644: Unplugging from Politics & the Real Meaning of Acts with N.T. Wright
The 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...
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643: How Trump Won the Election with David French
The 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...
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642: How the Friendship of Lewis & Tolkien Changed the World with John Hendrix
The 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...
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641: The Roots of Racial & Environmental Injustice with David Swanson
The 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...
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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
The Holy Post
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
The Holy Post
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
The Holy Post
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
The Holy Post
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...
info_outlineToday’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. And Holy Post producer, Mike Stralow, challenges the hosts to a quiz show decathlon. Plus, Al Pacino says there’s no afterlife, and scientists discover strategically constipated tadpoles.
Head over to Holy Post Plus for the full unedited version:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/holy-post-live-114053943
0:00 - Intro
1:50 - Show Starts
2:23 - Theme Song
4:14 - Al Pacino Didn’t Go to Heaven
8:36 - News of the Butt: Strategically Constipated Tadpoles
15:42 - Public Opinion Shift on Immigration
19:35 - Thermostatic Public Opinion
24:00 - How the Church Can Approach Division
34:23 - 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!
35:32- Sponsor - The Pour Over - Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Check it out at https://link.chtbl.com/The-Pour-Over-Today
36:43 - Interview with Charlie Dates
39:47 - The Black Church and Political Polarization
46:50 - Why Talk Specifically About “The Black Church” Rather Than Just “The Church?”
55:20 - Cynicism and White Naivete
1:04:50 - Pastors Excluded from Activism
1:12:43 - 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
1:13:52 - 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
1:14:58 - What Would 2024 Skye and Phil Tell 2012 Skye and Phil?
1:19:13 - What Would 2024 Kaitlyn and Charlie Tell 2012 Kaitlyn and Charlie?
1:34:26 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in the News Segment:
Al Pacino’s Near Death Experience:
https://www.avclub.com/al-pacino-near-death-experience
Tadpoles Hold in Their Poop:
https://phys.org/news/2024-09-tree-frog-tadpoles-unique-contaminating.html
Thermostatic Politics:
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/10/immigration-public-opinion-reversal/680196/
Other resources:
Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/
Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus
Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost
Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop
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