The Holy Post 702: Venezuela, Vanilla Ice, & the Church's Anxious Nerves with Sara Billups
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Jan 7, 2026 
The podcast features Esau McCauley, a theologian and public commentator, who discusses the controversial U.S. operation in Venezuela, raising questions about legality, morality, and American identity. Sara Billups, an author and cultural commentator, explores anxiety in both personal and church contexts, tying it to broader cultural issues in her book, 'Nervous System.' She offers insights into calming practices for individuals and leaders, emphasizing the importance of a non-anxious presence in politics and community life.
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Quiet Part Spoken Loudly
- The Venezuela operation exposed a pattern: stated motives (democracy) collapsed when the president admitted it was about oil.
- Trump saying "it's about the oil" erased moral pretense and reframed the action as a resource-driven power grab.
You Break It, You Own It
- Removing a leader without a plan creates responsibility the intervener must shoulder.
- Esau McCauley warns that destabilizing a regime is easy; ensuring recovery and stability is the harder ethical task.
A Return To Assertive Power
- Many Trump supporters believe America should stop apologizing and reassert global power, reframing intervention as rightful influence.
- Esau suggests this posture treats geopolitics like neighborhood turf disputes among powerful figures.
