622: How Ideological Purity is Killing Churches with Ryan Burge
Release Date: 06/19/2024
713: Is “Christian Nationalism” Overused? plus Amar Peterman
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A recent article in The Atlantic argues that we should stop using the label “Christian nationalism” to criticize the religious right because both conservatives and progressives throughout American history have been motivated by Christian faith. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss what the article gets right and why we need to keep talking about the danger of Christian nationalism. Phil wonders why Catholic leaders are outspoken in their criticism of the Iran war, while fewer evangelical leaders are speaking up. Kaitlyn talks with Amar Peterman about his book, Becoming Neighbors: The Common...
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712: A New Kind of Christian Fundamentalism plus Bob Goff
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In the past, Christian fundamentalism was defined by a literal reading of the Bible and conservative social values. They believed in things like a seven-day creation, the rapture, prophecies about the return of Jesus, and supporting the state of Israel. But data shows that fewer evangelicals hold these beliefs, but that doesn’t mean fundamentalism is going away. Skye and Kaitlyn are joined by Mike Erre to discuss the changing definition of Christian fundamentalism in America, and why the older variety may have been better. Then Bob Goff talks about his new video project through the Holy Land...
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711: Donald and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad War plus Preston Sprinkle
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Do you remember the children’s book, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”? That title also sums up what most Americans think about Trump’s new war with Iran. Kaitlyn explains why the war is immoral based on Christian theology, Phil channels Ezra Klein to define America’s new “heads on pikes” foreign policy, and Skye says the war fits Donald Trump’s long pattern of laziness and impatience. Then, Preston Sprinkle is back to discuss his latest book, “From Genesis to Junia,” about his journey to determine what the Bible really says about women in...
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710: Iran, Immigration, & the Trouble with Certainty with Carrie McKean
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The U.S. launched a military strike on Iran and President Trump is framing it in moral terms. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Katelyn Beaty discuss the administration’s shifting justifications for war, and why Christians should be cautious of language that makes it easier to dehumanize enemies. Then, they turn to the mass shooting in Austin and the predictable scramble to turn tragedy into political leverage. Kaitlyn interviews Carrie McKean about why distrust in public health and debates over immigration are often more complicated than our partisan categories allow. Also this week, don’t take selfies...
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709: A Rabbi and a Priest Walk into a Podcast with Father James Martin
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Many of our political leaders invoke the Bible, but Rabbi Shai Held says many don’t understand one of its most important commands. Rabbi Held argues that Scripture’s call to love immigrants was a “moral revolution” and says the mistreatment of immigrants is an abomination in God’s eyes. Skye interviews Father James Martin about his new memoir, “Work in Progress,” about his journey from the business world to the priesthood. They also discuss the link between Jesuit spirituality and Protestant theology, and they get nerdy about Jesus and temple theology. Also this week—the rise...
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708: Mistaking Certainty for Maturity with Joshua Harris
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Thirty years ago, Joshua Harris became the cheerleader for purity culture with his book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye.” Since then, he’s apologized for the book, exited from ministry and his marriage, and announced he’s no longer a Christian. He talks to Skye about his journey from fundamentalism to deconstructionism, and back toward curiosity about Jesus. Also this week, how the Trump administration is making paganism great again, why secular progressives are rediscovering the benefits of religion, and how Christians in Springfield, Ohio, have organized to protect Haitian immigrants from...
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707: Halftime Hullabaloo and Tyler Johnson
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The big game was on Sunday, and for most of the country, it was a big letdown unless you’re heavily invested in the culture war. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye start by breaking down Bad Bunny’s halftime show (en español) and Turning Point USA’s alternative with Kid Rock. Then they discuss how Jesus became such a big part of football culture. Is it good that so many players start their media interviews with a shout-out to their Lord and Savior, or has it become a distracting cliche? Skye talks to Tyler Johnson, the Chief Impact Officer for Come Near, about how their Super Bowl ad this year...
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706: The Second Slap plus Leah Libresco Sargeant
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We’ve all heard the stories of people raised within American evangelicalism who became disillusioned because of abuse, scandals, or political idolatry. Some migrated to more progressive church traditions while others deconstructed their faith entirely. Joshua Harris, made famous for his seminal purity culture book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye,” was in the latter category. Harris now says he is emerging from “a season of overcorrection,” having seen the “bully energy” in progressive spaces, and that he is curious about Jesus again. Then, Katilyn talks to feminist author Leah Libresco...
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705: Minnesota, Civil Rights, & Contagious Courage with Justin Giboney
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The country is on edge after another protester was killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye look at how different Christian journalists and media outlets are covering, or not covering, the story, and what protests against ICE share in common with the Civil Rights movement, and how they’re different. Speaking of the Civil Rights era, Justin Giboney is back to discuss his new book, “Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around.” He believes too much of the American church and our politics has been captivated by the culture war, and learning from the example of the Black church,...
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704: Love is All We Need + Moderate Churches with Ryan Burge
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Over the last 30 years, the number of Americans who say they highly value patriotism, religion, community, and family has dropped dramatically. At the same time, the number of Americans who care about making more money has gone up. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye discuss David Brooks’ new article about the culture’s shift toward autonomy and away from loving attachments, and how Christians can begin rebuilding their social muscles. Sociologist and former pastor, Ryan Burge, is back to discuss why the political polarization of Christianity is hurting both the church and democracy. Also this week,...
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
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