Episode 530: Can We Still Trust the News? with Bonnie Kristian
Release Date: 10/12/2022
The Holy Post
Phil catches up with friend-of-the-show Esau McCaulley (New Testament Professor, NYT columnist, author of CT Book of the Year Reading While Black) for a wide-ranging conversation. Why do we keep getting MLK wrong? What do Black voices give up in order to be invited into white spaces, and is there a better way? What does McCaulley do to refocus on Jesus? And why did he decide his new book should be about, of all things, Lent?? McCaulley is a deep thinker AND a little bit of a goofball. Which makes his conversations with Phil always worth your time. Patreon Bonus: Click here for info...
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In a video clip from a sermon, influential megachurch pastor Andy Stanley said gay men and women who remain in the church “have more faith than a lot of you.” The backlash has been swift, but are people misunderstanding his point? And why do some Christians think shifting views on sexuality and gender are the greatest threat to the church, while others believe it’s Christian Nationalism and politics? Who’s right? And what does our view say about us? And a new article explains the rise of Spirit Warriors—the independent Christian “prophets” on YouTube mixing politics and spiritual...
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David French shares about his move to The New York Times, and why MAGA Conservatives call him a “sell out” when journalism on the far right is where the big money is found. Then, Skye and David discuss the 303 Creative case at the Supreme Court. Is creating a website a service or is it speech? The answer will determine whether the government may compel some religious businesses to support same-sex weddings. And new research shows diversity training is largely ineffective. Why do we continue to believe pre-packaged programs—both inside and outside the church—are how to change beliefs...
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The Church of England has decided to not allow same-sex marriages, but it will bless civil same-sex unions. Is it a wise compromise or terrible attempt to dodge a divisive issue? Brazil’s president lost reelection and his conservative Christian supporters stormed the capital. Is the American church exporting its nuttiness? New research from Gallop reveals which professions are the most and least trusted. Where do pastors land on the list? Plus, A.I. is causing layoffs for tech workers, Trump is angry at evangelical leaders, and broken Japanese toilets. Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks......
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What story are we in? A rescue plan to get us out of a dying world? God's mission to save us from sin? Is my true purpose in life to "go to heaven and take as many people with me as I can?" Is the Bible all about Jesus? Phil sits down with the ever-provocative New Testament Bible scholar Timothy Gombis to talk about the BIG story of the Bible and God's plan for us that's even bigger than "rescue from sin." After the interview, Skye and Christian join Phil to debrief and sing, in the words of a certain tomato, the "what have we learned?" song. Patreon...
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Martin Luther King Jr. is widely celebrated today, but that wasn’t the case when he was killed in 1968. Esau McCaulley’s editorial explains how King’s current popularity comes from the tendency to cherry pick a few MLK quotes about race, but conveniently overlook his more controversial sermons about poverty, justice, and reparations. What does it mean to take King’s words seriously today? Then, scientists have discovered the enormous psychological benefits of awe—the simultaneous feeling of overwhelming wonder and one’s own insignificance. But are they simply affirming what every...
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When Damar Hamlin collapsed during Monday Night Football we witnessed an outpouring of public prayer. We also saw a flood of vaccine conspiracy theories hit social media. Phil asks, why are conservative Christians so distrustful of experts and enamored with fringe conspiracies? Then, David French has joined The New York Times. Progressives are upset about his Christian views, and conservatives are accusing him of selling out for acceptance among liberal elites. This launches the hosts into a broader discussion about the difference between principled pluralism and cultural accommodation. And...
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The pandemic was miserable for mothers, right? New research disputes that claim and shows moms were actually happier than childless women. But not ALL moms. What makes the difference? A survey shows both conservative and progressive Americans believe the absolute worst about each other. Is there any hope for healing the divide? What makes human leg muscles different from other primate species? Phil gets to the bottom of it. And Skye interviews Walter Kim, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, about what’s broken in the evangelical movement in America and how to repair...
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Voices on the right, from Elon Musk to Fox News, are accusing social media companies of violating the First Amendment's protection of free speech. David French is back to talk with Skye Jethani about what speech the First Amendment does, and does not, protect. And he explains why the decision of a private citizen or company, like Twitter, to remove content or limit free speech is not unconstitutional. They also debate what responsibility social media companies do have for the speech they allow on their platforms, as well as court cases in Texas and Florida that could dramatically change how...
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or our final episode of 2022, we are sharing with everyone two bonus features that are normally exclusively available to Holy Post supporters. First, you’ll hear an episode of “Christian Asks” where Skye explains what the Bible says, and does not say, about what happens to us after we die. Then, we’re sharing one of the most popular episodes of “Getting Schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess” about the doctrine of the harrowing of hell. After that, Kaitlyn interviews Michael Wear, the founder and president of The Center for Christianity and Public Life. 0:00 - Intro 2:01 - Christian Asks......
info_outlineResearch now shows that people who constantly consume the news are three times more likely to hold incorrect perspectives than those who only consume news occasionally. How did the news business shift from reporting to distorting? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss a new article that blames comedian Jon Stewart and The Daily Show for unintentionally transforming the media into a “subscription-based narrative production” business.
Then, Skye talks to journalist Bonnie Kristian about her book, “Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community.” She explains the economic and cultural forces that have warped journalism, and strategies that can help us avoid being misinformed. Also this week, Focus on the Family defends Christopher Columbus, and Phil reports on his latest Twitter skirmishes involving abortion and trans vegetables.
Bonus Patreon Interview with Bonnie Kristian: Three steps against conspiracism - https://www.patreon.com/posts/73183372/
News Segment
0:00 - Intro
4:11 - Phil's Twitter skirmishes
21:39 - Columbus Day
32:52 - Narratives in media
Sponsor
51:45 - Sponsor: Biola University's Talbot School of Theology
Visit www.biola.edu/talbot for more information and to apply today.
Interview with Bonnie Kristian
"Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community" - https://amzn.to/3MpJ2bc
55:03 - Journalism over the past decade
57:23 - Knowledge crisis on the right and the left
1:00:13 - The perception gap
1:03:44 - Profit-driven news
1:09:18 - Social media and news
1:14:53 - Cancel culture
1:22:15 - Navigating media engagement
1:29:07 - Episode credits
Articles from news segment:
"Go Ahead and Celebrate Christopher Columbus, Who Sought to Tell the New World About Jesus Christ" by Paul Batura (Focus on the Family's Daily Citizen) - https://dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com/go-ahead-and-celebrate-christopher-columbus-who-sought-to-tell-the-new-world-about-jesus-christ/
"How Stewart Made Tucker" by Jon Askonas (The New Atlantis) - https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/how-stewart-made-tucker
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