What were the most important stories of 2022? Phil, Skye, and Christian discuss the embrace of Christian Nationalism, political and cultural issues dividing evangelicalism, and how Twitter has deteriorated into a middle school lunchroom food fight. They also discuss their predictions for 2023 including the frightening rise of A.I., and how a bus could bring Americans together. The hosts are also interrupted by an unexpected guest who wants to set the record straight about the War on Christmas, and why Phil is on the “Naughty List.” Plus, everyone’s favorite Christmas songs, hymns, and movies, and cows flee a live Nativity.

Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks... What is the biblical definition of “heaven”? - https://www.patreon.com/posts/76174103

0:00 - Intro
3:10 - Favorite carols and movies
7:32 - Cows escape nativity event
10:51 - Secret guest segment
25:39 - Stories from 2022
1:08:28 - Predictions for 2023
1:13:15 - Credits

Links:
“After cows escaped its live nativity event, this North Carolina church had a not-so-silent night” - https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/12/12/23506219/animals-escape-church-live-nativity

“Unitarians and Episcopalians Created American Christmas” by Daniel K. Williams (Christianity Today) - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/december-web-only/christmas-advent-history-unitarians-episcopalians-created.html

“13 stranded strangers took a road trip to Knoxville - here’s what happened” - https://www.local3news.com/local-news/13-stranded-strangers-took-a-road-trip-to-knoxville---heres-what-happened/article_d2c0e4f2-764d-11ed-8c34-73e8efc61ef8.html

“Nostradamus predictions 2023: World War III, new Pope, Mars landing and more” - https://www.timesnownews.com/viral/nostradamus-predictions-2023-world-war-iii-new-pope-mars-landing-and-more-article-95614887

Mike Erre - https://twitter.com/mikeerre

Mike Erre’s podcast - https://voxologypodcast.com

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

Thanks to Patreon supporters for sitting in on the live recording of this week’s episode! For more information about our Patreon, visit: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

A Texas megachurch is facing criticism after a viral TikTok video showed a rehearsal of its Christmas production with drummers flying over the crowd on wires. The church says it’s simply offering its best to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Critics say it’s an extravagant violation of Jesus’ humble spirit. Who’s right? New data says Americans are far more isolated and lonely than ever before, and it’s not because of Covid. Is the church the solution or part of the problem? And a researcher offers three surprising explanations for why the decline of religion in the U.S. didn’t start until the 1990s. Then, Old Testament scholar Carmen Imes answers questions about the book of Exodus. Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? What does it really mean to take God’s name in vain? And how do all of the details about the tabernacle apply to Christians today?

Patreon Bonus: Getting Schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess: Mary 101 - https://www.patreon.com/posts/75878590/

Holy Post merch store - https://www.holypost.com/shop

News Segment
0:00 - Intro
2:49 - Megachurch Christmas production
21:12 - Loneliness
39:01- Why Americans are leaving their churches
Sponsors
53:29 - Sponsor: Faithful Counseling
Get 10% off your first month at faithfulcounseling.com/holypost

54:35 - Sponsor: Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology
Visit www.biola.edu/talbot for more information and to apply today.

Interview with Carmen Imes
BibleProject Classroom on Exodus - https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/

Carmen Imes - https://twitter.com/carmenjoyimes

55:42 - Interview intro
57:16 - Why Exodus is important
58:55 - Pharoah’s heart being hardened
1:03:58 - Taking the Lord’s name in vain
1:10:54 - Tabernacle
1:19:05 - Golden calf story
1:26:05 - BibleProject Exodus course

Links mentioned in news segment:
Holy Post 529: Rapture Anxiety and Why Analog Discipleship is Better with Jay Y. Kim - https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-529-rapture-anxiety-why-analog-discipleship-is-better-with-jay-y-kim

“Texas Megachurch responds to backlash over opulent Christmas show” (Houston Chronicle) -
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/texas-megachurch-tiktok-17616329.php

“Americans are choosing to be alone. Here’s why we should reverse that” (Washington Post) - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/11/23/americans-alone-thanksgiving-friends/

“Why Americans are leaving their churches” (Religion News Service) - https://religionnews.com/2022/12/01/why-americans-are-leaving-their-churches/

Other resources:
“Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters” by Carmen Joy Imes - https://amzn.to/3uQbKKp

Carmen Imes on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CarmenJoyImesPhD

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.

Reactions to last week’s show were strong. The Holy Post crew responds to listener feedback about LGBTQ representation in movies and Al Mohler’s defense of conservatism. Former SBC president, Johnny Hunt, was removed from ministry for sexual assault, but last week four ministry colleagues decided it was time to “restore” him. When should disgraced pastors return to ministry, and have congregational and non-denominational churches proven to be incapable of holding toxic leaders accountable? A new Twitter scandal offers more evidence that Christian Nationalism is a mask for racism and misogyny. Then, friend of the podcast Drew Dyck is back to recommend four books covering topics like the formative power of suffering, new medical research about addiction, the best way to read through the Bible, and a novel about Ireland in the 1980s. Plus, Drew’s war against fake Christmas trees.

Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks...Does God use calamities to discipline us? - https://www.patreon.com/posts/75597211

Holy Post merch store: https://www.holypost.com/shop

News Segment
0:00 - Intro
3:36 - Last week debrief
21:22 - Rotten pastoral restoration
31:25 - Christian nationalism and kinism
47:43 - Sponsor: Faithful Counseling
Get 10% off your first month at faithfulcounseling.com/holypost

Interview with Drew Dyck
Drew Dyck - https://www.drewdyck.com

48:49 - Drew’s Views intro
49:48 - Christmas trees
52:53 - Book 1: “Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen”
58:05 - Book 2: “The Myth of Normal”
1:14:20 - Book 3: “Small Things Like These”
1:18:44 - Book 4: “52 Weeks in the Word”

Drew’s book recommendations:
“Beautiful People Don’t Just Happen: How God Redeems Regret, Hurt, and Fear in the Making of Better Humans” by Scott Sauls - https://amzn.to/3VylJQa

“The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture” by Gabor Maté - https://amzn.to/3uvclkv

“Small Things Like These” (a novel) by Claire Keegan - https://amzn.to/3FwCUfr

“52 Weeks in the Word: A Companion for Reading Through the Bible in a Year” by Trillia J. Newbell - https://amzn.to/3usdTf2

Other links mentioned:
Last week’s Holy Post episode, 537 - https://www.holypost.com/post/537-the-war-over-christmas-movies-gen-z-s-mental-health-with-josh-packard

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 more than a century, the American church has been arguing about the exact scope and boundaries of God’s mission. Is the gospel narrowly about the redemption of people’s souls, or does it also care about redeeming the world, society, and broken systems? In other words, is justice part of God’s gospel mission? The way we answer that question has massive implications for what work we believe ultimately matters. This debate has torn the American church apart, but it’s not one shared by many of our sisters and brothers around the world where a holistic vision of God’s mission is just assumed rather than contested. Pastor Luis Luna from Honduras joins Skye Jethani to discuss why he doesn’t separate the care of people’s souls, from the care of their bodies, or the reformation of society. And how this holistic approach to mission sometimes creates problems when well-meaning American Christians bring their narrow definition of the gospel to Central America.

“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 - Intro

Interview with Luis Luna
2:41 - Luis’ community and immigration
7:51 - Americans and cross-cultural mission
16:45 - Collaborative vision of mission
20:08 - Social justice and the gospel
26:43 - Social reform

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

Debrief with Matthew Soerens and Eric Costanzo
37:22 - Positive role of short-term missions?
43:15 - Measuring successful mission
47:25 - Systemic problems and changes
57:50 - Gen Z hope
1:02:54 - Credits

Other resources mentioned:
Association For a More Just Society - https://www.asj-us.org

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 2015, the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v Hodges that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage. With the recent overturning of Roe v Wade, some are concerned Obergefell may be overturned next. Recently, David French wrote an article supporting a bipartisan bill to protect the legal right to same-sex marriage, and he’s faced an avalanche of criticism for it. In this episode, he talks with Skye Jethani about the Respect for Marriage Act and responds to the critics who say the bill is a threat to religious liberty. French also explains why he’s changed his mind about civil same-sex marriage while remaining opposed to it theologically.

0:00 - Intro
00:28 - Respect for Marriage Act and David’s articles
28:37 - Criticism 1: Religious liberty protections
38:03 - Criticism 2: Cultural concerns
1:02:26 - Credits

Links:
“Pluralism Has Life Left in It Yet” by David French (The Atlantic) - https://newsletters.theatlantic.com/the-third-rail/6377fb0dce44df0038de4c62/respect-for-marriage-same-sex-religious-freedom/

“Why I Changed My Mind About Law And Marriage, Again” by David French (The Dispatch) - https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/frenchpress/why-i-changed-my-mind-about-law-and-marriage-again/

“The parable of David French” by R. Albert Mohler Jr. (World) - https://wng.org/opinions/the-parable-of-david-french-1669034447

“An Open Letter to Those Who Think I’ve Lost My Christian Faith” by David French (The Dispatch) - https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/frenchpress/an-open-letter-to-those-who-think-ive-lost-my-christian-faith/

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

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

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

The Hallmark Channel is now producing Christmas movies with LGBTQ characters and relationships leading the network’s former CEO to launch a new holiday movie channel with straight relationships only. The Holy Post crew discusses the role of representation in entertainment, and why a number of recent LGBTQ-centric movies have bombed at the box office. Then, Al Mohler attacked David French for not opposing civil same-sex marriages leading Phil to ask whether Mohler is more interested in defending Christianity or just conservatism. And Skye talks with Josh Packard from Springtide Research about the mental health of Gen Z. New data says young people who engage in spiritual practices experience greater mental health, but they’re not the practices most congregations promote.

Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks...How do we practically live out holiness? - https://www.patreon.com/posts/75266338/

New Holy Post merch - https://www.holypost.com/shop

News Segment
00:00 - Intro and updates
5:19 - The war over Christmas movies
34:42 - David French and Al Mohler
Interview with Josh Packard
Springtide Research Institute: Gen Z and Mental Health - https://www.springtideresearch.org/gen-z-mental-health

51:31 - Interview intro
52:35 - Big takeaways from recent findings
55:12 - Creating healthy environments
58:33 - Gen Z and spiritual practices
1:05:30 - Safety in faith communities
1:08:37 - Challenge vs despair
1:11:32 - Loneliness and connection
1:23:53 - Further resources
1:26:45 - Credits

Other links mentioned:
“The parable of David French” by R. Albert Mohler Jr. (World) - https://wng.org/opinions/the-parable-of-david-french-1669034447
“Candace Cameron Bure Wants to Put Christianity Back in Christmas Moves” (Wall Street Journal) - https://www.wsj.com/articles/candace-cameron-bure-great-american-family-11668205295
Holy Post Episode 529: Rapture Anxiety & Why Analog Discipleship is Better with Jay Y. Kim - https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-529-rapture-anxiety-why-analog-discipleship-is-better-with-jay-y-kim
Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/
Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

Just in time for the holidays, the Holy Post crew is answering another round of voicemails from our Patreon supporters. On this episode, Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn respond to listener questions about how much confidence to put in archeological evidence for the Bible, how did Christians interpret Revelation before the recent invention of "Left Behind" theology, when does satire and social media become sinful, what abortion policies could most Americans agree on, and how do you practice the Sabbath with a demanding job and young kids? Plus, they offer practical advice for avoiding arguments with your family about politics and religion during holiday gatherings.

Patreon Bonus: Getting Schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess: Creeds 101 - https://www.patreon.com/posts/74991905/

New Holy Post merch - https://www.holypost.com/shop

00:00 - Sponsor: InterVarsity Press
Get 30% off “The Thrill of Orthodoxy” by Trevin Wax with code: THRILL30 at: https://ivpress.com/the-thrill-of-orthodoxy

00:44 - Intro
6:08 - Ben: Holiday family conversations
11:55 - Brad and Carrie: Dispensationalism
22:58 - Millie: Mocking
25:51 - Sponsor: Faithful Counseling
Get 10% off your first month at faithfulcounseling.com/holypost
27:05 - Cody: Healthy social media use
32:02 - Mark: Sabbath
36:08 - Ali: Archeology and the Bible
46:08 - Peter: How nations treat foreigners
52:03 - Trudie: Political thinking around helping the poor
1:02:31 - Yong: Policies around abortion
1:09:57 - Credits

Past episodes and other resources mentioned:
Holy Post Episode 244: Cultural Lies, Human Longings & the Gospel with Trevin Wax - https://www.holypost.com/holy-post-podcast/episode/1c5a47cf/episode-244-cultural-lies-human-longings-and-the-gospel-withtrevin-wax

Holy Post Episode 410: White Privilege, Cancel Culture, & Reading Revelation with Juan Hernandez - https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-410-white-privilege-cancel-culture-reading-revelation-with-juan-hernandez

Holy Post Episode 506: The Pro-Life Case for Paid Family Leave with Rachel Anderson - https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-506-the-pro-life-case-for-paid-family-leave-with-rachel-anderson

“The Millennial Maze” by Stanley J. Grenz - https://amzn.to/3tTUljk

“The Liturgy of Politics” by Kaitlyn Schiess - https://amzn.to/3GzrGI1

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.

The U.S. midterm elections were full of surprises. The Holy Post crew asks if the political side of the pro-life movement has hit a wall, and if the Republican Party is really moving on from Donald Trump. Then, new data shows a sharp rise among evangelicals who didn’t attend college and who don’t attend church identifying as Republicans. What does it mean? And a new book chronicles the rise of Charlie Kirk, Candace Owens, and the rage-fueled conservative youth culture. Then, Skye talks to Christianity Today’s Morgan Lee about what global Christian leaders think about guns and self-defense. Her reporting on the issue reveals a wide spectrum of beliefs, how our perspective may be more cultural than biblical, and why dysfunctional governments elevate the appeal of guns. Plus, no one accidentally licks a toad.

New Holy Post merch - https://www.holypost.com/shop

Latest Patreon content:

Christian Asks... Salvation and the Sinner’s Prayer - https://www.patreon.com/posts/74702525/

Getting Schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess: The Church Calendar 101 - https://www.patreon.com/posts/getting-schooled-74529955

News Segment
0:00 - Intro
4:26 - Psychedelic toads
9:24 - Midterm election debrief
22:33 - Conservative youth culture
34:01 - New data on evangelical Republicans

42:44 - Sponsor: Faithful Counseling

Get 10% off your first month at faithfulcounseling.com/holypost

Interview with Morgan Lee
“Should Christians Own Guns for Self-Defense? A Global Snapshot” (Christianity Today) - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/october-web-only/guns-christians-self-defense-mass-shootings-protection.html

Morgan Lee: https://twitter.com/Mepaynl

43:58 - Interview intro
47:42 - Article overview
51:38 - “God-given right to self-defense”
59:18 - Biblical basis for arguments
1:10:34 - Safe societies and effectiveness of government
1:14:42 - Credits

Links from news segment:
Christian’s film, “The Girl Who Wore Freedom” - https://geni.us/TheGirlWhoWoreFreedom

“Please stop licking psychedelic toads, National Park Service warns” (Washington Post) - https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11/08/national-park-toad-sonoran-desert-hallucinogenic/

“How America’s conservative youth youth movement grew a powerhouse on the cult of rage” (Religion News Service) - https://religionnews.com/2022/10/31/how-americas-conservative-youth-movement-grew-a-powerhouse-on-the-cult-of-rage/

Data from Ryan Burge on evangelical Republicans -https://twitter.com/ryanburge/status/1588292184914432000

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

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

With the midterm elections happening in the U.S., we’ve seen a rise in both hyperbolic political rhetoric and political violence. There’s evidence that fewer Christians are willing to denounce the use of armed conflict to achieve political goals, with some even arguing America was founded on it. Are they right? Is there a Christian case for political violence? Then, Skye interviews Joe Leininger, a Christian business leader about his journey from believing God only cared about ministry to a much wider vision of his work in the world. Leininger’s new book, “Dirt Clods and Donkeys: An experiment in mentoring that changed lives,” explores how he has helped other Christians in the marketplace develop a more integrated faith. Also this week—Indiana police pursue Pikachu, don’t kiss camels in Qatar, and Kaitlyn explains why she’s a nerd but not a geek.

Holy Post merch! - https://www.holypost.com/shop

News Segment
00:00 - Intro
5:27 - Police pursue Pikachu
11:27 - Camels in Qatar
18:35 - Political violence
42:25 - Sponsor: Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology
Visit www.biola.edu/talbot for more information and to apply today.
Interview with Joe Leininger
“Dirt Clods and Donkeys” - https://amzn.to/3G22UQE

Joe Leininger - https://joeleininger.com
43:36 - Interview intro
46:09 - Formation in faith and business
51:28 - Christian assumptions about business
55:50 - A wider vision of God’s work in the world
1:01:45 - Capitalism
1:05:44 - Risk and allocation of resources
1:09:31 - Mentoring
1:14:10 - Credits
Links from news segment:
“Indiana man dressed as Pikachu ran from police on lawn mower, cops say” - https://fox59.com/indiana-news/indiana-man-dressed-as-pikachu-ran-from-police-on-lawn-mower-cops-say/

“World Cup fans told ‘steer clear of camels’ in Qatar due to bug ‘deadlier than Covid’ - https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-camels-covid-bug-28373022

“Some American Protestants Aren’t Letting Go of Revolution” - https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/november/protestants-political-violence-protest-pelosi.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.

Elon Musk announced his takeover of Twitter by carrying a porcelain sink into the headquarters. Will his plan to loosen restrictions on social media help or hurt the country? Archeologist have discovered a new way to verify events in the Old Testament, but Phil wonders if anyone really cares. And is it ever loving for Christians to mock their opponents? The gang examines six rules for Christian mockery from the 17th century and why they may not apply today. Then, spiritual director Ruth Haley Barton explains how she came to see sabbath as a gift rather than an obligation. Her new book, “Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest,” looks at why we struggle to practice sabbath rest, the challenge of technology, and how to make sabbath a lifestyle and not just a weekly discipline. Plus, the saving power of worm spit.

Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks...How do we build unity around the cross? - https://www.patreon.com/posts/74098797/

Shop Holy Post merch - https://www.holypost.com/shop

News Segment
0:00 - Intro
5:08 - Worm spit
9:12 - Elon Musk and Twitter
18:57 - Geomagnetic fields and Biblical narratives
29:46 - Rules for Christian mockery

45:21 - Sponsor: Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology
Visit www.biola.edu/talbot for more information and to apply today.

Interview with Ruth Haley Barton
“Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again” - https://amzn.to/3FSkMgP

Ruth Haley Barton - https://www.ruthhaleybarton.com

46:33 - Interview intro
49:09 - Spiritual formation
52:59 - Value of sabbath
56:34 - Guilt around sabbath
1:00:47 - More than a day of rest
1:04:46 - Sabbath as delight
1:07:00 - Challenges of technology
1:17:55 - A communal practice
1:24:24 - Credits
Links from news segment:

“Worm spit could be a secret cure to the world’s plastic problem” (Inverse) - https://www.inverse.com/innovation/worm-saliva-plastic-pollution

“TAU, HU Scientific Breakthrough: Geomagnetic Fields Reveal Truth of Biblical Narratives” (Jewish Press) - https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/tau-hu-scientific-breakthrough-geomagnetic-fields-reveal-truth-of-biblical-narratives/2022/10/25/

“Can you laugh at your enemies and love them? Rules for Christian mockery” (The Christian Post) - https://www.christianpost.com/voices/can-you-laugh-at-your-enemies-and-love-them.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.