The Holy Post

A new study finds evangelicals see most thing in society in categories of good and evil while nonbelievers see more nuance. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the implications. Bob Jones University has a fashion design department. What could possibly go wrong? Pretty much everything when a student discovered his androgynous Jesus coat was a fundamentalist fashion faux pas. Then, art historian Matthew Milliner talks about his new book “The Everlasting People: G.K. Chesterton and the First Nations.” Milliner explains the arrogance and injustice of progressivism, and the surprising story of Christianity among indigenous North Americans that rarely gets told. Plus, 100 monkeys on a truck and drunks on a plane. News Segment 0:00 - Intro 3:29 - Animal News https://apnews.com/article/oddities-pennsylvania-monkeys-animals-52100c02527985f7dde4674724bb3332 8:16 - News of the Butt https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/22/us/covid-flight-passenger-violent.html 16:34 - Fundamentalist fashion faux pas https://baptistnews.com/article/how-a-students-fashion-design-project-upset-the-created-order-at-bob-jones-university/#.Ye7fBS1h1B0 39:50 - Can society be split into good and evil? https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/12/21/christians-religiously-unaffiliated-differ-on-whether-most-things-in-society-can-be-divided-into-good-evil/https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/03/the-yuck-factor/580465/ Sponsor 51:40 - This episode is sponsored by Abide: http://abide.co/holypost Interview with Matthew Milliner “The Everlasting People: G.K. Chesterton and the First Nations” - https://amzn.to/3tY6PYx 52:44 - Interview Start/Intro 54:45 - Why this book? 1:01:27 - Chesterton’s worldview 1:08:00 - Progressivism then and now 1:15:08 - Christianity in native cultures 1:22:18 - Indigenous symbols 1:30:29 - EndOther resources mentioned: “Orthodoxy” by G.K. Chesterton - https://amzn.to/3G1TYGY“Dream Catchers” by Philip Jenkins - https://amzn.to/3FZJJDm “One Church, Many Tribes” by Richard Twiss - https://amzn.to/3AuRksc “Mixed Blessings” edited by Tolly Bradford & Chelsea Horton - https://amzn.to/35oZgjq 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.

To commemorate MLK Day, Phil asks Esau McCaulley if we’re making progress on race or if we’ve gone backwards in the last few years. His answer might surprise you. Skye then interviews Old Testament professor, David T. Lamb, about the updated version of his book, “God Behaving Badly: Is the God of the Old Testament Angry, Sexist and Racist?” Lamb argues that if read correctly, we’d discover the Old Testament is surprisingly progressive rather than barbaric. Also this week, controversy erupts as after school Satan clubs sponsored by The Satanic Temple pop up in elementary schools with Good News clubs. And, a country music star withdraws his support from a Christian school that teaches racism is a reality. Plus, scientists discover sea slugs have an interesting party trick.   News Segment0:00 - Start 2:41 - News of the Butt https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/this-sea-slug-can-chop-off-its-head-and-grow-an-entire-new-body-twice1/ 14:25 - After School Satan Club https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/local-news/debate-continues-over-satanic-club-set-to-meet-thursday-at-qc-elementary-school/ 22:19 - John Rich angry about school materials discussing racism https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/pithinthewind/john-rich-is-angry-about-lipscomb-academys-dean-of-intercultural-development/article_d0e7797a-9a3c-5f86-8e8c-fba6dba38951.html Interview with Esau McCaulley Website: https://esaumccaulley.com “Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope” - https://amzn.to/3FA3H7m 35:05 - Interview Start 36:14 - Reflecting on the last 18 months 41:51 - Where the white evangelical church is now 51:04 - Being part of the solution Sponsor 1:00:16 - Faithful Counseling Thanks to Faithful Counseling for sponsoring this episode: faithfulcounseling.com/holypost Announcement 1:01:29 - Livestream with Josh Packard: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Interview with David T. Lamb Website: https://davidtlamb.com/ “God Behaving Badly: Is the God of the Old Testament Angry, Sexist and Racist?” (Expanded Edition) - https://amzn.to/3GH5s49 1:02:52 - Intro/Interview start 1:04:37 - Understanding the Old Testament as progressive 1:15:49 - The issue of collective justice BONUS INTERVIEW (Polygamy in the Old Testament): https://www.patreon.com/posts/61346792/ 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.

Last week, the country commemorated the one-year anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn examine what’s changed, and what hasn’t, since the attack and what impact it’s had on both Christians and our culture. They also respond to Samuel Perry’s article about the way Christian Nationalism threatens democracy. Then, Skye talks to Australian theologian Michael Bird about the doctrine of biblical inerrancy. While Christians throughout the world affirm the Bible’s inerrancy, Bird says American Evangelicals uniquely see the doctrine as “the one ring to rule them all.” He documents many cases where inerrancy isn’t used to defend the Bible, but a particular interpretation of the Bible. Also this week—goldfish chauffeurs and the Japanese invent a finger-nibbling robot to “free all humanity.” News Segment 0:00 - Intro 3:05 - Scientists teach goldfish how to drive https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2022/01/07/goldfish-drive/9131026002/ 9:13 - Finger-nibbling robots https://www.ubergizmo.com/2022/01/yakai-engineering-amagami-ham-ham/ 12:48 - Anniversary of January 6th Capitol attacks https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/06/opinion/jan-6-christian-nationalism.html https://religionnews.com/2022/01/05/violence-isnt-the-only-way-christian-nationalism-endangers-democracy/ Interview with Michael F. Bird “Saving Inerrancy from the Americans?” article - https://michaelfbird.substack.com/p/saving-inerrancy-from-the-americans “Seven Things I Wish People Knew About the Bible” book - https://amzn.to/33pYLV6 47:40 - Intro/Interview Start 50:44 - Inerrancy vs. infallibility 57:21 - American evangelicalism and inerrancy 1:07:46 - Global church and inerrancy 1:11:26 - Authorities of scripture, interpretation, and historic church doctrine 1:20:42 - Perspectives from the global church on other issues 1:27:21 - Interview End 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.

Phil experienced a Twitter typhoon last week when he suggested “love your country” is not a Biblical command. The Holy Post crew unpacks the reactions and asks what separates godly and ungodly patriotism. Then, Skye talks to Christine Caine, founder of The A21 Campaign, about her experience of American evangelicalism as an Australian Pentecostal. With decades of experience in ministry around the world, and working against human trafficking in 14 countries, Caine says she was shocked by what she found in the American church, and advocates for more listening and cooperation with Christians in other traditions and cultures. Also this week, a Japanese professor invents a TV you can taste, and a town in the UK is terrorized by a bloodthirsty squirrel. News Segment: 0:00 - Intro and updates 4:29 - Squirrel rampage https://nypost.com/2021/12/29/squirrel-from-hell-injures-18-during-48-hour-biting-spree/ 8:36 - Lickable TV https://www.reuters.com/technology/lick-it-up-japan-professor-creates-tele-taste-tv-screen-2021-12-23/ 15:16 - ERLC clarification 17:38 - Critiquing our own team and purpose of the Holy Post 27:59 - Phil’s Twitter discussions on love of country 46:10 Sponsors Thanks to the sponsors of this week’s episode: Faithful Counseling: faithfulcounseling.com/holypost Abide: abide.co/holypost Interview with Christine Caine:A21 organization: https://www.a21.org48:36 - Interview Start 49:49 - Experience in Pentecostal church 55:28 - Church celebrity culture 1:05:02 - Healthy skepticism 1:09:12 - Cross-tradition interaction & the global church 1:25:17 - Ending

In a recent editorial, Kevin DeYoung took aim at Christian commentators, including David French, for criticizing the social and political hypocrisies within white evangelicalism. DeYoung says these necessary corrections are better left to pastors rather than “professional writers, academics, and full-time commentators.” David and Skye respond to DeYoung’s editorial by explaining the good, and bad, reasons so few pastors are speaking prophetically in America today. Then, they turn their attention to the remarkable NY Times report about the U.S. military underreporting civilian casualties from drone attacks in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. French explains why legally the terrorists, not the U.S. military, carry responsibility for these deaths, which leads to a wider discussion about the ethics of war in general, the way drones may change Americans’ view of war in the future, and whether the invasion of Iraq was justifiable to begin with. 0:00 - Intro 2:40 - Kevin DeYoung editorial on Christian commentators https://wng.org/opinions/deyoung-on-white-evangelicalism-1639659990 29:54 - Drone attacks, civilian casualties, and ethics of war https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/12/18/us/airstrikes-pentagon-records-civilian-deaths.html

After the mess that was 2020, we had such high hopes for 2021. Were our expectations met? Phil and Skye look back on the year when the evangelical empire dug in its heels. Those opposed to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter responded by labeling empathy a sin. Voices advocating for women and people of color within the SBC left the denomination. The Salvation Army reversed course on racial sensitivity, and female scholars faced a backlash for exposing Christian nationalism and patriarchy. Will 2022 be any different, or will the sorting of the entire culture into Red and Blue tribes continue? And how wide will the rift between classical and cultural evangelicals get? Then, the president of Barna Group, David Kinnaman, joins Skye to launch a new reoccurring segment—Barna Briefs. Kinnaman reveals brand new data about the state of the church and how the pandemic has revealed wide discontent among churchgoers with their congregations. He also says popular church structures are clearly insufficient for forming mature disciples and new church models are desperately needed. Kinnaman also reveals an alarming number of pastors are ready to leave ministry. Is there a silver lining to all of the troubling data? News Segment: 0:00 - Intro 4:34 - Looking back and looking ahead https://www.holypost.com/post/438-the-year-that-unveiled-evangelicalism-with-john-fea 9:10 - Stories from 2021: The “sin of empathy” conversation Holy Post episode 472 - https://youtu.be/D_NHhmdss5w?t=2000 12:28 - Was 2021 “The Empire Strikes Back”? 15:47 - Russell Moore and the ERLC Painting Phil references - https://www.metrotimes.com/the-scene/archives/2021/12/12/detroit-artist-jonathan-harris-strikes-a-nerve-around-the-world-with-critical-race-theory-painting26:02 - Salvation Army and “wokeness” 32:18 - Books from this year “Jesus and John Wayne” by Kristin Kobes Du Mez - https://amzn.to/3mHdVMx “The Making of Biblical Womanhood” by Beth Allison Barr - https://amzn.to/3ECopmL 42:01 - The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/ “Church Refugees” by Josh Packard - https://amzn.to/3pzky5m “A Church Called Tov ” by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer - https://amzn.to/3z4DJr7 53:06 - Looking toward 2022 Movie Phil references - “Don’t Look Up” (2021) Barna Brief with David Kinnaman: Free download for Holy Post listeners: https://www.barna.com/holypost/ 1:02:37 - Interview Start 1:04:12 - Project intro: State of the Church https://www.barna.com/stateofthechurch/ 1:05:31 - Digital church and effects of the pandemic 1:17:06 - Growing crisis among pastors 1:22:53 - Mental and emotional impact of pandemic 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.

Last Sunday, the former president attended an advent service at First Baptist Church in Dallas. Some have called what unfolded an example of evangelicalism’s syncretism with conservative politics. Why aren’t more people bothered by it? Then, Don Jr. said if Christians want to take back America they need to ignore Jesus’ commands like “Turn the other cheek.” Kaitlyn says he’s right. Skye responds to listener feedback to his interview about Gen Z, and Phil reads listener comments about abortion. Then, Kaitlyn speaks with New Testament professor Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall about Paul and gender. Dr. Westfall says we need to apply the same interpretive framework to what the Bible says about men as we do for women. Based on the weight of biblical evidence, she argues that the burden of proof isn’t on those who say women should lead and teach, but on those who say they shouldn’t. Plus, why are do so many Christmas cards this year fear assault weapons? One historian says you can blame the YMCA. PATREON BONUS: https://www.patreon.com/posts/60193055(This bonus segment is available to the public - no Patreon membership required. Click through to listen or watch!) News Segment 0:00 - Intro 2:43 - Mailbag: Gen Z 14:18 - Mailbag: Abortion 23:55 “How Trump Stole Christmas” https://time.com/6130228/donald-trump-christmas-evangelicals/33:29 - Donald Trump Jr. on turning the other cheek https://www.rawstory.com/turning-point-usa-and-donald-trump-jr/41:27 - Guns on Christmas cards https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/12/14/guns-christmas-thomas-massie-lauren-boebert/53:18 -Sponsor This episode is sponsored by FaithfulCounseling: faithfulcounseling.com/holypost Interview with Cynthia Long Westfall “Discovering Biblical Equality: Biblical, Theological, Cultural, and Practical Perspectives” - https://amzn.to/3egJok0 54:41 - Interview Start 56:46 - About the book - purpose and new edition 56:07 - Cynthia Long Westfall background 1:07:05 - Galatians 3:28 and differences between genders 1:19:53 - Advice for women in ministry Other resources mentioned: “Paul and Gender: Reclaiming the Apostle’s Vision for Men and Women in Christ” - https://amzn.to/3phN7nN 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.

Everyone seems to be talking about “deconstructing” faith, but researcher Josh Packard says it’s better to describe young people as “unbundling” faith. He joins Skye for a conversation about Springtide Research Institute’s new report on the State of Religion and Young People, and why Gen Z has such a negative perception of the church and such an inflated view of themselves. Also this week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could overturn Roe v. Wade. With some pro-life activists ecstatic, and pro-choice activists apoplectic, the Holy Post crew discusses what a post-Roe country could look like, how the pro-life movement could evolve, and what lessons we can learn from the era of Prohibition. Plus, the word “sorcery” was the fastest-growing search term on Bible Gateway in 2021. Should it have been “asininity”? News Segment 0:00 - Intro 3:26 - Fastest-growing search term on Bible Gateway https://religionnews.com/2021/12/02/why-sorcery-was-the-fastest-growing-search-term-on-bible-gateway-in-2021/ 14:23 - Supreme Court and Roe v. Wade https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/how-southern-baptists-became-pro-life/ 48:31 - Sponsors This episode is sponsored by Abide: http://abide.co/holypost Interview with Josh Packard Springtide Research Institute report: https://www.springtideresearch.org/research/the-state-of-religion-2021 49:36 - Intro 51:12 - Major findings from report 55:06 - Implications of unbundling 1:05:55 - Values gap 1:18:41 - Impact of religious communities on flourishing Other resources: www.wsj.com/articles/young-people-say-disconnect-keeps-them-from-church-11635163200

A recent survey found that 49 percent of pastors reported conspiracy theories were spreading within their congregations. This is especially prevalent within evangelical communities. Although evangelicals are supposed to be known as people of the “good news”—which is what the word “evangelical” literally means—in many places they’ve become the largest consumers and spreaders of “fake news.” In this special episode co-produced with the Love Thy Neighborhood podcast, Skye Jethani and Jesse Eubanks take a closer look at the origins and impact of fake news. How we should define what’s “fake”, why it’s become such a problem, and what can Christians do about it. Love Thy Neighborhood podcast: https://lovethyneighborhood.org/ltnpodcast/ Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com 0:00 - Intro 2:04 - War of the Worlds 7:40 - What is fake news? https://www.newsguardtech.com/special-reports/special-report-2020-engagement-analysis/ https://lifewayresearch.com/2021/01/26/half-of-u-s-protestant-pastors-hear-conspiracy-theories-in-their-churches/ https://guides.lib.umich.edu/fakenews 10:25 - Fake news in the church https://www.businessinsider.com/pastors-quit-after-qanon-radicalize-congregation-2021-3 12:01 - Follow the money https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/abs/partisan-polarization-is-the-primary-psychological-motivation-behind-political-fake-news-sharing-on-twitter/3F7D2098CD87AE5501F7AD4A7FA83602 23:17 - Episode sponsors With God Daily: http://withgoddaily.com The Movie Proposal: https://www.themovieproposal.com 25:35 - Technology Jason Thacker: https://jasonthacker.com https://news.mit.edu/2018/study-twitter-false-news-travels-faster-true-stories-0308 31:03 - Reclaiming truth https://www.allsides.com https://www.businessinsider.com/christians-are-often-victims-of-conspiracy-theories-health-falsehoods-2021-4

Today, privilege has become a dirty word that is automatically associated with sinfulness, but Dominique Gilliard, author of “Subversive Witness: Scripture’s Call to Leverage Privilege,” says it doesn’t have to be. He explores the many biblical characters who used their privilege redemptively rather than selfishly, and challenges us to rethink our assumptions about who is really privileged in our society.  Also this week, a new study reveals how our preferred news source shapes our political and cultural beliefs—especially for those on the more conservative end of the spectrum. As the Supreme Court hears arguments about Mississippi’s new abortion law, Tish Harrison Warren says we need to rethink our definition of feminism to include women who are pro-life. Plus, Phil goes to an indoor waterpark, and the Japanese have an innovative new energy source. News Segment: 0:00 - Intro/Thanksgiving highlights 12:41 - News of the Butt 20:50 - PRRI media study https://www.prri.org/spotlight/why-we-divide-republicans-by-media-trust-the-oan-newsmax-effect/ 36:29 - Feminism and pro-life https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/28/opinion/feminism-abortion-pro-life.html 50:11 - MyPillow ads 52:17 - Holy Post merch https://www.holypost.com/shop Interview with Dominique DuBois Gilliard: “Subversive Witness: Scripture’s Call to Leverage Privilege” - https://amzn.to/3Dm9igF 53:32 - Introduction 57:31 - Defining privilege 1:04:45 - How stories in Scripture help us 1:08:20 - Accountability in leveraging privilege 1:21:08 - Interpreting the rich young ruler 1:26:49 - Fruit in ongoing repentance Other resources mentioned: “Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice That Restores” - https://amzn.to/3E9n8nK 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.