The Holy Post

The Bible is one of God's most important gifts to his people. Through it we discover who he is and become equipped to follow him in the world. But rather than a source of unity, for many Christians the Bible is a point of conflict and division—especially when we fail to recognize the difference between the Bible and our cultural interpretation of the Bible. My guest today, Lanre Williams-Ayedun, says one of best ways to overcome this danger is by engaging our sisters and brothers from other parts of the global church. When we listen to how they read the Scriptures, it can both illuminate things we've never seen before and make us more humble about our own grasp of God's word

"Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church" by Eric Costanzo, Daniel Yang, and Matthew Soerens - https://amzn.to/3RyObjc

Interview with Lanre Williams-Ayedun

0:00 - Intro 2:32 - Engaging Scripture globally 11:47 - Learning from the global church 18:50 - Celebrity pastors outside U.S. 22:31 - Engaging outside your context 26:58 - Scripture and cultural lenses 30:57 - Scripture and justice

Sponsor 35:09 - Sponsor - World Relief Join the Path: https://worldrelief.org/holypost/

Debrief with Matthew Soerens 37:06 - Diverse voices speaking into Scripture 45:17 - Healthy skepticism of cultural lenses 48:33 - Other resources

53:21 - Credits

Resources mentioned: "Brown Church: Five Centuries of Latina/o Social Justice, Theology, and Identity" by Robert Chao Romero - https://amzn.to/3x4D0WR "Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope" by Esau McCaulley - https://amzn.to/3QsZVSC

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

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.

Historically, evangelicals have been the group of Americans most resistant to taking action against climate change. The National Association of Evangelicals hopes to change that. Phil, Christian and Skye discuss the NAE's new report and their attempt to ground environmental care in the biblical call to love your neighbor. Will it work?

Then, the Most Interesting Evangelical in the World, Bob Roberts Jr., is back to talk about extremism. For over 20 years he has been a trailblazer in the peacemaking and international religious freedom arenas, and has studied how extremism takes root. That's why Roberts says what's happening in America right now is terrifying, and warns the church that remaining silent about conspiracy theories, political hate speech, and Christian Nationalism is not an option. Plus, a pumpkin regatta and tomatoes hit the road.

News Segment

00:00 - Intro 5:00 - Phil's mistakes 10:41 - Tomatoes hit the road 17:37 - Evangelicals and climate change

Sponsor

45:13 - Sponsor: Abide Get 25% off a premium Abide subscription by texting "holypost" to 22433

Interview with Bob Roberts Jr.

Bob Roberts Jr. - https://bobrobertsjr.com/ Bold Love Podcast - boldlovepodcast.com GlocalNet - glocal.net 46:37 - Bob Roberts Jr. interview intro 48:51 - Extremism in America 56:01 - Defining Christian nationalism 1:00:21 - The church's call 1:22:10 - Hope in this moment 1:26:31 - Credits

Other resources and links mentioned:

"Evangelical group releases climate change report, urges a biblical mandate for action" (Religion News Service) - https://religionnews.com/2022/08/29/evangelical-group-releases-climate-change-report-urges-a-biblical-mandate-for-action/

"Dobson, Others Seek Ouster of NAE Vice President" (Christianity Today, March 2007) - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/marchweb-only/109-53.0.html

Megan Basham tweet - https://twitter.com/megbasham/status/1564749306866851843?cxt=HHwWhoCz5YjNjbcrAAAA

Holy Post Episode 456: Why We're Divided & Positive Pluralism with Bob Roberts - https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-456-why-we-re-divided-positive-pluralism-with-bob-roberts

Holy Post Episode 172: Dude Ranches in Texas with Guest Bob Roberts - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxa8pE83WD4&t=2s

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

Immediately after President Biden announced his college loan forgiveness plan Christians started debating it. Some are arguing that debt forgiveness is deeply biblical, while others say it's completely immoral. Who's right? Or, are both sides missing the point? Then, Phil is still processing the last French Friday episode about why so many politically active evangelicals see policy goals as absolute and Christian virtues as flexible. He offers his theories. Skye then talks to pastor Rich Villodas about his conversion, his early spiritual formation, and how he's avoided the pitfalls of pastoral ministry. His new book is "Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World." Plus: Row, row, row…your pumpkin?

News Segment 0:00 - Intro 2:48 - Pumpkin boat recording 13:36 - French Friday follow-up 29:27 - Debt forgiveness

Interview with Rich Villodas "Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World" - https://amzn.to/3AWPT7Y 48:11 - Rich Villodas interview intro 49:54 - Rich's background and early spiritual formation 1:03:59 - Mentors 1:11:11 - The church today 1:13:38 - Self-differentiation 1:18:27 - Coaching pastors and leaders 1:23:42 - Advice for church leaders 1:27:43 - Credits

"'Gourdspeed.' 60-year-old paddles 38 miles in huge pumpkin to set record, photos show" - https://amp.heraldonline.com/news/nation-world/national/article265015734.html

French Friday: De-Radicalizing the Church & Learning from Atheists - https://www.holypost.com/post/french-friday-de-radicalizing-the-church-learning-from-atheists

"Christian Political Ethics are Upside-Down" by David French (The Dispatch) - https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/christian-political-ethics-are-upside

Tony Perkins interview that Phil references - https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/01/23/tony-perkins-evangelicals-donald-trump-stormy-daniels-216498/

"Republicans Opposing Student-Loan Relief Are Forgetting the Biblical Tradition of Debt Forgiveness" by William J. Barber II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (Time) - https://time.com/6208577/student-loan-forgiveness-republicans-christianity-bible/

"Is There a Christian Case for Biden's Debt Relief Plan?" by David French (The Dispatch) - https://time.com/6208577/student-loan-forgiveness-republicans-christianity-bible/

"Best of: Cancel America's Student Loan Debt! But How?" podcast episode (The Argument, NYT) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-of-cancel-americas-student-loan-debt-but-how/id1438024613?i=1000577188963

Rich Villodas: richvillodas.com https://youtube.com/c/NewLifeFellowshipChurchNewYorkCity

Newlife.nyc

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

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.

In a recent article, Russell Moore lamented the captivity of evangelicals to conspiracy theories and political radicalization, but he argued "the problem is not in the pulpit" and "the problem isn't primarily in the pews either." Instead, he believes the radicalization is happening outside the church. David French and Skye Jethani agree that radicalization is happing outside the church, but say there is also a real problem in the pews. What role do churches and pastors have in de-radicalizing evangelicals, and what's preventing them from speaking up and doing more? Then, French shares about a pro-life atheist who positively influenced his own values. That leads to a wider discussion about the importance of forming relationships with and engaging the ideas of those we disagree with. Rather than seeking the safety of never being challenged, welcoming the discomfort of divergent voices will provoke us toward growth and maturity.

0:00 - Intro

00:50 - De-radicalizing the church

38:11 - Learning from atheists

1:05:14 - Credits

"Christian Political Ethics are Upside-Down" by David French (The Dispatch) - https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/christian-political-ethics-are-upside

"When the South Loosens Its Bible Belt" by Russell Moore (Christianity Today) - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/august-web-only/russell-moore-white-evangelicals-bible-belt-south-church.html

"There Is a Secular Case for Life" by David French (The Dispatch) - https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/there-is-a-secular-case-for-life

"The Gift of Pain" by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey - https://amzn.to/3ArfV1w

"What in the World?" Holy Post miniseries - https://www.holypost.com/articles/categories/what-in-the-world

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

David French - https://twitter.com/DavidAFrench

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.

Two things are simultaneously true about America: More Americans than ever before are abandoning religion, and America remains the most devoutly Christian industrialized country in the world. Today's episode navigates this tension. First, a recent article by Helen Lewis says non-believers still have religious impulses that are now being expressed through political activism. Is Christian faith being replaced by Wokism on the left and Nationalism on the right? Then, David French asks why our politics are so toxic and hateful if both parties are still dependent on devoutly Christian voters. What will it take for believers on both sides to put Christian virtue ahead of just winning elections? And Kaitlyn Schiess talks to Lore Ferguson Wilbert about her new book, "A Curious Faith: The Questions God Asks, We Ask, and We Wish Someone Would Ask Us." She says too many Christian communities discourage curiosity while the Bible is "a permission slip to ask questions." Plus, scientists are growing animals in artificial wombs without eggs or sperm. What could possibly go wrong? Patreon Bonus - Getting Schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess: The Harrowing of Hell 101 - patreon.com/posts/70936439/ News Segment 0:00 - Intro 4:07 - What could possibly go wrong? 15:20 - Is social justice a new religion? 30:46 - Christian political ethics Interview with Lore Ferguson Wilbert "A Curious Faith: The Questions God Asks, We Ask, and We Wish Someone Would Ask Us" - https://amzn.to/3cngHVc 48:37 - Lore Ferguson Wilbert intro 50:02 - Why we struggle with questions 57:27 - Joy in questions 1:03:54 - Questions in Scripture 1:13:47 - Facing life's questions 1:20:09 - Jesus' humanity 1:25:50 - Credits Other articles and resources mentioned: "Synthetic embryos grown from stem cells don't need sperm or eggs" - https://newatlas.com/biology/synthetic-embryos-stem-cells "How Social Justice Became a New Religion" by Helen Lewis (The Atlantic) - https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/08/social-justice-new-religion/671172/ "Christian Political Ethics Are Upside Down" by David French (The Dispatch) - https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/christian-political-ethics-are-upside Holy Post episode 522 (last week's episode) - https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-522-the-new-secular-south-celebrities-for-jesus-with-katelyn-beaty "Overland to the Islands" poem by Denise Levertov - https://3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/2011/03/saturday-poem-1-73.html Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost 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.

Evangelicals are no longer the largest religious group in the South. Russell Moore says they've been replaced by a dangerous new kind of southern secularism. These MAGA-vangelicals don't attend church, don't follow the moral teachings of the Bible, and are fixated on politics and conspiracy theories but still call themselves "Christians." What role does the church have in mitigating the danger of this new sect? Plus, a church in Texas faces legal trouble for performing an evangelistic revision of the musical Hamilton without a license. Then, Katelyn Beaty is back to discuss her new book Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits are Hurting the Church. She explains why we keep manufacturing more Christian celebrities despite their high failure rate, and why accountability structures aren't enough. Also this week, Phil eulogizes Freya the walrus, and a man sues after five years of flatulence.

Patreon Bonus with Katelyn Beaty: The ugly side of Christian publishing - https://www.patreon.com/posts/70617486/

News Segment 2:45 - Freya the walrus update 9:42 - News of the Butt 15:25 - Church production of Hamilton 25:55 - The new secular south 42:48 - With God Daily https://withgoddaily.com/

Interview with Katelyn Beaty "Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits are Hurting the Church" - https://amzn.to/3wb3aqJ 44:10 - Interview intro 46:15 - Why this book? 50:45 - Fame vs. celebrity 58:13 - When accountability doesn't work 1:04:27 - Celebrity and an illusion of intimacy 1:13:29 - Christian celebrity and discipleship 1:19:41 - Credits

Other articles and resources mentioned: "When the South Loosens its Bible Belt" by Russell Moore (Christianity Today) - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/august-web-only/russell-moore-white-evangelicals-bible-belt-south-church.html "Fighting Flesh and Blood" by Kristin Du Mez - https://kristindumez.substack.com/p/fighting-flesh-and-blood?sd=pf "A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing" by Laura McKnight Barringer and Scot McKnight - https://amzn.to/3A4jRF9

News of the Butt - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11041055/Father-stopped-farting-ate-ham-roll-market-five-years-ago-sues-200k.html

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

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.

What does it mean to see others as image-bearers of God? How is this warped by American individualism? And what happens to justice when we abandon God for idols—false images of God? Based on the book Inalienable by Eric Costanzo, Daniel Yang, and Matthew Soerens, in this episode Skye Jethani (co-host of The Holy Post) talks to Sri Lankan Christian leader Vinoth Ramachandra about the intersection of idolatry and mission. He explains how what we worship shapes us and our work in the world in unexpected ways, and that he believes the American church needs to admit to and repent of its idols.

"Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church" by Eric Costanzo, Daniel Yang, and Matthew Soerens - https://amzn.to/3RyObjc

0:00 - Theme song and intro Interview with Vinoth Ramachandra 2:19 - Idolatry 5:35 - Idol of individualism 12:42 - Idolatry and injustice 18:25 - Idolatry's appeal and antidote 24:45 - Confronting idolatry faithfully 29:49 - Sponsor - World Relief Join the Path: https://worldrelief.org/holypost/

Debrief with Eric Costanzo and Daniel Yang 31:45 - Debrief start and recognizing our idols 36:58 - Moving beyond fear of pushback 41:13 - Engaging outside of our contexts 46:45 - The idol of Christian nationalism 54:42 - Credits

Other resources mentioned: International Fellowship of Evangelical Students - https://ifesworld.org"Gods That Fail: Modern Idolatry and Christian Mission" by Vinoth Ramachandra - https://amzn.to/3dssPV2

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

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.

For centuries Americans have valued their liberty, but a growing number of conservatives are now saying cherished values like the freedom of speech, religion, and the press have allowed progressive beliefs to destroy the culture. In response, some Republicans and conservative Christian thinkers argue it's time to abandon these failed American ideals and copy the fascist, illiberal strategies of leaders like Hungary's Victor Orban to stop immigration, fight wokism, and to ensure the government supports Christian beliefs.

Then, a new article about the separation of families at the Southern border brings Phil to tears, and he pleads with evangelicals to not allow Trump near the presidency again. Skye interviews Dr. Richard Mouw about his new book, "How to Be a Patriotic Christian: Love of Country as Love of Neighbor." They discuss godly versus idolatrous forms of patriotism, what the Bible says about the proper role of government, and debate whether churches should display flags and sing patriotic hymns.

Bonus Patreon news story - https://www.patreon.com/posts/70304989

News Segment 0:00 - Intro 3:38 - "How the American Right Fell in Love with Hungary" 39:22 - Trump administration's family separation policy

54:24 - With God Daily https://withgoddaily.com/

Interview with Richard Mouw "How to Be a Patriotic Christian: Love of Country as Love of Neighbor" - https://amzn.to/3QdVR9E

55:48 - Interview intro 57:10 - Talking with evangelicals about patriotism 59:27 - Defining Christian nationalism 01:01:07 - Healthy patriotism and familial language 1:04:26 - Romans 13 and governmental authority 1:17:49 - Patriotic symbols in worship services 1:30:59 - Credits

Other articles/resources mentioned:"How the American Right Fell in Love with Hungary" (The NYT Magazine)-https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/magazine/viktor-orban-rod-dreher.html"

The Secret History of Family Separation" (The Atlantic) - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/09/trump-administration-family-separation-policy-immigration/670604/

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

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.

What's the correct definition of "woke"? What do Christians in the global south think about sexuality and gender? Biblically, when does life begin? When was America a Christian nation? In this special episode, Phil and Skye respond to voicemails left by Holy Post listeners. Some are serious and others are silly. Plus, additional thoughts about the conservative movement from Episode 519. And, Phil explains why he feels like a celebrity Norwegian walrus named Freya. 0:00 - Intro Animal News 1:40 - Freya the walrus 3:43 - Dead spider claws Voicemail Q&A 5:43 - Q&A intro 7:05 - Angie: What does "woke" even mean? 15:53 - Brandon: How to describe what the Holy Post is doing 22:51 - Crisanne: Christians in the global south on sexuality/gender 30:54 - Dave: Finding community 33:16 - Greg: What are you looking forward to? 35:33 - Josh: Wise media consumption 42:27 - JT: What buddy duo are Skye and Phil? 45:41 - Lucas: Asian Americans in evangelical leadership 51:08 - Natalia: When was America ever a Christian nation? 57:46 - Nick: Biblically, when does life begin? 1:04:07 - Terry: Jesus showing up in 2022 Wrap-up 1:10:55 - Additional thoughts on the conservative movement from episode 519 1:21:30 - Credits Stories and resources mentioned: Freya the walrus- https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/freya-the-walrus-norway-sinking-boats-rcna40174 Dead spider claws - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-use-dead-spiders-to-grip-objects-180980498/ "The Great Awokening" (Vox) - https://www.vox.com/2019/3/22/18259865/great-awokening-white-liberals-race-polling-trump-2020 The Lausanne Covenant - https://lausanne.org/content/covenant/lausanne-covenant What in the World? Episode 1: The Kingdom of God - https://www.holypost.com/post/what-in-the-world-episode-1-the-kingdom-of-god-with-ruth-padilla-deborst Voxology Podcast (Mike Erre) - https://voxologypodcast.com/ The Movie Proposal Podcast - https://www.holypost.com/movie-proposal-podcast Holy Post episode 519: How Reaganism Won the Church & Skye's New Book - https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-519-how-reaganism-won-the-church-skye-s-new-book "What If Jesus Was Serious About the Church?" - https://amzn.to/3PNlVI6 Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost 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.

For decades, political strategists spoke about the "God gap" in which white religious believers were more Republican and white non-believers more Democratic. Recent data shows a new God gap emerging within the Democratic Party. David French explains how secular white progressives are now pushing religious Black and Latino voters out of the Democratic coalition. Then, Jethani and French explore how Trump has discipled the church more than the church has discipled Trump. There's growing evidence that cruelty, dishonesty, and a refusal to repent are being embraced by Christians aligned with Trump. Will this trend self-correct and what will be its legacy on our culture?

0:00 - Theme song and intro

0:46 - The new God gap

31:33 - Discipled by Trump

1:00:33 - Credits

"The God Gap Helps Explain a 'Seismic Shift' in American Politics" (The Dispatch) - https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/the-most-important-religious-divide

"There Is No Remaining Christian Case for Trump" (The Dispatch) - https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/there-is-no-remaining-christian-case