641: The Roots of Racial & Environmental Injustice with David Swanson
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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...
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640: Holy Post LIVE from Chicago with Charlie Dates
The Holy Post
Today’s episode is all content from our recent live event in Chicago. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the rapid shift in public opinion about immigration—and it’s not just among Republicans. Why is support for immigration down dramatically among Democrats and independents too? Then Charlie Dates, the pastor of Progressive Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church in Chicago, joins the show to talk about the widening divide between the black church and white evangelicalism, why he’s tired of talking about white evangelicals, and where he sees hope for the future of the church in the U.S....
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639: The Apostle to the Apostles with Jennifer Powell McNutt
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The election is just three weeks away and Phil is exhausted, Kaitlyn is concerned that evangelicals supporting Harris are making the same mistake as those supporting Trump, and Skye blames the whole mess on WWJD bracelets. Based on Kaitlyn’s recent Religion News Service article, the Holy Post crew discuss a better way for Christians to think about politics and voting. Then, Wheaton College professor of theology and history, Jennifer Powell McNutt, talks to Skye about her new book, “The Mary We Forgot.” She argues that the Mary Magdalene we encounter in the Gospels is not a scandalized...
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638: Keep Christianity Weird & Lessons from the Church Abuse Scandal with Kristen Kobes Du Mez
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Being 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...
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637: Your Church is Too American with Steve Bezner
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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...
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French Friday: The Pope’s Humility & the Joy of MAGA
The Holy Post
In a military operation straight out of a spy novel, Israel infiltrated Hezbollah’s communication networks and detonated pager bombs and walkie talkies. David French and Skye discuss the operation and the long term ramifications. Then, they break down Pope Francis’ controversial comments on salvation that have sparked backlash among conservative Catholics. Finally, they unpack a surprising trend: why are young men returning to church in greater numbers than women? Is it a sign of hope for the church, or something more complicated? 0:00 - Theme Song 0:17 - Episode Starts,...
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636: America’s Government Teacher on Hope & Resilience with Sharon McMahon
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With both the election and polls getting closer, new research from Lifeway says a record number of pastors are refusing to say who they’re voting for—even on an anonymous survey. Mike Erre says he wouldn’t answer the survey either. His reason may surprise you. Phil explores how Pat Buchanan’s 1992 presidential campaign was a harbinger of today’s politics. And diversity experts featured in Matt Walsh’s new documentary claim he lied to get them to participate in the film. Walsh says it’s okay to lie for the greater good of winning the culture war. Is he right? Then, Kaitlyn...
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635: Slandering Haitians & Parents for Peace in Israel/Palestine with Robi Damelin
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During last week’s presidential debate, Donald Trump amplified a false rumor about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. Since then the community, which was already facing significant challenges, has been shaken by deepening divisions, racism, and even bomb threats. We look at how church leaders in Springfield are responding, what’s really behind the pet-eating lie, and why some of Trump’s Christian supporters are embracing the demonstrably false story. Then, Skye talks with Robi Damelin, an 80-year-old peace activist he met during his recent trip to Israel. Robi’s son...
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634: The Happiness Paradox & Lessons from Life’s Last Room with Amy Low
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Today’s show is all about perspective. First, Phil offers his perspective on the news stories fans send him on social media about Icelandic cucumbers and water buffalos, and how they compare to articles he actually likes about robotic mushrooms and avoiding gluteal amnesia. Then, a recent article explores our culture’s focus on products, practices, and apps designed to increase our happiness, and why focusing on happiness is a sure way to miss it. And Christine Emba’s latest article in The Atlantic looks at why government support and financial incentives have failed to reverse declining...
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633: The Head Covering Comeback & Unsung Heroes with Jemar Tisby
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A very old trend is making a big comeback among Catholic women—veils. Is the turn toward head coverings rooted in Scripture, a desire for sacred symbols, a longing for traditional womanhood, or is it just a nostalgic fashion trend field by TikTok? A new study says what separates conservatives and liberals is how hierarchically they view the world and the importance of maintaining strict boundaries. And why are very conservative political personalities starting to talk more about Christian theology? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn each offer their explanations. Then, Jemar Tisby is back to talk about...
info_outlineWe all hear stories of people walking away from faith because of cultural challenges and hypocrisy in the church. That’s what makes Dave Gibbons' new memoir, “The Shape of My Eyes,” so powerful. He joins Skye to talk about growing up within American fundamentalism as a mixed-race kid, and how he encountered God despite deep family trauma and church dysfunction. Also this week—Mike Erre joins the crew to talk about the ongoing fallout from Megan Basham’s new book, David French’s decision to endorse Kamala Harris, and the rise of the post-religious right. Plus, cannibal frog sermon illustrations.
0:00 - Intro
1:03 - Show Starts
3:41 - Theme Song
4:02 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order
5:06 - Sponsor - World Relief - Visit https://worldrelief.org/holypost/ to find out how to get two FREE e-learning courses and celebrate World Refugee Day with World Relief!
10:07 - Frog Cannibalism Sermon Illustrators
14:56 - Phil Accused by Megan Basham of Being a Sellout
22:08 - Do the Facts Matter?
28:48 - Conflating Christianity and Republican Party Issues
34:57 - David French Voting for Harris??? And Mike the Anabaptist
46:09 - The Post-Religious Right
52:14 - Sponsor - The Fresh Pressed Olive Oil Club - To get a Full-Size artisanal olive oil for just $1 shipping, go to https://www.GetFreshHOLYPOST.com
53:22 - 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
54:28 - Interview
56:10 - Why Did Dave Gibbons Write “The Shape of My Eyes?”
1:02:32 - How Did His Trauma Impact His Faith?
1:10:44 - Encountering God
1:22:10 - On the Verge of Renaissance
1:25:53 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in the News Segment:
Cannibal Frogs:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/16/science/cannibal-female-frog.html
Phil’s Article about Shepherds for Sale:
https://www.holypost.com/post/i-ve-read-basham-s-book-and-i-have-some-thoughts
David French on Why He’s Voting for Harris:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/11/opinion/harris-trump-conservatives-abortion.html
Ross Douthat Tweet:
https://x.com/DouthatNYT/status/704462319074594816
Other resources:
The Shape of My Eyes: A Memoir of Race, Faith, and Finding Myself by Dave Gibbons: https://a.co/d/gKBmRja
Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/
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