It’s been a week since the election and why Americans voted to send Donald Trump back to the White House is beginning to come into focus. The entire Holy Post team—Phil, Skye, Kaitlyn, and Esau—is here to talk about why Trump won and how Harris lost. Was it the economy? Was it racism and misogyny? Was it identity politics or disinformation in the media? Everyone has a theory. Then New York Times columnist and Holy Post regular, David French, is back to give his take on the election. He...

The 2024 election is finally here. Who won? We don’t know because we recorded this episode on Monday. But we do know that MAGA men are not happy about their wives secretly voting for Kamala Harris. And a new study finds trust in American institutions—especially the media—continues to decline. Is there a way to reverse the trend? Then, to take an overdue break from politics, Skye talks to author and illustrator, John Hendrix, about his new graphic non-fiction book “The Mythmakers” about the...

With only a week before the presidential election, Phil and Kaitlyn are joined by Mike Erre to discuss Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden. Why do so many white evangelicals ignore the racism, misogyny, and dehumanizing rhetoric coming from the MAGA movement? It is really about supporting certain policies or the idolatry of power? Then, David Swanson is back to discuss his latest book, “Plundered: The Tangled Roots of Racial and Environmental Injustice.” Swanson says we will be compelled...

Today’s episode is all content from our recent live event in Chicago. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the rapid shift in public opinion about immigration—and it’s not just among Republicans. Why is support for immigration down dramatically among Democrats and independents too? Then Charlie Dates, the pastor of Progressive Baptist Church and Salem Baptist Church in Chicago, joins the show to talk about the widening divide between the black church and white evangelicalism, why he’s tired of...

The election is just three weeks away and Phil is exhausted, Kaitlyn is concerned that evangelicals supporting Harris are making the same mistake as those supporting Trump, and Skye blames the whole mess on WWJD bracelets. Based on Kaitlyn’s recent Religion News Service article, the Holy Post crew discuss a better way for Christians to think about politics and voting. Then, Wheaton College professor of theology and history, Jennifer Powell McNutt, talks to Skye about her new book, “The Mary...

Being a cultural Christian used to be an insult, but more people are embracing the label with pride. The Holy Post crew unpacks what’s behind the growing affection for cultural Christianity, and they explain why it’s more important than ever to embrace the weird, supernatural beliefs of the faith. Historian Kristen Kobes Du Mez is back to discuss her new documentary, “For Our Daughters,” about the sexual abuse scandals that have shaken the faith of many in the church. She sees a link between...

Steve Bezner, a pastor in Houston, had a troubling realization—his people were being shaped more by social media, YouTube, and cable news than by the Bible, and their views of money, sex, and power looked more American than Christian. He talks with Kaitlyn about his new book, “Your Jesus Is Too American,” and how being more relational than organizational may be the first step toward healing our churches. Also this week, are American evangelicals going through the five stages of grief? If so,...

In a military operation straight out of a spy novel, Israel infiltrated Hezbollah’s communication networks and detonated pager bombs and walkie talkies. David French and Skye discuss the operation and the long term ramifications. Then, they break down Pope Francis’ controversial comments on salvation that have sparked backlash among conservative Catholics. Finally, they unpack a surprising trend: why are young men returning to church in greater numbers than women? Is it a sign of hope for the...

With both the election and polls getting closer, new research from Lifeway says a record number of pastors are refusing to say who they’re voting for—even on an anonymous survey. Mike Erre says he wouldn’t answer the survey either. His reason may surprise you. Phil explores how Pat Buchanan’s 1992 presidential campaign was a harbinger of today’s politics. And diversity experts featured in Matt Walsh’s new documentary claim he lied to get them to participate in the film. Walsh says it’s okay...

During last week’s presidential debate, Donald Trump amplified a false rumor about Haitian immigrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. Since then the community, which was already facing significant challenges, has been shaken by deepening divisions, racism, and even bomb threats. We look at how church leaders in Springfield are responding, what’s really behind the pet-eating lie, and why some of Trump’s Christian supporters are embracing the demonstrably false story. Then, Skye talks with...

Today’s show is all about perspective. First, Phil offers his perspective on the news stories fans send him on social media about Icelandic cucumbers and water buffalos, and how they compare to articles he actually likes about robotic mushrooms and avoiding gluteal amnesia. Then, a recent article explores our culture’s focus on products, practices, and apps designed to increase our happiness, and why focusing on happiness is a sure way to miss it. And Christine Emba’s latest article in The...

A very old trend is making a big comeback among Catholic women—veils. Is the turn toward head coverings rooted in Scripture, a desire for sacred symbols, a longing for traditional womanhood, or is it just a nostalgic fashion trend field by TikTok? A new study says what separates conservatives and liberals is how hierarchically they view the world and the importance of maintaining strict boundaries. And why are very conservative political personalities starting to talk more about Christian...

For the first time in decades, the Republican Party has removed all pro-life language from the party platform. Trump has also called for less free-trade, more government regulation, and he is indifferent about Russian aggression in Europe. At the same time, the Democratic Party is embracing patriotism, law and order, tax cuts, and retreating from its more progressive social and environmental policies. What's happening? David French and Skye Jethani discuss the realignment of the parties and...

As we start a new academic year, school districts throughout the country are increasingly banning smartphones. No one is more responsible for this trend than Dr. Jonathan Haidt. He talks to Skye about his latest book, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness,” and how smartphones are also interfering with our spiritual lives, and what Christian communities can do about it. Also this week—Donald Trump has completely abandoned the...

In the last two presidential elections about 8 in 10 evangelicals voted for Donald Trump, but can Kamala Harris steal some of those votes in 2024? We discuss the recent “Evangelicals for Harris” call and why it’s so difficult to get Christians to think more theologically about politics. Ed Stetzer argues that abortion should still be a top priority when voting, and Tyler Huckabee says we should be uncomfortable endorsing any candidate. Then, Skye talks to New Testament professor, Dr. Gary...

We all hear stories of people walking away from faith because of cultural challenges and hypocrisy in the church. That’s what makes Dave Gibbons' new memoir, “The Shape of My Eyes,” so powerful. He joins Skye to talk about growing up within American fundamentalism as a mixed-race kid, and how he encountered God despite deep family trauma and church dysfunction. Also this week—Mike Erre joins the crew to talk about the ongoing fallout from Megan Basham’s new book, David French’s decision to...

Donald Trump made headlines last week when he questioned Kamala Harris’s racial identity. Phil, Skye, and Esau McCaulley discuss his comments and how the politics of division often cause us to categorize people into a single box. Then, should Christians embrace the spiritual uses of psychedelic drugs? Megan Basham's new book claims progressive powerbrokers have corrupted evangelical leaders with money, praise, and prestige, but many of her citations are being called into question. Which...

David French joins to discuss J.D. Vance's comments about "childless sociopaths," pro-natalist government policy, the Olympics's Last Supper-esque display, and Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU. Are anti-immigration policies actually even "preserving our culture?" And why are fundamentalists so eager to consider themselves persecuted?   0:00 - Theme Song   0:17 - Episode Starts   2:36 - J. D. Vance's "Sociopathic Childless Cat Ladies"   6:31 - Having Children and Selfishness   ...

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics sparked outrage when drag queens assembled into a scene reminiscent of the Last Supper. Are Christians right to be offended? Oklahoma is requiring public schools to teach the Bible, but some teachers are resisting. Is this really about education or indoctrination? And Kaitlyn’s latest article explains why this election is important, but maybe not an “existential threat.” New Testament scholars, Esau McCaulley and Amy Peeler, discuss their new...

We're sharing a SKYEpod episode that was previously exclusively for Holy Post Plus subscribers—this one's a "SkyeDive," meaning it's just Skye digging deep into a topic. If you like this episode, consider becoming a Holy Post Plus subcriber to get weekly SKYEpod episodes, merchandise, bonus interviews, and more! Skye talks about how our certainty often conflicts with humility—with disastrous results, like declining churchgoing rates, alien doomsday cults, and dead bellringers.   Holy Post...

Following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, some are saying that God saved his life for a divine purpose. Phil, Kaitlyn, and Skye discuss the selective use of Christian rhetoric surrounding the former President. Then, multiple speakers at the Republican convention used anti-immigrant language associated with the “heritage Americans” movement. We examine the movement and its link to the isolationist and racist policies of the 1920s. And Skye welcome Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, the...

On Saturday, Donald Trump narrowly survived an assassin’s bullet. Will this begin to turn down the dehumanizing and apocalyptic rhetoric in our politics, or will it only add fuel for conspiracy theories and extremists? Rich Villodas is back to talk about his new book on the Sermon on the Mount—“The Narrow Path.” He says obeying the sermon “is not how we achieve salvation; it's how we demonstrate it.” And the fact that so few Christians seem to take Jesus’ commands seriously calls their...

It’s one thing to fight against a heresy, but what about the people caught in its grasp? Caleb Campbell’s new book, “Disarming Leviathan,” argues Christian Nationalism is an idolatrous, anti-Christian movement, but that we ought to take a gentle, loving, and missional posture toward our friends and neighbors following it. Also this week, Ronald Reagan often said America was a shining “city upon a hill.” Derwin Gray joins Skye and Kaitlyn to discuss the phrase, its original context in the...

In this special episode, Kaitlyn and Skye are joined by the co-hosts of the Church Politics podcast, Justin Giboney and Chris Butler, to discuss the fallout from last week’s presidential debate. Will President Biden drop out? What does the Supreme Court’s ruling about presidential immunity mean for a possible second Trump term? And why have both political parties nominated candidates who are demonstrably incapable of fulfilling the presidential oath of office? It’s a wide-ranging conversation...