In his first month in office, Donald Trump has broken international agreements with allies, ended all foreign aid, voted with America's enemies in the UN, posted a plan to turn Gaza into a Trump casino and resort, purged the Pentagon of military commanders, appointed podcasters and conspiracy theorists to his cabinet, and threatened to invade or annex Canada, Greenland, and Panama. David French and Skye Jethani discuss various theories to explain Trump's approach to governing, and find one model that makes a lot of sense in an article by Jonathan Rouch. Then they contrast it with what the Founders said was necessary for the republic to survive—virtue. Finally, they discuss how the decline of virtue in American leadership may be the fruit of the church's failure to make disciples.

0:00 - French Friday's Moving to The SkyePod!

1:27 - The Theme Song

2:23 - Ukraine and Trump

8:11 - Trump 1.0 vs Trump 2.0

16:43 - Triumphalism's Shelf Life

25:53 - Bureaucracy vs Mob Boss

32:38 - Megachurches and Patrimonialism

39:38 - American Democracy and Christianity

55:52 - Prophecy's Role in MAGA

1:05:00 - End Credits

One Word Describes Trump (Article by Jonathan Rauch): https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/02/corruption-trump-administration/681794/

Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy by Jonathan Rauch: https://a.co/d/26wdqNC 

Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America by Jeffrey Rosen: https://a.co/d/6Crl6Hk

 

Has Wheaton College, the flagship of evangelical higher ed, gone woke? Concerned parents and alumni have published a letter accusing the school of valuing diversity more than discipleship. Others have responded by defending Wheaton against the unfounded claims of the MAGA mob. What does the controversy reveal about the state of evangelicalism in the U.S.? A new piece by friend of the show, Karen Swallow Prior, explores the relationship between justice and mercy. Does emphasizing one value more than the other explain the rift in the American church? Derwin Gray is back to discuss his new book, “Lit Up With Love.” He explains how evangelism fits into the bigger narrative of the Bible, and how our reconciliation with God impacts our reconciliation with others. Also this week—North Dakota officially rejects the kingship of Jesus.

 

Holy Post Plus:

Ad-Free version of this episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123105870/

 

0:00 - Show Starts

 

4:07 - Theme Song

 

4:29 - 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.

 

5:26 - 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

8:09 - Legal Resolution to Recognize Kingship of Jesus

 

12:56 - Wheaton Controversy, Russell Vought

 

18:42 - Wheaton, the Cultural Institution

 

31:03 - Justice and Mercy

 

37:05 - The Necessity of Wisdom

 

41:10 - What is Legalism?

 

53:03  - Sponsor - Fabric by Gerber Life - Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://www.meetfabric.com/HOLYPOST

 

54:08 - Sponsor - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!

 

55:20 - Interview

 

56:28 - Lit Up With Love

 

1:00:03 - Appetizer for the New Creation

 

1:06:11 - Confrontational Evangelism

 

1:15:10 - The Risk of Loving the Church

 

1:25:52 - End Credits

 

Links Mentioned in News Segment:

North Dakota House Rejects “Kingship of Jesus” Resolution:

https://news.prairiepublic.org/local-news/2025-02-19/house-rejects-kingship-resolution?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/religion

 

Mercy and Justice, False Dichotomy

https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/justice-mercy-virtues-christianity/

 

Other resources:

Lit Up with Love: Becoming Good-News People to a Gospel-Starved World by Derwin Gray: https://a.co/d/aRcDAuB

 

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.

 

Skye explains the strong biblical ties between two seemingly related concepts: worship and justice. Can you even have one without the other?

 

Get the full episode by signing up for Holy Post Plus:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/122739547/

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.

 

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.

 

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.