The Holy Post

Some Christian communities are uncomfortable with challenging questions, doubts, and even curiosity. They prefer to keep life and faith in a neatly wrapped package. Jen Hatmaker came from such a community, but growing in her faith required more space to explore. Her spiritual curiosity came at a heavy price. This week the podcast crew talks with Hatmaker about her story, what she's learned, and what it might mean for the future of Christians in our pluralist culture.

Show Notes:

https://www.holypost.com/post/257-race-in-america-the-history-of-post-civil-war-racism-re-post

https://www.holypost.com/post/how-racial-injustice-has-benefited-me

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/george-floyd-ministry-houston-third-ward-church.html

Did Bill Gates create the pandemic? Are Democrats running a child-trafficking cartel? Is Trump a secret genius sending coded messages in his tweets? Conspiracy theories are spreading among evangelicals faster than Covid-19. The Holy Post crew discusses The Atlantic's cover story about QAnon, why it's so appealing to Christians, and why it's a dangerous heresy. Then, Skye talks with Chicago pastor David Swanson about his new book "Rediscipling the White Church," and what would change if pastors began to see racism as a discipleship problem and not merely a social one. Plus—is God against face masks? And a rockstar is hospitalized after an "over-enthusiastic gardening accident."

The podcast crew responds to listener feedback and questions posted on HolyPost.com like, is it ok for Christians to be concerned about the mark of the beast if we avoid nutty conspiracy theories? New research finds white evangelicals consider Donald Trump the most trustworthy source for COVID-19 news and generally distrust public health officials and journalists.

This leads Phil to explain the tactics of demagogues and why today's evangelicals are drawn to them. Also this week, Drew Dyck is back with his latest book and media recommendations to engage while you're sheltering at home.

GOP Lawmaker Opposes Coronavirus Face Masks Because They Cover 'The Image Of God' - HuffPost https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ohio-masks-likeness-of-god-nino-vitale_n_5eb0c6d6c5b62b850f90eb42Where Do White Evangelicals Get Their Coronavirus News? The White House - Christianity Today https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/may/evangelicals-trump-media-public-health-response-coronavirus.htmlOpinion | Trump Is Staking Out His Own Universe of 'Alternative Facts' - The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/13/opinion/trump-digital-campaign.html

The culture in many Christian communities and organizations is toxic for leaders, their families, and their faith. This is especially true for female leaders. Jo Saxton is back to talk about her new book, "Ready to Rise," and how churches neglect God's gifts when they ignore women's voices and abilities, and why women suppress their gifts to be seen as "humble." And don't miss Jo's important interpretation of the Mary and Martha story from the gospels—Wow. Also this week: Skye shares his family's quarantine rules. Scholars are redefining the meaning of "evangelical" away from any shared theology and toward shared politics and media figures. Half of Americans aren't wearing pants while working at home. Self-cleaning underwear has just arrived and you'll need it when you see 2020's latest plague—Murder Hornets.

More Americans have been killed by Covid-19 in two months than were killed in the Vietnam War in 20 years. Some Christians are responding to these uncertain times with familiar platitudes—none more popular than, "God is in control." But is he? Mike Erre is back to talk about the tension in Scripture between God's sovereignty and human free will. Also this week: What's so special about lama blood? Churchgoers attempting to conduct a drive-in service get ticketed. A conspiracy theory growing among Christians says Dr. Fauci planned the pandemic in league with the antichrist. Has gullibility now become a Christian virtue? Skye shares his family's quarantine rules, and Phil thinks bathing is overrated.

The crazy Christian uncles are out in force declaring that the pandemic is God's judgment on America for our sin and secularism. Are they right? Skye and Christian talk about it in a new edition of "Christian Asks...." Some theologians are arguing the opposite by declaring "God is not in control" of the current crisis. What?! The podcast crew also discusses conservative churches defying the government's social distancing orders, and why are some Christians valuing the economy more than lives? Plus, scientists say farts can spread the virus, but there's a solution. And Phil's ukulele returns!

William Wilberforce is celebrated as a model of Christian cultural engagement for ending the British slave trade, but most Christian biographies of Wilberforce ignore the fact that he was addicted to opium for most of his life. Timothy McMahan King, author of "Addiction Nation," explains why. He shares his own story of overcoming opioid addiction which kills over 70,000 Americans every year, and how equating addiction with moral failure hurts far more than it helps. Also this week, Hulk Hogan says God is judging our idolatry with COVID19. Is he right? Skye explains why the eschatological nuts are probably wrong about this being the end of the world. And Phil tries to cut his hair with horse clippers.

Phil, Skye, and Christian are celebrating their 400th episode like everyone else—quarantined in their homes. But they invited their Patreon supporters to join them for a live Q and A session via Zoom. The crew discusses their favorite podcast guests, interviews that managed to change their minds, and a bucket list of future guests. Youl'll hear about Phil's inability to "find my Roy," their Enneagram numbers, lessons for churches from the pandemic, and hear Skye's dog barfing in the background. It's an audio delight for the whole family.

The quarantined gang is back again, with better audio quality this time. (Sorry about last week!) Phil shares an experience with preschool-via-Zoom, then the group discusses two proposed theories for America's vulnerability to the coronavirus… A) We're compromised by the anti-science rhetoric of fundamentalist Christianity, or B) We're all too selfish and individualistic. Skye wonders if the real answer is… C) All of the above?

Plus, Phil (yes, Phil!) sits down for a chat with Erin Weidemann, an author, speaker and cancer survivor who has launched Truth Becomes Her - a ministry helping girls resist society's destructive messages about beauty and worth.

The U.S. has the Most Covid-19 Cases Worldwide. Why? Because we're selfish. From the San Diego Union-Tribune

The Religious Right is Crippling our Coronavirus Response from the New York Times

Phil, Skye, and Christian talk via Zoom as they "shelter at home" during the coronavirus pandemic (sorry for the audio quality), but there is some good news. Clothing sales are up—but only for tops. Churches experiment with 'drive-in' worship. Phil shares N.T. Wright's honest thoughts about the pandemic and why the best Christian response is lament, while Skye responds to fundamentalists who are certain that homosexuality and environmentalism are to blame for the virus. Plus, Mars Hill's teaching pastor, Ashlee Eiland, talks about her new book and the power of radical kindness in a world of fear.