The Holy Post

Following last week's episode about the death penalty and a Southern Baptist leader calling for public executions, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the execution by firing squad of the man who killed 13 soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009 would be livestreamed. Skye is back with his take on what the Bible says about the death penalty, and why the brutality of public execution would make America more like ISIS than Jesus. Televangelist Jim Bakker died this week. Phil tells Bakker's messy story, how he exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit within evangelicalism, and even sings a song about Bakker's scandals. John Mark Comer is back to discuss his new book, "Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a world of noise." He explains why the modern church has abandoned the discipline of silence, and why we need it now more than ever. Also this week—kids, coloring books, and communion at Kaitlyn's wedding. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/publish/post/220256160?r=35kf51&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web 0:00 - Show Starts 5:40 - Theme Song 6:03 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware! 7:44 - Livestreamed Executions 19:46 - Executions in The Past 29:13 - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 30:13 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Get the AG1 $76 Welcome Pack for free when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 32:02 - Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker 41:42 - Phil's Lost Bakker Song 47:00 - The Bakkers and Trump 53:19 - Interview 55:42 - Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise 1:04:04 - Starting Your Spiritual Formation 1:13:28 - Our Fear of Silence 1:28:58 - End Credits 1:29:30 - Sponsor - The Pour Over - Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Check it out at https://pod.link/1583657464 Articles Discussed in News Segment: Andrew Walker on the Death Penalty: https://eppc.org/publication/what-the-modern-state-gets-wrong-about-execution/ Resources: Into the Quiet: Following Jesus in a World of Noise by John Mark Comer: https://amzn.to/3VOepF6 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.

Is empathy becoming a liability in American Christianity? Phil, Kaitlyn, and Mike Erre discuss the growing backlash against empathy and why some conservatives argue that too much compassion can lead to bad politics, bad theology, and even the decline of Western civilization. They also look at Russell Moore's warning about the "fear-driven church" and how anxiety about God, outsiders, and our own communities can shape the way Christians think and behave. Then, Kaitlyn talks with psychologist Alison Cook about attachment theory, the limits of human relationships, and why no other person can give us the security we ultimately need. Plus, what Lewis and Clark's bathroom habits can teach us about American history. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/publish/post/218066312?r=35kf51&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web 0:00 - Show Starts 1:18 - Theme Song 1:40 - Sponsor - PolicyGenius - Secure your family's tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you 2:36 - 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. 4:53 - Writing in Epcot? 7:05 - News of the Hindquarters 12:45 - The Anti-Empathy Movement 20:05 - Christianity and "Western Civilization?" 37:21 - The "Fear-Driven Church" 51:13 - Interview 56:21 - Therapy Culture and the Church 1:03:44 - Security in Christ 1:24:58 - End Credits 1:25:30 - The Pour Over - Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Check it out at https://pod.link/1583657464 Articles Discussed in News Segment: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/09/maga-right-christianity-empathy-toxic/688755/ Resources: The Secure Soul: Finding Inner Strength and Connection When Trust Doesn't Come Easy by Alison Cook: https://amzn.to/3VjvuXi 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.

Following the 9/11 terrorist attack 25 years ago, Americans began using more "good versus evil" rhetoric, but have we taken it too far? Many of the tech bros developing AI were fans of sci-fi novels and movies in middle school, but completely missed the point of those stories. We may all pay the price. Bonnie Kristian, the deputy editor at Christianity Today, returns to discuss her new book "In Defense of Evangelicalism." While she agrees with many of the recent criticisms of the movement, she says the problems within evangelicalism are bugs rather than features and believes its critics have gone too far. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/publish/post/215893715?r=35kf51&utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web The SkyePod with Chuck Todd! https://holypost.substack.com/p/politics-and-pluralism-with-chuck 0:00 - Show Starts 1:24 - Theme Song 1:47 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 2:46 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 3:48 - Chuck Todd on the SkyePod 8:22 - 9/11's 25th Anniversary 27:52 -Sponsor - PolicyGenius - Secure your family's tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you 28:55 - Living in Bad Science Fiction 52:20 - Interview 1:00:38 - Reform or Destruction? 1:13:45 - The Wal-Mart of Christianity 1:34:36 - Are Critics the Bigger Problem? 1:37:51 - End Credits 1:38:29 - Sponsor - The Pour Over - Stay informed while remaining focused on Christ with The Pour Over Today. Check it out at https://links.thepourover.org/holy-post Links Mentioned in News Segment: Sci-fi and Tech Oligarchs: https://www.theatlantic.com/books/2026/08/silicon-valley-science-fiction-jill-lepore-book-review/688467/ Other Resources: In Defense of Evangelicalism: A Response to Its Cultured Despisers by Bonnie Kristian: https://amzn.to/4xkkFRX 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.

Why are the Christians who profess right doctrine about God often the most opposed to social justice in his name? That contradiction is at the heart of Charlie Dates' new book. He talks with Skye about how separating justice and righteousness is damaging both white evangelicalism and young black activists. Also this week: Reflections on the wisdom of Dolly Parton, why religious tolerance isn't enough to heal America's divisions, and the difficulty of being an introvert within evangelicalism. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/p/728db798-3a84-4359-9d16-b6c8429205b1 0:00 - Show Starts 0:44 - Theme Song 1:23 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 2:21 - Sponsor - The Esau McCaulley Podcast - Esau has conversations that challenge your thinking, strengthen your faith, and give you plenty of reasons to laugh. Listen now at: https://pod.link/1770229436 3:43 - Dolly Parton's Legacy 27:07 - 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. 28:12 - Sponsor - Tyndale - The Life Application Study Bible is here to give you resources to help you understand why scripture matters and how it applies today! Check it out now at: tyndale.life/nltselect 29:30 - When do We Become the Person We Ought to Be? 43:06 - Covenantal Pluralism 52:38 - Interview 1:02:57 - White Evangelical Blindness 1:09:17 - MLK50 1:15:00 - Waning Interest in Justice 1:22:00 - Fearing God vs. People 1:28:22 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Morality, reflection, and age: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/when-do-we-become-the-person-we-ought Covenantal Pluralism: The Geopolitics of Interfaith Religious Freedom by Iqbal Akhtar: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-31479-6 Other Resources: What Hath Justice to Do with Righteousness?: Reclaiming the Intersection of Protest and Prayer by Charlie Dates: https://amzn.to/4zPhVym 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.

Dating apps were supposed to make romance easier, but have they actually made men and women worse at dating? Kaitlyn Schiess takes over the host chair with Skye Jethani and Mike Erre to talk about Bumble's decision to let men make the first move and why modern dating culture seems to be leaving everyone frustrated. Then they turn to AI and ask what happens when people start outsourcing friendship, advice, and intimacy to chatbots, and why churchgoing Christians may be especially eager to trust the technology. Later, Kaitlyn talks with musicologist Kelsey McGinnis about the resurgence of contemporary Christian music and artists like Forrest Frank and Brandon Lake who are introducing CCM to a new generation. What makes Christian music "Christian," and can worship, celebrity, money, and the music industry coexist without corrupting one another? Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/p/734-the-problem-with-modern-dating?r=35kf51&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true 0:00 - Show Starts 1:42 - Theme Song 2:12 - Sponsor - PolicyGenius - Secure your family's tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you 3:08 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 5:05 - Bumble's Controversial Change 23:29 - Sponsor - Tyndale - The Life Application Study Bible is here to give you resources to help you understand why scripture matters and how it applies today! Check it out now at: https://www.tyndale.com/sites/lasb/?utm_campaign=Bibles%20-%20NLT%20Life%20Applicati[…]ource=Holy%20Post%20Podcast&utm_medium=Microsite%20Nov%202025 24:24 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 25:30 - AI Will Affect Your Social Life 37:02 - Evangelicals Are AI-Pilled 48:19 - Interview 55:25 - What is CCM? 1:00:06 - Forest Frank 1:20:06 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Bumble's Big Change: https://www.theatlantic.com/family/2026/08/bumble-dating-app-men-message-first/688298/ Evangelicals and the Machine God: https://mereorthodoxy.com/american-evangelicals-long-for-the-embrace-of-the-machine-god/ Christian Co-Living: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/08/christian-co-living-housing-crisis/ Other Resources: Kelsey Kramer McGinnis Website: https://www.kkramermcginnis.com/ 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 age of generic, non-denominational Christianity may be coming to an end. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss why Christians are increasingly drawn to narrower theological identities, and whether the internet is turning legitimate doctrinal differences into purity tests and church fights. Then, the crew opens the mailbag to answer whether prenuptial agreements are compatible with Christian marriage and if praying in public is an authentic expression of faith or an uncomfortable performance. They also consider what Christians should read to better understand the end times and why Jesus supplied wine to an already-drunk wedding party. Also this week, why the VeggieTales have nothing to fear from the cyclosporiasis outbreak. Holy Post Live! https://www.holypost.com/events Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/p/732-mailbag-prenups-mere-christianity?r=35kf51&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true 0:00 - Show Starts 0:33 - Theme Song 0:55 - Sponsor - Ridge - The Ridge 5-in-1 Power Bank, power on-the-go without compromise! Get 40% off Ridge by going to https://www.ridge.com/HOLYPOST 2:23 - 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. 3:25 - Is Mere Christianity Over? 22:33 - Christian Prenups? 29:41 - Did Cyclospora get Bob and Larry? 31:03 - Sponsor - If you want your generosity to make a real, lasting difference for refugee students and their families, start your monthly partnership today at https://worldrelief.org/holypost 32:23 - Sponsor - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 33:33 - Did Jesus Get People Drunk? 46:05 - Praying in Front of Non-Christians? 52:07 - What Liquid Would You Dispense from Your Fingers? 55:43 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Is Mere Christianity Over? https://mereorthodoxy.com/is-the-era-of-mere-christianity-over/ 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.

Why was there almost no emphasis on "church growth" before the 1970s, and how does the fixation on it for the last 40 years correspond with the American economy? Skye talks with Andrew Root about his new book, "Baal and the Gods of More," about the link between the modern church growth movement and ancient pagan fertility gods. A new report by Ryan Burge says that for decades those who left the church were turned off by partisan politics and the religious right, but that trend might be changing. Also this week, Brazil blames its poor performance in the World Cup on evangelicals, European evangelicals issue a statement, and an old theory about early Christianity and psychedelic mushrooms is back. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/p/730-the-idolatry-of-church-growth?r=35kf51&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true Bonus Interview with Andrew Root: https://holypost.substack.com/p/why-churches-cant-stop-chasing-growth?r=35kf51&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true 0:00 - Show Starts 4:07 - Theme Song 4:30 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Get the AG1 $76 Welcome Pack for free when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 6:01 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month! 7:03 - Was Jesus a Mushroom? 12:52 - Brazil Blames Evangelicals for Soccer Failure? 21:40 - Sponsor - Tyndale - To celebrate the NLT's 30th anniversary, Use code HOLY30 to receive 30% off any NLT Bible! https://tyndale.com 22:44 - Sponsor - Access Forge - Go to https://www.accessible.faith/ to unlock the first two Belonging by Design lessons and use promo code HOLYPOST to get $200 off the full program 23:47 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Feeding America, led by neighbors! Give now to end hunger at https://www.feedingamerica.org 24:20 - European Evangelicals 49:38 - Interview 54:32- Fertility Gods 1:02:09 - Capitalism and False Gods 1:18:26 - The Rise and Fall of American Growth 1:31:52 - End Credits Links Mentioned in News Segment: Popular Science Posits Jesus was a Psychedelic Mushroom: https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/a69061008/god-sacred-mushroom-christianity-debate/ Did Evangelicals Ruin Brazil's Soccer Performance? https://religionnews.com/2026/07/17/some-world-cup-fans-are-blaming-brazils-loss-on-evangelicals/?utm_medium=social European Evangelicals Differentiate from American Evangelicals: https://religionunplugged.com/news/european-evangelicals-draw-a-clear-distinction-from-their-american-counterparts?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/christianity Other Resources: Baal and the Gods of More: Rescuing Church Growth from Idolatry (A Theological Critique of Modern Ministry Metrics and Success-Driven Strategies) by Andrew Root: https://a.co/d/0c0ijKLw 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.

Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn hosted a live podcast recording in Atlanta on April 22. They were joined by Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Lecrae to discuss his journey through doubt and deconstruction toward a renewed faith in Christ. He shared what helped him through the dark season, and why he felt the need to abandon the "fraud" but not the "faith." They also discussed the tenets of Just War Theory, innovative Chinese cars, and they responded to audience questions you won't want to miss. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/156797193/ 0:00 - Show Starts 1:09 - Theme Song 2:17 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Feeding America, led by neighbors! Give now to end hunger at https://www.feedingamerica.org 2:49 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 4:45 - Futuristic Toilet Car! 9:43 - Just War Theory 22:40 - Lecrae and Deconstruction 35:25 - Sponsor - Garrett Seminary - Regardless of where and how you are called, Garrett Seminary can help you with practical skills and leadership. Check it out at: https://garrett.edu/discern 36:28 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 15% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST 37:38 - Reconstruction and Jesus 45:45 - Constructing in Christian Community 52:09 - Ethic in Every Aspect of Life 1:04:27 - End Credit Links Mentioned in News Segment: Chinese Car-Toilet! https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1l92yv4mydo Cardinal Robert McElroy on Just War Theory: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691637280/morality-and-american-foreign-policy?srsltid=AfmBOopBeII5JJscjOGHPcg786VqJnfYnNKmFV1n3OVRpnHwsPB8wqwG Just War Theory is Supposed to be Frustrating: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/04/just-war-theory-is-supposed-to-be-frustrating-iran-war-trump/ 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.