The Holy Post

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

Mike Erre, guest host and expert on evangelicalism, joins Kaitlyn Schiess to tackle the scandals and misogyny within the church. They explore the balance of loving evangelicals while critiquing the system. Baylor historian Beth Allison Barr discusses her book, revealing how Paul's writings on women have been misinterpreted and how historical views of womanhood shaped today's church. The conversation invites a reassessment of gender roles, uncovering women's crucial contributions throughout church history, challenging traditional patriarchy.

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

Francis Chan says it's time for Christians to take Jesus' command about unity seriously. His new book, "Until Unity," outlines the biblical call to be one, and why we struggle to achieve it. Skye talks with Chan about what Christian unity looks like practically, the role of racism in keeping us apart, how a focus on church growth distracted Chan from seeking unity, and how to know when disunity is the only option. Also this week, a new study finds less than 50% of Americans are now members of a church for the first time in a century. Should secularists be rejoicing? Not necessarily, as some experts fear religious zeal is now shifting into politics. Plus, smuggling baby tortoises, Phil's worried about a 3,000-year-old knife-wielding spider god, and a fecal fight between Godzilla and King Kong. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/644356/godzilla-king-kong-whose-poops-would-be-bigger https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/30/world/galapagos-airport-tortoises-trnd/index.html https://www.insider.com/japan-early-cherry-blossom-bloom-climate-change-2021-4 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mural-knife-wielding-spider-god-found-peru-180977360/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2021/03/29/church-membership-fallen-below-majority/

Our favorite Old Testament scholar is back to talk about the Book of Daniel. Dr. John Walton says the apocalyptic passages of Daniel—which deeply influenced those End Times charts popular among evangelicals—aren't really predictive of the future in the way we think. And the story of Daniel isn't necessarily a manual for how Christians ought to live in a post-Christian society. Prepare to have your mind blown as you learn what apocalyptic visions in the Bible are really about. Also this week—how should Christians think about social welfare programs, slavery reparations, and guaranteed minimum income? Esau McCaulley brilliantly reframes the Easter story in light of the Black church's experience. Plus, the excellence and etymology of Peeps. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/02/opinion/easter-celebration.html https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-aud-nw-jesuits-racial-reconciliation-20210316-elgsyj3mlbbbvgkaoedktzlavi-story.html https://www.amazon.com/Sum-Us-Everyone-Prosper-Together/dp/0525509569 https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/evanston-illinois-becomes-first-u-s-city-pay-reparations-blacks-n1261791 https://www.npr.org/2021/03/04/973653719/california-program-giving-500-no-strings-attached-stipends-pays-off-study-finds https://www.npr.org/2021/04/01/983405521/new-guaranteed-income-for-families-with-children-is-stunning-poverty-expert-says

Have you wondered why so many megachurch leaders have been embroiled in scandals, or why there are so many Christian celebrities today? It's not accidental. It's the predictable outcome of the systems behind much of popular consumer Christianity. In this special episode co-produced with the Love Thy Neighborhood podcast, Jesse Eubanks joins Skye to explore the way business interests and economics have replaced Christian values to drive many parts of American evangelicalism. Featuring multiple interviews, investigative reporting, and commentary, this episode will pull back the curtain on the evangelical industrial complex.

Is evangelical purity culture to blame for the murder of eight people at spas in Atlanta? Or is anti-Asian racism the cause? What about America's gun culture or mental illness? Phil, Skye, and Christian discuss the many facets of the tragedy and get vulnerable about their own history with evangelicalism's obsession with sex. Then, Skye talks with Richard Stearns, president emeritus of World Vision, about his new book on leadership. Stearns recalls his own battle with purity culture when he tried to convince evangelicals to fight the AIDS epidemic 20 years ago, and he discusses the lack of courageous leadership in many parts of the church today. Also this week—a News of the Butter update. https://religionnews.com/2021/03/17/atlanta-massage-parlor-murder-suspect-big-into-religion/ https://religiondispatches.org/dont-discount-evangelicalism-as-a-factor-in-racist-murder-of-asian-spa-workers-in-georgia/ https://www.relevantmagazine.com/current/nation/wrestling-with-misogyny-racism-and-toxic-purity-culture-in-the-wake-of-the-atlanta-shootings/ Podcast Phil references: https://bethebridge.com/episode-12-transition-in-proximity-to-whiteness-with-dante-stewart/