638: Keep Christianity Weird & Lessons from the Church Abuse Scandal with Kristen Kobes Du Mez
Release Date: 10/09/2024
708: Mistaking Certainty for Maturity with Joshua Harris
The Holy Post
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
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...
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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...
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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,...
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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,...
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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,...
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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...
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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....
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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