Episode 484: Why to Leave Evangelicalism & How to Stay with Dan Stringer
Release Date: 11/24/2021
714: What's Driving the Surge of Catholic Converts? plus Gabriel Salguero
The Holy Post
Catholic bishops around the U.S. are reporting a dramatic increase in applications for church membership and a surge of new converts as Easter approaches. What’s driving this new interest in the Catholic Church, and why aren’t evangelical churches seeing a similar boom? Mike Erre joins Phil and Kaitlyn to discuss the trend. Gabriel Salguero is back to update Skye on the impact of immigration enforcement on Hispanic churches and communities. He shares about two evangelical pastors detained in ICE facilities, and why Latino voters are abandoning Donald Trump after giving him record support...
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713: Is “Christian Nationalism” Overused? plus Amar Peterman
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A recent article in The Atlantic argues that we should stop using the label “Christian nationalism” to criticize the religious right because both conservatives and progressives throughout American history have been motivated by Christian faith. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss what the article gets right and why we need to keep talking about the danger of Christian nationalism. Phil wonders why Catholic leaders are outspoken in their criticism of the Iran war, while fewer evangelical leaders are speaking up. Kaitlyn talks with Amar Peterman about his book, Becoming Neighbors: The Common...
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712: A New Kind of Christian Fundamentalism plus Bob Goff
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In the past, Christian fundamentalism was defined by a literal reading of the Bible and conservative social values. They believed in things like a seven-day creation, the rapture, prophecies about the return of Jesus, and supporting the state of Israel. But data shows that fewer evangelicals hold these beliefs, but that doesn’t mean fundamentalism is going away. Skye and Kaitlyn are joined by Mike Erre to discuss the changing definition of Christian fundamentalism in America, and why the older variety may have been better. Then Bob Goff talks about his new video project through the Holy Land...
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711: Donald and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad War plus Preston Sprinkle
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Do you remember the children’s book, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”? That title also sums up what most Americans think about Trump’s new war with Iran. Kaitlyn explains why the war is immoral based on Christian theology, Phil channels Ezra Klein to define America’s new “heads on pikes” foreign policy, and Skye says the war fits Donald Trump’s long pattern of laziness and impatience. Then, Preston Sprinkle is back to discuss his latest book, “From Genesis to Junia,” about his journey to determine what the Bible really says about women in...
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710: Iran, Immigration, & the Trouble with Certainty with Carrie McKean
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The U.S. launched a military strike on Iran and President Trump is framing it in moral terms. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Katelyn Beaty discuss the administration’s shifting justifications for war, and why Christians should be cautious of language that makes it easier to dehumanize enemies. Then, they turn to the mass shooting in Austin and the predictable scramble to turn tragedy into political leverage. Kaitlyn interviews Carrie McKean about why distrust in public health and debates over immigration are often more complicated than our partisan categories allow. Also this week, don’t take selfies...
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709: A Rabbi and a Priest Walk into a Podcast with Father James Martin
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Many of our political leaders invoke the Bible, but Rabbi Shai Held says many don’t understand one of its most important commands. Rabbi Held argues that Scripture’s call to love immigrants was a “moral revolution” and says the mistreatment of immigrants is an abomination in God’s eyes. Skye interviews Father James Martin about his new memoir, “Work in Progress,” about his journey from the business world to the priesthood. They also discuss the link between Jesuit spirituality and Protestant theology, and they get nerdy about Jesus and temple theology. Also this week—the rise...
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708: Mistaking Certainty for Maturity with Joshua Harris
The Holy Post
Thirty years ago, Joshua Harris became the cheerleader for purity culture with his book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye.” Since then, he’s apologized for the book, exited from ministry and his marriage, and announced he’s no longer a Christian. He talks to Skye about his journey from fundamentalism to deconstructionism, and back toward curiosity about Jesus. Also this week, how the Trump administration is making paganism great again, why secular progressives are rediscovering the benefits of religion, and how Christians in Springfield, Ohio, have organized to protect Haitian immigrants from...
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707: Halftime Hullabaloo and Tyler Johnson
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The big game was on Sunday, and for most of the country, it was a big letdown unless you’re heavily invested in the culture war. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye start by breaking down Bad Bunny’s halftime show (en español) and Turning Point USA’s alternative with Kid Rock. Then they discuss how Jesus became such a big part of football culture. Is it good that so many players start their media interviews with a shout-out to their Lord and Savior, or has it become a distracting cliche? Skye talks to Tyler Johnson, the Chief Impact Officer for Come Near, about how their Super Bowl ad this year...
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706: The Second Slap plus Leah Libresco Sargeant
The Holy Post
We’ve all heard the stories of people raised within American evangelicalism who became disillusioned because of abuse, scandals, or political idolatry. Some migrated to more progressive church traditions while others deconstructed their faith entirely. Joshua Harris, made famous for his seminal purity culture book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye,” was in the latter category. Harris now says he is emerging from “a season of overcorrection,” having seen the “bully energy” in progressive spaces, and that he is curious about Jesus again. Then, Katilyn talks to feminist author Leah Libresco...
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705: Minnesota, Civil Rights, & Contagious Courage with Justin Giboney
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The country is on edge after another protester was killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye look at how different Christian journalists and media outlets are covering, or not covering, the story, and what protests against ICE share in common with the Civil Rights movement, and how they’re different. Speaking of the Civil Rights era, Justin Giboney is back to discuss his new book, “Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around.” He believes too much of the American church and our politics has been captivated by the culture war, and learning from the example of the Black church,...
info_outlineIn case you haven’t noticed, the evangelical movement in America is a mess. Some say we should let it all burn down. Others fiercely defend the historic and theological richness of the tradition. Dan Stringer says there’s a third option that is honest about evangelicalism’s failures, while also valuing its strengths. Kaitlyn interviews Stringer about his new book “Struggling with Evangelicalism: Why I Want to Leave and What It Takes to Stay.”
Also this week, former Trump national security advisor Michael Flynn says the U.S. should only allow one religion. Skye explains why the Pilgrims did not come to America for religious freedom, and Christian explores healthy and toxic patriotism. Then, what should we conclude from the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict? Plus, orcas are attacking yachts and Phil celebrates World Toilet Day.
Thanks to the Grow Center for sponsoring this episode. More information about The Ray Bakke Certificate of Biblical and Entrepreneurial Thinking is available here: https://www.thegrowcenter.com
News Segment
0:00 - Intro
04:07 - World Toilet Day12:28 Animal News: Orcas attacking yachts
https://www.yachtingworld.com/cruising/orca-attacks-rudder-losses-and-damage-as-incidents-escalate-133968
18:43 - Michael Flynn says U.S. should mandate one religion
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnists/2021/11/20/michael-flynn-john-hagee-ed-stetzer-one-religion/8649034002/?gnt-cfr=1
42:45 - Kyle Rittenhouse verdict
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/11/kyle-rittenhouse-right-self-defense-role-model/620715/https://robertpjones.substack.com/p/free-as-f-kyle-rittenhouse-whiteness
Interview w/ Dan Stringer “Struggling with Evangelicalism: Why I Want to Leave and What It Takes to Stay” - https://amzn.to/3FIPkyc
54:43 - Interview Start & Guest Background
59:55 - Shifting perspective on evangelicalism
01:04:13 - Importance of remembering our history/tradition
01:12:46 - Communal repentance
https://urbana.org/message/litany
01:16:46 - Learning from each other
01:22:37 - Is this the moment for renewal?
01:27:06 - What next? Responding after pain
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