The Holy Post

We often associate fundamentalism with strict religious beliefs and practices. But David French says fundamentalism isn't really about what someone believes, but how they believe it. He talks to Skye Jethani about the three traits that mark every form of fundamentalism—including the non-religious variety: certainty, ferocity, and solidarity. They unpack the legitimate desires that draw people into...

New Testament professor, award-winning author, and New York Times columnist Esau McCaulley joins Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn for a special year-end episode with a live studio audience. They review what happened in 2023 and offer their picks for the most important news stories of the year. Topics range from Tim Keller's passing, the navel-gazing of American evangelicalism, and the comfort of Cracker Ba...

If Jesus is the reason for the season, why do most Christians celebrate Christmas at home with their families rather than at church? David Taylor, a professor of culture and theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, joins Skye to discuss the origins of Christmas in America. He says Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, and Coca-Cola have done more to influence how we celebrate the birth of Jesus than go...

The Satanic Temple has been allowed to erect a temporary display in the Iowa State Capitol, provoking some conservative evangelicals to double-down on their commitment to Christian Nationalism, and others to rethink the scope of religious liberty. Kaitlyn responds to an article accusing her, and other authors, of promoting a "loser mindset" among Christians. And are Phil and Skye conspiring with a...

Whether you're a parent, a youth pastor, a teacher or a young person yourself, you've probably seen all of the headlines concerning Gen Z. Rates of depression and loneliness are surging, their relationship with technology is kind of troubling, and they are leaving the church in droves. We've talked about these trends a lot on the Holy Post, but we're not alone. Tenx10 is a new collaborative discip...

Conspiracy theories, political idolatry, church divisions, and pastoral burnout. How do we explain what's happened to the evangelical movement in America? Tim Alberta is a political journalist and staff writer for The Atlantic. His new book, "The Power, the Glory, and the Kingdom," looks at how evangelicalism lost its way. As an evangelical himself, Alberta says fear and greed created the conditio...

A number of cases are being fought in the courts right now over whether Donald Trump violated the 14th amendment and if he should be allowed on the ballot in the 2024 election. David French and Skye Jethani discuss the history of the 14th amendment, break down the current cases against Trump, and talk about the likelihood of the Supreme Court hearing the case, and what decision they might make. Th...

With a spike in antisemitism around the world since the October 7th attack in Israel and the horrible scenes of Palestinian suffering in Gaza, Jews in the U.S. are wrestling with what it really means to be pro-Israel. Phil and Skye are joined by Holy Post pundit Mike Erre to discuss a thought-provoking sermon by American Rabbi Sharon Brous. She asks, is it possible to support one's own tribe witho...

Whether you're a parent, a youth pastor, a teacher or a young person yourself, you've probably seen all of the headlines concerning Gen Z. Rates of depression and loneliness are surging, their relationship with technology is kind of troubling, and they are leaving the church in droves. We've talked about these trends a lot on the Holy Post, but we're not alone. Tenx10 is a new collaborative discip...

Why do so many women find Christian organizations difficult places to work? Katelyn Beaty says the "bro code" within evangelicalism is to blame. She's back to define the different parts of bro code and why it needs to change. Then, immigration is once again a hot political debate, and it ranked as the top issue for many white evangelicals in recent elections. Last month, a group of Holy Posters vi...

Whether you're a parent, a youth pastor, a teacher or a young person yourself, you've probably seen all of the headlines concerning Gen Z. Rates of depression and loneliness are surging, their relationship with technology is kind of troubling, and they are leaving the church in droves. We've talked about these trends a lot on the Holy Post, but we're not alone. Tenx10 is a new collaborative discip...

 Striking auto union workers are quoting the Bible, progressive politicians are citing Jesus, and religious language is returning to more liberal causes. While everyone is focused on the rise of Christian nationalism on the political right, have we been ignoring a resurgence of the social gospel on the political left? Then, Drew Dyck is back to discuss his new book, "Just Show Up." He says the eva...

Whether you're a parent, a youth pastor, a teacher or a young person yourself, you've probably seen all of the headlines concerning Gen Z. Rates of depression and loneliness are surging, their relationship with technology is kind of troubling, and they are leaving the church in droves. We've talked about these trends a lot on the Holy Post, but we're not alone. Tenx10 is a new collaborative discip...

Democrats are pro-choice and Republicans are pro-life. Right? According to Ryan Burge it's not that simple. He says a closer look at the data reveals more nuance to the issue, including a significant number of Black and Latino Democrats who are strongly pro-life, and pro-life Republicans who support traditionally progressive social policies. In a post-Roe America, the abortion issue is getting a l...

Whether you're a parent, a youth pastor, a teacher or a young person yourself, you've probably seen all of the headlines concerning Gen Z. Rates of depression and loneliness are surging, their relationship with technology is kind of troubling, and they are leaving the church in droves. We've talked about these trends a lot on the Holy Post, but we're not alone. Tenx10 is a new collaborative discip...

The Republicans in Congress have finally chosen a new Speaker of the House, and he's a Bible-affirming, young Earth creationist, election denying, Southern Baptist. What does Mike Johnson's rise say about the growing influence of Southern fundamentalism in politics? Then, Phil interviews Warren Throckmorton and Michael Coulter about their book, "Getting Jefferson Right," and the attempts by Christ...

Liberty University, the country's largest Christian college, is facing a record-breaking fine of $37.5 million for failing to report crimes, including sexual assaults, that occur on its campus. David French and Skye Jethani discuss the case and its similarities to other scandals within Christian institutions. Why is there a culture of cover-ups within American evangelicalism? French points to the...

A Christian writer in Australia has a list of seven "pointless" things Christians fight about "for no good reason" including predestination, evolution, the inerrancy of the Bible, and worship. Phil presents all seven to Kaitlyn and Skye and discovers that maybe they're not all pointless. Then, Kaitlyn interviews best-selling author and professor Matthew Desmond about his most recent book, "Poverty...

Whether you're a parent, a youth pastor, a teacher or a young person yourself, you've probably seen all of the headlines concerning Gen Z. Rates of depression and loneliness are surging, their relationship with technology is kind of troubling, and they are leaving the church in droves. We've talked about these trends a lot on the Holy Post, but we're not alone. Tenx10 is a new collaborative discip...

World-renowned New Testament scholar N.T. Wright is back! He's written an entire book about the 8th chapter of Romans, and he talks to Skye about how this chapter and its themes—including glorification and even salvation—are widely misunderstood. Also this week—How over-simplifying the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can lead to bad takes about the war in Gaza, including the justificat...

Skye's new book "What If Jesus Was Serious About Heaven?" Is here! Kaitlyn interviews him about the book, why popular Christian beliefs about heaven are so often unbiblical, and how heaven can become an idol that replaces Jesus as the center of our faith. Also this week: Reactions to the war that's erupted in Israel. How will the End Times industry spin this unprecedented attack? Phil returns from...

The last five or six years have been rough for many thoughtful faithful Christians. The embrace of Trump and Trumpism, the rise of ethnic nationalism and xenophobia, conspiracy theories and abuse scandals have rocked the church. Many have walked away in disgust. Some have spoken out and paid the price and yet, rather than walking away, they have remained committed to Christ and his church. We want...

For decades most Americans have said other people cannot be trusted. The exception was regular churchgoers who reported more faith in their neighbors, but new data says attending church no longer boosts social trust. What's changed? Why are political conservatives suddenly talking much less about abortion and much more about transgender issues? Young earth creationists and Christian nationalists a...

The last five or six years have been rough for many thoughtful faithful Christians. The embrace of Trump and Trumpism, the rise of ethnic nationalism and xenophobia, conspiracy theories and abuse scandals have rocked the church. Many have walked away in disgust. Some have spoken out and paid the price and yet, rather than walking away, they have remained committed to Christ and his church. We want...

Even pro-life critics of Donald Trump credit him with appointing three Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v Wade. But now Trump is calling further restrictions to abortion a "terrible thing." Why are pro-life conservatives still overwhelming supporting the ex-President? David French discusses the shifting politics of the pro-life movement, the risk of aligning with Trump, and why abortions...