The Holy Post

"Big Eva" may be fading, but a new generation of online Christian influencers is taking its place. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the rise of "Gig Eva," how digital platforms are reshaping Christian authority, and why accountability to real churches and communities still matters. Then, the number of words people speak each day is dropping as more of everyday life moves online. The crew considers what we lose when convenience replaces even the smallest human interactions. Then, Skye talks with behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley about why conversations with strangers usually go better than we expect. They discuss how small choices to connect with others can make us happier, healthier, and less divided. Also this week, a new explosive ocean discovery.
 
Holy Post Plus:
Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
https://holypost.substack.com/p/731-why-you-should-talk-to-strangers?r=35kf51&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true
 
0:00 - Show Starts
 
0:44 - Theme Song
 
1:06 - 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
 
2:10 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Your support puts healthy food within reach, fueling the future for kids and their families. Give now at https://FeedingAmerica.org/SummerHunger
 
2:52 - Orcas Exploding Sunfish!
 
9:40 - Big Eva is now Gig Eva
 
29:43 - Sponsor - World Relief - Update with Matthew Sorens! Help today at http://worldrelief.org/holypostadvocates
 
34:08 - Humans are talking less!
 
45:46 - Interview
 
52:07 - The "Quiet Car" on the Train
 
59:17 - The Power of Reciprocity
 
1:08:51 - Testing for Yourself
 
1:17:07 - Technology's Role in This
 
1:31:52 - End Credits
 
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Orcas Raming Into Sunfish:
https://www.npr.org/2026/07/24/nx-s1-5905327/orcas-ram-sunfish-hard-explodes
 
From Big Eva to Gig Eva:
https://firstthings.com/goodbye-big-eva-hello-gig-eva/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
 
Humans Speaking Fewer Words:
https://www.theatlantic.com/family/2026/07/talking-less-reasons/688074/
 
Other Resources:
A Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection: https://amzn.to/3RIeF6K
 
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 CURIOUS30 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.

Some of the Apostle Paul's letters in the Bible can be defensive, sarcastic, and even mean. New Testament scholar Scot McKnight says his nasty tone may stem from deep pain. But Paul's trauma wasn't caused by the persecution of nonbelievers but by fellow Christians. He offers Skye an illuminating look into what the apostle can teach us about church trauma today. Mike Erre joins the podcast crew to discuss the declining support for Israel among American Christians, the weird work of VR missionaries, a theory about aliveness that challenges introverts, and a robot that responds when nature calls.
 
Holy Post Plus:
Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
http://holypost.substack.com/p/729-church-trauma-and-the-apostle
 
0:00 - Show Starts
0:40 - Kaitlyn Was Summoned Away
3:04 -  Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST
 
4:08- 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!
5:17 - Self-Driving Toilets!
11:54 - VR Missionaries
20:21 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Your support puts healthy food within reach, fueling the future for kids and their families. Give now at https://FeedingAmerica.org/SummerHunger
20:54 - 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
22:00 - 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
 
23:04 - Americans Less Supportive of Israel
 
28:56 - Prosperity Gospel and Israel
 
36:10 - Aliveness and Where to Find it
 
50:19 - Interview
 
52:30 - Damaged Leaders
 
1:03:25 - Paul and Trauma
 
1:15:44 - Prescriptive vs Descriptive
 
1:27:54 - End Credits
 
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Aliveness:
https://benbyfax.substack.com/p/aliveness
 
Christian Support for Israel Plummets:
https://religionnews.com/2026/07/09/new-polls-show-plummeting-support-among-faith-groups-for-israeli-government-netanyahu/
 
Other Resources:
Traumatized Church: What Paul's Relationship with the Corinthian Church Teaches Us About Helping Those Who are Hurting by Scot McKnight: https://amzn.to/4pltGYx



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.

Two members of Congress, one Republican and one Democrat, had a meeting recently where they fundamentally disagreed about the meaning of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25. Their disagreement has now spilled into the media. Why has this chapter of the Bible become the new dividing line between Christians in the public square? Kaityn interviews Tish Harrison Warren about her new book about Christian resilience and what disillusioned believers can learn from the desert mothers and fathers. And fifty years ago, the media declared 1976 the "Year of the Evangelicals." The Holy Post crew discusses one historian's look back at that year and debates whether it was really the turning point for American evangelicalism.
 
Holy Post Plus:
Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
https://holypost.substack.com/p/728-the-political-divide-over-matthew
 
0:00 - Show Starts
1:50 - Theme Song
4:20 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Use code HOLYPOST for 30% off sitewide for a great night's sleep! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/HOLYPOST
5:23 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code CURIOUSLY to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!
6:23 - America 250 Celebration
12:44 - The Turning Point of Evangelicalism
28:04  - 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
29:34 - 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!
30:37 - Does Matthew 25 Apply to Nations?
46:20 - Interview
49:42 - Weariness
56:30 - Desert Mothers and Fathers
1:04:00 - What is Acedia?
1:19:13 - Become All Flame
1:29:17 - End Credits
 
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Growing Divide Over Matthew 25:
https://religionnews.com/2026/07/01/in-congress-a-growing-divide-over-matthew-25/?utm_medium=social
 
Christianity Today on the Turning Point for Evangelicalism:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/06/1976-was-a-turning-point-for-evangelicalism-george-marsden-history/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/christianity
 
Other Resources:
What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience by Tish Harrison Warren:
https://a.co/d/0bJc9P34
 
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 United States is turning 250 this week, but the country is divided about the anniversary. Should the country celebrate or lament? Historian Robert Tracy McKenzie joins Skye to talk about the ongoing fight over how to tell America's story, why we reject nuance, and what he saw at the Rededicate 250 event in Washington, D.C. that made him concerned. Kaitlyn offers her take on a New York Times interview with Louise Perry about rethinking the sexual revolution. Perry argues, as a non-believer, for the recovery of sexual ethics that seem very Christian. What does that say about our culture's fatigue with secularism? Also this week—AI finds proof that your parents were right about the music you listen to, and the World Cup is revealing the decency of average Americans.
 
Holy Post Plus:
Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
https://holypost.substack.com/p/727-rethinking-the-sexual-revolution
 
Getting Schooled - Weddings 101: https://holypost.substack.com/p/getting-schooled-weddings-101
 
0:00 - Show Starts
1:50 - Theme Song
2:12  - 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.
3:24 - Rededicate
5:12 - World Cup Brings World Together
11:24 - Pop Music's Moral Slide
20:39 - Sponsor - World Challenge - Want to help people around the world? Get involved today at https://worldchallenge.org/HOLYPOST
21:42  - Sponsor - World Relief - Help families overseas and refugees in crisis! When you give now before Easter Sunday, your donation will be doubled! Start your partnership today at https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost
23:08 - New Sexual Revolution?
54:09 - Interview
58:10 - Unblemished America
1:03:15 - Credal or Racial Nation?
1:11:40 - Founding Father's Private Faith
1:19:53 - Wanting a Positive Vision
1:28:08 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Louise Perry on the Sexual Revolution:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/opinion/gender-sexual-revolution-men-women.html
 
Pop Music has Become Less Moral:
https://www.newsweek.com/music-has-got-nastier-since-60s-study-says-12119675
 
Other Resources:
How America Gave Up on Its Own History:
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/07/american-history-common-narrative/687301/
 
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.