638: Keep Christianity Weird & Lessons from the Church Abuse Scandal with Kristen Kobes Du Mez
Release Date: 10/09/2024
738: Are Evangelicalism’s Failures Bugs or a Feature? with Bonnie Kristian
The Holy Post
Following the 9/11 terrorist attack 25 years ago, Americans began using more “good versus evil” rhetoric, but have we taken it too far? Many of the tech bros developing AI were fans of sci-fi novels and movies in middle school, but completely missed the point of those stories. We may all pay the price. Bonnie Kristian, the deputy editor at Christianity Today, returns to discuss her new book “In Defense of Evangelicalism.” While she agrees with many of the recent criticisms of the movement, she says the problems within evangelicalism are bugs rather than features and believes its...
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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
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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
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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
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“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
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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...
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:
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Haitian Priest Blesses Pets:
Disaster Relief for Hurricane Helene:
The Rise of Cultural Christianity:
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