687: Charlie Kirk & the Conflict Entrepreneurs
The Holy Post
Last week, a gunman in Utah killed Charlie Kirk on a college campus. Rather than uniting the country against political violence, Kirk’s assassination has only made divisions wider. Some on the left celebrated his death, saying he reaped what he sowed, while some on the right, including the President, are calling for retribution against all leftists. One of the few voices trying to lower the temperature has been Utah’s Republican governor, Spencer Cox, who lamented the polarizing influence of social media and the “conflict entrepreneurs who benefit from radicalizing us.” Phil offers his...
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686: Shootings, Single Fathers, & the Shadow Side of Ambition with Miroslav Volf
The Holy Post
Following the school shooting in Minneapolis, The Christian Post has offered a definitive answer for why these massacres keep happening and why gun restrictions won’t work—people are evil. But why don’t politically conservative Christians apply this logic to any other issues? Surprising new data show that more young men than women want to be parents one day, and there’s a growing trend of single men becoming fathers by choice. What does this reveal about our society and the breakdown of dating and marriage? Theologian and best-selling author, Miroslav Volf, discusses his new book,...
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685: Finding Unity in a Divided Church with Beth Moore
The Holy Post
Is unity in the church still possible when everyone is so divided? At the Legacy Conference in Chicago, Beth Moore joins Esau, Kaitlyn, and Skye to wrestle with what it means to remain in community with believers we deeply disagree with. Together they explore why purity tests are dividing Christians online, how cynicism masquerades as wisdom, and why endless outrage is not a productive way to go through life. Plus, some Q and A with the audience, and humpback whales may be the key to solving the empathy debate. Holy Post Plus: Bonus Q&A Question: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: ...
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684: Dobson Died, Cracker Barrel Cancelled, & Flipping Christian Politics with James Talarico
The Holy Post
James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, died this week. Critics are saying Dobson was the “godfather of child abuse,” while his fans are saying he belongs on the Mount Rushmore of evangelicalism. Who’s right? Phil, Skye, and Mike Erre discuss Dobson’s legacy and why the controversial conservative is secretly responsible for the creation of VeggieTales. Rising political social media star and Texas state representative, James Talarico, joins Skye to talk about his faith and what makes his frequent references to Christianity in his progressive politics different from the...
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683: The Meaning of the Scopes Monkey Trial 100yrs Later with Chris Staron
The Holy Post
New data shows the nations with the highest standards of living are seeing the sharpest declines in wellbeing, while people in poorer countries are reporting more happiness. What’s going on? David Brooks’ recent article looked at data from 142 countries, and he concludes that spirituality and social connection, not just wealth, are critical to human flourishing. In related news, since legalizing euthanasia in 2016 and expanding access to it, Canada has seen an alarming trend. Then, it’s been 100 years since the Scopes Monkey Trial. Phil talks to Chris Staron, creator of the Truce...
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682: Why We Still Need the Institutional Church with Brad Edwards
The Holy Post
The Holy Post crew is suspicious of a new study that finds MAGA supporters score higher in authoritarianism, social dominance, and malevolent personality traits, while liberals score higher in compassion and empathy. Church planter, Brad Edwards, says many of us hold beliefs, language, and values that sabotage our ability to benefit from participation in a church. He talks to Kaitlyn about his new book, “The Reason for Church,” and why our anti-institutional instincts are self-defeating. Also this week, the Secretary of Defense reposted comments from his pastor that women shouldn’t be...
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681: Strategically Small Churches with Brandon O'Brien
The Holy Post
A whites-only community has launched in Arkansas under the legal guise of a “private membership association.” The founders claim it’s about preserving culture, but Skye and Phil aren’t buying it. Then, Brent Leatherwood, head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm, has resigned after years of pressure from hardline conservatives. What does his departure reveal about the denomination’s political realignment? And, this week’s guest is Brandon O’Brien, author of The Strategically Small Church. As American Christianity grapples with shrinking attendance and...
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680: Cancelling Colbert, Starving Gaza, & American Charisma with Molly Worthen
The Holy Post
CBS has cancelled the top-rated late-night talk show. Was it really a financial decision, or was it done to get the Trump administration to approve a corporate merger? And will Stephen Colbert now come on the Holy Post? Horrific images of starvation are coming out of Gaza as pressure builds on the Israeli government to end the war, but when does pro-Palestinian activism cross the line into antisemitism? Historian Molly Worthen’s new book, “Spellbound,” explains how charismatic political and religious movements have shaped America, and why they depend more on a compelling story than a...
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679: Individualism, Transhumanism, & Learning from Abolitionists with Daniel Lee Hill
The Holy Post
Why is our society so fractured and angry? David Brooks’ recent article draws from the work of moral philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre to explain how we got here, but what is the solution? With the growth of A.I., some Christians think technology may be how God redeems humanity and gives us eternal life. But is this still Christianity or a strange new Silicon Valley heresy? Kaitlyn talks to Daniel Lee Hill about his latest book, “Bearing Witness: What the Church Can Learn from Early Abolitionists.” Also this week—dolphins learn to puff the magic fish. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free...
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678: Is Gen Z Having a Religious Revival? with Ryan Burge
The Holy Post
The IRS has decided churches are no longer prohibited from endorsing political candidates. Is this a win for free speech or a reason for some churches to become even more partisan? The Department of Homeland Security has released a creepy new promotional video that uses the Bible to frame border security as a mission from God. The Christian who gave George W. Bush the idea of “compassionate conservatism” says the passing of the Big Beautiful Bill marks the end of an era for the GOP. Professor Ryan Burge is back with data about the religious outlook of Gen Z. Some see evidence of a revival,...
info_outlineFrom Harvard Law School to The New York Times, David French has repeatedly found himself in communities where secular progressivism is the majority view, and where his Christian beliefs face suspicion, ridicule, or even hostility. Skye Jethani asks French how he's learned to not just survive in these post-Christian enclaves, but actually thrive. What mistakes did he make? How did he successfully build relationships across political and philosophical barriers? And how did closer connections with those he disagreed with strengthen his faith? French also explains why Christians who sow fear and anger toward the culture will reap fear and anger from the culture. He's made that error and says joy and curiosity are what Christian leaders need to display in the public square instead.
0:00 - Intro
1:29 - David’s childhood in rural Kentucky
7:23 - Sponsor - Blueland
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8:37 - David’s time at Harvard
23:18 - Sponsor - Hiya Health
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24:24 - Sponsor - Sundays
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25:38 - How Christians should tolerate beliefs they disagree with
34:48 - David’s regret about being too combative
49:26 -The Power of Joy
58:49 - End Credits
Links mentioned in interview
Holy Post episode 412 - This is Your Brain on God with Jim Wilder
https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-403-this-is-your-brain-on-god-with-dr-jim-wilder
Other resources:
David French: https://twitter.com/DavidAFrench
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