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 ch...

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:...

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 Wal...

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...

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...

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...

For the first time in decades, the Republican Party has removed all pro-life language from the party platform. Trump has also called for less free-trade, more government regulation, and he is indifferent about Russian aggression in Europe. At the same time, the Democratic Party is embracing patriotism, law and order, tax cuts, and retreating from its more progressive social and environmental polic...

As we start a new academic year, school districts throughout the country are increasingly banning smartphones. No one is more responsible for this trend than Dr. Jonathan Haidt. He talks to Skye about his latest book, "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness," and how smartphones are also interfering with our spiritual lives, and what Ch...

In the last two presidential elections about 8 in 10 evangelicals voted for Donald Trump, but can Kamala Harris steal some of those votes in 2024? We discuss the recent "Evangelicals for Harris" call and why it's so difficult to get Christians to think more theologically about politics. Ed Stetzer argues that abortion should still be a top priority when voting, and Tyler Huckabee says we should be...

We 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 c...

Donald Trump made headlines last week when he questioned Kamala Harris's racial identity. Phil, Skye, and Esau McCaulley discuss his comments and how the politics of division often cause us to categorize people into a single box. Then, should Christians embrace the spiritual uses of psychedelic drugs? Megan Basham's new book claims progressive powerbrokers have corrupted evangelical leaders with m...

David French joins to discuss J.D. Vance's comments about "childless sociopaths," pro-natalist government policy, the Olympics's Last Supper-esque display, and Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU. Are anti-immigration policies actually even "preserving our culture?" And why are fundamentalists so eager to consider themselves persecuted?   0:00 - Theme Song   0:17 - Episode Starts   2:36 - J. D....

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics sparked outrage when drag queens assembled into a scene reminiscent of the Last Supper. Are Christians right to be offended? Oklahoma is requiring public schools to teach the Bible, but some teachers are resisting. Is this really about education or indoctrination? And Kaitlyn's latest article explains why this election is important, but maybe not an "exis...

We're sharing a SKYEpod episode that was previously exclusively for Holy Post Plus subscribers—this one's a "SkyeDive," meaning it's just Skye digging deep into a topic. If you like this episode, consider becoming a Holy Post Plus subcriber to get weekly SKYEpod episodes, merchandise, bonus interviews, and more! Skye talks about how our certainty often conflicts with humility—with disastrous resul...

Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, some are saying that God saved his life for a divine purpose. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye discuss the selective use of Christian rhetoric surrounding the former President. Then, multiple speakers at the Republican convention used anti-immigrant language associated with the "heritage Americans" movement. We examine the movement and its link to the...

On Saturday, Donald Trump narrowly survived an assassin's bullet. Will this begin to turn down the dehumanizing and apocalyptic rhetoric in our politics, or will it only add fuel for conspiracy theories and extremists? Rich Villodas is back to talk about his new book on the Sermon on the Mount—"The Narrow Path." He says obeying the sermon "is not how we achieve salvation; it's how we demonstrate i...

It's one thing to fight against a heresy, but what about the people caught in its grasp? Caleb Campbell's new book, "Disarming Leviathan," argues Christian Nationalism is an idolatrous, anti-Christian movement, but that we ought to take a gentle, loving, and missional posture toward our friends and neighbors following it. Also this week, Ronald Reagan often said America was a shining "city upon a...

In this special episode, Kaitlyn and Skye are joined by the co-hosts of the Church Politics podcast, Justin Giboney and Chris Butler, to discuss the fallout from last week's presidential debate. Will President Biden drop out? What does the Supreme Court's ruling about presidential immunity mean for a possible second Trump term? And why have both political parties nominated candidates who are demon...

As the Supreme Court releases a slate of new rulings the justices appear to be sending a message: "Congress, do your job!" David French explains to Skye Jethani why congressional leaders are increasingly reluctant to take votes or pass laws, how this is making the presidency dangerously powerful, and why the courts are saying it's unconstitutional and harmful to democracy. Then, David tells why hi...

Louisiana has passed a law requiring the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom. Supporters say it's about respecting history, law, and the country's religious heritage. Critics argue it's completely unconstitutional. What's really behind the new law? John Dickson says secularism in Australia is ten years ahead of the U.S., and there are valuable lessons the American church ca...

Remember when churches were seeker-sensitive? The goal was to grow by welcoming newcomers, skeptics, and non-believers. But now it seems some evangelical churches and denominations are more worried about ideological purity than outreach. Sociologist, political scientists, and pastor Ryan Burge is back to talk about the self-defeating trend toward subtraction rather than addition in the church. Als...

After working for the Department of Homeland Security, and more than twenty years as a counterterrorism expert, Elizabeth Neumann says the greatest threat to the U.S. is no longer international Islamic terrorism but domestic Christian extremists. She discusses her new book, "Kingdom of Rage," with Skye and how conspiracy theories and violent political ideologies have infiltrated American evangelic...

Lord Acton famously said, "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Was he right? Mike Erre is back to discuss the way Christians think about power, and why he believes our pursuit of power over the world is not the way of Jesus. Then, author Elizabeth Oldfield talks with Kaitlyn about her new book, "Fully Alive," which uses the Seven Deadly Sins as a bridge for introducing secular...

The verdict is in and Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts in the hush money trial. Skye Jethani and David French discuss the political implications of the guilty verdict. While neither believe the verdict will have any impact on Trump's base, David thinks it could erode support among supporters on the bubble, but Skye remains unconvinced. Then, they discuss how we should address the leg...

In 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...