Episode 533: Why Do We Struggle with the Sabbath? with Ruth Haley Barton
Release Date: 11/02/2022
548 Andy Stanley, Spirit Warriors & The Greatest Threat To Christianity
The Holy Post
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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547 French Friday: Selling Out, Gay Wedding Websites, & How People Change
The Holy Post
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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546 England’s Same-Sex Marriage Compromise & Brazil’s January 6th
The Holy Post
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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545 What Story is the Bible Telling? with Timothy Gombis
The Holy Post
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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544: MLK, Reparations, & the Benefits of Awe
The Holy Post
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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543: Women and the Gender of God with Amy Peeler
The Holy Post
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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542: How to Repair American Evangelicalism with Walter Kim
The Holy Post
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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French Friday: Free Speech & Social Media
The Holy Post
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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541: Rethinking Heaven, the Harrowing of Hell, & Christian Civics with Michael Wear
The Holy Post
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......
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540: Top Stories of ’22, “Tots of Scorn,” & the Naughty List with a Secret Guest
The Holy Post
What were the most important stories of 2022? Phil, Skye, and Christian discuss the embrace of Christian Nationalism, political and cultural issues dividing evangelicalism, and how Twitter has deteriorated into a middle school lunchroom food fight. They also discuss their predictions for 2023 including the frightening rise of A.I., and how a bus could bring Americans together. The hosts are also interrupted by an unexpected guest who wants to set the record straight about the War on Christmas, and why Phil is on the “Naughty List.” Plus, everyone’s favorite Christmas songs, hymns, and...
info_outlineElon Musk announced his takeover of Twitter by carrying a porcelain sink into the headquarters. Will his plan to loosen restrictions on social media help or hurt the country? Archeologist have discovered a new way to verify events in the Old Testament, but Phil wonders if anyone really cares. And is it ever loving for Christians to mock their opponents? The gang examines six rules for Christian mockery from the 17th century and why they may not apply today. Then, spiritual director Ruth Haley Barton explains how she came to see sabbath as a gift rather than an obligation. Her new book, “Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest,” looks at why we struggle to practice sabbath rest, the challenge of technology, and how to make sabbath a lifestyle and not just a weekly discipline. Plus, the saving power of worm spit.
Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks...How do we build unity around the cross? - https://www.patreon.com/posts/74098797/
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News Segment
0:00 - Intro
5:08 - Worm spit
9:12 - Elon Musk and Twitter
18:57 - Geomagnetic fields and Biblical narratives
29:46 - Rules for Christian mockery
45:21 - Sponsor: Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology
Visit www.biola.edu/talbot for more information and to apply today.
Interview with Ruth Haley Barton
“Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again” - https://amzn.to/3FSkMgP
Ruth Haley Barton - https://www.ruthhaleybarton.com
46:33 - Interview intro
49:09 - Spiritual formation
52:59 - Value of sabbath
56:34 - Guilt around sabbath
1:00:47 - More than a day of rest
1:04:46 - Sabbath as delight
1:07:00 - Challenges of technology
1:17:55 - A communal practice
1:24:24 - Credits
Links from news segment:
“Worm spit could be a secret cure to the world’s plastic problem” (Inverse) - https://www.inverse.com/innovation/worm-saliva-plastic-pollution
“TAU, HU Scientific Breakthrough: Geomagnetic Fields Reveal Truth of Biblical Narratives” (Jewish Press) - https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/tau-hu-scientific-breakthrough-geomagnetic-fields-reveal-truth-of-biblical-narratives/2022/10/25/
“Can you laugh at your enemies and love them? Rules for Christian mockery” (The Christian Post) - https://www.christianpost.com/voices/can-you-laugh-at-your-enemies-and-love-them.html
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