The Holy Post

Is our vision of the ideal Christian man more like Jesus or John Wayne? Historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez talks about the rise of militant masculinity within evangelicalism, how the threat of Communism in the mid twentieth-century led church leaders to deify testosterone, and why we don't like images of a weak, crucified Jesus. Also this week, Jerry Falwell's "pool boy" scandal, John MacArthur says a...

Back in 2016, Donald Trump gave a campaign speech promising that if elected "Christianity will have power." The Holy Post crew discusses why this message has so much appeal to some Christians today, the way fear has come to mark our faith, and what we can do to counteract the trend. After the podcast is interrupted by a tornado, Christian asks if we're seeing signs of the apocalypse. Skye says, "N...

Everyone seems to be talking about justice—including Christians, but how we define "justice" in our society is hotly debated. Pastor and author Tim Keller has outlined 4 competing definitions of justice, and what sets Biblical justice apart from the rest. The Holy Post crew reviews Keller's article and its implications. Liberty University has put Jerry Falwell Jr. on "indefinite leave." Was it Fal...

Does our faith shape our politics, or is politics shaping our faith? Justin Giboney is an attorney, a political strategist, and the co-founder and president of the AND Campaign. Rather than fighting over whether we should vote red or blue, Giboney believes Christians should use their influence to push both parties toward the love and truth of Christ. He talks with Skye about why that is more neces...

The church in North America has more money and resources than ever before, so why is it increasingly ineffective? Pastor and author, Jon Tyson, is back to talk about his latest book, "Beautiful Resistance: The Joy of Conviction in a Culture of Compromise." Tyson says "mammon" is the central idol in America today, and that much of the church worships it as well. But what is mammon? And why does Tys...

There are few public thinkers the Holy Post cites more often than David French, and he's finally here in person! (Well, in person via Zoom.) French is the Senior Editor of The Dispatch, a columnist for Time, and a pro-life conservative attorney. Although many Christians are worried about the erosion of religious liberty, French says, "We have never enjoyed more religious liberty than we do right n...

Why is COVID19 disproportionately harming communities of color? Why are we willing to criticize certain things about America but not others? And what about black voices who say systemic racism isn't real? Friend of the show, Dr. Theon Hill, is back to discuss all of this and more with Phil and Skye. Also this week: why horror movie fans are more prepared than others for the pandemic, and how "Disn...

Some people spend years learning theology and studying the Bible, but experience little or no transformation in their lives. What have we gotten wrong? Dr. Jim Wilder is a neurotheologian—that means he studies theology and brain science—who says we've mistakingly made the gospel about knowledge when it's actually about attachment. You don't want to miss what he has to say about the importance of f...

President of the Barna Group, David Kinnaman, is back to talk about the latest research on race and racism in the American church. Is the divide between black and white Christians shrinking, and is 2020 a true turning point or just an emotional release before a return to old ways of operating? Also this week, how can constellations help us understand the hysteria about Antifa? And does the evangel...

With the world being rocked by a pandemic and protests, many are seeing signs of the end times predicted by the Bible. Are they right? Some say they are misreading the signs. Others argue they're misreading the Bible itself. Biblical scholar, Dr. Juan Hernandez, is back to discuss the right way—and the wrong way—to engage one of the most mysterious, and misread, book in the Bible. Also this week,...

Can a tweet really change anyone's mind? Do hashtags and slogans help engagement or shut it down? The Holy Post crew discuss what they're learning about effective communication following the publication of Skye's op-ed in USA Today and the release of Phil's viral video on the history of racism. Also this week, the Supreme Court protects LGBT citizens from employment discrimination. What does it me...

As the country is rocked by protests following the murder of George Floyd, the podcast crew discusses the meaning of it all. Phil explains how being a part of a multiethnic church has opened his eyes to the challenges people of color still face. Christian reflects on her southern, segregated upbringing. And Skye shares about the racism he's experienced in the church and the suburbs. Also this week...

Some Christian communities are uncomfortable with challenging questions, doubts, and even curiosity. They prefer to keep life and faith in a neatly wrapped package. Jen Hatmaker came from such a community, but growing in her faith required more space to explore. Her spiritual curiosity came at a heavy price. This week the podcast crew talks with Hatmaker about her story, what she's learned, and wh...

Did Bill Gates create the pandemic? Are Democrats running a child-trafficking cartel? Is Trump a secret genius sending coded messages in his tweets? Conspiracy theories are spreading among evangelicals faster than Covid-19. The Holy Post crew discusses The Atlantic's cover story about QAnon, why it's so appealing to Christians, and why it's a dangerous heresy. Then, Skye talks with Chicago pastor...

The podcast crew responds to listener feedback and questions posted on HolyPost.com like, is it ok for Christians to be concerned about the mark of the beast if we avoid nutty conspiracy theories? New research finds white evangelicals consider Donald Trump the most trustworthy source for COVID-19 news and generally distrust public health officials and journalists. This leads Phil to explain the ta...

The culture in many Christian communities and organizations is toxic for leaders, their families, and their faith. This is especially true for female leaders. Jo Saxton is back to talk about her new book, "Ready to Rise," and how churches neglect God's gifts when they ignore women's voices and abilities, and why women suppress their gifts to be seen as "humble." And don't miss Jo's important inter...

More Americans have been killed by Covid-19 in two months than were killed in the Vietnam War in 20 years. Some Christians are responding to these uncertain times with familiar platitudes—none more popular than, "God is in control." But is he? Mike Erre is back to talk about the tension in Scripture between God's sovereignty and human free will. Also this week: What's so special about lama blood?...

The crazy Christian uncles are out in force declaring that the pandemic is God's judgment on America for our sin and secularism. Are they right? Skye and Christian talk about it in a new edition of "Christian Asks...." Some theologians are arguing the opposite by declaring "God is not in control" of the current crisis. What?! The podcast crew also discusses conservative churches defying the govern...

William Wilberforce is celebrated as a model of Christian cultural engagement for ending the British slave trade, but most Christian biographies of Wilberforce ignore the fact that he was addicted to opium for most of his life. Timothy McMahan King, author of "Addiction Nation," explains why. He shares his own story of overcoming opioid addiction which kills over 70,000 Americans every year, and h...

Phil, Skye, and Christian are celebrating their 400th episode like everyone else—quarantined in their homes. But they invited their Patreon supporters to join them for a live Q and A session via Zoom. The crew discusses their favorite podcast guests, interviews that managed to change their minds, and a bucket list of future guests. Youl'll hear about Phil's inability to "find my Roy,"   their Enne...

The quarantined gang is back again, with better audio quality this time. (Sorry about last week!) Phil shares an experience with preschool-via-Zoom, then the group discusses two proposed theories for America's vulnerability to the coronavirus… A) We're compromised by the anti-science rhetoric of fundamentalist Christianity, or B) We're all too selfish and individualistic. Skye wonders if the real...

Phil, Skye, and Christian talk via Zoom as they "shelter at home" during the coronavirus pandemic (sorry for the audio quality), but there is some good news. Clothing sales are up—but only for tops. Churches experiment with 'drive-in' worship. Phil shares N.T. Wright's honest thoughts about the pandemic and why the best Christian response is lament, while Skye responds to fundamentalists who are c...

Are machines going to take over the world? What happens to our jobs once everything is automated? And if computers can think, learn, and feel, do we need to redefine what it means to be human? Jason Thacker joins Skye for a conversation about his provocative new book, "The Age of A.I." Also this week, Smurfs congregate in France in defiance of the coronavirus. Creators of "The Bum" allow you to we...

The world is upside down because of the coronavirus pandemic, but fear not! Phil is here to save us from being locked in our homes with our children without entertaining and informative Bible content. Learn all about Mr. Phil TV and how to sign up. Also, if you didn't make it to Costco for toilet paper, we've got you covered with natural alternatives for bathroom tissue. Finally, journalist and Th...

No, we're not talking about the global coronavirus pandemic. Phil is worried about a record-breaking locust swarm, an army of 100,000 Chinese ducks, and a new line of "self-care" Barbies complete with a meditation app—because America isn't self-focused enough. Also this week, screen use and a decline in exposure to sunshine are elongating human eyeballs. The Southern Baptists appear determined to...