Immediately after President Biden announced his college loan forgiveness plan Christians started debating it. Some are arguing that debt forgiveness is deeply biblical, while others say it’s completely immoral. Who’s right? Or, are both sides missing the point? Then, Phil is still processing the last French Friday episode about why so many politically active evangelicals see policy goals as absolute and Christian virtues as flexible. He offers his theories. Skye then talks to pastor Rich Villodas about his conversion, his early spiritual formation, and how he’s avoided the pitfalls of pastoral ministry. His new book is “Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World.” Plus: Row, row, row…your pumpkin?

News Segment
0:00 - Intro
2:48 - Pumpkin boat recording
13:36 - French Friday follow-up
29:27 - Debt forgiveness

Interview with Rich Villodas
“Good and Beautiful and Kind: Becoming Whole in a Fractured World” - https://amzn.to/3AWPT7Y

48:11 - Rich Villodas interview intro
49:54 - Rich’s background and early spiritual formation
1:03:59 - Mentors
1:11:11 - The church today
1:13:38 - Self-differentiation
1:18:27 - Coaching pastors and leaders
1:23:42 - Advice for church leaders
1:27:43 - Credits

“‘Gourdspeed.’ 60-year-old paddles 38 miles in huge pumpkin to set record, photos show” - https://amp.heraldonline.com/news/nation-world/national/article265015734.html

French Friday: De-Radicalizing the Church & Learning from Atheists - https://www.holypost.com/post/french-friday-de-radicalizing-the-church-learning-from-atheists

“Christian Political Ethics are Upside-Down” by David French (The Dispatch) - https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/christian-political-ethics-are-upside

Tony Perkins interview that Phil references - https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/01/23/tony-perkins-evangelicals-donald-trump-stormy-daniels-216498/

“Republicans Opposing Student-Loan Relief Are Forgetting the Biblical Tradition of Debt Forgiveness” by William J. Barber II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (Time) - https://time.com/6208577/student-loan-forgiveness-republicans-christianity-bible/

“Is There a Christian Case for Biden’s Debt Relief Plan?” by David French (The Dispatch) - https://time.com/6208577/student-loan-forgiveness-republicans-christianity-bible/

“Best of: Cancel America’s Student Loan Debt! But How?” podcast episode (The Argument, NYT) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/best-of-cancel-americas-student-loan-debt-but-how/id1438024613?i=1000577188963

Rich Villodas:
richvillodas.com
https://youtube.com/c/NewLifeFellowshipChurchNewYorkCity

Newlife.nyc

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

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In a recent article, Russell Moore lamented the captivity of evangelicals to conspiracy theories and political radicalization, but he argued “the problem is not in the pulpit” and “the problem isn’t primarily in the pews either.” Instead, he believes the radicalization is happening outside the church. David French and Skye Jethani agree that radicalization is happing outside the church, but say there is also a real problem in the pews. What role do churches and pastors have in de-radicalizing evangelicals, and what’s preventing them from speaking up and doing more? Then, French shares about a pro-life atheist who positively influenced his own values. That leads to a wider discussion about the importance of forming relationships with and engaging the ideas of those we disagree with. Rather than seeking the safety of never being challenged, welcoming the discomfort of divergent voices will provoke us toward growth and maturity.

0:00 - Intro

00:50 - De-radicalizing the church

38:11 - Learning from atheists

1:05:14 - Credits

"Christian Political Ethics are Upside-Down" by David French (The Dispatch) - https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/christian-political-ethics-are-upside

"When the South Loosens Its Bible Belt" by Russell Moore (Christianity Today) - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/august-web-only/russell-moore-white-evangelicals-bible-belt-south-church.html

"There Is a Secular Case for Life" by David French (The Dispatch) - https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/there-is-a-secular-case-for-life

"The Gift of Pain" by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey - https://amzn.to/3ArfV1w

"What in the World?" Holy Post miniseries - https://www.holypost.com/articles/categories/what-in-the-world

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

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

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

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.

Evangelicals are no longer the largest religious group in the South. Russell Moore says they’ve been replaced by a dangerous new kind of southern secularism. These MAGA-vangelicals don’t attend church, don’t follow the moral teachings of the Bible, and are fixated on politics and conspiracy theories but still call themselves “Christians.” What role does the church have in mitigating the danger of this new sect? Plus, a church in Texas faces legal trouble for performing an evangelistic revision of the musical Hamilton without a license. Then, Katelyn Beaty is back to discuss her new book Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits are Hurting the Church. She explains why we keep manufacturing more Christian celebrities despite their high failure rate, and why accountability structures aren’t enough. Also this week, Phil eulogizes Freya the walrus, and a man sues after five years of flatulence.

Patreon Bonus with Katelyn Beaty: The ugly side of Christian publishing - https://www.patreon.com/posts/70617486/

News Segment
2:45 - Freya the walrus update
9:42 - News of the Butt
15:25 - Church production of Hamilton
25:55 - The new secular south
42:48 - With God Daily
https://withgoddaily.com/

Interview with Katelyn Beaty
“Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits are Hurting the Church” - https://amzn.to/3wb3aqJ
44:10 - Interview intro
46:15 - Why this book?
50:45 - Fame vs. celebrity
58:13 - When accountability doesn’t work
1:04:27 - Celebrity and an illusion of intimacy
1:13:29 - Christian celebrity and discipleship
1:19:41 - Credits

Other articles and resources mentioned:
“When the South Loosens its Bible Belt” by Russell Moore (Christianity Today) - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/august-web-only/russell-moore-white-evangelicals-bible-belt-south-church.html

“Fighting Flesh and Blood” by Kristin Du Mez - https://kristindumez.substack.com/p/fighting-flesh-and-blood?sd=pf

“A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing” by Laura McKnight Barringer and Scot McKnight - https://amzn.to/3A4jRF9

News of the Butt - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11041055/Father-stopped-farting-ate-ham-roll-market-five-years-ago-sues-200k.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.

What does it mean to see others as image-bearers of God? How is this warped by American individualism? And what happens to justice when we abandon God for idols—false images of God? Based on the book Inalienable by Eric Costanzo, Daniel Yang, and Matthew Soerens, in this episode Skye Jethani (co-host of The Holy Post) talks to Sri Lankan Christian leader Vinoth Ramachandra about the intersection of idolatry and mission. He explains how what we worship shapes us and our work in the world in unexpected ways, and that he believes the American church needs to admit to and repent of its idols.

“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 - Theme song and intro
Interview with Vinoth Ramachandra
2:19 - Idolatry
5:35 - Idol of individualism
12:42 - Idolatry and injustice
18:25 - Idolatry’s appeal and antidote
24:45 - Confronting idolatry faithfully
29:49 - Sponsor - World Relief
Join the Path: https://worldrelief.org/holypost/

Debrief with Eric Costanzo and Daniel Yang
31:45 - Debrief start and recognizing our idols
36:58 - Moving beyond fear of pushback
41:13 - Engaging outside of our contexts
46:45 - The idol of Christian nationalism
54:42 - Credits

Other resources mentioned:
International Fellowship of Evangelical Students - https://ifesworld.org“Gods That Fail: Modern Idolatry and Christian Mission” by Vinoth Ramachandra - https://amzn.to/3dssPV2

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 centuries Americans have valued their liberty, but a growing number of conservatives are now saying cherished values like the freedom of speech, religion, and the press have allowed progressive beliefs to destroy the culture. In response, some Republicans and conservative Christian thinkers argue it’s time to abandon these failed American ideals and copy the fascist, illiberal strategies of leaders like Hungary’s Victor Orban to stop immigration, fight wokism, and to ensure the government supports Christian beliefs.

Then, a new article about the separation of families at the Southern border brings Phil to tears, and he pleads with evangelicals to not allow Trump near the presidency again. Skye interviews Dr. Richard Mouw about his new book, “How to Be a Patriotic Christian: Love of Country as Love of Neighbor.” They discuss godly versus idolatrous forms of patriotism, what the Bible says about the proper role of government, and debate whether churches should display flags and sing patriotic hymns. 

Bonus Patreon news story - https://www.patreon.com/posts/70304989

News Segment
0:00 - Intro
3:38 - "How the American Right Fell in Love with Hungary"
39:22 - Trump administration's family separation policy

54:24 - With God Daily
https://withgoddaily.com/

Interview with Richard Mouw
"How to Be a Patriotic Christian: Love of Country as Love of Neighbor" - https://amzn.to/3QdVR9E

55:48 - Interview intro
57:10 - Talking with evangelicals about patriotism
59:27 - Defining Christian nationalism
01:01:07 - Healthy patriotism and familial language
1:04:26 - Romans 13 and governmental authority
1:17:49 - Patriotic symbols in worship services
1:30:59 - Credits

Other articles/resources mentioned:"How the American Right Fell in Love with Hungary" (The NYT Magazine)-https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/19/magazine/viktor-orban-rod-dreher.html"

The Secret History of Family Separation" (The Atlantic) - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/09/trump-administration-family-separation-policy-immigration/670604/

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.