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The Holy Post
30 episodes
733: Will Progressive Pastors Close the Political "God Gap"? and Elizabeth Neumann
Aug 12, 2026 · 1 hr 37 min
Since the 1980s, the Republican Party has increasingly been associated with Christianity, while the Democratic Party has distanced itself from religious rhetoric to be more inclusive. But is that changing? This year, a surprising number of pastors are running for Congress as Democrats, and they are not shy about infusing their campaigns with faith. Republicans eager to protect their brand are fighting back by calling these progressive clergy candidates "PINOs"—Pastors in Name Only. In related ne…
732: Mailbag! Prenups, "Mere Christianity," and Did Jesus Help People Get Drunk?
Aug 5, 2026 · 56 min
The age of generic, non-denominational Christianity may be coming to an end. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss why Christians are increasingly drawn to narrower theological identities, and whether the internet is turning legitimate doctrinal differences into purity tests and church fights. Then, the crew opens the mailbag to answer whether prenuptial agreements are compatible with Christian marriage and if praying in public is an authentic expression of faith or an uncomfortable performance. They…
731: Why You Should Talk to Strangers with Nicholas Epley
Jul 29, 2026 · 1 hr 22 min
"Big Eva" may be fading, but a new generation of online Christian influencers is taking its place. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the rise of "Gig Eva," how digital platforms are reshaping Christian authority, and why accountability to real churches and communities still matters. Then, the number of words people speak each day is dropping as more of everyday life moves online. The crew considers what we lose when convenience replaces even the smallest human interactions. Then, Skye talks with b…
730: The Idolatry of Church Growth with Andrew Root
Jul 22, 2026 · 1 hr 32 min
Why was there almost no emphasis on "church growth" before the 1970s, and how does the fixation on it for the last 40 years correspond with the American economy? Skye talks with Andrew Root about his new book, "Baal and the Gods of More," about the link between the modern church growth movement and ancient pagan fertility gods. A new report by Ryan Burge says that for decades those who left the church were turned off by partisan politics and the religious right, but that trend might be changing.…
729: Church Trauma & the Apostle Paul with Scot McKnight
Jul 15, 2026 · 1 hr 28 min
Some of the Apostle Paul's letters in the Bible can be defensive, sarcastic, and even mean. New Testament scholar Scot McKnight says his nasty tone may stem from deep pain. But Paul's trauma wasn't caused by the persecution of nonbelievers but by fellow Christians. He offers Skye an illuminating look into what the apostle can teach us about church trauma today. Mike Erre joins the podcast crew to discuss the declining support for Israel among American Christians, the weird work of VR missionarie…
728: The Political Divide over Matthew 25 plus Tish Harrison Warren
Jul 8, 2026 · 1 hr 30 min
Two members of Congress, one Republican and one Democrat, had a meeting recently where they fundamentally disagreed about the meaning of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. Their disagreement has now spilled into the media. Why has this chapter of the Bible become the new dividing line between Christians in the public square? Kaityn interviews Tish Harrison Warren about her new book about Christian resilience and what disillusioned believers can learn from the desert mothers and fathers. And…
727: Rethinking the Sexual Revolution & America Turns 250 with Robert Tracy McKenzie
Jul 1, 2026 · 1 hr 29 min
The United States is turning 250 this week, but the country is divided about the anniversary. Should the country celebrate or lament? Historian Robert Tracy McKenzie joins Skye to talk about the ongoing fight over how to tell America's story, why we reject nuance, and what he saw at the Rededicate 250 event in Washington, D.C. that made him concerned. Kaitlyn offers her take on a New York Times interview with Louise Perry about rethinking the sexual revolution. Perry argues, as a non-believer, f…
726: Reimagining Biblical Politics with Michael Rhodes
Jun 24, 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
Over the last decade, white evangelicals in the U.S. have lost their moral credibility. In response, Peter Wehner says the church should embrace a form of "Christian humanism." The Holy Post crew discusses his article, what he gets right, and why that label may be a barrier for some. Kaitlyn interviews biblical scholar Michael Rhodes about his book,"Reimagining Biblical Politics: What Scripture Says About Public Life and Why It Matters." Rather than looking to specific verses to define our polit…
725: The Cage Match for America's Story plus Nijay Gupta
Jun 17, 2026 · 1 hr 29 min
Last year, the President celebrated his birthday with a military parade. This year, he hosted a UFC cage match on the South Lawn of the White House. It's easy to compare it to the gladiator games honoring the Roman emperor, but Phil asks whether it's a sign that America would rather emulate pre-Christian Roman values than biblical ones. Americans can no longer agree on how to teach American history, so we're not teaching it much at all. Is it possible to recover a shared national story? Nijay Gu…
724: The Problem with Pagan Masculinity with Zach Wagner
Jun 10, 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
While secular journalists, scholars, and even the Pope are wrestling with big questions about Artificial Intelligence, the war in the Middle East, and what it means to be truly human, the Southern Baptists have decided the most urgent problem in 2026 is banning women from preaching. Phil asks why evangelicals are still fixated on issues from 50 years ago, while other Christian traditions are leading the culture in tackling modern questions. Zachary Wagner, author of "Men of Virtue," joins Skye a…
723: Pope Leo, A.I., & the Intimacy Economy plus a Guided Tour of HP+
Jun 3, 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
The Pope's first encyclical about the importance of human dignity and the threat posed by A.I. is causing a stir. Some secular journalists are celebrating Leo's moral clarity, while Trump administration officials are saying the Pope should stay in his lane. Historian Yuval Noah Harari has his own warning about A.I. and explains how we are moving from an "attention economy" into an "intimacy economy." With the launch of Holy Post Media on Substack, Kaitlyn and Skye take you behind the paywall to…
722: Colbert & the Problem of Public Faith plus Karen Swallow Prior
May 27, 2026 · 1 hr 25 min
Last week, Stephen Colbert ended his tenure as the host of The Late Show on CBS. Along with witty political commentary and comedy, Colbert was also open about his Catholicism at a time when many were growing skeptical of faith. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss Colbert, the criticism public Christians receive, and how to discern which examples of public faith to emulate. It's graduation season, and Karen Swallow Prior is back to discuss her new book, "You Have a Calling." She says our culture has…
721: Easy Optimism vs Durable Hope with Sharon McMahon
May 20, 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
MAGA politicians, pastors, and influencers gathered on the National Mall this weekend to rededicate America to God. Unlike biblical ceremonies of rededication, however, this one included no repentance or lament. Elon Musk is upset that a black woman was cast as Helen of Troy in Christopher Nolan's upcoming film "The Odyssey." Sharon McMahon is back to explain how political backlash and violent threats canceled her commencement speech at Utah Valley University, and why the message she planned to…
720: The Casino-fication of the Church and Mark DeYmaz
May 13, 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
Online gambling is changing the way we watch sports. Rather than cheering for a team together, more people now focus on their individual prop bets. Russell Moore says the same thing is happening in the church as individual interests and personal goals are overshadowing our collective calling as Christ's people. Mark DeYmaz talks with Skye about how the prayer of St. Francis has helped his church navigate racial, economic, and political divisions. Christian colleges say a provision in the Republi…
719: King Charles' Christian Message plus Alan Noble
May 6, 2026 · 1 hr 34 min
King Charles III addressed Congress last week, citing his Christian faith as a foundation for pluralism and peace. President Trump, in contrast, gave a speech welcoming the King that referenced Christianity as a cultural identity requiring exclusion and protection. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn unpack the two very different visions of faith. Alan Noble is back to discuss his new book, "To Live Well," and why young people are looking for virtues that are grounded in something more than online influence…
718: HOLY POST LIVE from Atlanta with Lecrae
Apr 29, 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn hosted a live podcast recording in Atlanta on April 22. They were joined by Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Lecrae to discuss his journey through doubt and deconstruction toward a renewed faith in Christ. He shared what helped him through the dark season, and why he felt the need to abandon the "fraud" but not the "faith." They also discussed the tenets of Just War Theory, innovative Chinese cars, and they responded to audience questions you won't want to miss. Holy Post Pl…
717: The Parenting Prosperity Gospel with Kelsey Kramer McGinnis
Apr 22, 2026 · 1 hr 32 min
Anthropic has sought the help of Christian theologians to make Claude, their A.I. model, more ethical, but they are also meeting with representatives from other religious and philosophical traditions. Should this make us more optimistic about tech companies controlling the future? The Atlantic has a story about the popularity of John Mark Comer even among non-religious young adults. Is his advocacy of contemplative Christian practices the answer to digital secularism our culture has been searchi…
716: The President vs. The Pope and Bri Stensrud
Apr 15, 2026 · 1 hr 30 min
It's been another week of deranged comments and posts from the President. This time he has targeted Pope Leo by accusing him of being weak on crime and catering to the radical left. Mr. Trump followed up by posting an A.I. image of himself as Jesus. The outrage was swift, including from his own MAGA supporters, but are they actually to blame for his messianic self-image? On Palm Sunday, the Pope said Jesus does not hear the prayers of those who wage war. Most assume he was referring to the Secre…
715: How MAGA Rewired Evangelical Morality with Peter Wehner
Apr 8, 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
We have a roundup of extravagant Easter celebrations, including helicopter egg drops, holy week drone shows, and skydiving bunnies. But what do these spectacles really achieve, and what do they communicate about the way of Jesus? Bible sales are breaking records. Is Donald Trump the reason? Conservative writer Peter Wehner, who worked for three Republican administrations, is back to explain how MAGA has rewired evangelical morality and what pastors should do about it. Also this week, the contras…
714: What's Driving the Surge of Catholic Converts? plus Gabriel Salguero
Apr 1, 2026 · 1 hr 25 min
Catholic bishops around the U.S. are reporting a dramatic increase in applications for church membership and a surge of new converts as Easter approaches. What's driving this new interest in the Catholic Church, and why aren't evangelical churches seeing a similar boom? Mike Erre joins Phil and Kaitlyn to discuss the trend. Gabriel Salguero is back to update Skye on the impact of immigration enforcement on Hispanic churches and communities. He shares about two evangelical pastors detained in ICE…
713: Is "Christian Nationalism" Overused? plus Amar Peterman
Mar 25, 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
A recent article in The Atlantic argues that we should stop using the label "Christian nationalism" to criticize the religious right because both conservatives and progressives throughout American history have been motivated by Christian faith. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss what the article gets right and why we need to keep talking about the danger of Christian nationalism. Phil wonders why Catholic leaders are outspoken in their criticism of the Iran war, while fewer evangelical leaders are…
712: A New Kind of Christian Fundamentalism plus Bob Goff
Mar 18, 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
In the past, Christian fundamentalism was defined by a literal reading of the Bible and conservative social values. They believed in things like a seven-day creation, the rapture, prophecies about the return of Jesus, and supporting the state of Israel. But data shows that fewer evangelicals hold these beliefs, but that doesn't mean fundamentalism is going away. Skye and Kaitlyn are joined by Mike Erre to discuss the changing definition of Christian fundamentalism in America, and why the older v…
711: Donald and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad War plus Preston Sprinkle
Mar 11, 2026 · 1 hr 32 min
Do you remember the children's book, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"? That title also sums up what most Americans think about Trump's new war with Iran. Kaitlyn explains why the war is immoral based on Christian theology, Phil channels Ezra Klein to define America's new "heads on pikes" foreign policy, and Skye says the war fits Donald Trump's long pattern of laziness and impatience. Then, Preston Sprinkle is back to discuss his latest book, "From Genesis to Junia,"…
710: Iran, Immigration, & the Trouble with Certainty with Carrie McKean
Mar 4, 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
The U.S. launched a military strike on Iran and President Trump is framing it in moral terms. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Katelyn Beaty discuss the administration's shifting justifications for war, and why Christians should be cautious of language that makes it easier to dehumanize enemies. Then, they turn to the mass shooting in Austin and the predictable scramble to turn tragedy into political leverage. Kaitlyn interviews Carrie McKean about why distrust in public health and debates over immigration ar…
709: A Rabbi and a Priest Walk into a Podcast with Father James Martin
Feb 25, 2026 · 1 hr 28 min
Many of our political leaders invoke the Bible, but Rabbi Shai Held says many don't understand one of its most important commands. Rabbi Held argues that Scripture's call to love immigrants was a "moral revolution" and says the mistreatment of immigrants is an abomination in God's eyes. Skye interviews Father James Martin about his new memoir, "Work in Progress," about his journey from the business world to the priesthood. They also discuss the link between Jesuit spirituality and Protestant the…
708: Mistaking Certainty for Maturity with Joshua Harris
Feb 18, 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
Thirty years ago, Joshua Harris became the cheerleader for purity culture with his book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye." Since then, he's apologized for the book, exited from ministry and his marriage, and announced he's no longer a Christian. He talks to Skye about his journey from fundamentalism to deconstructionism, and back toward curiosity about Jesus. Also this week, how the Trump administration is making paganism great again, why secular progressives are rediscovering the benefits of religion,…
707: Halftime Hullabaloo and Tyler Johnson
Feb 11, 2026 · 1 hr 25 min
The big game was on Sunday, and for most of the country, it was a big letdown unless you're heavily invested in the culture war. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye start by breaking down Bad Bunny's halftime show (en español) and Turning Point USA's alternative with Kid Rock. Then they discuss how Jesus became such a big part of football culture. Is it good that so many players start their media interviews with a shout-out to their Lord and Savior, or has it become a distracting cliche? Skye talks to Tyler…
706: The Second Slap plus Leah Libresco Sargeant
Feb 4, 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
We've all heard the stories of people raised within American evangelicalism who became disillusioned because of abuse, scandals, or political idolatry. Some migrated to more progressive church traditions while others deconstructed their faith entirely. Joshua Harris, made famous for his seminal purity culture book "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," was in the latter category. Harris now says he is emerging from "a season of overcorrection," having seen the "bully energy" in progressive spaces, and that…
705: Minnesota, Civil Rights, & Contagious Courage with Justin Giboney
Jan 28, 2026 · 1 hr 30 min
The country is on edge after another protester was killed by ICE officers in Minneapolis. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye look at how different Christian journalists and media outlets are covering, or not covering, the story, and what protests against ICE share in common with the Civil Rights movement, and how they're different. Speaking of the Civil Rights era, Justin Giboney is back to discuss his new book, "Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around." He believes too much of the American church and our politic…
704: Love is All We Need + Moderate Churches with Ryan Burge
Jan 21, 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
Over the last 30 years, the number of Americans who say they highly value patriotism, religion, community, and family has dropped dramatically. At the same time, the number of Americans who care about making more money has gone up. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye discuss David Brooks' new article about the culture's shift toward autonomy and away from loving attachments, and how Christians can begin rebuilding their social muscles. Sociologist and former pastor, Ryan Burge, is back to discuss why the po…
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