The Holy Post

All heck breaks loose on Duck Dynasty! The Pope is Time's Man of the Year! Can Phil, Skye and Christian sort it all out? And then sum it up with a song?!? Tune in to this week's podcast and find out!!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP83_12-19-2013.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00pm CDT

How to make an atheist in five easy steps! (Okay, maybe not quite THAT simple.) Phil and the gang discuss Dr. Peter Boghossian's new book, A Manual for Creating Atheists. What does he get wrong? Even more importantly, what does he get RIGHT? Is faith a "flawed epistemology?" Is it an epistemology at all? The answer may determine the fate of western civilization as we know it!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP82_12-13-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:03pm CDT

Is the pope going out at night like Batman?? And then Phil leads Skye and recurring guest Drew Dyck on a wild trip through recent kids movies and how the portrayal of "magic" and the supernatural has shifted from Christian, to modern, to post-modern. And sometimes back again.
Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP81_12-06-2013_with_Drew_Dyck.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:19pm CDT

Fisticuffs in Wal-Mart and drag queens in the Macy's parade - this is not your grandfather's Thanksgiving! Then Skye and Phil settle in for a return visit with OT scholar Dr. John Walton about Genesis 1 and the "war" between science and the Bible, after which Phil discovers that making up songs is really hard when you're short on sleep!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP80_12-02-2013_with_John_Walton.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:29pm CDT

Does God make atheists sweat?? Plus, guest Drew Dyck talks about his book, Generation Ex-Christian, and the reasons more and more Christian kids are walking away from their faith! Don't miss it! It may or may not have something to do with the end of Western Civilization as we know it!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP79_11-22-2013_with_Drew_Dyck.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:29am CDT

A new TV show looks for "the meaning of life" in the scientific narrative, and Stephen Colbert points out the lunacy of their pursuit. Also, Phil and Skye dive into all the listener feedback from last week's podcast fun about gender, then even more fun with their ongoing discussion about the definition of the Gospel and the difficulty of sharing the Good News in an increasingly post-Christian West. Whee!!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP78_11-15-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:08am CDT

Phil has an epiphany about western civilization - could Christianity have actually made the hyper-sexualization of women POSSIBLE?!? Skye and Christian are dumbstruck, but Phil presses on with his startling theory. And then Skye elaborates on the definition of "gospel," based on listener feedback from last week. Don't miss it! It's the most shocking podcast yet!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP77_11-08-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:54pm CDT

Britain is a nation of religious illiterates!  Or so says the BBC.  But what's the solution - religious instruction in public schools??  Then, in honor of Halloween, the gang discusses the peculiar evangelical outreach known as the "Hell House," and a pastor in hot water for building himself a 16,000 square foot house!  (Wait - that last story isn't Halloween-related.  Oh well.  It's still a sure sign of ... THE END OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION!)

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP76_10-31-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:07am CDT

Religious billboard wars break out in Time Square!  The group discusses two upcoming "Christian-ish" movies that have folks (and/or Phil) a bit concerned, and then talks through the moral, economic and spiritual implications of the collapsing interest of Japan's youth in ... um ... "physical contact" with the opposite sex.  To put it another way, Japan is having no babies!!  Is it Godzilla?!?  Robots?!?  And what does it mean for the future of (dum, dum, dum!) Western Civilization???

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP75_10-23-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:58pm CDT

Phil goes to Disneyland while Skye goes to Vegas!  Lively discussion ensues about gambling, Christian morality, and the ascendency of Halloween as Disney's new favorite holiday.  Our friends at Hobby Lobby get into some hot Jewish water, and will OJ Simpson be America's next great televangelist???  It's surely the end of Western Civilization as we know it!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP74_10-18-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:00am CDT

Phil discusses the "state of the art" of Christian billboards before explaining his new conclusion that life is like a moving sidewalk.  THEN the gang launches into a fascinating discussion - based on Phil's great uncle Einer - about the "idolatry of family" within the evangelical church and whether it's EVER appropriate to leave your family to do God's work.  Fun, fun, fun!!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP73_10-10-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30pm CDT

Are Christians hypocritical in our approach to politics??  Is atheism the next "gay marriage?" Are atheist "churches" a GOOD thing for Christianity?  And WHO doesn't like the new pope?? Anyone??  No one??  Listen to the audio!  Or watch the video show!  Hurry - before Western Civilization comes to an end!!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP72_10-03-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Watch your metaphors, Christians!  We can be misunderstood!  Phil tells the story of his great uncle Iner.  If that isn't fun enough, Skye then explains the origins of evangelicalism and fundamentalism in America, and the gang discusses comedian Louis CK's recent musings about the "emptiness" inside all of us. Whee!!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP71_09-26-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:20pm CDT

Crazy evangelicals take over America!  Book burnings and a civil "holy" war erupt!  Yes, Phil actually took the time to read "Christian Nation: The Novel," and he's ready to give a full book report.  What are those crazy Christians up to now?!?

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP70_09-20-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:59am CDT

Miley Cyrus watch!  What's the latest??  Inquiring minds want to know!  Then the gang discusses atheist protests of the Ground Zero Cross, a new novel about the "disaster" that would befall America if Christians got their way, and a lively debate about the underrepresentation of Christians in American media and what - if anything - can be done about it.  It is clearly the end-of-you-know-what-as-we-know-it!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP69_09-13-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:04am CDT

Phil declares America "officially" post-Christian.  Skye uses big words to confuse him.  Christian laughs at them both.  Then we discuss a piece Skye wrote recently about the overuse of technology in schools that some people just didn't get.  Mostly because he wrote it as a satire about smoking.  Yeah.  All this, and the end of Western Civilization!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP68_09-06-2013.m4a
Category:general -- posted at: 10:40am CDT

Phil interviews Christian film executive Ben Howard (Facing the Giants, Fireproof, October Baby) to find out if there is, in fact, a Christian film business. Plus news about Miley Cyrus, life on Mars, and, of course, the end of Western civilization as we know it.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP67_08-29-2013_with_Ben_Howard.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:07am CDT

Moral decline and "hook-up" culture - debunked??  Parenting is hard, God doesn't want us to live in fear, and what on earth happened to the Iowa State Fair butter cow?!?  It's the end of western civilization as we know it!  This week on the podcast!

Direct download: PV_podcast_EP66_08-23-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:47pm CDT

Duck Dynasty conquers America while Franklin Graham runs into trouble in Iceland.  And then a lively discussion with Doug TenNapel (part 2) about the adventures of an outspoken Christian in a business that isn't at all fond of outspoken Christians.  Are hillbillies the only ones allowed to believe in Jesus on TV? Can a famous evangelist's son actually hold to historical Christian teaching?  In Iceland?  What about a celebrated graphic novelist in Hollywood?  All this and more on the podcast this week!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP65_08-16-2013_with_Doug_TenNapel.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:55am CDT

Singer/songwriter Sara Groves and her husband Troy join Phil and Skye on the podcast this week to talk about Sara's career, her thoughts about worship music and Christian radio, the church they just bought, and the one song she wishes she never wrote!  Plus, Phil tries to play a really out-of-tune ukulele!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_Ep64_08-08-2013_with_Sara_Groves.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:23am CDT

Censored hymns and Muslims writing books about Jesus - followed by part 1 of a 2-part interview with Christian comic artist, animator and creator of the classic video games Earthworm Jim and The Neverhood, Doug TenNapel.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_Ep63_08-01-2013_with_Doug_TenNapel.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:48pm CDT

Skye is back in  town!  We hear about his travels out west, then the group careens wildly through this week's stories about Christian movies, heaven, the end times, evangelistic atheists and, of course, gay rights.  Buckle up for the ride!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_Ep62_07-25-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:53pm CDT

It's bring your daughter to work day!  Well, not really - but Phil does anyway.  His 16 year-old daughter Sydney has just released an album of thoughtful, acoustic songs, and she visits the podcast to talk about it and play a few live!  (Check out Sydney Vischer on iTunes or SydneyVischerMusic on Facebook to see the whole album.)

Direct download: PV_Podcast_Ep61_07-20-2013_with_Sydney_Vischer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:16am CDT

Join Phil this week for an indepth interview with a personal hero - groundbreaking Christian singer, songwriter, producer and filmmaker Steve Taylor.  From "I Want to Be a Clone" to the Newsboys and Sixpense, to Blue Like Jazz the movie, Steve has pushed the Christian narrative in new and amazing directions for nearly 30 years.  Don't miss the conversation!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_Ep60_07-15-2013_with_Steve_Taylor.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:53am CDT

Phil's brother Rob joins him on vacation for a discussion of Rob's new book on Martin Luther KIng Jr., as well as lively discussion about atheist monuments, DOMA, the Supreme Court and the ever-perplexing concept of religious freedom!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP59_07-06-2013_with_Rob_Vischer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:30am CDT

Skye goes on a cruise, Phil has an MRI, the Supreme Court ruffles some feathers and former Senator Rick Santorum - America's newest Christian movie mogul?!?  Just another week on the Phil Vischer Podcast ...

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP58_06-27-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:43pm CDT

Alien-searching super telescopes?  Man of Steel sponsored sermons?  And what's a Christian to do when their faith is lumped in with "crazy religion?"  Phil and Skye both have colds and Christian is out of town, but thought-provoking conversation still manages to occur.  More or less.

Direct download: PV_podcast_EP56_06-12-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:38pm CDT

Listeners chime in about the Boy Scouts leading to a deeper conversation about homosexuality and the church, Jennifer Lopez's new TV show, plus five supposedly "compelling" reasons marriage wasn't supposed to monogamous. (And we finally find out what became of Skye's runaway car!)

Direct download: PV_podcast_EP55_06-05-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:47am CDT

Is the Pope spouting heresy?  Should churches boot the Boy Scouts?  And special guest anthropologist Brian Howell talks about his new book on the peculiar anthropological phenomenon known as the "short term missions trip."  (We aren't kidding.)  Check it all out on this week's Phil Vischer Podcast!

Direct download: PV_podcast_EP54_05-31-2013_with_Brian_Howell.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:02pm CDT

Happy Birthday to the podcast!  To celebrate the 1st anniversary of the Phil Vischer Podcast, Skye makes some funny voices, Phil gripes about celebrities and their ridiculous houses, and the gang covers the big news from the Boy Scouts as well as a surprisingly deep conversation about living the Christian life.  Happy Birthday!

Direct download: PV_podcast_EP53_05-22-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:33am CDT

Skye returns from Switzerland with stories of fondue, then the gang jumps into a lively discussion of recent comments by Stephen Hawking and a new book claiming historical reports of Christian persecution in the Roman Empire were largely fabricated.  Fun, fun, fun!

Direct download: PV_podcast_EP52_05-15-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:39am CDT

Phil has a brain burp in Dallas, Justin Beiber runs amok in Dubai, and special guest Pete Leonard roasts the world's best coffee - as a ministry!  Only on the Phil Vischer Podcast!

Direct download: PV_podcast_EP51_05-08-2013_with_Pete_Leonard.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:54pm CDT

Is theater a form of religion?  What does modern theater (Book of Mormon, et al) say about what we believe, and how can a Christian respond?  And as if that isn't fascinating enough, the gang then jumps into a discussion of how some demographers are predicting falling birthrates across the modern world will result in A) economic catastrophe, and B) the decline of secularism!  Hoo boy!

Direct download: PV_podcast_EP50_05-02-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:55am CDT

Christian takes over the show!  Acting on a listener suggestion, she invites Skye's wife Amanda and Phil's wife Lisa to join her and dish on their husbands.  Phil's and Skye's ears are burning!

Direct download: PV_podcast_EP49_04-25-2013_with_Lisa_Vischer_and_Amanda_Jethani.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:30am CDT

After a lively discussion of The Book of Mormon and the ever-increasing crassness of American culture, Phil and the gang are joined by Christianity Today editor Mark Galli to discuss his feature story on near-death experiences and their recent popularity in publishing!

Mark GalliMark Galli is the editor of Christianity Today. He is the author of Chaos and Grace and God Wins.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP48_04-22-2013_with_Mark_Galli.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:18pm CDT

Monkeys and puppies and the end of Western Civilization!  Phil overreacts yet again to the week's news, followed by a scintillating discussion about Stephen Colbert, great apes, and the war against religious faith.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP47_04-15-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:28pm CDT

The gang's all back together!  Phil talks about the movies yet again, before a lively discussion about the state of marriage, family life, and the future of western civilization. What fun!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP46_04-05-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:28am CDT

With Christian away on vacation, Phil and Skye talk about THE BIBLE (the TV series) and all forms of changing marriage, both same-sex and... Jedi?

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP45_03-31-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:49pm CDT

Stuck in Disney World without Skye or Christian (poor Phil!), Phil goes solo with an extended excerpt from his recent comedy show dealing with, appropriately, Disney World and everyone's favorite Easter candy, marshmallow peeps!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP44_03-25-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

A pope!  A pope!  We've got a new pope!  What does it mean to three Protestants with a podcast?  We're not sure, but we talk about it anyway.  Then Skye takes us through his thoughts on the Gospel - what it is and what it isn't, and how we sometimes get it completely wrong.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP43_03-16-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:45am CDT

An Italian apparel company is granted a trademark to the word "Jesus," Mark Burnett's "The Bible" miniseries takes the History Channel by storm, and an impassioned plea for the death of "Christian music" gets Phil all riled up.  All that, plus Skye walks out halfway through Phil's wrap-up song!  It's a crazy week on the Phil Vischer Podcast!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP42_03-09-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Join Phil, Skye and Christian as they discuss the Harlem Shake and the decline of Western Civilization, plus a fascinating journey through gender issues in the Oscars, Sesame Street and beyond!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP41_02-28-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:30pm CDT

Episode 40: Atheist Church, Tim Tebow & the Boy Scouts

A theme song sung by Yoda, then... church for atheists?  And what do Tim Tebow, the Boy Scouts and Southern Baptists all have in common?  Cap it all off with a wrap-up song that goes a little better than last week's!

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP40_02-21-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:42am CDT

Episode 39: A Potluck Podcast

It's a potluck podcast!  Skye talks about his "top secret" meeting in Washington DC and his trip to the Naval Academy before the gang takes a whirlwind tour through Christian rollerskating, fruitcake in the Ozarks, Valentine's Day, Pope news and TV preachers.  Phil wraps it up with his worst summary song ever. Seriously.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP39_02-14-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Phil and Skye talk about Super Bowl commercials and pastors behaving poorly in Applebee's.  Then they're joined by author/researcher David Kinnaman for a fascinating discussion about Christians and their views on religious freedom in America.  Finally, Phil summarizes with a song.  It doesn't go so well.

david kinnaman

David Kinnaman is the president and majority owner of Barna Group. He is the author of the bestselling books, You Lost Me and unChristian.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP38_02-04-2013_with_David_Kinnaman.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Episode 37: Does God intervene in sports?

This week's podcast discusses a new opera about the last days of, um, Walt Disney, plus the surprising number of Americans who believe God influences the outcomes of sporting events, an atheist mom in Texas asks Christians to keep their religion to themselves, and, what's this - a prominent gay rights activist and Chick-fil-A have become best friends?!?  Is it a sign of the apocalypse?!?

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP_37_01-30-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:25am CDT

Episode 36: Guest Scottie May

Phil starts off the podcast by recounting his recent trip to a children's ministry conference, and singing a song he wrote for the occasion. The crew talks about a viral news story featuring Pat Robertson, before bringing in this week's guest - Phil's mom! Scottie May has her Ph.D in Christian Education, and teaches in the Christian formation ministry department at Wheaton College where she specializes in children's ministry. They discuss VBS, how to creatively engage children, attention spans, and how to be more reflective in worship. 

Scottie May is an associate professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College. She has her Ph.D in Christian Education from Trinitey Evangelical Divinity School. Scottie's area of interest and expertise is children's ministry, and she has co-authored 3 books.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP36_01-23-2013_with_Scottie_May.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am CDT

Episode 35: The Golden Globes, Gun Control and Louie Giglio

Phil announces the launch of the all new JellyTelly, and the crew discusses the Golden Globes, euthanasia and gun control. They talk about Louie Giglio's invitation to pray at President Obama's inauguration, why he withdrew from the event, and then the gay rights movement. Are Christians becoming an oppressed minority?

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP35_01-15-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:11pm CDT

In this week's Phil Vischer Podcast, Skye introduces his new book Futureville. They discuss the current conflict between Hobby Lobby and the new contraception mandate, which leads to a conversation about the role of government and civil disobedience. They talk about the "controversy" around the Neil Patrick Harris ad for the Super Bowl, and then a petition to designate the Roman Catholic Church a hate group. The podcast ends with a discussion about whether or not our churches, Christian radio, and Christian entertainment have become too "family friendly" and paint an unrealistic portrait of faith.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP34_01-07-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00am CDT

Episode 33: The Fiscal Cliff, The End Times & 2013 Predictions

In this week's Phil Vischer Podcast, Phil, Skye and Christian discuss the fiscal cliff and the current political environment in the US. This leads to a conversation about the end times and interpreting the Scriptures based on our cultural context. Everyone gives their predictions for what will happen in 2013 - some of which are more serious than others! They end with a conversation on the Gospel and how we can engage with it more.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP33_01-03-2013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:55am CDT

In the first Phil Vischer Podcast of 2013, Rob Vischer joins the crew to discuss Catholicism, the new "Queen James Bible" and the Boy Scouts. They also discuss the political tensions within the Catholic Church, and the changing tones of some Catholic and some Evangelical groups toward homosexuality.

Direct download: PV_Podcast_EP32_12-28-2012.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:15pm CDT

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