638: Keep Christianity Weird & Lessons from the Church Abuse Scandal with Kristen Kobes Du Mez
Release Date: 10/09/2024
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...
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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...
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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....
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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...
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698: De-Christianizing America & Re-Christianizing Advent with Rich Villodas
The Holy Post
The government of Israel has been criticized for building fences in Gaza and the West Bank, but now it’s geofencing American churches. Will its plan reverse the decline of evangelical support for the Jewish state? Donald Trump says he’s making the country more Christian, but data shows his immigration policy favors secular immigrants and rejects Christians. Rich Villodas is back to talk about his new book for Advent, “Waiting for Jesus.” He says we should use this season to resist consumerism, commercialism, and Christian culturalism. Also this week, a giant flightless parrot has...
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What Does the Magi Story Really Tell Us About Jesus? (From this week's Curiously Kaitlyn)
The Holy Post
We’re popping a Curiously Kaitlyn episode into your feed this week because we’re starting a brand-new Advent series, and—let’s be honest—the nativity story gets weird. Kids notice all the odd details we learned to ignore, and suddenly you’re fielding questions you did not prepare for in Sunday School.So instead of scrambling for answers all by yourself, you can join us all month as we explore the questions your kids (and most adults!) are genuinely curious about. First up: Who exactly are the wise men, and why do they show up in the nativity scene at all? If you...
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697: Cancelling “Judeo-Christian,” Defending Slavery, & Rethinking Gaza with J. Ross Wagner
The Holy Post
The term “Judeo-Christian” has been used by the Religious Right for decades as a positive shorthand for biblical values in the culture, so why are conservative Christians now rejecting the label? And why are Christian defenses of slavery and the Confederacy gaining popularity 160 years after the Civil War? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn explain how the rising influence of Christian nationalism drives both trends. J. Ross Wagner, editor of the new book, “Being Christian After the Desolation of Gaza,” talks to Skye about how both American and Palestinian Christians are reexamining evangelical...
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696: Transcending Our Political Divisions & Labels with Andy Beshear
The Holy Post
Mike Erre joins Phil and Skye to discuss a New York Times column by David Brooks. He says America’s divisions will only heal when we abandon shallow labels and war metaphors, and instead see one another as fellow pilgrims on a journey. America’s Catholic bishops issue a stern rebuke of the Trump administration’s dehumanizing rhetoric and policies, which makes Phil wonder why evangelical leaders can’t do the same. Then, Skye talks to Kentucky’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, about why he’s so popular in a state that Donald Trump won by 30 points, and how his party can begin to...
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695: Analyzing the Blue Wave & Why the Church Still Matters with Carmen Joy Imes
The Holy Post
The Democratic Party swept the off-cycle elections last week, but this isn’t the first blue wave we’ve seen in the Trump era. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss what it means and the significance of New York City electing a Muslim, democratic socialist as mayor. Does Mamdani represent the death of New York, and possibly America, as one Baptist leader claims? Old Testament scholar Carmen Imes is back to discuss why she hasn’t given up on the church, and we shouldn’t either. Her new book is “Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters.” Also this week—how social media is...
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French Friday: The Nazi Rot on the Right
The Holy Post
Open Nazi rhetoric is gaining traction on the right, and the response from conservative institutions has been inconsistent at best. Skye and David trace the roots of the problem, the incentives that fueled it, and the late-breaking backlash that may signal a tipping point. They also look at ICE’s increasingly aggressive “Kavanaugh stops,” the risks of expanding executive power, and why election integrity could be threatened when extremism and state authority begin to reinforce each other. Want the full episode? Go to The SkyePod feed to hear it now!
info_outlineBeing a cultural Christian used to be an insult, but more people are embracing the label with pride. The Holy Post crew unpacks what’s behind the growing affection for cultural Christianity, and they explain why it’s more important than ever to embrace the weird, supernatural beliefs of the faith. Historian Kristen Kobes Du Mez is back to discuss her new documentary, “For Our Daughters,” about the sexual abuse scandals that have shaken the faith of many in the church. She sees a link between the theology and culture that created and covered-up sexual abuse in the church, and the rise of political idolatry within evangelicalism. Also this week—hurricanes are now political, and a Haitian pastor in New Hampshire with a sense of humor invites pets to his church.
For Our Daughters Full Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkES4X_qb6c
Holy Post Plus:
Getting Schooled: Debt and Theology 101
https://www.patreon.com/posts/113616129/
0:00 - Intro
1:18 - Show Starts
3:24 - Theme Song
3:45 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.
4:50 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST
7:18 - Terry Gilliam’s News of the Butt
10:30 - Haitian Priest Blesses Pets
15:05 - Hurricane Helene
23:02 - Cultural Christianity Michael Bird Article
34:58 - Why Christian Beliefs are Necessary for Christian Virtue
53:47 - 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!
54:53 - Sponsor - Faithful Counseling - This episode is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Give online therapy a try at https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off
56:00 - Interview
1:02:26 - How Women are Blamed for Men’s Sins
1:08:47 - Are Churches Better Prepared to Address Sexual Abuse?
1:14:54 - Is the Culture More Likely to Call Out Abuse Now?
1:18:17 - The Link Between January 6 and Sexual Abuse Scandals
1:24:04 - Will There Be a Church Backlash if Kamala Wins?
1:29:04 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in the News Segment:
Thanks to the Litfin Divinity School at Wheaton College for sponsoring our in person events. Learn more at www.wheaton.edu/holypost
Haitian Priest Blesses Pets:
Disaster Relief for Hurricane Helene:
The Rise of Cultural Christianity:
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