The newest Holy Post team member, Esau McCaulley, joins Phil and Skye to discuss two stories that caused outrage from both ends of the political spectrum during Holy Week. Trump is selling an American flag-wrapped Bible, and the Biden administration honored “Transgender Visibility Day” on Easter. And why are Catholic Charities being attacked for helping immigrants? Then Skye talks to atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe about how her evangelical faith led her to become a climate scientist. She...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast A recent bill to ban TikTok was passed in the House with bipartisan support. Skye talks with David French about the arguments for and against the bill, the likelihood of it passing the Senate, and why Trump claims China is America's biggest threat, and yet he still opposes the TikTok ban. Then, Skye and David break down two recent Supreme Court cases about social media content regulation. Should social media companies have complete control over what is posted on their platforms, and is it ok for...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade almost two years ago, the debate about abortion has taken on new dimensions. Factions within the pro-life camp are now battling each other. Could they break apart the Religious Right? Then, Kaitlyn interviews professor of Law and Religion, John Inazu, about his new book, “Learning to Disagree.” He says our differences don’t have to become divisions, which is a timely message in an election year. Plus, is Indonesia hiding a secret island of Hobbits? A...
Mar 27, 2024•2 hr 36 min•Transcript available on Metacast After a number of difficult years and dismal statistics, a new report from Barna says pastors are on the mend. Another book about “ex-vangelicals” has been released. Does it have anything new to add to the conversation? And a record number of Latinos in the U.S. are leaving Catholicism to become Pentecostal evangelicals. What does it mean for the future of the church? Then, Holy Post Media’s CEO, Jon Houghton, joins Skye to discuss how he’s leading the organization, why Christian media needs to ...
Mar 20, 2024•2 hr 35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Earlier this year, John MacArthur said that Martin Luther King Jr. was “a nonbeliever who misrepresented everything about Christ and the gospel.” Last week, Justin Giboney responded with an article in CT explaining why MacArthur was wrong about MLK. This leads Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye to ask when is it appropriate to define who is, and who is not, a true Christian, and what criteria should we use? Theologian Matthew Bates is back to discuss his new book, “Why the Gospel?” He defines six popular “...
Mar 13, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Transcript available on Metacast CORRECTION - The initial audio file uploaded this morning was missing the last 10 minutes. If your phone automatically downloads the episode, remove the download and then redownload it, and that should take care of the issue. Sorry for the inconvenience! 607: Are you feeling disillusioned about your faith? About your church? You’re definitely not alone. Creator of “The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” podcast, Mike Cosper, is back to talk about his new book, “Land of My Sojourn,” and how he came to e...
Mar 06, 2024•2 hr 38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last week the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created for in-vitro fertilization have the legal status of children, essentially ending all IVF treatments in the state. Some are applauding the ruling as both a morally and theologically consistent affirmation of human life. But others, including some Christians, are saying the pro-life movement is taking things too far. Then, how do we teach kids the core doctrines of the Christian faith when most adults in our churches don’t know ...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Transcript available on Metacast David and Skye discuss the upcoming primary election—if most people agree that Biden is too old to hold office, why hasn’t he stepped down? Would a different vice president give voters more confidence? Pastors, doctors, and politicians are routinely threatened with physical violence by MAGA—is this our fault for not standing up publicly against this behavior? 0:00 - Theme Song 0:18 - Episode Starts 0:40 - Biden’s Age 11:14 - Ezra Klein Suggests Democrats Leave Biden 21:33 - Is It Too Risky to Dr...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast A new book argues that the rise and decline of the Contemporary Christian Music industry helps explain the political idolatry of many Christians, and Karen Swallow Prior says the biblical manhood industry is a scam. These stories lead Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn to discuss whether American evangelicalism is defined more by consumer markets than by theology. Angie Weszely, the CEO of ProGrace, is back to talk about how the church can actually create a culture of life after the overturning of Roe. She...
Feb 21, 2024•2 hr 30 min•Transcript available on Metacast The “He Gets Us” campaign ran a Super Bowl ad showing culture war combatants washing each other’s feet. It has conservative Christians upset and non-Christians confused. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye react to the ad and unpack the many ways we misunderstand the meaning of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Then, New Testament professor Nijay Gupta is back to discuss his new book “Strange Religion” about what made early Christianity so weird and compelling. He explains what Roman religion looked like b...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Well, here we are again. The very same arguments that were rolled out by MAGA Christian leaders to justify supporting Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020 are back again in 2024. A new article in the Christian Post says America’s survival depends on Christians voting for Trump. Why do these fear tactics still work? Then, it’s true that all politicians lie, but PolitiFacts says Trump is a league of his own. And scientists explain why negative polarization in our politics may have evolutionary origins. T...
Feb 07, 2024•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast A new documentary hits theaters on February 16 about Christian Nationalism called God and Country. It features Phil and Skye, and many other Holy Post contributors. The executive producer of the movie is legendary actor, producer, and director, Rob Reiner, who’s created classics like The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, and A Few Good Men. Reiner is a well-known supporter of progressive political and cultural causes and he’s not a Christian, which has triggered an avalanche of criticism fro...
Jan 31, 2024•2 hr 33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Lately, there’s been lots of talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—sometimes as a virtuous initiative and sometimes as a boogeyman. Even Elon Musk weighed in, presenting it as a threat to our safety. Is this just another baseless moral panic? What are the potential pitfalls of DEI? David French joins Skye Jethani to discuss the issue. Plus, David French introduces, “The After Party,” a new curriculum to help Christians engage politics in a more thoughtful, humble, and hospitable way....
Jan 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast Evangelical voters have long supported Republican candidates, but who identifies as an evangelical Christian has changed over the years. A recent article written in The New York Times by Ruth Graham and Charles Homans argues that Trump is attracting a different kind of evangelical - one who loves their country and believes in God, but doesn’t actually go to church. Katelyn Beaty joins Phil and Kaitlyn to discuss the trend and why they aren’t as concerned this election cycle as previous ones. The...
Jan 24, 2024•2 hr 34 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s been nearly a decade since Donald Trump descended on his golden escalator and turned conventional wisdom about evangelical political values upside-down. Bonnie Kristian has a new article arguing that the only one’s still fighting about whether or not to support him are the “evangelical elites,” but for average evangelicals the debate about Trump is over. John Mark Comer is back to discuss his new book, “Practicing the Way.” He talks with Skye about the high cost of non-discipleship, and the...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast As Christianity declines in cultural influence what is taking its place? A recent article in The Atlantic written by Rabbi David Wolpe argues that paganism is on the rise, but it takes different forms on the cultural left and right. Mike Erre joins Phil and Skye to discuss the trend and why it may actually be good news for the church. Then, professor Scot McKnight returns to talk about his new translations of the New Testament called “The Second Testament.” He explains why his version uses odd l...
Jan 10, 2024•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn begin the new year by answering listener questions. They address how to make important decisions from picking a church to picking a candidate. If you disagree with a worship song in a church gathering should you still sing it? They share some of their favorite movies with redemptive themes, what alternative careers they’ve considered, and how they maintain relationships with people they disagree with. Plus, Skye shares why he thinks sermon-centric Sundays are a problem an...
Jan 03, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 fundamentalism, and what’s happening in American culture that may be driving more people to embrace...
Dec 29, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Barrel biscuits. They offer predictions for 2024. Esau joins the audience to play three hilarious roun...
Dec 27, 2023•2 hr 34 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 gospel writers. And he explains why the Puritans who first settled in America believed Christmas was s...
Dec 20, 2023•2 hr 36 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 God-hating Hollywood producer to destroy the church? Then, how do we deal with the unique pain caus...
Dec 13, 2023•2 hr 33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 discipleship initiative whose mission is to make faith matter more for this younger generation. We've part...
Dec 08, 2023•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 conditions for extremism to take over the movement. Also this week, surprising data after the Dobbs decision...
Dec 06, 2023•2 hr 31 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Then, they talk about new Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and his view on how the Bible informs hi...
Dec 01, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 without diminishing the human dignity of others? And how does this relate to Christian communities who fe...
Nov 29, 2023•2 hr 36 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 discipleship initiative whose mission is to make faith matter more for this younger generation. We've part...
Nov 24, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 visited the Southern border to see what’s really happening, meet with church leaders on both sides, as...
Nov 22, 2023•2 hr 31 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 discipleship initiative whose mission is to make faith matter more for this younger generation. We've part...
Nov 17, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 evangelical culture’s focus on changing the world for God warps our vision of a faithful life, and he ar...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 discipleship initiative whose mission is to make faith matter more for this younger generation. We've part...
Nov 10, 2023•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
