The Holy Post

Latest Episodes:

664: An Atheist Says America Needs Jesus with Jonathan Rauch Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Donald Trump launched a global trade war because he thinks America's trade deficit makes us "losers," but does he even understand what a trade deficit is? Phil introduces a new segment full of statistics that make Kaitlyn and Skye groan. And they discuss David Brooks' new article in The Atlantic, which compares this moment in U.S. history to the era of Andrew Jackson, and offers hope for what may come after MAGA. Skye interviews Jonathan Rauch about his new book, "Cross Purposes." Rauch, an atheist, says his antagonism toward Christianity changed when he came to see how vital it is to American democracy and why evangelicals' failure to follow Jesus is putting the whole country at risk.

Holy Post Plus:

Bonus Interview with Jonathan Rauch

https://www.patreon.com/posts/125941930/

Ad-Free Version of this Episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/126225451/

0:00 - Show Starts

3:05 - Theme Song

3:30 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month

4:35 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 25% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST

7:12 - Stock Market Crash!

15:49 - How Idols Steal from Us

20:36 - DEI Removal

27:50 - Nihilism

41:20 - How Do Things Get Better?

48:18 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order

49:22 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST

50:30 - Interview

55:04 - Secularization's Consequences

1:06:22 - Christianity as an Exilic Religion

1:15:20 - Evangelism as Market-Driven Religion

1:26:52 - End Credits

Links from News Segment:

David Brooks Article:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/05/trumpism-maga-populism-power-pursuit/682116/

Other Resources:

Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy by Jonathan Rauch:

https://a.co/d/8Zl4bvs

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

663: Snow White, Scarcity, & Why Immigration is Pro-Life and Bri Stensrud Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Disney's new live-action remake of Snow White has been a disaster with people on all sides of the political divide and culture wars finding something to hate about the film, but could it also be full of important Christian theology? Phil and Skye are joined by Mike Erre to examine the biblical theme of abundance versus scarcity, how it applies to Christians, and why so many evangelicals have accepted a zero-sum vision that is contrary to the kingdom of God. Kaitlyn Schiess interviews Bri Stensrud, director of Women of Welcome, about her journey from being a pro-life advocate to also being pro-immigrant and the false narratives too many Christians believe about this issue. Also this week—Franklin Graham criticizes Donald Trump (for his language), and did the CIA find the Ark of the Covenant in 1988?

Holy Post Plus:

Bonus Interview with Bri Stensrud:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/125693313/

Ad-free Version of this episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/125704877/

0:00 - Show Starts

3:30 - Theme Song

3:50 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month

5:00 - Sponsor - Fabric by Gerber Life - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://www.meetfabric.com/HOLYPOST

8:20 - Declassified CIA Files

17:05 - Foreign Students Status Revoked

21:00 - US vs. Europe on DEI

28:30 - Franklin Graham on Trump's Language

41:02 - Snow White Movie and Scarcity Mindset

49:15 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST

51:35 - Sponsor - World Relief: The Path - Get your FREE prayer guide: Prayers for Such a Time as This. If you want to go beyond prayer, you can also learn more about joining The Path as a monthly partner with World Relief! https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost

52:42- Interview

54:44 - Consistent Pro-Life

59:46 - The Effect of First-Hand Experience

1:09:17 - Misconceptions About Immigration

1:17:54 - Tough Conversations

1:27:14 - End Credits

Links from News Segment:

Declassified CIA Files on Ark of Covenant:

https://www.uniladtech.com/news/declassified-cia-files-ark-covenant-may-be-found-337110-20250328?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/christianity

Government Revoked Student Visas:

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/28/g-s1-56780/trump-administration-advances-immigration-crackdown-on-foreign-student-protesters

Snow White and Abundance Over Scarcity:

https://www.ncronline.org/culture/snow-white-paints-vision-abundance-over-scarcity?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/entertainment

Other Resources:

Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation by Bri Stensrud: https://a.co/d/hYNvaEw

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying

purchases.

French Friday: Now Only on The SkyePod Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

French Friday is now only available on The SkyePod!

Follow The SkyePod now on your podcast streaming platform of choice for full episodes of French Friday every month: https://pod.link/1765560765

662: Why Nazi Comparisons Don't Help & Hosting Cultural Conversations and Lee C. Camp Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

It's become popular to compare our current political moment with the rise of the Nazi Party in Germany in the 1930s, but what if the better comparison is Germany in the 1920s? A new article by Paul Miller argues that to avoid the rise of authoritarianism, Christian in the United States should do the hard work now of creating an alternative political narrative rather than the easy work of demonizing one side or the other as "Nazis." Skye talks to Lee Camp, the creator and host of "No Small Endeavor," about creating spaces for diverse people to have important conversations and why fear is the barrier to practicing godly hospitality. Also this week—evangelicals aren't entirely opposed to science. But, just like everyone else, they reject the science that contradicts their politics.

Holy Post Plus:

An Evening with the Holy Post: Kaitlyn Schiess and Shane Claiborne

https://www.patreon.com/posts/124791463/

Ad-free Version of this episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/125154482/

0:00 - Show Starts

3:56 - Theme Song

4:15 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST

5:25 - Sponsor - Glorify - Sign up for the #1 Christian Daily Devotional App to help you stay focused on God. Go to https://glorify-app.com/en/HOLYPOST to download the app today!

7:20 - Politics and Believing Science

21:43 - America's Weimar Moment

49:15 - The Leader's Way Podcast - Want to enrich your ministry to bring hope to the world? Listen to Christian thinkers and leaders at https://berkeleydivinity.yale.edu/podcast/holypost

50:05 - Sponsor - Bushnell University - Equip yourself to be transformative in your community! Go to https://www.bushnell.edu

50:55- Interview

57:40 - When Did No Small Endeavor Become so Broad?

1:03:02 - Hospitality vs Fear

1:15:25 - Hospitality Across the Spectrum

1:23:13 - End Credits

Links from News Segment:

Are Evangelical Clergy Outliers on Science? Yes and No

https://religionnews.com/2025/03/20/are-evangelical-clergy-outliers-on-science-yes-and-no/?utm_medium=social

A Confessing Church for America's Weimar Moment:

https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/christians-confessing-church-america2/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=A%20Confessing%20Church%20for%20America%20s%20Weimar%20Moment&utm_campaign=A%20Confessing%20Church%20for%20America%20s%20Weimar%20Moment

Other Resources:

No Small Endeavor Tour: https://www.nosmallendeavor.com/events

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying

purchases.

661: Non-Cringy Christian Media & the Nicene Creed and Glenn Packiam Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

A new slate of Christian movies and television shows is managing to draw both acclaim from critics and the attention of non-believers. Are the days of cringy Christian media finally behind us? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the impact of "The Chosen" and the new Amazon series, "House of David." What do these shows get right that so many past faith-based projects got wrong? The Oscar-winning documentary, "No Other Land," cannot find a distributor in the U.S. because critics say it's antisemitic, but Phil managed to watch it anyway. He offers his take on the movie, why it's controversial, and how we can distinguish between sinful antisemitism and legitimate criticism of the Israeli government. Then, Kaitlyn interviews Glenn Packiam about his new book about the Nicene Creed, "What's a Christian Anyway?" Packiam says the creed can be a beautiful lifeline to people caught in the crosswinds of church corruption and cultural confusion. Also this week: Animal news TSA edition.

Holy Post Plus:

Bonus Interview:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/124207660/

Ad-free Version of this episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/124640646/

0:00 - Show Starts

3:00 - Theme Song

3:20 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST

4:37 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month

8:20 - Sneaking a Turtle Past TSA

13:10 - Non-cringy Christian Shows?

28:45 - Other Land Documentary

41:24 - Anti-Semiticism vs Criticizing Israel

47:50 - Sponsor - Fabric by Gerber Life - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://www.meetfabric.com/HOLYPOST

49:00 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.

50:00 - Interview

1:22:03 - End Credits

Links from News Segment:

TSA Finds Turtle in Man's Pants

https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/03/11/tsa-stops-man-turtle-concealed-his-groin

Other Resources:

What's a Christian, Anyway?: Finding Our Way in an Age of Confusion and Corruption by Glenn Packiam: https://a.co/d/edrJMmB

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying

purchases.

660: Following Christ in "Negative World" and Charlie Peacock Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

With declining church attendance and shifting values, there's no denying that our culture's posture toward Christianity has changed. Some say America is now "post-Christian," but author Aaron Renn believes it is downright "anti-Christian." In a recent NY Times profile, Renn explains why he thinks Christianity now occupies a "negative world," and why the winsome approach of leaders like Tim Keller should be abandoned for more aggressive tactics. Then, Phil talks with legendary musician, songwriter, and producer Charlie Peacock about his new memoir, "Roots in Rhythm: A Life in Music." Also this week, a leaked memo reveals the real impact of Trump's foreign aid cuts and immigration policy, and what exhibits would you add to the Museum of Failure?

Holy Post Plus:

Bonus Interview:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/124128840/

Ad-free Version of this episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/124154267/

0:00 - Show Starts

2:35 - Theme Song

2:00 - Sponsor - World Relief - Visit https://worldrelief.org/STAND to join The Path to support vulnerable communities around the world!

3:10 - Sponsor - Bushnell University - Equip yourself to be transformative in your community! Go to https://www.bushnell.edu

5:10 - Museum of Failure

10:35 - Trump Cutting Funding—to the US?

24:30 - Negative World

32:57 - Crotch Christianity?

53:00 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order

54:10 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month

55:20 - Interview

1:06:00 - Personal Spirituality and the Music Industry

1:14:22 - Death on the Mountaintop

1:31:30 - End Credits

Links from News Segment:

Museum of Failure:

https://abc7news.com/post/museum-failure-look-legal-challenges-surrounding-what-could-san-franciscos-newest-attraction/15955141/

Article on Aaren Renn by Ruth Graham and Madeleine Hordinski:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/us/aaron-renn-christianity-conservative-negative-world.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c&pvid=37FBD019-9B01-4CB8-B85C-587FBFCB4794#

Other Resources:

Roots and Rhythm by Charlie Peacock: A Life in Music: https://a.co/d/2lwSYE2

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying

purchases.

659: The Root of Racism is Greed Not Hate with Malcolm Foley Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

After a made-for-T.V. meltdown in the Oval Office between President Trump and President Zelensky of Ukraine, the administration cut all military aid to Ukraine and sided with Russia instead. Will this cause some evangelicals to rethink their support for Trump, and if so where will they go? Two popular Christian books are saying that empathy is manipulative at best, or downright sinful at worst. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn examine their arguments. Most Christians probably believe that racism is rooted in hate or ignorance, but historian Malcolm Foley says it's really all about greed. Until we understand the economic origins of racism, he says, the church won't be equipped to fight it. Also this week—name five things you did last week to justify your existence.

Holy Post Plus:

Bonus Interview:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/123640386/

Ad-free Version of this episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/123640061/

0:00 - Show Starts

2:57 - Theme Song

3:18 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.

4:13 - Sponsor - Pique - Pique's tea is a superfood in a cup! Comes with a frother and glass beaker—get the starter kit at https://piquelife.com/HOLYPOST

5:50 - Five Things to Justify Your Existence

9:24 - Zelensky and Trump

19:26 - Cutting Off Therapeutic Food

26:35 - The Divide of Politics and Personal Ethics

30:20 - The Sin of Empathy

40:35 - Misidentifying the Problem

55:19 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 25% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST

56:25 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST

57:42 - Interview

59:50 - What Links Theology and Finance?

1:03:35 - How Greed Leads to Racism

1:18:00 - Love as a Material Relationship

1:30:52 - End Credits

Resources:

The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money in the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward by Malcolm Foley: https://a.co/d/cSlX28G

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

French Friday: A Unified Theory of Trump Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

In his first month in office, Donald Trump has broken international agreements with allies, ended all foreign aid, voted with America's enemies in the UN, posted a plan to turn Gaza into a Trump casino and resort, purged the Pentagon of military commanders, appointed podcasters and conspiracy theorists to his cabinet, and threatened to invade or annex Canada, Greenland, and Panama. David French and Skye Jethani discuss various theories to explain Trump's approach to governing, and find one model that makes a lot of sense in an article by Jonathan Rouch. Then they contrast it with what the Founders said was necessary for the republic to survive—virtue. Finally, they discuss how the decline of virtue in American leadership may be the fruit of the church's failure to make disciples.

0:00 - French Friday's Moving to The SkyePod!

1:27 - The Theme Song

2:23 - Ukraine and Trump

8:11 - Trump 1.0 vs Trump 2.0

16:43 - Triumphalism's Shelf Life

25:53 - Bureaucracy vs Mob Boss

32:38 - Megachurches and Patrimonialism

39:38 - American Democracy and Christianity

55:52 - Prophecy's Role in MAGA

1:05:00 - End Credits

One Word Describes Trump (Article by Jonathan Rauch): https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/corruption-trump-administration/681794/

Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy by Jonathan Rauch: https://a.co/d/26wdqNC

Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America by Jeffrey Rosen: https://a.co/d/6Crl6Hk

658: Justice, Mercy, & Becoming Good News People with Derwin Gray Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Has Wheaton College, the flagship of evangelical higher ed, gone woke? Concerned parents and alumni have published a letter accusing the school of valuing diversity more than discipleship. Others have responded by defending Wheaton against the unfounded claims of the MAGA mob. What does the controversy reveal about the state of evangelicalism in the U.S.? A new piece by friend of the show, Karen Swallow Prior, explores the relationship between justice and mercy. Does emphasizing one value more than the other explain the rift in the American church? Derwin Gray is back to discuss his new book, "Lit Up With Love." He explains how evangelism fits into the bigger narrative of the Bible, and how our reconciliation with God impacts our reconciliation with others. Also this week—North Dakota officially rejects the kingship of Jesus.

Holy Post Plus:

Ad-Free version of this episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123105870/

0:00 - Show Starts

4:07 - Theme Song

4:29 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.

5:26 - Sponsor - Faithful Counseling - This episode is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Give online therapy a try at https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off

8:09 - Legal Resolution to Recognize Kingship of Jesus

12:56 - Wheaton Controversy, Russell Vought

18:42 - Wheaton, the Cultural Institution

31:03 - Justice and Mercy

37:05 - The Necessity of Wisdom

41:10 - What is Legalism?

53:03 - Sponsor - Fabric by Gerber Life - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://www.meetfabric.com/HOLYPOST

54:08 - Sponsor - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!

55:20 - Interview

56:28 - Lit Up With Love

1:00:03 - Appetizer for the New Creation

1:06:11 - Confrontational Evangelism

1:15:10 - The Risk of Loving the Church

1:25:52 - End Credits

Links Mentioned in News Segment:

North Dakota House Rejects "Kingship of Jesus" Resolution:

https://news.prairiepublic.org/local-news/2025-02-19/house-rejects-kingship-resolution?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/religion

Mercy and Justice, False Dichotomy

https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/justice-mercy-virtues-christianity/

Other resources:

Lit Up with Love: Becoming Good-News People to a Gospel-Starved World by Derwin Gray: https://a.co/d/aRcDAuB

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying

purchases.

The SkyePod - SkyeDIVE: Worship & Justice Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

Skye explains the strong biblical ties between two seemingly related concepts: worship and justice. Can you even have one without the other?

Get the full episode by signing up for Holy Post Plus:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/122739547/