700: What Every Christian Can Learn from A.A. with John Ortberg
The Holy Post
Why Churches Rarely Use AA's 12-Step Practices
Skye asks John Ortberg why churches omit 12-step wisdom; Ortberg cites reluctance to admit powerlessness and 'wimpy' step one.
Last weekend was filled with terrible news, including a mass shooting in Australia, another at Brown University, and the murder of Rob Reiner and his wife. Mike Erre joins Phil and Skye to discuss these events and why rediscovering the biblical practice of lament is better than just "thoughts and prayers." The Catholic Church has taken a nuanced and principled position on the deportation of immigrants. Why do evangelicals find that so difficult? Then John Ortberg talks with Skye about his latest book, which applies the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to Christian spiritual formation. It's called "Steps: A guide to transforming your life when willpower isn't enough." Also this week, the U.K. is building a giant Möbius strip for God.
Holy Post Plus:
Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/146012515/
Bonus Interview with John Ortberg:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/145907370/
0:00 - Show Starts
2:00 - Theme Song
2:23 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Get the AG1 welcome pack when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST
3:50 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST
4:56 - Mass Shooting in Australia
14:08 - The Murder of Rob Reiner
17:55 - Lament
24:37 - The Catholic Church and Immigration
28:37 - Murkiness of the US Immigration Crisis
37:10 - UK Prayer Mobius Strip
45:15 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com/holypost and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!
46:25 - Sponsor - Aura Frames - Need a Great Christmas Gift? Use code HOLYPOST at checkout to save $45-off the Carver Mat Aura Frame at https://www.AuraFrames.com
52:45 - A Wimpy Step One
1:00:14 - Showing Up
1:12:10 - Giving Up Control vs Giving Up Agency
1:24:06 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Deportation and the Catholic Church:
Mobius Strip of Prayer in the UK:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/uk-answered-prayer-monument-landmark-richard-gamble/
Other Resources:
Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough by John Ortberg: https://amzn.to/4q9YSJN
Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/
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