The Holy Post

The Holy Post

Join VeggieTales and What's in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer and co-host Skye Jethani (author, speaker, pastor) for a fast-paced and often funny conversation about pop culture, media, theology, and the fun, fun, fun of living a thoughtful Christian life in an increasingly post-Christian culture.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    657: The Government, God, & Grift with Katherine Stewart

    Since WWII, the United States has been actively engaged in foreign aid as part of its strategic foreign policy, and Christians of all theological and political views have broadly supported this effort. In the first month of the Trump administration, however, Christians on the far right have suddenly turned against international aid. What’s behind this change and are there parallels on the religious left? And what does it mean when MAGA Catholics are arguing directly with Pope Francis about immigrants, refugees, and the poor? Author and journalist, Katherine Stewart, has investigated the religious nationalist movement for 15 years. She says there’s a major disconnect between the super-rich funding the movement (many aren’t even Christians), and the average white evangelicals caught up in its conspiracy theories and events. She talks with Skye about her new book, “Money, Lies, and God.” Also this week—Phil looks at larvae and sees the face of God.   World Relief Advocate: https://worldrelief.org/advocate/   Holy Post Plus: Bonus Interview: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122502748/ Ad-Free version of this episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122579252/ 0:00 - Show Starts   2:28 - Theme Song   2:50 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST   3:55 - Sponsor - Faithful Counseling - This episode is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Give online therapy a try at https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off   5:32 - News of the Termite-Faced Butts!   12:03 - Space Force Skye   19:20 - Is Humanitarian Aid Biblical?   24:32 - Romans 13   37:35 - Are Anti-Foreign Aid Arguments Consistent?   51:35 - Sponsor - Bushnell University - Equip yourself to be transformative in your community! Go to https://www.bushnell.edu   52:28 - Sponsor - World Relief - Visit https://worldrelief.org/holypost/ to download your family refugee guide and learn more about the Path Community   53:44 - Interview   57:03 - Information Bubbles   1:03:33 - Is this All a Grift?   1:10:11 - The Inconsistencies of MAGA   1:20:17 - Red Caesar   1:25:52 - End Credits   Links Mentioned in News Segment: World Relief Advocate: https://worldrelief.org/advocate/   Termite-Face-Butts! https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/moroccan-fly-maggot-uses-fake-face-on-its-butt-to-infiltrate-termite-colony   Pope Francis and American Catholics Clash: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/pope-francis-jd-vance-immigration-tom-homan-rcna192291   Trump Demonizes Faith-Based Partners and Government Grants https://religionnews.com/2025/02/12/is-taking-government-money-a-sin-for-churches-and-ministries-or-a-liberal-plot/?utm_medium=social   Other resources: Money, Lies and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy by Katherine Stewart: https://a.co/d/b85D6UN   Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   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.

    1h 26m
  2. 12 FEB

    656: Defunding USAID and Blue Like Jazz’s Gospel of Vibes with Ross Douthat

    The White House is defunding USAID, one of the largest distributors of foreign aid, and blaming it on wasteful spending—like a D.E.I musical in Ireland. But as Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn unpack, the real losers are Christian relief organizations like World Relief and Catholic Charities, which now face devastating budget cuts. Then, it’s been over 20 years since the release of Blue Like Jazz, the bestselling book that made faith feel cool. Did it offer a helpful critique of evangelicalism, or was this the beginning of the rise of vibes-based Christianity? Also, New York Times columnist Ross Douthat joins Skye to discuss his new book, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. He explains why our increasingly secular culture is still drawn to spirituality and why rejecting religious institutions in favor of “DIY faith” may not be the answer. Plus, we have a trailer for a new season of Why I’m Still a Christian. Holy Post Plus: Bonus Interview with Ross Douthat: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122056691/   0:00 - Show Starts   2:18 - Theme Song   2:41 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order   3:45  - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/holypost   8:25  - Trump and Christian Persecution   12:22 - Elon Shuts Down USAID   19:53 - Did USAID Really Fund That?   24:29 - Principle of Unitary President   35:42 - Blue Like Untethered Christianity   39:57 - Consumerist Christianity and Vibes   46:41 - Why I’m Still a Christian Season 2 Sneak Peak!   48:05 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.   50:08 - Sponsor - Glorify - Sign up for the #1 Christian Daily Devotional App to help you stay focused on God. Go to https://glorify-app.com/en/HOLYPOST to download the app today!   51:11 - Interview   52:30 - A Case for Religion?   56:26 - Why Not Just Argue for Jesus?   1:02:23 - Are Secular Circles Falling Apart?   1:11:00 - Fine Tuning Argument   1:23:04 - Why Not Pursue Spirituality on Your Own?   1:28:05 - End Credits   Links Mentioned in News Segment: Editorial: SIlence in the Face of Trump’s Cruelty is Complicity: https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/editorial/editorial-silence-face-trumps-cruelty-complicity   Contact Bishops and Diocese by State: https://www.usccb.org/about/bishops-and-dioceses/all-dioceses   USAID Trump Fact Checker: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/07/usaid-trump-fact-checker/   Blue Like Jazz: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/01/blue-like-jazz-donald-miller-church-optional/   Other resources: Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious: https://a.co/d/3oVuOKR   Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   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.

    1h 29m
  3. 5 FEB

    655: What If Jesus Was Serious About Justice with Skye Jethani

    During a recent Fox News interview, Vice President J.D. Vance cited “an old school and very Christian concept” to justify rejecting refugees and ending international aid. Bishops from his own church disagreed. The Holy Post crew explores the concept Vance was citing, how he misunderstands it, and why his interpretation undermines the entire New Testament. Kaitlyn interviews Skye about his new book, “What If Jesus Was Serious About Justice?” They talk about the link between justice and worship, what it means to have a heart “far from God,” and why the doctrine of penal substitutionary atonement is biblical but taught in a proudly unbiblical way in many churches. Also this week, Phil returns to Twitter and learns who Margaret is.   Holy Post Plus: Bonus Interview with Skye Jethani: https://www.patreon.com/posts/121522392/edit   0:00 - Sponsor - Bushnell University - Equip yourself to be transformative in your community! Go to https://www.bushnell.edu   0:49 - Show Starts   3:20 - Theme Song   3:42 - Sponsor - Faithful Counseling - This episode is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Give online therapy a try at https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off   4:45 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST   6:09 - Inauguration   7:27 - Tariff Fight!   12:03 - Twitter’s a Dirty Aquarium   17:29 - Who’s Margaret and Should She Care?   20:52 - The American Council of Bishops   24:22 - Augustine and Ordo Amoris   31:56 - Scripture and Ordo Amoris   37:36 - Case for Christian Nationalism   43:23 - The Resurrection Disrupts Politics   48:22 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 25% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST   49:28 - Sponsor - Pique - Pique’s tea is a superfood in a cup! Comes with a frother and glass beaker—get the starter kit at https://piquelife.com/HOLYPOST   51:08 - Interview   53:05 - Justice and Social Justice   1:01:10 - Oppression Beyond Identity   1:09:55 - God’s Justice and Mercy   1:14:42 - Penal Substitutionary Atonement   1:22:45 - End Credits   Links Mentioned in News Segment: JD Vance is Wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others: https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/jd-vance-wrong-jesus-doesnt-ask-us-rank-our-love-others?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/christianity Other resources: What if Jesus Was Serious About Justice by Skye Jethani: https://a.co/d/gFydI1K   Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   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.

    1h 23m
  4. 29 JAN

    654: Inauguration Consternation & Respecting Refugees with Matthew Soerens

    The first week of the second Trump administration has seen refugees cut off and January 6th criminals cut loose. Franklin Graham declared in his inauguration prayer that God himself had chosen the President. The MAGA faithful applauded this mix of Christian faith and politics, but when Bishop Budde asked the President to “show mercy” to frightened people during her homily at the National Cathedral, she was accused of everything from political activism to witchcraft. Phil has a theory about what these two religious leaders at the inauguration reveal about the state of American Christianity. Then Matthew Soerens from World Relief is back to discuss Trump’s immediate shut down of all refugee resettlement, including cutting all financial aid previously promised to refugees already in the U.S. What’s behind the President’s aggressive policy, and how can we practically help our neighbors abandoned by the government that brought them here? Also this week—reanimated squirrels and Skye wears a red hat.   0:00 - Show Starts   4:14 - Theme Song   4:36  - Sponsor - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!   5:42 - Sponsor - Faithful Counseling - This episode is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Give online therapy a try at https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off   10:54 - Inauguration   20:57 - The Demonization of Empathy   27:08 - Loyalty Buys Protection   32:26 - Cruelty as Proof of Allegiance   39:30 - Created Order vs. the Marginalized   59:07 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout.   1:00:08 - Sponsor - The NIV Lectio Bible - A simple, ancient way to read the library of scripture. Find it at https://www.nivlectio.com or wherever Bibles are sold!   1:01:17 - Sponsor - J29 Coalition - Guide your church into a Christ-centered approach to politics! Visit https://j29coalition.com to sign up today   1:02:24 - Interview    1:05:50 - The Refugee Resettlement Program   1:09:44 - We Invited Refugees   1:15:22 - What Options to Help Refugees   1:21:45 - Helping Local Immigrant Communities   1:28:10 - End Credits   Links Mentioned in News Segment: Evangelicals Made a Bad Trade: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/01/evangelicals-trump/681450/   Collision of Two Christianities: https://religionnews.com/2025/01/24/inauguration-week-was-a-collision-of-two-christianities/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/donaldtrump&utm_medium=social   Other resources: Learn how recent executive orders are having a devastating impact on thousands of refugees and humanitarian programs both in the U.S. and globally, and find out how you can help make a difference! Learn more: https://worldrelief.org/stand-in-the-gap/?utm_source=HolyPost&utm_medium=ShowNotes&utm_campaign=EO_UrgentAppeal   Partner with World Relief: https://give.worldrelief.org/site/Donation2?df_id=5541&5541.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=HolyPost&utm_medium=ShowNotes&utm_campaign=EO_UrgentAppeal   Sign the Christian Statement on Refugee Resettlement: https://worldrelief.org/christianstatement/   Easy tool to contact Congress with talking points: https://p2a.co/AEQhezU   Access This Toolkit to Get Involved: https://worldrelief.org/content/uploads/2025/01/World-Relief-Toolkit.pdf    Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   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.

    1h 29m
  5. 22 JAN

    653: Character, Christian Colleges, & Why Trump Won with Robert P. Jones

    According to New York Times columnist, David Brooks, our society has given up on moral formation to focus instead on individual success and happiness. Can we recover a culture of shared virtue? Surprising new data shows that overall college enrollment is down, but Christian colleges and universities are growing. What’s the explanation? Then Robert P. Jones, from PRRI, is back to unpack the numbers from the presidential election. Why did more Latinos support Trump, and are Democrats learning the wrong lessons from their loss? Also this week—animals hold grudges.   List of Ways to Contribute: https://www.holypost.com/post/ways-to-contribute-to-la-fire-relief   Holy Post Plus: Getting Schooled - Communion 201 https://www.patreon.com/posts/120202366/   0:00 - Show Starts   3:17 - Theme Song   3:40 - Sponsor - Glorify - Sign up for the #1 Christian Daily Devotional App to help you stay focused on God. Go to https://glorify-app.com/en/HOLYPOST to download the app today!   4:43 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/holypost   5:50 - The Inauguration   8:30 - Connecting to Relief Work   12:05 - Ants’ Tiny Grudges   17:30 - Character Building Toolkit   24:28 - Morally Fragmented World   39:21 - Christian College Growth   44:52 - Sponsor - J29 Coalition - Guide your church into a Christ-centered approach to politics! Visit https://j29coalition.com to sign up today   45:58 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST   47:15 - Interview    48:50 - Lack of Change   57:01 - Don’t Overread   1:12:44 - Fatigue   1:17:38 - Pray for Wisdom   1:21:40 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: World Relief: https://worldrelief.org/advocate/   Christian Colleges Continue to See Enrollment Growth: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/01/christian-colleges-continue-enrollment-growth-record/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/religion   Biologists Antagonised Ants: https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/animals/biologists-antagonised-ants-and-found-out-they-can-hold-grudges/   Other resources: The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: and the Path to a Shared American Future by Robert P. Jones: https://a.co/d/5ZoIHOp   White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones: https://a.co/d/0K5cI5W   Robert P. Jones’ Substack: www.whitetoolong.net   Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   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.

    1h 22m
  6. 15 JAN

    652: Families Need Formation Not Formulas with Emily McGowin

    How can we help those impacted by the L.A. wildfires? Because of A.I., climate change, and falling fertility rates, Ezra Klein says we are living “in the age of monsters,” but is he really just upset about Trump? And how is technology fundamentally rewiring our brains to avoid social interaction, and what should we do about it? Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye offer their suggestions. Then Kaitlyn talks with Wheaton College theology professor Emily McGowin about her new book, “Households of Faith,” and what it means to think of our families formationally rather than formulaically. Also this week—the new Holy Post studio is killer!   0:00 - Show Starts   2:16 - Theme Song   2:38  - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST   3:56 - Sponsor - Learn from some of the world’s most brilliant minds with this 10-day event at Calvin! Go to https://www.calvin.edu/JANUARY   7:57 - California Wildfires   15:22 - The Time of the Monsters   25:11 - The Time for Churches   31:25 - The Anti-Social Century   39:12 - Tiktok and Lonely Routines   45:25 - Bring Back Youth Group!   51:14 - Sponsor - Faithful Counseling - This episode is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Give online therapy a try at https://www.faithfulcounseling.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off   52:16 - Sponsor - Pique - Pique’s tea is a superfood in a cup! Comes with a frother and glass beaker—get the starter kit at https://piquelife.com/HOLYPOST   53:53 - Sponsor - J29 Coalition - Guide your church into a Christ-centered approach to politics! Visit https://j29coalition.com to sign up today   55:00 - Interview   56:42 - Why Write About Family?   1:00:40 - Discernment and Improvisation   1:08:04 - Family of God   1:16:05 - Sabbath for Fellowship   1:22:31 - Rhythms of Life     1:29:30 - End Credits   Households of Faith: Practicing Family in the Kingdom of God by Emily Hunter McGowin: https://a.co/d/7hd5XIW   Links Mentioned in News Segment: Ezra Klein’s “Now is the Time of the Monsters:” https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/opinion/ai-climate-change-low-birth-rates.html   The Anti-Social Century: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/   Other resources: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/   Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus   Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost   Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   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.

    1h 30m
4.8
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Join VeggieTales and What's in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer and co-host Skye Jethani (author, speaker, pastor) for a fast-paced and often funny conversation about pop culture, media, theology, and the fun, fun, fun of living a thoughtful Christian life in an increasingly post-Christian culture.

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