612: The Religious Vacuum, Politics, & the Powers with N.T. Wright
The Holy Post
Introduction
Exploring the implications of declining religious involvement on society, the intersection of faith and politics, and the importance of church-state relations. Includes a discussion on a new book about Jesus and the Powers, and a quirky anecdote about a Florida man sharing his Bible at Walgreens.
This week we’re discussing a series of articles exploring what we’re gaining and losing as fewer Americans are committed to religion and attending church. Even some non-believers are beginning to worry that the decline in religion may not be good for society, but does it also represent a new opportunity for the message of Christianity? Then, N.T. Wright is back to discuss his new book with co-author Michael Bird, “Jesus and the Powers.” While everyone knows mixing faith and politics can be dangerous, Wright says there’s also a danger when we refuse to mix them. He talks to Skye about what the Bible says on matters of church and state, and why we should defend liberal democracy despite its many problems. Also this week: Is the sun alive? And a Florida man shares the Bible at Walgreens on Easter.
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0:35 - Intro
1:21 - Show Starts
3:08 - Theme Song
3:30 - Sponsor - Wheaton Graduate School - Learn in a rich, rigorous Christian environment - www.wheaton.edu/holypost
4:34 - Kaitlyn’s new show announcement!
8:08 - Curiously, Kaitlyn Trailer - Go to holypost.com/follow to check it out!
10:15 - Florida Man Strikes Again (with a Bible) on Easter
13:43 - Does the Sun Dream of Electric Sheep? Consciousness and the Sun.
19:43 - The Cost of the Churchgoing Bust
28:52 - How Trump Fills the Secular Void
44:19 - Is Trumpism Emptying Churches?
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54:33 - Interview
56:02 - Why Doesn’t Separation of Church and State Work?
1:14:02 - Does the Kingdom of Heaven Imply There Will Be No Government?
1:17:10 - When Should Christians Submit to Governing Authorities?
1:24:56 - The Value of Liberal Democracy
1:30:15 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in the News Segment:
Florida Man Arrested for Hitting Manager with a Bible on Easter
The Sun’s Consciousness
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a60229168/panpsychism-everything-has-a-soul/
Trump is Emptying Churches
How Trump Fills a Void in an Increasingly Secular America
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/04/05/trump-religion-secularism-authoritarian-populism/
The True Cost of the Churchgoing Bust
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/04/america-religion-decline-non-affiliated/677951/
Other resources:
Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies by N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird: https://a.co/d/7tCBCK8
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