Church scandals are nothing new, but why do they keep making the same mistakes over and over? Katelyn Beaty is back to dissect a few recent, high profile stories of churches mishandling accusations against leaders, and she offers lessons we can all learn from their mistakes. Plus, New Yorkers are appalled by a proposal to have men and women only days at a public beach, and what do fertility rates have to do with Millennials leaving the church?
Jul 25, 2018•1 hr 5 min
The gospel is about going to heaven when we die, right? Wrong. Christian and Skye discuss the many popular but false ideas about heaven, death, and the gospel in a new addition of "Christian Asks." Plus, a liberal writer freaks out over the Supreme Court saying evangelicals want to control women's bodies. Skye disagrees arguing he can hardly control his own. Phil unpacks new research that says "find your passion" is really bad career advice. And Christian has travel tips if you're ever in Norman...
Jul 18, 2018•52 min
Some think Donald Trump's record-breaking support among white evangelicals is abnormal, but not historian John Fea. He unpacks 200 years of American church history to show why so many evangelicals favored Trump over other conservative, Christian candidates. Plus, Phil, Christian, and Skye deconstruct Chris Pratt's brilliant mini-sermon at the MTV Awards, and wonder why Christians in Nevada are supporting "America's #1 Pimp" for the state legislature. It's politics, Pratt, and pimps on the Holy P...
Jul 11, 2018•1 hr 6 min
Christian's back from France! Her report from Normandy raises a question: should old Nazi veterans be included in D-Day commemorations? The gang discusses the future of Roe v. Wade, and Phil (finally) offers his take on NFL players kneeling during the anthem. Plus, Drew Dyck is back with his review of Jordan Peterson's best-seller, "12 Rules for Life."
Jul 04, 2018•1 hr 5 min
What would (cartoon) Jesus do? Europe doesn't have a great track record with cartoon depictions of religious leaders. Will an animated Jesus TV show for adults change that? The Miss America pageant announced it's ending the swimsuit competition, so Phil explores how Christians went from denouncing the pageant in the 1920s to celebrating it by the 1960s. Finally, Skye responds to listener questions about worship and how he thinks about women in ministry.
Jun 27, 2018•50 min
Phil offers an impromptu history of European banking while insulting the French. Skye reports back from Disneyland and the #MeToo renovation of Pirates of the Caribbean. Dr. David Fitch says evangelicals have gotten church leadership all wrong. Rather than a hierarchy or democracy he says we need a pneumatocracy. (You'll have to listen to find out what that means.) Plus, Phil ponders new research that says your "butt brain" may help with memory.
Jun 20, 2018•57 min
What's so special about January 10, 2013? That's the day Skye believes Christianity ceased to be viewed as a moral belief system in the U.S. Based on his new article, he talks about the three factors that conspired to fundamentally shift the way nonbelievers see the faith, and why it requires a new approach to ministry. Plus, research says American atheists are more religious than European Christians, the opioid epidemic has reached mollusks, & Phil discovers we have a second brain—you'll ne...
Jun 13, 2018•1 hr 8 min
Our friend from across the pond and host of "Unbelievable," Justin Brierley, is back. He discusses why Christians are infatuated with Jordan Peterson, and why even secular Brits have given up on the New Atheists. Phil and Skye dissect the Supreme Court's decision in the Colorado wedding cake case, and debate whether they'd rather be Mr. Rogers or Clint Eastwood after new research says testosterone is a barrier to faith.
Jun 06, 2018•1 hr 3 min
Some Christians are rethinking the "purity culture" of their youths, but are they going too far? Katelyn Beaty is back to talk about what's good, and what's not so good, about progressive Christians building a sexual ethic on consent alone. Plus, youth pastors don't want to talk about science, Christians don't want to talk about faith, and Phil wants to talk about frozen frog urine.
May 30, 2018•1 hr 1 min
How do we define success in the Christian life? Jon Tyson is back to talk about his new book, The Burden is Light, and how we've let American ideas of success warp our vision of faith and ministry. Plus, Swedes are stealing owls, Trump is making women into witches, and Phil and Skye talk about the Democrats' "God Gap."
May 23, 2018•54 min
Phil, Skye, and Christian celebrate the big 3-0-0 by reminiscing about the launch of the podcast six years ago, recalling their favorite guests, and sharing how the world has changed since the show began. They also reveal the show's new name, new theme song, and plans for the future. Don't miss this episode!
May 16, 2018•59 min
Christian's back! And she helps Phil and Skye unpack new research on what Americans really believe about God, and you may be surprised to learn which Americans' beliefs align closest to the Bible. Drew Dyck returns for his latest must-read book recommendations, Disney World cancels its annual Christian music concert, and Phil exposes New Jersey's "pooperintendent" of schools.
May 09, 2018•1 hr 6 min
Let's be honest, our culture's understanding of sexuality and gender is a hot mess. The moment you feel like you've got a grasp of the issues, everything changes again. Dr. Preston Sprinkle is back to help us make sense of the conversation and prepare us for what's next. Plus, Skye reports on the meeting of evangelical leaders at Wheaton College, and Phil defends the legal rights of creative monkeys.
May 02, 2018•1 hr 19 min
It's become a very contentious issue, but few Christians know the surprising origins of religious liberty in the U.S. Author and church historian Brandon O'Brien is back to talk about a little known Baptist leader who shaped the First Amendment. Plus, why are so many atheists joining the Alt-Right movement, and what should we do about sexist 1980's movies in the era of #MeToo?
Apr 25, 2018•1 hr 2 min
This week Skye answers theology questions from our Patreon supporters like, is social justice biblical? And, when did the "gospel" become about my salvation rather than the kingdom of God? Phil and Skye discuss the fragility of megachurches and whether some celebrity pastors have become too big to fail. Plus, Phil takes a journey through the digestive system of the African elephant.
Apr 18, 2018•56 min
Jon Ward is the senior political correspondent for Yahoo News. He joins Skye for a conversation about what's broken with our politics, how to fix it, and the role of faith in Washington. Phil also unpacks new research on Christian nationalism, why is atheist Richard Dawkins worried about the decline of Christianity, and iguanas!
Apr 11, 2018•1 hr 11 min
Our favorite Old Testament professor is back! Dr. John Walton has written a new book about Noah's flood, and he comes to some surprising conclusions. Was there really a worldwide deluge, or was it a smaller, local event? Plus, Phil and Skye ask why Christmas is so much bigger than Easter? Did the Pope deny the existence of hell? And did Jesus break into a Pizza Hut?
Apr 04, 2018•1 hr 4 min
Phil's busy writing and Skye's on vacation, so for Holy Week we're posting a special episode featuring a sermon Skye preached on March 11, 2018. (Please don't tell Read Schuchardt.) Skye looks at a dimension of the cross we often overlook and why the cross, not culture, is what unites the church.
Mar 28, 2018•37 min
Communications professor, Dr. Theon Hill, is back for a fascinating conversation about our post-truth, fake news culture. Hill believes for Christians to survive the deterioration of truth they should adopt the rhetorical strategies historically used by persecuted minorities including the black church. Plus, the gang discusses Evangelicalism. What is it? What was it? And what is the future of the Evangelical movement.
Mar 21, 2018•1 hr 6 min
The country music industry lost its mind when conservative Mike Huckabee was appointed to the CMA Foundation board. Is it a sign that even red states are becoming blue? Christian campus ministries are being accused of discrimination because they want their leaders to be Christians. Plus, Drew Dyck is back with his best book picks, and the gang tackles mental health and lizard brains.
Mar 14, 2018•48 min
Communications professor Read Schuchard is back to tell us how podcasting is replacing, and hurting, the church. Why should we bother to show up on Sunday if we can get the sermon anytime/anywhere? Plus, the gang discusses a meeting of evangelical and Muslim leaders in D.C., and why are strippers so popular Chinese funerals.
Mar 07, 2018•48 min
The passing of Billy Graham has triggered an avalanche of articles about the famed evangelist. Many are tributes but some are rebukes. Phil, Skye, and Christian try to make sense of it all and discuss why Graham was most often attacked by conservatives during his life but liberals after his death. And what will be the future of the evangelical movement he helped create?
Feb 28, 2018•55 min
Is the passing of Billy Graham symbolic of the passing of American evangelicalism? Skye discusses that with Drew Dyck along with a new book about how social media does more harm than good. Plus, Phil and the gang talk about Christians giving a pass to Donald Trump, and why are so many more teens identifying as LGBT.
Feb 22, 2018•1 hr 6 min
If you don't believe in hell are you guaranteed to go there? Which view of the atonement is right? And can pastors who behave really badly be restored? Skye answers your theology questions this week, plus the gang discusses deadly Amish buggies, lady Doritos, and the latest ridiculous claims made by evangelicalism's crazy uncles (and aunts).
Feb 14, 2018•55 min
Is heaven really the goal of the Christian life? Did Jesus really come to rescue us from an earth doomed to destruction? Skye and Christian discuss how many popular ideas about heaven are rooted in false beliefs from Greek and medieval mythologies rather than the New Testament. Also, Phil's back to talk about beavers, monkeys, and religious liberty for Satanists. Patreon.com/philvischer https://youtu.be/Zy2AQlK6C5k
Feb 07, 2018•42 min
Headlines erupted when an evangelical megachurch gave a standing ovation to a pastor who confessed to sexual misconduct with a teenager. Are evangelicals really that out of touch with the #MeToo movement? Guest Katelyn Beaty brings clarity and wisdom to the conversation. Plus, Botox for camels, the spread of Islam, and a brief history of chain migration.
Jan 30, 2018•1 hr 3 min
Should cannabis churches that claim marijuana is a sacrament be protected by the law? Why are megachurches so white, almost all led by men, and very unclear about their stance on LGBTs? Phil, Skye, and Christian unpack new research. Plus, Skye discusses what the "wall of separation" between church and state really means.
Jan 24, 2018•1 hr 8 min
Christian is back with Phil and Skye to discuss new research that says evangelicals aren't as anti-science as we've been led to believe. Plus, Phil discovers something disturbing about avocados. Skye then interviews journalist Jonathan Merritt about the biggest stories of 2017—including the growing number of evangelical leaders now affirming same-sex marriage and the split between elite and populist Christians over Trump. Will these trends continue in 2018?
Jan 17, 2018•58 min
Too much artistic expression in America lives at the extremes - either completely secular or overwhelmingly, explicitly Christian. What about stories from the middle? Stories iIlluminated by the Christian narrative without being so, you know, "Christiany?" Singer/songwriter/author Andrew Peterson and his producing partner Chris Wall join Phil and Skye to talk about Peterson's Wingfeather Saga fantasy books and the effort to bring them to the screen as an animated series. Plus… Phil and Skye disc...
Jan 09, 2018•49 min
What exactly are "vampire churches," and why does Skye believe they're sucking the life out of American Christianity? How can "effectiveness" and "ambition" be the enemies of ministry? And why can't Phil stop talking about turtles?? Phil and Skye discuss Skye's new book, Immeasurable. And turtles. This week on the podcast! (Due to a technical glitch, there is no video on YouTube this week. Terribly sorry. Picture us in your minds. Phil is wearing dark purple. Skye is bald. Christian is missing. ...
Nov 27, 2017•51 min
