708: Mistaking Certainty for Maturity with Joshua Harris
- Phil Vischer
- Feb 18
- 2 min read
Thirty years ago, Joshua Harris became the cheerleader for purity culture with his book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye.” Since then, he’s apologized for the book, exited from ministry and his marriage, and announced he’s no longer a Christian. He talks to Skye about his journey from fundamentalism to deconstructionism, and back toward curiosity about Jesus. Also this week, how the Trump administration is making paganism great again, why secular progressives are rediscovering the benefits of religion, and how Christians in Springfield, Ohio, have organized to protect Haitian immigrants from deportation. Plus, cannibal jellyfish are taking over Venice, and Phil has seen the wrap light.
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2:15 - Theme Song
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8:52 - Cannibal Jellyfish Attack Venice!
14:18 - Springfield Christians Help Haitian Immigrants
24:04 - Donald Trump, the Pagan King
35:19 - Secular Progressives Miss Religion
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54:09 - Interview
58:35 - Teenage Fame
1:09:52 - What Wisdom Does Joshua Wish He Had?
1:14:50 - Value of Slowness
1:20:22 - Trump and Deconstruction
1:26:55 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Cannibal Jellyfish Attack Venice!
Ohio Churches Help Haitians:
Donald Trump, Pagan King:
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I’m disappointed at the comments about our morals not holding up to scrutiny without the undergirding of Christianity. That simply is not true. Many religious traditions… maybe most… make a big deal out of caring for the vulnerable. There is good science to backup the importance of supporting vulnerable communities. However, I DO think that the church (I include myself in this) is responsible for, and must take eesponusibility for, much of the might-makes-right hogwash that is waving a Bible around today. It isn’t new to Christianity and has been a cancer on the church for 1600 years. THAT is as much, or more, our legacy. I don’t feel like y’all owned that in this edition of my most favorite…
I think you mischaracterize the Left a lot in this episode (and past episodes). I think it's partly because the Left allows space for secular people, whereas the Right silences their voice (even if they are present). And I think you're mistaking the vocal presence of secular people (and religious non-Christians) on the Left put up against their complete erasure on the Right with somehow meaning there aren't really that many Christians on the Left. In addition, I think it's also because Christians on the Right and Left come at faith and politics very different - those on the Right (at least those in power) blast everything they do as somehow achieving the (what I believe is heresy) goal of…
One disadvantage of growing up in a science fact household is that the intricacies of science fiction like a tractor beam, holodeck, and Vulcan mind melds might not have been a part of a certain Holy Post regular's dinner conversation.
First, love the podcast. I know I usually only get on here to say "yeah, but" so just assume every episode I DON'T do that, I adore and send out to other people, etc. BUT I had a thought about using "get back to Christian values" by people who aren't Christians, and it might not be wanting that "benefit" without the relationship and commitment and more about trying to respond with language that the very far right has co-opted from the church.
I grew up "in the church" and it wasn't until my 40s that I really deconstructed. Are my political beliefs now somehow rooted in what I learned growing up in the church of Christ? It's possible. However, when…