The Holy Post

Back in 2016, Donald Trump gave a campaign speech promising that if elected "Christianity will have power." The Holy Post crew discusses why this message has so much appeal to some Christians today, the way fear has come to mark our faith, and what we can do to counteract the trend. After the podcast is interrupted by a tornado, Christian asks if we're seeing signs of the apocalypse. Skye says, "No" and shares his idea for a sermon titled "How Stupid Do We Think God Is?" Plus, listener mail. The Voting Booth Christianity Will Have Power

Everyone seems to be talking about justice—including Christians, but how we define "justice" in our society is hotly debated. Pastor and author Tim Keller has outlined 4 competing definitions of justice, and what sets Biblical justice apart from the rest. The Holy Post crew reviews Keller's article and its implications. Liberty University has put Jerry Falwell Jr. on "indefinite leave." Was it Falwell's race-baiting, financial shenanigans, authoritarian leadership, or abuse of power that motivated Liberty's board to act? Nope—it was a sexually-suggestive photo with Falwell holding alcohol. What does it say about what triggers evangelicals (and what doesn't)? Also this week, friend of the show and host of the Vox Podcast, Mike Erre, talks with Skye about why Christians are drawn to conspiracy theories, and what motivated Skye to write his new book, "What If Jesus Was Serious?" Plus, Phil explains why he wants to live in a world where wild boar stroll into public areas with their piglets to steal things—and where naked Germans chase them. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/07/german-nudist-chases-wild-boar-that-stole-laptop-berlin-teufelssee https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/a-biblical-critique-of-secular-justice-and-critical-theory/ https://thewayofimprovement.com/2020/08/07/why-did-the-liberty-university-board-of-trustees-put-jerry-falwell-jr-on-indefinite-leave/

Does our faith shape our politics, or is politics shaping our faith? Justin Giboney is an attorney, a political strategist, and the co-founder and president of the AND Campaign. Rather than fighting over whether we should vote red or blue, Giboney believes Christians should use their influence to push both parties toward the love and truth of Christ. He talks with Skye about why that is more necessary and more challenging than ever. Also this week, a new book explores the intersection of white evangelicalism and masculinity leading the Holy Post crew to debate who's less masculine—Phil or Skye? Plus, a South African couple has made an award-winning gin from elephant dung. Bottoms up! https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/gin-elephant-dung-south-africa https://religionandpolitics.org/2020/07/07/the-price-of-white-evangelical-patriarchy/

The church in North America has more money and resources than ever before, so why is it increasingly ineffective? Pastor and author, Jon Tyson, is back to talk about his latest book, "Beautiful Resistance: The Joy of Conviction in a Culture of Compromise." Tyson says "mammon" is the central idol in America today, and that much of the church worships it as well. But what is mammon? And why does Tyson think prayer and fasting is a path for the church to find real power again? He also shares what happened when his entire family contracted COVID19. Also this week, the crew discusses a Twitter thread about the implications or rooting Christian mission in the Great Commission (Matthew 28) rather than creation (Genesis 1-2), and why resistance to social change is foundational to evangelical theology. Finally, what can we learn from the 10 principles of Catholic social teaching? Links: https://twitter.com/drantbradley/status/1285975572414423040 https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/1998/10/31/10-building-blocks-catholic-social-teaching

There are few public thinkers the Holy Post cites more often than David French, and he's finally here in person! (Well, in person via Zoom.) French is the Senior Editor of The Dispatch, a columnist for Time, and a pro-life conservative attorney. Although many Christians are worried about the erosion of religious liberty, French says, "We have never enjoyed more religious liberty than we do right now." The problem is that Christians are losing cultural power, and our attempts to retain it are often doing more harm than good. He helps us understand recent Supreme Court rulings about religious liberty and LGBT rights, why conservatives who are against face masks aren't really pro-life, and how both the Left and Right get racism wrong. French explains why he will not vote for Trump, and why evangelicals have gone from holding their noses to enthusiastic support of a president who lacks both character and competency. Plus, what is "David Frenchism" and should we be worried about it? The Case for Religious Liberty is More Compelling than the Case for Christian Power - The Dispatch: https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/the-case-for-religious-liberty-is

Why is COVID19 disproportionately harming communities of color? Why are we willing to criticize certain things about America but not others? And what about black voices who say systemic racism isn't real? Friend of the show, Dr. Theon Hill, is back to discuss all of this and more with Phil and Skye. Also this week: why horror movie fans are more prepared than others for the pandemic, and how "Disney princess theology" has shaped the way you read the Bible. Pandemic Practice: Horror Fans and Morbidly Curious Individuals Are More Psychologically Resilient During the COVID-19 Pandemic - https://psyarxiv.com/4c7af/ Want to Be Happy? A Top Psychologist Says Stop 'Social Distancing,' and Do This Instead - Inc. - https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/want-to-be-happy-a-top-psychologist-says-stop-social-distancing-do-this-instead.html 'More than individual sin' - Black pastors urge evangelicals to admit systemic racism - Religion News Service - https://religionnews.com/2020/07/02/more-than-an-individual-sin-black-pastor-urges-southern-baptists-to-recognize-systemic-racism/ The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby Why I Stopped Talking About Racial Reconciliation and Started Talking About White Supremacy - Inheritance - https://www.inheritancemag.com/stories/why-i-stopped-talking-about-racial-reconciliation-and-started-talking-about-white-supremacy The Black Church in Action Against Racism and COVID-19: A Practical and Biblical Guide to Prophetic Ministry While Protecting Health - https://www.reopeningthechurch.com/churchinactionmanualdownload

Neurotheologian Dr. Jim Wilder discusses how the gospel is about attachment, not just knowledge. Topics include the influence of power on beliefs, America's religious fundamentalist revival, and the Holy Post's echo chamber. The importance of food, joy, gratitude in spiritual formation is highlighted.

President of the Barna Group, David Kinnaman, is back to talk about the latest research on race and racism in the American church. Is the divide between black and white Christians shrinking, and is 2020 a true turning point or just an emotional release before a return to old ways of operating? Also this week, how can constellations help us understand the hysteria about Antifa? And does the evangelical emphasis on individual salvation contribute to racial resentment? Plus, an undersea bowel movement two years in the making. Where do we go from here? Giant Undersea Bug Poops for First Time In Two Years - Unilad Opinion | When Antifa Hysteria Sweeps America - New York Times Opinion | Racial resentment varies widely among religious groups

With the world being rocked by a pandemic and protests, many are seeing signs of the end times predicted by the Bible. Are they right? Some say they are misreading the signs. Others argue they're misreading the Bible itself. Biblical scholar, Dr. Juan Hernandez, is back to discuss the right way—and the wrong way—to engage one of the most mysterious, and misread, book in the Bible. Also this week, what does "white privilege" actually mean and why do so many people react to the term? Evangelicals are upset about "cancel culture" but did they actually invent it? And learn how to avoid paying a farting fine in Austria. (Hint—it's all about intestinal intent.) Evangelicals perfected cancel culture. Now it's coming for them. - Religion News https://religionnews.com/2020/06/17/evangelicals-perfected-cancel-culture-now-its- coming-for-them/ Austria: man fined for farting 'with full intent' at police - ABC News https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/austria-man-fined-farting-full-intent- police-71277117

Can a tweet really change anyone's mind? Do hashtags and slogans help engagement or shut it down? The Holy Post crew discuss what they're learning about effective communication following the publication of Skye's op-ed in USA Today and the release of Phil's viral video on the history of racism. Also this week, the Supreme Court protects LGBT citizens from employment discrimination. What does it mean for religious organizations? Is there a difference between saying "Black Lives Matter" and supporting the organization with that name? Plus, why is Jerry Falwell Jr. apologizing? If you would like a special opportunity to see Christian's upcoming film, The Girl Who Wore Freedom, please donate a minimum of $25 here: www.thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/donate, and send your receipt to normandystories@gmail.com. You will then receive further instructions.