The Holy Post
Merry Christmas! In celebrity conversion news, Denzel Washington got baptized at his church in Harlem just days before his 70th birthday and became a licensed minister, and New York Times columnist, David Brooks, has written about his surprising journey from agnosticism to Christianity. What do these stories tell us about our culture’s ongoing hunger for God? On the other side, David French explains why some Christians now think cruelty is acceptable. New Testament scholar, Nijay Gupta, is back to talk about what the Gospels actually say about Jesus’ birth, and what our Christmas pageants...
info_outline 648: Hurt & Healed by the Church with Pricelis Perreaux-DominguezThe Holy Post
A Catholic bishop, with a social media following second only to the Pope, is proving that dumbing down the faith is the wrong way to reach young adults. But is his celebrity status getting in the way? A new study finds the most generous people are also the most likely to consistently read the Bible. Kaitlyn talks to Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez about telling the truth to the church out of love. Her new book, “Being a Sanctuary,” is honest about the harms many churches are causing, but also shows how the church is the key to healing. Also this week—rat race cars in Froot Loop land. ...
info_outline 647: The Death of Dating & Megachurch Anti-Racism with Hahrie HanThe Holy Post
More Americans than ever are single but they’re not happy about it. A new article in The Atlantic examines how the sexes are drifting apart, why more men are looking for a partner than women, and the side-effects of using an app rather than community to find a date. Then, political scientist Hahrie Han’s new book “Undivided” explores why the racial solidarity program at an evangelical megachurch was more successful than corporate DEI programs, and how that success created unexpected challenges for the predominantly white church. Also this week: the Swiss make an A.I. Jesus, and a...
info_outline 646: The Late Great Hal Lindsey & Writing Prayers with Douglas McKelveyThe Holy Post
Many ideas about the end times including the role of Israel, the mark of the beast, and the rapture became popular through Hal Lindsey’s best-selling book from the 1970s, “The Late Great Planet Earth.” Lindsay died last week at 95. We discuss his legacy and how his book is still shaping the American church long after most of its theology has been debunked. Then, Kaitlyn talks to Douglas McKelvey about his series of prayer books, “Every Moment Holy.” He explains the value of using written prayers and not just spontaneous ones, and how to find God in the ordinary activities of life....
info_outline French Friday: "Nerdfest 2024"The Holy Post
David French has finally watched Rings of Power season two—and he and Skye don’t quite have the same feelings about it. They compare it to House of the Dragon’s more cynical fantasy world—and why Dune is maybe closer to Tolkien than Martin. They also talk about the Penguin crime drama series, the upcoming Superman movie, and Silo. 0:00 - Theme Song 0:18 - Show Begins 1:16 - David’s Take on Rings of Power 5:40 - Skye’s Beef with Rings of Power 13:20 - House of the Dragon 21:52 - World War I 26:45 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to...
info_outline 645: The Red Letter Legacy of Tony Campolo with Shane ClaiborneThe Holy Post
Mike Erre joins Phil and Skye to discuss how to survive the holidays. What’s the best way to engage (or disengage) a contentious relative who wants to argue about politics, and how do we remain united as churches and families in these divided times? Professor, author, and preacher Tony Campolo died last week. Shane Claiborne returns to discuss his friendship with Campolo and his legacy of challenging the American church with the “red letters” of the Bible. Also this week—what’s the real goal behind protecting public nativity displays, and disappointed political witches. 0:00 -...
info_outline 644: Unplugging from Politics & the Real Meaning of Acts with N.T. WrightThe Holy Post
After an exhausting year of politics and the re-election of Donald Trump, what is a faithful way for Christians to navigate the next four years? Should we continue to immerse ourselves in political news, or is it better to disconnect from the media? And should Christians join the political fights online, or unplug to better serve our local communities? The Holy Post crew responds to articles by a number of Christians leaders addressing these questions. Then, New Testament scholar, N.T. Wright, is back to discuss the book of Acts. Wright says an understanding of ancient temples is the key to...
info_outline 643: How Trump Won the Election with David FrenchThe Holy Post
It’s been a week since the election and why Americans voted to send Donald Trump back to the White House is beginning to come into focus. The entire Holy Post team—Phil, Skye, Kaitlyn, and Esau—is here to talk about why Trump won and how Harris lost. Was it the economy? Was it racism and misogyny? Was it identity politics or disinformation in the media? Everyone has a theory. Then New York Times columnist and Holy Post regular, David French, is back to give his take on the election. He explains why Kamala Harris’s decision to focus on abortion backfired, and why January 6 did...
info_outline 642: How the Friendship of Lewis & Tolkien Changed the World with John HendrixThe Holy Post
The 2024 election is finally here. Who won? We don’t know because we recorded this episode on Monday. But we do know that MAGA men are not happy about their wives secretly voting for Kamala Harris. And a new study finds trust in American institutions—especially the media—continues to decline. Is there a way to reverse the trend? Then, to take an overdue break from politics, Skye talks to author and illustrator, John Hendrix, about his new graphic non-fiction book “The Mythmakers” about the remarkable friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. It’s a fun conversation about...
info_outline 641: The Roots of Racial & Environmental Injustice with David SwansonThe Holy Post
With only a week before the presidential election, Phil and Kaitlyn are joined by Mike Erre to discuss Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden. Why do so many white evangelicals ignore the racism, misogyny, and dehumanizing rhetoric coming from the MAGA movement? It is really about supporting certain policies or the idolatry of power? Then, David Swanson is back to discuss his latest book, “Plundered: The Tangled Roots of Racial and Environmental Injustice.” Swanson says we will be compelled to engage both issues when we see their shared origin in the sin of greed. Also this week—the...
info_outlineIn a recent 60 minutes interview, Pope Francis sparked controversy when he claimed that humans are fundamentally good. Katelyn Beaty joins Phil and Kaitlyn to discuss the Pope's comments, and why our theology needs to include both the doctrine that all humans are made in the image of God and an understanding of original sin. Also, new survey data suggests that the "Religious Nones" have plateaued and religious affiliation among Gen Z is on the rise. We discuss why this might be happening and how the "weirdness" of Christianity is what makes it appealing to so many people right now. Then Skye sits down with Sean McGever to discuss his new book, Ownership: The Evangelical Legacy of Slavery in Edwards, Wesley, and Whitefield. They explore how these three historical evangelical leaders navigated the morality of slavery and the lasting impact it is still having on the Church today. Plus, even priests are not immune to Florida Man Syndrome.
0:00 - Intro
1:36 - Show Starts
2:58 - Theme Song
3:20 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order
4:24 - World Relief - Visit https://worldrelief.org/holypost/ to download your family refugee guide and learn more about the Path Community
5:39 - Italian Island Overrun by Goats
10:31 - Pope Francis Calls Humans “Fundamentally Good?”
28:20 - Ryan Burge and the Plateauing of the Nones
45:57 - Florida Priest Bites Woman
50:18 - 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
51:17 - Interview
59:56 - Opposing Slave Trade, but Not Slavery
1:09:47 - How Edwards, Whitfield, and Wesley Influenced Attitudes About Slavery
1:20:05 - Avoiding Moral Blindspots
1:27:12 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in the News Segment:
Alicudi: Italian Island Offers Goats Up for Adoption
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68731003
Pope Francis Draws Accusations of Heresy for Saying Humans are Good
Ryan Burge and Nones Plateau
Florida Priest Admits Biting Woman in Defense of Eucharist
https://www.ncronline.org/news/florida-priest-admits-biting-woman-last-resort-defense-save-eucharist
Other resources:
Ownership: The Evangelical Legacy of Slavery in Edwards, Wesley, and Whitefield by Sean McGever: https://a.co/d/7SrPAZu
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