The Holy Post

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.

Since the 1980s, the Republican Party has increasingly been associated with Christianity, while the Democratic Party has distanced itself from religious rhetoric to be more inclusive. But is that changing? This year, a surprising number of pastors are running for Congress as Democrats, and they are not shy about infusing their campaigns with faith. Republicans eager to protect their brand are fighting back by calling these progressive clergy candidates "PINOs"—Pastors in Name Only. In related news, Ryan Burge reveals surprising data about the political views of mainline ministers. Kaitlyn interviews counterterrorism expert Elizabeth Neumann about the rise of political violence, how the threats in the U.S. are changing, and how churches can be part of the solution. Also this week—the world's slowest concert reaches a milestone.
 
Holy Post Plus:
Getting Schooled - Aliens 101:
https://holypost.substack.com/p/getting-schooled-aliens-101?r=35kf51&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
 
0:00 - Show Starts
1:30 - Theme Song
1:52 - 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
3:23 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!
5:12- 600-Year-Long Organ Song!
14:44 - "Pastors in Name Only?"
31:37 - World Relief Update with Matthew Soerens - In this update, Matthew Soerens shares five things you need to know about deportation. If you want to partner with World Relief in walking alongside families in crisis, visit worldrelief.org/holypost
56:12 - 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!
57:16 - Interview
59:05 - Non-Idealogical Violence
1:08:20 - Definition of Political Violence
1:14:20 - How People Get Radicalized
1:27:07 - How Should We Respond?
1:36:24 - End Credits
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
600-Year Long Organ Piece
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68209691
 
PINO Pastors? https://religionnews.com/2026/08/04/pastors-name-only-republican-attacks-democrat-pastors/
 
How Liberal are Mainline Clergy?
https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/mainline-clergy-are-different-and
 
Other Resources:
Elizabeth Neumann's Website: https://elizabethneumann.org/
 
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.

"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 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.