The Holy Post

Last week, Texas passed a law effectively banning abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy, and the Supreme Court did not immediately strike it down. Both pro-life and pro-choice advocates have erupted in response. But what does the law really mean? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn get into the weeds and explain why the Texas law isn't the victory many assume. Then, Christina Dent shares about her unexpected journey from a conservative, Southern, Bible school graduate, to drug legalization advocate. She tells Skye about the unexpected casualties caused by America's war on drugs, and what a more Christian response to the crisis could look like. Plus, China bans kids from playing video games. Is it a smart policy we should copy, or proof that communism is evil? News Segment: News of the Butt - Doctors find ladybug living inside man's colon [4:05] https://www.odditycentral.com/news/doctors-find-ladybug-living-inside-mans-colon.html China bans kids from playing video games during the week [9:51] https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/31/tech/china-ban-video-games-minor-intl-hnk/index.html Recent abortion law in Texas - overview & discussion [19:52] https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/texas-abortion-case-scotus https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-abortion-law-blunder-supreme-court-samuel-alito-john-roberts-whole-womans-health-11630619631 https://religionnews.com/2021/06/30/common-ground-on-abortion-is-staring-us-right-in-the-face/ Interview with Christina Dent: End It For Good: https://www.enditforgood.com Christina Dent's TEDx talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/christina_dent_end_the_war_on_drugs_for_good Holy Post Episode 433 with Bonnie Kristian: https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-433-ending-the-war-on-drugs-with-bonnie-kristian Interview Start [52:52] Christina's story [53:43] It's not about the drugs [57:40] Childhood risk factors for drug use [1:00:52] Would legalizing drugs solve any problems? [1:03:41] The question of demand [1:09:48] Why legalize all substances? [1:21:10] Common objections to policy changes [1:27:11]

Former megachurch pastor, evangelical wunderkind, and author of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," Josh Harris, has since left his wife and renounced his faith. He's now pitching himself as an expert guide for other ex-vangelicals. What does his story tell us about the evangelical subculture? Then, strange things are happening at John Piper's church in Minneapolis where leaders are clashing over issues of race and abuse. And some pastors are resigning after being accused of "the sin of empathy." Then, Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel return to discuss revisions to their 2017 book "The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb." They stopped selling the book and revised it because one of the Christian leaders they celebrated as a "lamb" turned out to be a "dragon." They're now asking, why do we so often fail to spot toxic church leaders? Plus, scientists are making mini-brains from stem cells. But to their surprise, the brains have grown eyes. Leading Phil to ask, What could possibly go wrong? News Segment Updates from the crew (Jason's cinnamon rolls and Christian's film) [1:49] Stem cell mini-brains with eyes [7:45] https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-used-stem-cells-to-make-mini-brains-they-grew-rudimentary-eyes Josh Harris [16:21] https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/joshua-harris-mars-hill-podcast-kissed-christianity-goodbye.html "Bethlehem Baptist Leaders clash over 'coddling' and 'cancel culture'" [33:20] https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2021/august-web-only/bethlehem-bcs-minneapolis-resign-meyer-empathy-rigney.html Interview with Jamin Goggin & Kyle Strobel The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb (Revised and updated edition): https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/way-of-the-dragon/ Episode 238 (Prior conversation with Jamin Goggin and Kyle Strobel): https://www.holypost.com/holy-post-podcast/episode/1eea0773/episode-238-power-and-the-church-withjamin-goggin-and-kyle-strobel BONUS Patreon question: What do we do with the content and impact from toxic leaders? https://www.patreon.com/posts/55594990 Interview Start [1:00:39] Why is there a new edition? [1:02:37] Original story and role of book [1:06:35] How they processed the news of Jean Vanier's abusive behavior [1:10:43] Discerning wolves from lambs - is there hope for progress? [1:16:17] Ministering to people who have been deceived and hurt [1:24:04]

Is the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan the right policy? And will abandoning the country ultimately cost more American lives than staying? And who's really to blame for the mess that's unfolding? Skye talks with David French about these issues and more in this special bonus interview. French is the senior editor of The Dispatch, an attorney, the author of numerous books, and an Iraq War veteran. This bonus episode features the first half of Skye's hour long conversation with David French. The full 60 minute interview is available exclusively for Holy Post patreon supporters. Full Interview with David French: https://www.patreon.com/posts/55322869 The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com Three stages of recent events in Afghanistan [2:26] Moral obligation to Afghans left behind [3:42] https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/when-never-again-becomes-again-and Response to refugee resettlement objections [8:53] Afghan armies and US military support [16:26] https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/when-the-strongest-tribe-leaves https://www.amazon.com/Strongest-Tribe-Politics-Endgame-Iraq/dp/0812978668 Effect of US withdrawal on future US military credibility [21:12] Who's really to blame? [26:21]

With religious believers among the most likely to downplay the seriousness of both the pandemic and climate change, a recent article claims secular people and atheists are now more empathic and moral than conservative Christians. But is the problem really that evangelicals are less moral, or that they're more easily deceived? Then, Matthew Soerens from World Relief talks about the unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan. What dangers do the thousands of Afghans who helped the American military face as the Taliban takes back the country, and what obligation does the U.S. have to help them? While evangelicals remain widely opposed to welcoming refugees, will they make an exception for those who risked their lives to help American troops? Plus, a strike at Nabisco threatens the country's Oreo supply, launching Phil into a rant about cookie varieties and late stage capitalism. Patreon Bonus with David French: https://www.patreon.com/posts/55322869 News Segment: Nabisco strike and Phil's rant about cookie varieties [4:22] https://www.today.com/food/workers-us-nabisco-bakeries-are-strike-t228753 Afghanistan, Haiti, wildfires, floods, heatwaves and droughts [19:12] Christian's history with Afghanistan [20:40] Current situation in Afghanistan [24:40] Are Christians less empathic and moral, or simply more easily deceived? (Discussion of article below) [32:50] https://www.salon.com/2021/08/21/staunch-atheists-show-higher-morals-than-the-proudly-pious-from-the-pandemic-to-climate-change/ Interview with Matthew Soerens: "Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate" - https://www.amazon.com/Welcoming-Stranger-Justice-Compassion-Immigration/dp/0830833595 Interview Start [56:00] Talking with church leaders about Afghanistan crisis [58:00] Overview of current situation and America's history/promises in Afghanistan [59:24] Responding to the rhetoric that opposes welcoming refugees [1:08:20] https://twitter.com/cortessteve/status/1427839604376444929? lang=en Evangelical Immigration Table - Statement to President Biden [1:12:34] https://evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/evangelical-leaders-insist-the-biden-administration-stand-with-afghan-allies/ Practical ways to support [1:14:22] https://worldrelief.org/ Ongoing crisis - DREAMers and DACA program [1:17:01] https://evangelicalimmigrationtable.com/advocacy/

The United Nations World Happiness Report is out, and it says the United States is still behind the world's happiest countries. Can we learn anything from them, or does America's diversity mean perpetual conflict? Then, pastor and author Mandy Smith says Western culture has warped our understanding of what it means to be a Christian by focusing too much on knowledge and power. The antidote? Embracing Jesus' call to childlike faith. Also this week—covid skeptics have some explaining to do because last year life expectancy in the US dropped the most since WWII—and it wasn't because of murder hornets. Plus, a woman sues McDonald's for tempting her to break her Lenten fast. News Segment: Woman sues McDonald's after burger ad compelled her to break Lent fast [2:55] https://nypost.com/2021/08/06/woman-sues-mcdonalds-after-burger-ad-made-her-break-her-lent-fast/ COVID-19 caused U.S. life expectancy to drop 1.5 years [09:38] https://time.com/6082192/covid-19-us-life-expectancy-drop/ White evangelical COVID-19 vaccine acceptance has jumped 11 points since March [09:38] https://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/nation/study-white-evangelical-covid-19-vaccine-acceptance-has-jumped-11-points-since-march/ UN report on global happiness [21:47] https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/03/21/americans-are-unhappiest-theyve-ever-been-un-report-finds-an-epidemic-addictions-could-be-blame/ https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2021/ Interview with Mandy Smith: Unfettered: Imagining a Childlike Faith beyond the Baggage of Western Culture - https://amzn.to/3nhS6o7 Interview Start [48:06] How is Western civilization in a tailspin? [49:56] An antidote for two false ways of engaging faith [52:35] Qualities of a childlike faith [56:01] Wholistic faith and childlikeness [57:29] Humility & honesty within disorder [01:00:37] Error in overreacting to rationality of Western culture [01:05:21] Story about dancing, healing, and releasing control [01:10:31] Reconciling the call to maturity with a childlike faith [01:19:59] Other resources mentioned: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1hiPIEqDMq2yobve2PyTH7?si=4ab2ce3ebf7d4bbb (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's Facebook page erupted after the recent episode about reparations—leading the Holy Post gang to ask about the limits of evangelical theology, and how American individualism has shaped our understanding of liberty, economics, and even theology. Then, a prayer service in Portland became a brawl between Proud Boys and Antifa involving paintball guns. Is it a harbinger of more conflicts to come? And a new survey finds Americans are far more confident than Brits they could triumph in a fight against a lion, a chimpanzee, and even an elephant. Then, Skye talks to Kara Powell, the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute, about her latest book, "3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager." Based on extensive research, Powell explains the unique challenges young people face today, and how parents and churches can engage them with empathy while creating the right conditions for them to grow in faith. PATREON BONUS: https://www.patreon.com/posts/54764019 News Segment: Animal News: What animals could you beat in a fight? [3:16] https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2021/05/13/lions-and-tigers-and-bears-what-animal-would-win-f https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2021/05/21/which-animals-could-britons-beat-fight Proud Boys and Antifa clash at Portland prayer service [13:25] https://nypost.com/2021/08/08/pr oud-boys-antifa-clash-at-portland-prayer-service/ Reparations, institutional responsibility, and responses on Phil's Facebook page [19:10] Anthony Bradley - Twitter thread on collective sin [20:49] https://twitter.com/drantbradley/status/1419002457527627783 https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-467-reparations-the-review-the-response-with-gregory-thompson Individualism and collectivism [27:55] https://freakonomics.com/podcast/american-culture-1/ https://freakonomics.com/podcast/american-culture-2/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/07/16/us-is-growing-more-unequal-thats-harmful-fixable/ https://abc7chicago.com/life-expectancy-black-lives-shorter-chicagoans-blacks-in-chicago/10794226/ Interview with Kara Powell: 3 Big Questions That Change Every Teenager (special link for Holy Post listeners) - https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/3-big-questions/holypostInterview Start [50:28] Recap of research leading to latest book [51:41] https://www.amazon.com/Sticky-Faith-Everyday-Ideas-Lasting/dp/0310329329/ https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Young-Essential-Strategies-Discover/dp/0801019257/ Qualities of an empathetic church [53:54] Three big questions (Identity, Belonging, Purpose) [59:41] Question 1: Identity [1:02:53] Role of technology [1:07:27] Question 2: Belonging [1:12:06] Mistakes for churches to avoid [1:16:16] Questions to spark more questions [1:22:06] Essential qualities for churches to shepherd young people [1:24:28]Other resources mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Growing-Parents-Helping-Teenagers-Adults/dp/0801019265 https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-466-sermongate-stats-sexual-abuse-with-mary-demuth

It seems like everyone is talking about the new podcast from Christianity Today, "The Rise & Fall of Mars Hill" about the famed Seattle megachurch and its controversial pastor, Mark Driscoll. The creator of the podcast, Mike Cosper, talks to Skye about the complicated reality of Mars Hill, and what the rest of the evangelical church can learn from its story. Also this week, scientists discover a parasite that could make you live for 200 years, keep you perpetually young, and make you popular. But there's a catch. A woman lets God take the wheel, literally. The Creation Museum in Kentucky thinks rebuilding the Tower of Babel in the key to racial harmony. And Phil's confused about an Olympic team's decision to wear shorts rather than the mandated bikini bottoms. Is it a victory for conservative or progressive values? https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/05/ant-tapeworm/618919/ https://jalopnik.com/woman-crashes-into-multiple-cars-and-a-house-at-120-mph-1847319454 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-extract-15000-year-old-viruses-tibetan-glacier-180978287/ https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/july/tower-of-babel-ark-encounter-ky-ken-ham-answers-genesis.html https://www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/sports/norways-handball-team-has-been-fined-because-they-didnt-want-to-play-in-bikinis/ The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/ Patreon Bonus Segment: https://www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-interview-54513169

Earlier this year, Gregory Thompson and Duke Kwon released their book "Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair," in which they make a biblical argument for the American church's responsibility to repay the debts inflicted upon black communities by systemic racism and white supremacy. In this moment of political division and evangelical panic over Critical Race Theory, it's not surprising that responses to the book have been polarized. One of the most negative and widely read reviews came from theologian Kevin DeYoung who said "Reparations" is "clearly not shaped by the gospel." Thompson and Kwon then wrote a lengthy and detailed response to DeYoung's review. (Links to both are posted below.) In this episode, Thompson talks to Skye about the debate, criticism of his book, and what the white evangelical response to racism reveals about its theology, mission, and blind spots. Phil and Christian then join Skye to discuss Thompson's interview, and Christian shares a personal story to remind us all that change is possible. "Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair" - https://amzn.to/3jUMMov Kevin DeYoung Review - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/reparations-a-critical-theological-review/ Review Response 1 - https://thefrontporch.org/2021/07/sanctifying-the-status-quo-a-response-to-reverend-kevin-deyoung/ Review Response 2 - https://thefrontporch.org/2021/07/distinctively-christian-an-additional-response-to-reverend-kevin-deyoung/ Other resources referenced: "The Sum of Us" - https://amzn.to/3tqEY0V https://religionnews.com/2021/07/12/dont-believe-in-systemic-racism-lets-talk-about-the-sexual-revolution-charlottesville-robert-e-lee/ (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.)

When news broke that the new president of the SBC lifted portions of his message from the previous SBC president's sermon without attribution, #Sermongate erupted. The Holy Post crew unpacks the controversy, why so many pastors either outsource their sermon prep or plagiarize, and why the pressure to preach may be harming the church. Then, in a dramatic reversal, new data from Pew says mainline churches are growing while evangelical churches are shrinking. Have evangelicals been burned by their own critique that mainline churches don't take the Bible seriously? Then, author and advocate Mary DeMuth explains the history of sexual abuse in the church, why cover ups are now so common, how we can respond more redemptively, and the best ways to prevent abuse in the first place. Plus—good news! Scientists say we have a back-up breathing option if our lungs fail. https://www.cnet.com/news/scientists-say-mammals-can-breathe-through-their-butts-in-emergencies/ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/06/us/sermongate-plagiarism-litton-greear.html https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/rise-and-fall-of-mars-hill/ https://religionnews.com/2021/07/08/survey-white-mainline-protestants-outnumber-white-evangelicals/ https://www.prri.org/research/2020-census-of-american-religion/ https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2021/06/30/behind-bidens-2020-victory/ https://twitter.com/SkyeJethani/status/1410335364116627465 Resources from Mary DeMuth: "We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis": https://amzn.to/3tugZOv https://www.wetoo.org/resources/ https://www.wetoo.org/survivors/21days/ https://www.netgrace.org/ A Church Called Tov: https://amzn.to/38Q55F4 (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.)

Calvin University history professor Kristin Kobes Du Mez discusses 'Jesus & John Wayne' with Skye Jethani, exploring white evangelicals' support for Trump, reactions to the Capitol attack, scandals in church leadership, and the role of evangelical media. They address criticism of the book, reflect on the future of American evangelicalism, and the need to reframe narratives of Christian nationalism, patriarchy, and militancy.