The Holy Post

With Skye out of town, Phil invites “hardest working man in evangelicalism” Ed Stetzer to sit in and discuss what went down in Nashville last week when 17,000 Southern Baptists all got in one room. What does it mean for Southern Baptists? What does it mean for evangelicalism? And does the mainstream media know the difference between the two? There were also two very interesting court rulings that came down last week with implications for religious liberty in America. So conservative columnist and civil liberties attorney David French stops by to talk through free-speech cake baking and foster care, and to answer the question - what do we do when defending our own rights pits us against the neighbors we are called to love? Plus... a farmer settles a property line dispute with a neighbor in a, shall we say, odorous way.   https://www.christianpost.com/news/judge-rules-against-christian-baker-in-transgender-cake-case.html https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/06/17/supreme-court-catholic-foster-care-agency-may-turn-away-gay-couples/4155263001/ https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/under-attack-from-fundamentalist  

Violent crime, including mass shootings, are way up. On average over 300 people are shot everyday in America. In 2013, one of them was Taylor Schumann. She talks with Kaitlyn Schiess about her new book, “When Thoughts and Prayers Aren’t Enough,” and the side of gun violence most of us forget—the survivors. Also this week, the Southern Baptists are meeting in Nashville where, according to the mainstream media, the entire fate of evangelicalism will be decided. Are they right? Plus, Relevant Magazine wonders if Phil’s mom gave him sound advice about VeggieTales, or was she playing 3-dimensional chess to mess with her son’s theology. And, why a lobster diver will be the illustration in every sermon this Sunday. https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2021/06/11/humpback-whale-catches-michael-packard-lobster-driver-mouth-proviencetown-cape-cod/7653838002/ https://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/never-forget-that-veggietales-werent-allowed-to-show-jesus-as-a-vegetable/ https://mobile.twitter.com/ryanburge/status/1403353463354974234 https://twitter.com/BethMooreLPM/status/1404426835199500296 https://www.amazon.com/When-Thoughts-Prayers-Arent-Enough/dp/0830831703

We are bombarded by more news than ever before, and many of us can no longer differentiate what’s real from what’s fake, or what’s important from what’s trivial. Jeffrey Bilbro, author of “Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News,” offers wisdom about what it means to engage the media as a Christian, why the first step may be a deeper engagement with our local church, and the value of cultivating a “holy apathy” about current events.   Also this week, Phil, Skye, and Christian respond to listener emails. Did Skye contradict one of his own sermons on a recent podcast? And what happened to the pipeline that used to carry kids in the church from birth all the way through college? Phil says it has completely blown up, but is that good or bad? And what does it mean for Christian parents? Plus, Jason is addicted to cinnamon rolls, and the magical musical armor of fireflies.   Fireflies Story: https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/fireflies-wear-musical-armor-to-avoid-getting-eaten-by-bats/   Jeffrey Bilbro's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Reading-Times-Literary-Theological-Inquiry/dp/0830841857/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3ANNJ5BNEV8RW&dchild=1&keywords=reading+the+times+jeffrey+bilbro&qid=1623251775&sprefix=reading+the+times%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-3  

The hosts discuss the Tulsa Massacre, controversies at Wheaton College, and evangelical attitudes towards change. They also talk about lonely Japanese eels seeking attention online. Other topics include resistance against woke ideas, approaching interactions with love, redefining prayer as communion, and recognizing the capacity for communion with God.

Our society is more diverse than ever before yet ninety percent of churches in the U.S. remain mono-cultural. Derwin Gray says this isn’t just a problem for the mission of the church, it’s also a betrayal of the gospel itself. He talks with Skye about why he planted a multiethnic church, why so many church leaders resist this calling, and how a fundamental misunderstanding of the gospel is to blame. Also this week, the military has admitted that UFOs are real but doesn’t say if they’re extraterrestrial. If there are aliens, what are the implications for Christian theology? Plus, a new study finds that in countries where Christianity enjoys political power more people abandon the faith. So why do evangelicals want to take back Washington? And Phil wonders if psychedelic cicadas prove the existence of God. Book launch: https://www.facebook.com/groups/whatifjesuswasseriousaboutprayerlaunch/ UFOs: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ufo-military-intelligence-60-minutes-2021-05-16/ https://www.amazon.com/Liturgy-Politics-Spiritual-Formation-Neighbor/dp/0830848304/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+liturgy+of+politics&qid=1622046538&sr=8-1 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cicadas-fall-prey-drug-producing-fungus-makes-their-butts-fall-180977776/ https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/may-web-only/christian-persecution-political-privilege-growth-decline.html?utm_medium=widgetsocia lhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NCWHC1Q/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP7CFMIttGQ  

Hold on to your bonnets, Holy Posters. Phil is joined by Kaitlyn Schiess and, while Skye’s away, guest host Mike Erre to talk about the scandals and misogyny plaguing evangelicalism. Phil wonders—are these bugs or features? And is it possible to love evangelicals but hate evangelicalism? Kaitlyn and Mike also explain what keeps them committed to Jesus and his church amid so much mess. Then, Skye talks to Baylor University history professor Beth Allison Barr about her new book, “The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth.” Barr explains why Paul’s writings about women are widely misread, how women have led throughout church history, and how the Reformation created the domesticated vision of womanhood still idealized by the church today. All of that, plus science can’t explain a sea worm’s perplexing number of posteriors. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/marine-worm-sprouts-hundreds-butts-180977715/ https://twitter.com/albertmohler/status/1391499883153080324 https://twitter.com/ostrachan/status/1391831083826696193 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/love-the-evangelical-hate-the-evangelicalism/id1523542249?i=1000521265414 https://www.amazon.com/Making-Biblical-Womanhood-Subjugation-Became/dp/1587434709/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Beth+Allison+barr&qid=1621441692&sr=8-2 https://www.patreon.com/posts/51444763

It’s increasingly difficult to have conversations with other Christians. Our families and congregations can’t seem to agree even about basic facts, let alone the news or how we ought to respond to what’s happening. So, we avoid talking about anything that might be controversial—which is pretty much everything today. What happened? How did we become so divided? The Holy Post crew talks about CT president Tim Dalrymple’s recent article, “The Splintering of the Evangelical Soul,” and what is necessary to heal our divisions. Then, Bob Roberts—the most interesting evangelical in the world—joins Skye for a conversation about why it’s critical to have deep relationships with people of other faiths. Roberts says it’s transformed his own understanding of Christianity, and isolating our kids from the world will only guarantee they join it. Also this week, Joshes battle for supremacy in Nebraska. https://thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/festivals/ https://news.yahoo.com/hundreds-people-named-josh-met-005228139.html https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/april-web-only/splintering-of-evangelical-soul.html

Rene Padilla died last week at 88, and you’re probably thinking “Who’s Rene Padilla?” Phil, Skye, and Christian discuss the huge influence he had on the global church and its mission, and why so many American Christians still feel a divide between saving souls and reforming society. Then, Skye talks to Scot McKnight about his new book, “A Church Called Tov,” which he co-wrote with his daughter Laura Barringer in the aftermath of the Willow Creek controversy and Bill Hybles’ abuse. McKnight defines what makes a church culture toxic, and why so many pastors are on the narcissism disorder spectrum. It’s an eye-opening conversation. Also this week—a Kickstarter campaign for a new Christian dating service, a church in an unexpected location launches “Drag Queen Sunday,” and the terrifying story of a man, a portable toilet, and a tree. https://thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/festivals/ https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-gettysburg-69f03d57db0cb1e4b912b59ddce396dd https://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/tech-gaming/dominion-dating-is-the-christian-dating-site-for-men-who-think-a-womans-place-is-at-home-1/ https://religionnews.com/2021/04/15/first-drag-queen-certified-as-a-candidate-for-united-methodist-ministry-speaking-in-a-new-way-to-new-people/ https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/april/rene-padilla-died-integral-mission-latin-american-theology.html https://lausanne.org/content/covenant/lausanne-covenant https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Mission-Modern-World-Classics/dp/0830834117

In a recent editorial, David French asked whether the primary threat to the church comes from within or without? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the question and whether the church is primarily for or against the world. Plus, why are so many Christian ministries focused on protecting kids? Is it related to our fixation on the danger of hell? Then, Skye talks with A.J. Swoboda about his new book “After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith without Losing it.” He says a lot of people aren’t really deconstructing Christianity, but a false form of the faith that should be abandoned. And Swoboda explains the danger of a culture in which everything new is seen as superior. Also this week—the Colorado baker refuses to make a transgender cake, coyote pups, and screaming foxes. https://www.denverpost.com/2021/03/23/colorado-baker-lawsuit-gender-transition-birthday-cake/ https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/the-question-that-dictates-how-christians https://dandarling.substack.com/p/in-here-out-there-on-assessing-spiritual https://www.amazon.com/People-Truth-Worshipping-Community-Modern/dp/1579105602 https://www.amazon.com/After-Doubt-Question-without-Losing/dp/1587434512 https://www.patreon.com/posts/50587974

There’s a popular cliche among evangelicals—“The Bible says it. I believe it. That settles it.” But is it really that simple? Not according to New Testament scholar, Dr. Timothy Gombis. Because we’re not ancient Near Eastern people living in a desert, he says it’s not possible to literally apply the Bible. Instead, any faithful Christian needs to learn how to improvise. Dr. Gombis talks with Skye about faithful improvisation, what cross-shaped cultural engagement looks like, and how idolatry destroys bodies. Also this week, Phil’s tweet about angry Christians using “table-flipping Jesus” to justify their bad behavior causes an uproar. Does the story mean it’s sometimes ok to be nasty and insult our enemies? Plus, Pat Robertson is “woke” on police violence, and a French pastry in a tree terrorizes Poland.   https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56757956 https://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/tv/famed-broken-clock-pat-robertson-says-police-need-to-open-their-eyes-to-the-reality-of-police-brutality/ https://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2021/04/bearing-witness-to-the-pain.html https://twitter.com/philvischer/status/1381709523849773064 https://podcast.thedispatch.com/p/jesus-and-evangelical-politics/comments https://www.amazon.com/Mark-Story-God-Bible-Commentary/dp/0310327156