezeoqilkdyluksaonyoim3ruwk_mecmmkikufi35udmjey4e2ze.7eotm10mpy3_1yfkvqa3hup4vyljpdxoyf1djtdfjvy&dib_tag=se&keywords=james+baldwin+books&qid=1727029229&s=books&sprefix=james+bald%2cstripbooks%2c105&sr=1-2 by James Baldwin https://www.amazon.com/dp/0802428924/?bestformat=true&k=no%20greater%20love%20rebecca%20mclaughlin&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_de_k0_1_22&crid=fpdw0nimb9pk&sprefix=no%20greater%20love%20rebecc by Rebecca McLaughlin https://www.amazon.com/uneasy-conscience-modern-fundamentalism/dp/080282661x/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2oi2p8in4nrmp&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.32gvib0tj0joonq0leiyne8uxa_zzzueagfidrmokqxkgohrjmwmtu9uryslxv_gt-jcxgm0o65ayaov2brk_w.g5_ikye1hjnypwsdojksevjdcdchully1ijoouprzjo&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+uneasy+conscience+of+modern+fundamentalism&qid=1727029975&sprefix=the+uneasy+consc%2caps%2c113&sr=8-1 by Carl F. H. Henry https://www.amazon.com/god-revelation-authority-6-set/dp/1581340567/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2pao9o9sw5921&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.zm-qbwaitfndqdtonekvfrwziewztejd1tte-ewgmhbad90nsziwpc0ocjzx5yumyue_6cjgbcm47difep-hewvll4wsy-oz7youesaexvv0noqgdpzx-odjvgzyqym90kite5morqfzmlgsn-_cunauffabip2bbnami6ntkazsa42hceyv63a0iuegbs5vcsszn4dj12exdhvm2k_-yloxa2ggblgz_o2nzypjyqe.zlvwd81fpi4kugla_xxqz7vyx11r5s4t2sadd5jekhe&dib_tag=se&keywords=carl+f.+h.+henry+god%2c+revelation%2c+and+authority&qid=1727029928&s=books&sprefix=carl+f.+h.+henry+god%2c+revelation%2c+and+authority%2cstripbooks%2c107&sr=1-1 by Carl F. H. Henry https://www.amazon.com/personality-worldview-j-h-bavinck/dp/1433584832 by J. H. Bavinck https://www.amazon.com/king-life-jonathan-eig/dp/0374279292 by Jonathan Eig https://www.amazon.com/last-lion-winston-churchill-1932-1940/dp/0385313314 by William Manchester

Episode 179 | Cultural Counterfeits

September 25, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Hunter Beaumont, Jen Oshman

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: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433576325 by Jen Oshman https://www.amazon.com/its-good-girl-celebration-christian/dp/1784989800/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3t5z3mczsljcg&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.fj9n7io7m1oype9cvs4-h2plgmj7cmpvxeuh-6v5te3jdyp2tpvrzgt_mmvj-7k26dhavdk9q5apotyojm9pnyk1id5mrhivcge6yvj8byanuya97cypiwexhhtgqdpnfuhr7m8c1kinx-vgzp5hrjb6dqcortcegwwr3zprntiun9dx00eduiellywl7qlpsj_rqaly6zpli2raehyzcpjrguwgctqh0jmuhct6drs.p7txp87wgmmfqa6fkhwytvx6rppiqsmfjnmdzaksbbu&dib_tag=se&keywords=it%27s+good+to+be+a+girl&qid=1726178518&sprefix=it%27s+good+to+be+a%2caps%2c145&sr=8-1 by Jen and Zoe Oshman https://www.amazon.com/king-life-jonathan-eig/dp/0374279292 by Jonathan Eig https://www.amazon.com/virgil-wander-leif-enger/dp/0802147127/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2lzc1keozcoty&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.cs2b2sun-kpgavmt5kjujzq1whcnfhah3us17q-i9ffvj7ntbfrc48a5n_terqt-uk3og52dqs68_8d5d1_6sgxuof7qleo5d9nmqbp6m31dcpjwfsd2fvhjqkh_sbrjhtveetwujooj9rhf2ahfza.a9dkzflzyt6coud4wke-u7ogl32amsjvvnvyocegowy&dib_tag=se&keywords=virgil+wander+leif+enger&qid=1726178200&sprefix=virgil+wa%2caps%2c132&sr=8-1 by Leif Enger https://www.amazon.com/how-know-person-seeing-others/dp/059323006x/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18hbmx256sm4c&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.yvgl5-q15x3w-3u0jzhwchdiqw7tz-tpspve4wgpyoy6wqgg7eh_kq4lbvlhnnyroyna1_yopqz8khf8ixdp1wfs68t6bsjwmaqtlbioja2tavvkcsamfhz2emwblpks-5flq6v_pggfkquvstbt4nnbg_ofylo42mul1vnylu7sym7c1kmqaim2aty-sapjff0m3gwrt5jnzi3to3c6bk7-wftbgkhydstoe2kzc8i.ptz8z6388r0abp0rg1np0q8qulozmji63cwdvwyl-4a&dib_tag=se&keywords=how+to+know+a+person+david+brooks&qid=1726178253&sprefix=how+to+know%2caps%2c145&sr=8-1 by David Brooks https://www.amazon.com/rise-christianity-marginal-religious-centuries/dp/0060677015 by Rodney Stark https://www.amazon.com/dominion-christian-revolution-remade-world/dp/1541675592/ref=sr_1_1?crid=6e6e238j0pfs&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.ciy6rmptf3s5gvvpnkwx_scbkbbiyqcj9qjcizfhqiopqumymdlalts4mfswbvzsufib6y7ab3tzsva81uqp8mvw4fj00pkhxavnauoi8cfme6lnwit1po3yljpatgyje5pkglpzvtita7hnnm3bpyfthya2e919sflr0y7oqd8hifxqvmkbceoe9ae8doe4kky5blkuy2v2shm63u4muf6px-8wt5vdid17upazckw.w-rshegnltdrcg2gr-mqrjiijajnhq6qejr3uxerbuc&dib_tag=se&keywords=dominion+tom+holland&qid=1726178397&s=books&sprefix=dominion%2cstripbooks%2c132&sr=1-1 by Tom Holland https://www.amazon.com/case-against-sexual-revolution/dp/1509549994/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2pbsfuwua1h8y&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.x1nc2pgsihjs7kimfaanbspamg_9i0q4scwzjjeytsvugl6eszbudujc8roov3mosy-jrffr9szdhik0drfuv_l4dn2j1i6gis3fjcheeya.dfujtxa6svcfay1uorisv3_palkscjbbzxbsek-qbly&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+case+against+the+sexual+revolution+by+louise+perry&qid=1726178431&sprefix=the+case+against+the+sex%2caps%2c149&sr=8-1 by Louise Perry

Episode 178 | Jesus the Purifier: John's Gospel and the Fourth Quest for the Historical Jesus

September 18, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Dave Morlan, Craig Blomberg

Autumn and Dave sit down with Dr. Craig Blomberg, Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Denver Seminary and author of over 30 books, to discuss his recent award-winning academic work, Jesus the Purifier: John’s Gospel and the Fourth Quest for the Historical Jesus. What, as an academic field, is the study of the “historical Jesus?” Why has John’s gospel been neglected or assumed to be somewhat irrelevant within this body of work? Dr. Blomberg answers these questions and discusses the emerging consensus regarding demonstrably historical portions of John. He describes the emphasis in Jesus’s ministry on purity and purification that John captures. What is a practical application of this emphasis for the contemporary church? Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/jesus-purifier-gospel-fourth-historical/dp/1540962954 by Craig Blomberg

Episode 177 | Women, Work, And Calling

September 11, 2024 • Autumn Gardner, Joanna Meyer

“...Work plays a critical role in God’s mission. As the Imago Dei, we are made to reflect the image of a Creator God, and we join him in making something of the world. To demonstrate the breadth and nuance of God’s character, we need women and men to be vitally engaged in workplaces, homes, and organizations across our communities, utilizing the full extent of their God-given gifts.” In Women, Work, and Calling: Step Into Your Place in God’s World,” author Joanna Meyer provides vision, encouragement, and practical guidance for women as they navigate work and it’s demands. In this episode, Joanna and Autumn discuss themes from the book by asking, What is God’s design for human work, and how does that theological vision inform our daily work? How does God use the circumstances of our work to shape us? What unique challenges do women face in their work and leadership? How can women and men partner to work together in a way that honors God’s design? Resources mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.com/women-work-calling-place-world-ebook/dp/b0bz1f5szn/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ezgo7ji7hw93&dib=eyj2ijoimsj9.jp0pkllwhbejqtfnph2vyhdjcoilpivcz_xkrqry9_9jsrunkfdtg8r745swgmlxcgrtecoiuexz2hnhnot72o9unucqz_h4mqa4wv8xzbtccxxirumkaaw8oap9ur3q78yoxsyumuhy3znvgymhd_nvfkhcogcnokkycywogarjy09me7hfnghoa5xempd-he627vz2tuovrh3dvtc4ixs9knutnamkrjq6e626aee.pjlzg_ols-a9rtcek8rrazdj4tykgb-48cwxonlaxjs&dib_tag=se&keywords=women+work+and+calling&qid=1718906667&s=digital-text&sprefix=women%2c+work%2c+and+callin%2cdigital-text%2c114&sr=1-1 by Joanna Meyer https://www.amazon.com/half-church-recapturing-global-vision/dp/0310522668/?_encoding=utf8&pd_rd_w=3etgr&content-id=amzn1.sym.f911c8db-3a2b-4b3e-952f-b80fdcee83f4&pf_rd_p=f911c8db-3a2b-4b3e-952f-b80fdcee83f4&pf_rd_r=131-3200248-2947606&pd_rd_wg=1coze&pd_rd_r=78a5a19c-014a-4868-8785-70373db84d48&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk by Carolyn Custis James https://www.denverinstitute.org/ https://www.womenworkandcalling.com/