622: How Ideological Purity is Killing Churches with Ryan Burge
Release Date: 06/19/2024
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
The Holy Post
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
The Holy Post
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
The Holy Post
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
The Holy Post
“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...
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728: The Political Divide over Matthew 25 plus Tish Harrison Warren
The Holy Post
Two members of Congress, one Republican and one Democrat, had a meeting recently where they fundamentally disagreed about the meaning of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. Their disagreement has now spilled into the media. Why has this chapter of the Bible become the new dividing line between Christians in the public square? Kaityn interviews Tish Harrison Warren about her new book about Christian resilience and what disillusioned believers can learn from the desert mothers and fathers. And fifty years ago, the media declared 1976 the “Year of the Evangelicals.” The Holy Post crew...
info_outlineRemember when churches were seeker-sensitive? The goal was to grow by welcoming newcomers, skeptics, and non-believers. But now it seems some evangelical churches and denominations are more worried about ideological purity than outreach. Sociologist, political scientists, and pastor Ryan Burge is back to talk about the self-defeating trend toward subtraction rather than addition in the church. Also this week, the Southern Baptists decide not to ban all women pastors…yet. Megan Basham claims evangelical leaders aren’t selling out to conservative constituents, but to gain the approval of liberal elites. Death cafes open in L.A., and the Swiss are making tiny computers from brain cells. What could possibly go wrong?
0:00 - Intro
1:18 - Show Starts
3:14 - Theme Song
3:35 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 35% off your first order of Sundays. Go to www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.
4:47 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get 15% off your first order by going to https://www.blueland.com/HOLYPOST
5:58 - Democracy Betrays News of the Butt
6:38 - What Could Possibly Go Wrong with Swiss Brain-Computers
13:02 - SBC Law Amendment Denied Ratification
20:33 - Baptist Church Conservative Resurgence
25:03 - Being a Cultural War Symbol Rather Than a Person
30:20 - Shepherds for Sale and How Everyone Has Economic Benefit
36:37 - The Temptation to Look Down on Others
41:55 - Modern Death Cafes in Los Angeles
44:28 - Sleeping in a Room with a Casket
51:40 - Sponsor - Better Help - “This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get on your way to being your best self.” www.betterhelp.com/holypost
52:40 - Interview
59:56 - American Behavior Changing Faster Than Their Beliefs
1:05:43 - The Disappearance of The Christian Left
1:09:22 - Strict Churches vs Moderate Churches
1:22:10 - The Nicene Creed, Doctrine, and Dogma
1:31:53 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in the News Segment:
Swiss Startup Connects 16 Human Mini-Brains to Create Low Energy ‘Biocomputer’:
SBC Law Amendment Vote:
https://www.newyorker.com/news/on-religion/an-unexpected-turn-in-the-evangelical-culture-wars
Modern Death Cafes in LA:
https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2024-06-12/death-cafes-los-angeles-grieving-discussion-group
Other resources:
Cafeteria Catholicism: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/cafeteria-catholicism
Americans Dropping Out of Everything:
https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/dropping-out-of-everything
Most Americans are Still Christians:
https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/most-americans-are-still-christians
Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/
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