Episode 534: Does Ministry Matter More than the Marketplace? with Joe Leininger
Release Date: 11/09/2022
738: Are Evangelicalism’s Failures Bugs or a Feature? with Bonnie Kristian
The Holy Post
Following the 9/11 terrorist attack 25 years ago, Americans began using more “good versus evil” rhetoric, but have we taken it too far? Many of the tech bros developing AI were fans of sci-fi novels and movies in middle school, but completely missed the point of those stories. We may all pay the price. Bonnie Kristian, the deputy editor at Christianity Today, returns to discuss her new book “In Defense of Evangelicalism.” While she agrees with many of the recent criticisms of the movement, she says the problems within evangelicalism are bugs rather than features and believes its...
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737: The Surprising Origin of Evangelical Femininity with Kristin Kobes Du Mez
The Holy Post
Historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of the best-selling “Jesus and John Wayne,” is back with another look at the forces that shaped modern American evangelicalism. This time she explores the backstory of evangelical femininity in her new book, “Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made.” Also this week: Phil wants to know what links three recent celebrity deaths—Dolly Parton, Gloria Steinem, and Wendell Berry. To the surprise of many, The Christian Post has published an anti-Christian nationalist article. Is it a sign that the evangelical...
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736: Reuniting Justice & Righteousness with Charlie Dates
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Why are the Christians who profess right doctrine about God often the most opposed to social justice in his name? That contradiction is at the heart of Charlie Dates’ new book. He talks with Skye about how separating justice and righteousness is damaging both white evangelicalism and young black activists. Also this week: Reflections on the wisdom of Dolly Parton, why religious tolerance isn’t enough to heal America’s divisions, and the difficulty of being an introvert within evangelicalism. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: ...
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735: Is Socialism Christian? plus Matthew Loftus
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Socialism appears to be having a moment with a recent CNN poll finding that one-third of Democratic voters now consider themselves “democratic socialists.” But what does socialism believe, and is it compatible with Christianity? Kaitlyn interviews Matthew Loftus about pop psychology and how the spread of therapy culture can distort the Christian life. Also this week: After shutting down U.S.A.I.D., why is the Trump administration now increasing funding to Christian relief agencies? Why do conservatives have more children than liberals? And would you like cake in your shake? Holy...
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734: The Problem With Modern Dating Culture and the Resurgence of Christian Music with Kelsey McGinnis
The Holy Post
Dating apps were supposed to make romance easier, but have they actually made men and women worse at dating? Kaitlyn Schiess takes over the host chair with Skye Jethani and Mike Erre to talk about Bumble’s decision to let men make the first move and why modern dating culture seems to be leaving everyone frustrated. Then they turn to AI and ask what happens when people start outsourcing friendship, advice, and intimacy to chatbots, and why churchgoing Christians may be especially eager to trust the technology. Later, Kaitlyn talks with musicologist Kelsey McGinnis about the resurgence of...
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733: Will Progressive Pastors Close the Political “God Gap”? and Elizabeth Neumann
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Since the 1980s, the Republican Party has increasingly been associated with Christianity, while the Democratic Party has distanced itself from religious rhetoric to be more inclusive. But is that changing? This year, a surprising number of pastors are running for Congress as Democrats, and they are not shy about infusing their campaigns with faith. Republicans eager to protect their brand are fighting back by calling these progressive clergy candidates “PINOs”—Pastors in Name Only. In related news, Ryan Burge reveals surprising data about the political views of mainline ministers....
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732: Mailbag! Prenups, "Mere Christianity," and Did Jesus Help People Get Drunk?
The Holy Post
The age of generic, non-denominational Christianity may be coming to an end. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss why Christians are increasingly drawn to narrower theological identities, and whether the internet is turning legitimate doctrinal differences into purity tests and church fights. Then, the crew opens the mailbag to answer whether prenuptial agreements are compatible with Christian marriage and if praying in public is an authentic expression of faith or an uncomfortable performance. They also consider what Christians should read to better understand the end times and why Jesus supplied...
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731: Why You Should Talk to Strangers with Nicholas Epley
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“Big Eva” may be fading, but a new generation of online Christian influencers is taking its place. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the rise of “Gig Eva,” how digital platforms are reshaping Christian authority, and why accountability to real churches and communities still matters. Then, the number of words people speak each day is dropping as more of everyday life moves online. The crew considers what we lose when convenience replaces even the smallest human interactions. Then, Skye talks with behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley about why conversations with strangers usually go better...
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730: The Idolatry of Church Growth with Andrew Root
The Holy Post
Why was there almost no emphasis on “church growth” before the 1970s, and how does the fixation on it for the last 40 years correspond with the American economy? Skye talks with Andrew Root about his new book, “Baal and the Gods of More,” about the link between the modern church growth movement and ancient pagan fertility gods. A new report by Ryan Burge says that for decades those who left the church were turned off by partisan politics and the religious right, but that trend might be changing. Also this week, Brazil blames its poor performance in the World Cup on evangelicals,...
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729: Church Trauma & the Apostle Paul with Scot McKnight
The Holy Post
Some of the Apostle Paul’s letters in the Bible can be defensive, sarcastic, and even mean. New Testament scholar Scot McKnight says his nasty tone may stem from deep pain. But Paul’s trauma wasn’t caused by the persecution of nonbelievers but by fellow Christians. He offers Skye an illuminating look into what the apostle can teach us about church trauma today. Mike Erre joins the podcast crew to discuss the declining support for Israel among American Christians, the weird work of VR missionaries, a theory about aliveness that challenges introverts, and a robot that responds when nature...
info_outlineWith the midterm elections happening in the U.S., we’ve seen a rise in both hyperbolic political rhetoric and political violence. There’s evidence that fewer Christians are willing to denounce the use of armed conflict to achieve political goals, with some even arguing America was founded on it. Are they right? Is there a Christian case for political violence? Then, Skye interviews Joe Leininger, a Christian business leader about his journey from believing God only cared about ministry to a much wider vision of his work in the world. Leininger’s new book, “Dirt Clods and Donkeys: An experiment in mentoring that changed lives,” explores how he has helped other Christians in the marketplace develop a more integrated faith. Also this week—Indiana police pursue Pikachu, don’t kiss camels in Qatar, and Kaitlyn explains why she’s a nerd but not a geek.
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News Segment
00:00 - Intro
5:27 - Police pursue Pikachu
11:27 - Camels in Qatar
18:35 - Political violence
42:25 - Sponsor: Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology
Visit www.biola.edu/talbot for more information and to apply today.
Interview with Joe Leininger
“Dirt Clods and Donkeys” - https://amzn.to/3G22UQE
Joe Leininger - https://joeleininger.com
43:36 - Interview intro
46:09 - Formation in faith and business
51:28 - Christian assumptions about business
55:50 - A wider vision of God’s work in the world
1:01:45 - Capitalism
1:05:44 - Risk and allocation of resources
1:09:31 - Mentoring
1:14:10 - Credits
Links from news segment:
“Indiana man dressed as Pikachu ran from police on lawn mower, cops say” - https://fox59.com/indiana-news/indiana-man-dressed-as-pikachu-ran-from-police-on-lawn-mower-cops-say/
“World Cup fans told ‘steer clear of camels’ in Qatar due to bug ‘deadlier than Covid’ - https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-camels-covid-bug-28373022
“Some American Protestants Aren’t Letting Go of Revolution” - https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/november/protestants-political-violence-protest-pelosi.html
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