loader from loading.io

637: Your Church is Too American with Steve Bezner

The Holy Post

Release Date: 10/02/2024

707: Halftime Hullabaloo and Tyler Johnson show art 707: Halftime Hullabaloo and Tyler Johnson

The Holy Post

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...

info_outline
706: The Second Slap plus Leah Libresco Sargeant show art 706: The Second Slap plus Leah Libresco Sargeant

The Holy Post

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...

info_outline
705: Minnesota, Civil Rights, & Contagious Courage with Justin Giboney show art 705: Minnesota, Civil Rights, & Contagious Courage with Justin Giboney

The Holy Post

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,...

info_outline
704: Love is All We Need + Moderate Churches with Ryan Burge show art 704: Love is All We Need + Moderate Churches with Ryan Burge

The Holy Post

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_outline
703: Hobbes vs Locke & Faith vs Politics with Senator Raphael Warnock show art 703: Hobbes vs Locke & Faith vs Politics with Senator Raphael Warnock

The Holy Post

Tensions have flared around the country after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, and the Department of Homeland Security has rolled out a new slogan as it defends the lethal action: “One of Ours, All of Yours.” Is the Trump administration declaring civil war on Americans? Then, two seventeenth-century philosophers, Hobbes and Locke, help us understand the divide in our politics today, but Kaitlyn explains why Christians should be hesitant to embrace either. Skye talks with Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Georgia) about his dual roles as both a senator and a pastor,...

info_outline
702: Venezuela, Vanilla Ice, & the Church’s Anxious Nerves with Sara Billups show art 702: Venezuela, Vanilla Ice, & the Church’s Anxious Nerves with Sara Billups

The Holy Post

The new year began with a successful U.S. military operation to capture Venezuela’s president. But the mission killed approximately 80 people and is being condemned by some American and international leaders as illegal. Esau McCaulley joins Phil and Skye this week to discuss the fallout from the operation. Was it legal? Was it moral? And what does it reveal about Trump’s vision of America? Kaitlyn talks with author Sara Billups about her new book, “Nervous System,” and how our age of anxiety is affecting Christians and the whole church. Also this week—the Trump administration...

info_outline
Bothsidesism Isn’t What You Think show art Bothsidesism Isn’t What You Think

The Holy Post

Holy Post Media is no stranger to accusations of both-sidesism. Skye and Kaitlyn talk about why they believe pointing it out on both sides isn’t simple equivocation or conflict-avoidance, but instead a responsibility… depending on the context.   Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode:   0:00 - Intro   0:58 - Theme Song   1:18 - Defining Both-Sidesism   8:40 - Sponsor - Sponsor - Poncho - If you’ve been looking for the perfect shirt—something breathable, fits great, feels even better, and stands out in a good way—give Poncho a try. Get $10 off your...

info_outline
701: Mailbag! Decompressing, Demonology, & Dreams for 2026 show art 701: Mailbag! Decompressing, Demonology, & Dreams for 2026

The Holy Post

We’ve reached the end of 2025, so we thought it’s a good time to answer questions from the Holy Post community. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn cover a wide assortment of issues, from how they decompress after a difficult podcast, and how they pick which politicians to interview, to their favorite movies, and who is best at changing a tire. They also tackle theological questions about the nature of grace, the limitations we will still have in the new creation, and why demons may not be fallen angels. They also give their predictions for 2026. Along the way, Phil has weird ideas about hair, Skye...

info_outline
700: What Every Christian Can Learn from A.A. with John Ortberg show art 700: What Every Christian Can Learn from A.A. with John Ortberg

The Holy Post

Last weekend was filled with terrible news, including a mass shooting in Australia, another at Brown University, and the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife. Mike Erre joins Phil and Skye to discuss these events and why rediscovering the biblical practice of lament is better than just “thoughts and prayers.” The Catholic Church has taken a nuanced and principled position on the deportation of immigrants. Why do evangelicals find that so difficult? Then John Ortberg talks with Skye about his latest book, which applies the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to Christian spiritual formation....

info_outline
699: The Limits of Liberalism & Punishing Immigrants with Matthew Soerens show art 699: The Limits of Liberalism & Punishing Immigrants with Matthew Soerens

The Holy Post

Two writers from the New York Times say the liberal values that have flooded our culture with online gambling, pornography, and cannabis have backfired, but secular progressives, like Ezra Klein, admit that they don’t have a framework for explaining why. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the benefits and limitations of liberalism as a political and social philosophy, and why those on the left are increasingly aware of their need for religion. Matthew Soerens from World Relief is back to discuss why the Trump administration’s immigration policies are so different in his second term, how the...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Steve Bezner, a pastor in Houston, had a troubling realization—his people were being shaped more by social media, YouTube, and cable news than by the Bible, and their views of money, sex, and power looked more American than Christian. He talks with Kaitlyn about his new book, “Your Jesus Is Too American,” and how being more relational than organizational may be the first step toward healing our churches. Also this week, are American evangelicals going through the five stages of grief? If so, what does it mean to accept our loss of cultural influence? For the first time, new data says Gen Z men are more religious than Gen Z women. Why are young women leaving the church and why are young men coming? Plus, now even gorillas are addicted to smartphones.

 

0:00 - Intro

 

1:46 - Show Starts

 

2:52 - Theme Song

 

3:14 - Sponsor - Zondervan - The NIV, Upside-Down Kingdom Bible helps you flip earthly wisdom on its head - Go to https://www.upsidedownkingdombible.com

 

4:20 - Sponsor - BioLogos - Go to https://biologos.org/podcast/language-of-god/ and check out the Language of God podcast!

 

5:20 - Kohl’s Makes Decisions Easier

 

6:28 - Gorillas Getting Too Much Screentime at the Zoo!

 

11:42 - Accepting Lost Evangelical Influence

 

18:07 - Collaborating as Political Minorities

 

31:42 - Are Young Men Taking Over the Church?

 

51:39 - Sponsor - The National Association of Evangelicals - Listen to the Difficult to explore how Christians can become peacemakers. Go to https://www.nae.org/introduction-difficult-conversations-podcast-series/ to check it out!

 

53:37- Interview

 

59:10 - How We’ve Failed to Disciple People About Sex

 

1:06:48 - Prophetic Politics

 

1:13:50 - Church Pain

 

1:19:36 - Community Service in the Church

 

1:28:38 - End Credits  

 

Links Mentioned in the News Segment:

Gorillas and Screen Time

https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/zoos-gorillas-screen-time-phones-videos-e88531a7

 

The Acceptance Stage of Lost Evangelical Influence

https://www.christianitytoday.com/2024/09/the-acceptance-stage-lost-influence-evangelicals-diverse-democracy/

 

America’s Young Men Are Falling Even Further Behind

https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/young-american-men-lost-c1d799f7

 

Other resources:

 

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

 

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

 

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

 

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

 

The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.