Embrace Life Under the Sun: Finding Joy and Faithfulness in a Frustrating World

Reclaiming Gravitas - The Mission of Manhood with Bnonn Tennant

Is it still good to be a man? In a culture that increasingly portrays masculinity as dangerous—or unnecessary—many young men are searching for answers. Unfortunately, many are finding them from psychologists, influencers, and internet personalities instead of the church. In this episode of Gardens in Babylon, Kevin Minnett and Riley Toews sit down with Bnonn Tennant, co-author of the influential book It's Good to Be a Man, to discuss what the Bible actually teaches about biblical masculinity, Christian leadership, fatherhood, the church, and why recovering godly men is essential for the future of Christianity. Together they explore why the church has struggled to disciple men, how feminism has influenced modern evangelicalism, what true masculine virtue looks like, and why the gospel—not cultural reaction—is the foundation for authentic biblical manhood. If you're a husband, father, pastor, church leader, or young man trying to navigate today's confusing messages about masculinity, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. In This Episode * Why it's still good to be a man * What biblical masculinity actually looks like * The meaning of gravitas and why men need it * How Christian men develop wisdom, strength, and workmanship * Why the church has become increasingly effeminate * Shepherds vs. modern pastors: recovering biblical leadership * Why young men are searching for masculine role models outside the church * The relationship between the gospel and biblical manhood * Why mission should come before marriage * Raising sons who become godly men * Fatherhood, discipleship, and practical leadership in the home * How Christian men can cultivate biblical virtue in an increasingly hostile culture About Our Guest Bnonn Tennant is a Christian author, pastor, copywriter, and speaker from New Zealand. He is widely known as the co-author of It's Good to Be a Man and co-host of the influential It's Good to Be a Man podcast. His work focuses on biblical theology, Christian masculinity, family discipleship, and helping the church recover a distinctly biblical vision of manhood and womanhood. Resources Mentioned * It's Good to Be a Man — Bnonn Tennant & Michael Foster * The Story of Sex in Scripture — Bill Mauser * The Godly Man's Picture — Thomas Watson Key Topics Biblical Masculinity | Christian Manhood | Biblical Leadership | Complementarianism | Gravitas | Christian Fatherhood | Family Discipleship | Christian Worldview | Biblical Shepherding | Reformed Theology | Gospel-Centered Living | Men's Ministry | Masculine Virtue | Church Leadership | Biblical Marriage | Christian Podcast About Gardens in Babylon Gardens in Babylon exists to help Christians cultivate faithfulness in an increasingly hostile culture. Through conversations with pastors, authors, missionaries, Christian thinkers, and everyday faithful christians we seek to equip believers to build faithful homes, healthy churches, and strong Christian communities for the glory of Christ. If this episode encouraged you: 👍 Like the video 💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments. 📲 Subscribe for more conversations on theology, culture, discipleship, biblical manhood, family, church planting, and Christian living. Keep planting. Keep cultivating. God gives the growth.

The Reformers' Forgotten Stepchildren? What Church History Doesn't Tell You

In this episode of Gardens in Babylon, Kevin Minnett welcomes longtime church historian and Bible teacher John Bjorlie for a fascinating conversation about Leonard Verduin's classic work, The Reformers and Their Stepchildren. John helps unpack the complicated relationship between the Protestant Reformers and the Anabaptist movement. Rather than presenting a simplistic "heroes versus villains" narrative, this discussion explores the theological convictions, political realities, and historical pressures that shaped the sixteenth-century Reformation. Along the way, you'll discover why questions of religious liberty, the purity of the church, believers' baptism, and freedom of conscience continue to matter today. Most importantly, this episode challenges modern Christians to learn from faithful believers who stood firm under persecution and reminds us that following Christ has often required tremendous courage throughout history. One of the major themes throughout this conversation is that church history is rarely as simple as we imagine. While the Protestant Reformers recovered essential biblical truths such as justification by faith alone, the Anabaptists often emphasized the necessity of transformed lives, regenerate church membership, and the importance of living out genuine faith. John explains that many accusations made against the Anabaptists were politically motivated, particularly because rejecting infant baptism was often viewed as rejecting one's citizenship in a society where church membership and civil identity were inseparable. The discussion also explores how believers can appreciate the tremendous contributions of the Reformers while honestly acknowledging their failures, including the persecution of fellow Christians. Ultimately, this episode points listeners back to Christ and reminds us that throughout every generation, God has preserved faithful believers who sought to honor Him regardless of the cost. RESOURCES MENTIONED Books * The Reformers and Their Stepchildren — Leonard Verduin * The Pilgrim Church — E. H. Broadbent * Holiness — J. C. Ryle Historical Figures Discussed * Leonard Verduin * Menno Simons * Martin Luther * John Calvin * Conrad Grebel * Balthasar Hubmaier * Felix Manz * George Blaurock * F. F. Bruce * Charles Leiter * Franklin Littell WHO IS THIS EPISODE FOR? This conversation is especially valuable for: * Reformed and Baptist Christians * Mennonites and those interested in Anabaptist history * Seminary students * Anyone interested in religious liberty and freedom of conscience * Christians seeking to understand persecution through a biblical lens JOIN THE CONVERSATION How should modern Christians evaluate the legacy of the Protestant Reformers? What lessons can today's Church learn from the courage—and the mistakes—of previous generations? Share your thoughts in the comments below. We'd love to hear how studying church history has strengthened your own faith. ---------------------------------------- If you enjoyed this episode: 👍 Like this video 🔔 Subscribe to Gardens in Babylon 📤 Share this conversation with a friend who loves church history or theology. Every week we explore how Christians can faithfully cultivate God's Kingdom while living as exiles in today's culture. #ChurchHistory #Anabaptists #ProtestantReformation #LeonardVerduin #ReligiousLiberty #FreedomOfConscience #ReformedTheology #BaptistHistory #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWorldview #PersecutedChurch #GardensInBabylon

Go on Offence - With Chase Davis

Has modern Christianity become too nice? Has the Church traded biblical courage for cultural approval? In this episode of Gardens in Babylon, Kevin Minnett and Riley Toews sit down with Pastor Chase Davis, author of Offensive Christianity: Why the Modern Church Needs Courage in a Feminized Age, to discuss why so many churches have become hesitant to confront sin, engage culture, and call men to biblical leadership. Together they explore what Scripture actually teaches about biblical masculinity, meekness, courage, leadership, physical discipline, political engagement, fatherhood, and how Christians can remain faithful in an increasingly anti-Christian culture. Whether you agree or disagree with Chase's conclusions, this conversation will challenge you to think carefully about what it means to follow Christ with conviction rather than cultural accommodation. IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS: * Why Chase Davis wrote Offensive Christianity * Has Christianity become "too nice"? * The feminization of modern culture and the church * Biblical masculinity vs. cultural stereotypes * What Jesus meant by "the meek shall inherit the earth" * Raising courageous sons in a passive culture * Why physical discipline matters for Christian men * The role of fathers in forming godly leadership * How Christians should engage politics without losing the Gospel * Theodore Roosevelt, Josiah, and historical examples of courageous leadership * What it means to "Do Your Job" as a Christian man * Faithfulness in hostile cultural environments * Ministry in Boulder, Colorado * Practical encouragement for pastors, fathers, and young men If you're looking for thoughtful conversations on Christian living, biblical worldview, Reformed theology, discipleship, church planting, family, culture, and faithful living in a secular age, be sure to subscribe to Gardens in Babylon. RESOURCES MENTIONED 📖 Offensive Christianity by Chase Davis https://offensivechristianitybook.com [https://offensivechristianitybook.com] 🌐 Chase Davis https://jchasedavis.com [https://jchasedavis.com] 📚 Commonplace Study https://commonplace.study [https://commonplace.study] ⛪ Burn the Ships Conference https://boulderwell.org/burn-the-ships [https://boulderwell.org/burn-the-ships] ---------------------------------------- ABOUT GARDENS IN BABYLON Gardens in Babylon is a podcast exploring how Christians can cultivate faithfulness in a culture increasingly opposed to biblical truth. Hosted by pastors Kevin Minnett and Riley Toews, each episode features conversations on theology, church planting, discipleship, biblical worldview, culture, apologetics, evangelism, family, and practical Christian living. Subscribe for weekly conversations designed to equip believers to build faithfully, stand courageously, and plant gardens even in Babylon. ---------------------------------------- Subscribe for more biblical conversations every week. 👍 Like the video if it encouraged you. 💬 Join the discussion in the comments: What does biblical courage look like in today's culture? #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalMasculinity #ChaseDavis #ReformedTheology #ChristianWorldview #GardensInBabylon #ChurchLeadership #BiblicalManhood #ChristianCulture #ChurchPlanting #Apologetics #Discipleship #Fatherhood #Theology #BiblicalLeadership

Men Were Made for Battle: Souls Are Worth Fighting For

What does it really mean to be a biblical man? Much of today's conversation around biblical masculinity emphasizes building, providing, protecting, leadership, and discipline. Those are all essential—but are we overlooking one of the clearest duties Christ gave His followers? In this episode of Gardens in Babylon, Kevin Minnett sits down with evangelist, church planter, and author Ryan Denton to discuss why evangelism and soul winning are essential marks of biblical manhood. Ryan explains why many Christians are intimidated by evangelism, and offers practical encouragement for ordinary believers who want to faithfully share the gospel in everyday life. Whether you're a pastor, husband, father, or simply a Christian wanting to grow in courage, this conversation will challenge and equip you. ---------------------------------------- IN THIS EPISODE * Why biblical manhood must include evangelism * The greatest battle every Christian man is called to fight * Why sharing the gospel requires real courage * Open-air preaching vs. relational evangelism * How to overcome the fear of man * Practical ways to begin sharing your faith today * The relationship between cultural engagement and gospel proclamation * How God uses ordinary believers to save souls ---------------------------------------- KEY BIBLE PASSAGES DISCUSSED * Matthew 28:18–20 (The Great Commission) * Romans 1:16 * Romans 10:14–17 * Proverbs 11:30 * 2 Timothy 2 * Mark 5:1–20 (The Demoniac) * Psalm 127:1 ---------------------------------------- RESOURCES MENTIONED 📘 Even If None: Reclaiming Biblical Evangelism by Ryan Denton https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Even+If+None+Ryan+Denton [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Even+If+None+Ryan+Denton] 📘 A Student's Guide to Evangelism by Ryan Denton https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Student%27s+Guide+to+Evangelism+Ryan+Denton [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Student%27s+Guide+to+Evangelism+Ryan+Denton] 🌐 Ryan Denton's Website https://ryandenton.com [https://ryandenton.com] 🌐 Presbyterian Ministry Website https://presbypreacher.com [https://presbypreacher.com] ▶️ Ryan Denton on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ryan+Denton+Texas+Preacher [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Ryan+Denton+Texas+Preacher] 𝕏 Ryan Denton ("Texas Preacher") https://x.com/search?q=Ryan%20Denton%20Texas%20Preacher [https://x.com/search?q=Ryan%20Denton%20Texas%20Preacher] ---------------------------------------- Gardens in Babylon exists to encourage Christians to pursue faithful living in an increasingly hostile culture. If this episode encouraged you: ✅ Like the video ✅ Subscribe to the channel ✅ Share it with someone who needs encouragement ✅ Leave a comment letting us know your biggest takeaway ---------------------------------------- SEARCH KEYWORDS biblical manhood, Christian masculinity, evangelism, soul winning, how to share the gospel, Great Commission, open air preaching, Ryan Denton, biblical evangelism, Christian podcast, reformed theology, gospel conversations, courage to evangelize, Christian men, discipleship, sharing your faith, apologetics, church evangelism, biblical leadership, Gardens in Babylon ---------------------------------------- #BiblicalManhood #Evangelism #SoulWinning #ChristianPodcast #RyanDenton #GreatCommission #ReformedTheology #ChristianMen #Gospel #Discipleship #OpenAirPreaching ----------------------------------------

Faithful Through the Fire: Leading Through Medical Challenges, Ministry, and the Making of Godly Men

Faithful Through the Fire: Leading Through Medical Challenges, Ministry, and the Making of Godly Men Scheduled Jun 29•S2 E2 In a culture that constantly redefines masculinity, what does true, biblical manhood look like when tested by decades of trials? In this episode of Gardens in Babylon, hosts Kevin and Riley Toews dive into the heart of godly masculinity, sacrificial love, and enduring commitment. They are joined by Steve Pettit (former President of Bob Jones University and current President of the Palmetto Family Council) and his wife, Terry Pettit. Together, they share a raw, powerful testimony of navigating over 40 years of marriage, full-time evangelistic ministry, and a relentless gauntlet of health crises—including Multiple Sclerosis, multiple cancers, and liver cirrhosis. If you want to know how to set the spiritual climate of your home when the storms of life hit, this episode is a masterclass in long faithfulness in the same direction. 🔑 Key Takeaways from the Episode1. Men Are the Thermostats, Not the Thermometers A thermometer merely records the temperature of the room; a thermostat sets it. In Christian marriage, a husband has a God-ordained responsibility to take the initiative and set the climate of warmth, affection, and stability—regardless of how external circumstances change. 2. Duty to Your Spouse is Rooted in Duty to God Our marital duties are not a reward system for a spouse who makes life easy. True sacrificial love means sticking to the vows of in sickness and in health because our ultimate obedience is to Christ, making the behavior of others irrelevant to our call to love. "As a man is, so is his strength. Manhood is manifested in strength, courage—the courage to do right, the strength to carry on, and perseverance." — Steve Pettit 3. The Power of "Long Faithfulness" Steve and Terry model what it looks like to carry unusual burdens alongside unusual blessings. Their secret? A relentless commitment to daily Scripture reading, local church community, and a spirit-controlled life that allows the peace of God to anchor them in times of deep uncertainty. 📚 Resources & Links Mentioned * Palmetto Family Council: Discover how Steve is advocating for biblical worldview values in South Carolina at Palmetto Family [https://www.palmettofamily.org/]. * Featured Children's Book: Bible Lands Books: 50 Animals in the Bible by Rebecca Pettit. Perfect for your family devotions. * U8IOLOAKBKC7HUBR, FYUDTXYZXF1BPMPD, MAE8VLZ9WJAWPHF5