The term “Judeo-Christian” has been used by the Religious Right for decades as a positive shorthand for biblical values in the culture, so why are conservative Christians now rejecting the label? And why are Christian defenses of slavery and the Confederacy gaining popularity 160 years after the Civil War? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn explain how the rising influence of Christian nationalism drives both trends. J. Ross Wagner, editor of the new book, “Being Christian After the Des

You don’t put baby in a corner and you don’t mess with Christmas traditions—when Evangelical churches started reintroducing liturgical elements into their Christmas seasons, people were skeptical. What is Advent, why has the church historically celebrated it, and what should you know if your church celebrates it? This episode is available only for Holy Post Plus subscribers. Not a subscriber? Head on over to: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144119544/ Resources: Advent: The Sea

Does prayer make a difference? After all, if God knows everything about us, then why should we bother praying? Kaitlyn helps us understand how prayer is more than listing our requests, but an opportunity to experience relationship with a Father who delights to hear from His kids, reshaping our desires, and drawing us into dependence on Him. 0:00 - Theme Song 0:23 - Sponsor - World Relief - Partner with World Relief in creating safety, stability and belonging for refugees and

Our hope was never meant to rise or fall with whoever’s in the White House. This Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King, a 100-year-old celebration of where real authority lies. Christ’s reign puts every president in their place & frees us to transcend partisan politics and live prophetically as members of an eternal kingdom.

Big Eva’s dead! Long live—Gig Eva? Big Giga? Drew brings us news about anti-institutionalism, pro-Christian Nationalism, and gig-evangelicalization. He and Skye look at our shifting Christian landscape in America (and Canada) and the news stories that represent it. And if all that brings you down, Skillet has a cover of an old Christmas song—but not everyone is happy. Topics Covered: Goodbye Big Eva? https://firstthings.com/goodbye-big-eva-hello-gig-eva/ Seth Troutt on AI:...

Newly released Epstein files raise fresh questions about the moral compromises of the powerful and the willingness of Christians to look away when politics makes clarity inconvenient. Esau, Malcolm, and Producer Mike examine what the emails do and don’t reveal and how the church’s credibility erodes when it excuses the inexcusable. Plus, a viral SNL sketch about AI-animated photos and the reveal of the villain in  Toy Story 5  leads to a broader conversation about technology,

Mike Erre joins Phil and Skye to discuss a New York Times column by David Brooks. He says America’s divisions will only heal when we abandon shallow labels and war metaphors, and instead see one another as fellow pilgrims on a journey. America’s Catholic bishops issue a stern rebuke of the Trump administration’s dehumanizing rhetoric and policies, which makes Phil wonder why evangelical leaders can’t do the same. Then, Skye talks to Kentucky’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshea

Let’s dive into the surprising story behind God revealing Himself as  Yahweh . Why does the Bible sometimes say  God , sometimes  LORD , and why do we almost never see “Yahweh” printed in English translations? Kaitlyn and Mike explore how this ancient name points to God’s character, His promise of presence, and why the “philosophical God” and the “personal God” are actually the same God. They also unpack how knowing God’s name shapes the way we read Scripture, pray, and under

What is the church supposed to be? Alan Hirsch is here to discuss the church growth movement, the duty of discipleship, and how we are tempted to plant pulpits rather than real churches. But Skye questions if retooling our idea of church may be leaving behind wisdom from our forefathers. 0:04 - Theme Song 5:00 - Constantine and Christian Nationalism 12:11 - Church as Movement 21:27 - Numerical Growth vs Spiritual Depth 28:04 - Get the full episode by signing up for Holy Post

On a recent press tour, Jennifer Lawrence recently said she’s done with political outrage. Esau, Sharon Hodde Miller, and producer Mike talk about what happens when the adrenaline of activism runs out and the fatigue sets in. What does faithfulness look like after the hashtags stop trending? Then, we all know the dangers of the purity culture craze, but have overcorrected in trying not to repeat our mistakes? What do we do when the church hands people a good gift with broken

The Democratic Party swept the off-cycle elections last week, but this isn’t the first blue wave we’ve seen in the Trump era. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss what it means and the significance of New York City electing a Muslim, democratic socialist as mayor. Does Mamdani represent the death of New York, and possibly America, as one Baptist leader claims? Old Testament scholar Carmen Imes is back to discuss why she hasn’t given up on the church, and we shouldn’t either. Her n

What do we do when God feels silent, distant, or forgetful? Kaitlyn and Producer Mike explore how the Bible talks about God “remembering,” why Scripture also says He “forgets” our sins, and why it can sometimes feel like God has overlooked us. They walk through stories from Noah to Zachariah, reflect on waiting, disappointment, and hope, and offer a reminder that God’s presence—not quick fixes—is the promise we can rely on. 0:00 - Theme Song 0:48 - Does God Forget Stuff? 3:55