The Holy Post

It's been another week of deranged comments and posts from the President. This time he has targeted Pope Leo by accusing him of being weak on crime and catering to the radical left. Mr. Trump followed up by posting an A.I. image of himself as Jesus. The outrage was swift, including from his own MAGA supporters, but are they actually to blame for his messianic self-image? On Palm Sunday, the Pope said Jesus does not hear the prayers of those who wage war. Most assume he was referring to the Secretary of Defense's wrathful prayer for U.S. troops in Iran. Defenders of Pete Hegseth's prayer say he was just quoting the Bible, so what's the problem? Bri Stensrud, the director of Women of Welcome, explains why conservative evangelical women are rising up to support the dignity of immigrants and refugees even as many of their churches remain silent. Also this week—caffeinated cocaine sharks are roaming the Caribbean.
 
Holy Post Plus:
Bonus Interview with Bri Stensrud:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/155624095/
 
Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/155629230/
 
0:00 - Show Starts
 
2:08 - Theme Song
 
2:30 - 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!
 
3:33 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST
 
4:42 - David French Debates Chris Christie
 
9:55 - Holy Post Live with Lecrae!
 
11:16 - Cocaine Sharks!
 
14:45 - Pope vs President
 
18:31 - Trump "Jesus/Doctor" AI Image 
 
26:16 - 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
 
27:17 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Feeding America, led by neighbors! Give now to end hunger at https://www.feedingamerica.org
 
27:47 -  Sponsor - Bushnell University - Equip yourself to be transformative in your community! Go to https://www.bushnell.edu
 
28:38 - Trump as Salvific Figure
 
30:30 - Imprecatory Psalms
 
41:31 - Love Thy Enemies and Thy Imprecatory Psalms
 
51:17 - Interview
 
52:55 - What is Women of Welcome?
 
59:08 - Strong Borders Without Cruelty
 
1:12:08 - Toxic Empathy and Women
 
1:21:51 - Church Leaders and Silence
 
1:29:03 - End Credits
 
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Lecrae on Tiny Desk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbMxucbIVP4&list=RDjbMxucbIVP4&start_radio=1
 
Sharks on Cocaine and Caffeine:
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/cocaine-sharks-drugs-bahamas-eleuthera
 
Karen Park on Imprecatory Psalms:
https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/st-augustine-key-difference-between-pete-hegseth-and-pope-leo



Other Resources:
Bri's Last Appearance on the Show: 
https://pod.link/591157388/episode/NjY2YjYyYzUtMTRmNi00YTkyLWIwZTgtMGE2MjI1YjBiZmZm?view=apps&sort=popularity
 
Women of Welcome:
https://www.womenofwelcome.com/
 
Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation by Bri Strensrud: https://amzn.to/3NXrYi8
 
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.

We have a roundup of extravagant Easter celebrations, including helicopter egg drops, holy week drone shows, and skydiving bunnies. But what do these spectacles really achieve, and what do they communicate about the way of Jesus? Bible sales are breaking records. Is Donald Trump the reason? Conservative writer Peter Wehner, who worked for three Republican administrations, is back to explain how MAGA has rewired evangelical morality and what pastors should do about it. Also this week, the contrasting Easter messages of the Pope and the President.
 
Holy Post Plus:
Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/155037389/
 
0:00 - Show Starts
 
3:43 - Theme Song
 
4:05 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Use code HOLYPOST for 30% off sitewide for a great night's sleep! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/HOLYPOST
 
5:12 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Feeding America, led by neighbors! Give now to end hunger at https://www.feedingamerica.org
 
5:48 - Candy Day
 
8:37 - Pope and President Easter Messages
 
21:35 - 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
 
23:05 - 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.
 
24:08 - 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!
 
25:12 - Easter Spectacles
 
32:11- Was the Resurrection "Spectacle?"
 
40:32 - Bible Sales Double
 
50:48 - Interview
 
54:35 - Where MAGA Came From
 
1:05:18 - Will MAGA Burn Out?
 
1:16:36 - Pastors in Political Controversy
 
1:24:42 - End Credits
 
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Easter Drones:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/04/churches-try-drones-and-skydiving-bunnies-for-easter-outreach/
 
Luxury Bibles:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/05/us/luxury-bibles.html
 
Other Resources:
How Trump Killed Conservatism by Peter Wehner:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/03/trump-maga-conservatism/686501/
 
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.

Catholic bishops around the U.S. are reporting a dramatic increase in applications for church membership and a surge of new converts as Easter approaches. What's driving this new interest in the Catholic Church, and why aren't evangelical churches seeing a similar boom? Mike Erre joins Phil and Kaitlyn to discuss the trend. Gabriel Salguero is back to update Skye on the impact of immigration enforcement on Hispanic churches and communities. He shares about two evangelical pastors detained in ICE facilities, and why Latino voters are abandoning Donald Trump after giving him record support in 2024. Also this week, is sycophantic AI causing us to lose our ability to tolerate real people?
 
Holy Post Plus:
My Hill to Die On: You Shouldn't Write Your Wedding Vows:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-hill-to-die-154029219
 
Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/154448508/
 
0:00 - Show Starts
 
5:19 - Theme Song
 
5:40 - 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
 
6:42 - 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!
 
7:58 - AI Stunting Human Interactions?
 
24:19 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!
 
25:05 - Sponsor - Bushnell University - Equip yourself to be transformative in your community! Go to https://www.bushnell.edu
 
26:20 - Catholic Revival?
 
46:20 - Interview
 
48:50 - Pastors Detained in Alligator Alcatraz
 
59:28 - Trump Support from Hispanic Communities
 
1:05:01 - Responsibility of the Media
 
1:18:47 - Willing to Lay Down Access
 
1:24:42 - End Credits
 
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
AI Affecting Human Judgement!
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/03/study-sycophantic-ai-can-undermine-human-judgment/
 
Surge in Catholic Converts
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/26/us/catholics-converts.html
 
Other Resources:
Becoming Neighbors: The Common Good Made Local by Amar Peterman:
https://amzn.to/3NWHcDN
 
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.

A recent article in The Atlantic argues that we should stop using the label "Christian nationalism" to criticize the religious right because both conservatives and progressives throughout American history have been motivated by Christian faith. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss what the article gets right and why we need to keep talking about the danger of Christian nationalism. Phil wonders why Catholic leaders are outspoken in their criticism of the Iran war, while fewer evangelical leaders are speaking up. Kaitlyn talks with Amar Peterman about his book, Becoming Neighbors: The Common Good Made Local. Also this week—the online heresy hunters are angry, and M.I.T. creates injectable satellite mini livers.
 
Get Tickets to a Holy Post Live Recording with Lecrae on April 22, 2026:
https://hubs.ly/Q046WJPg0
 
Holy Post Plus:
My Hill to Die On:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/153753775/



Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/153856583/
 
0:00 - Show Starts
 
4:03 - Theme Song
 
4:25 - 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
 
5:53 - 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
 
6:52 - Who's a Heretic?
 
12:04 - Injectable Livers from MIT!
 
17:45 - Christian Coverage of the Iran War
 
31:02 - Sponsor - DripDrop - Proven fast hydration in 16 original flavors, now with sugar-free options! Get 20% on your first order and use promo code HOLYPOST when you go to https://www.dripdrop.com
 
32:04 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 15% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST
 
33:07 - "Christian Nationalist" Term Unhelpful?
 
49:37 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Feeding America, led by neighbors! Give now to end hunger at https://www.feedingamerica.org
 
51:15 - Interview
 
52:14 - Why Did Peterman Write "Becoming Neighbors?"
 
1:01:06 - The Struggles of Diverse Theologies
 
1:14:08 - Seeking Good Yet Disagreeing
 
1:26:02 - End Credits
 
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Satellite Livers!
https://news.mit.edu/2026/injectable-satellite-livers-could-offer-alternative-liver-transplantation-0303
 
Cardinals on War in Iran:
https://catholicreview.org/white-house-gamifying-war-on-iran-marks-a-moral-crisis-warns-us-cardinal/
 
Atlantic article on Christian Nationalists:
https://www.theatlantic.com/books/2026/03/how-christian-nationalist-became-epithet/686279/
 
Other Resources:
Becoming Neighbors: The Common Good Made Local by Amar Peterman:
https://amzn.to/3NWHcDN
 
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.

In the past, Christian fundamentalism was defined by a literal reading of the Bible and conservative social values. They believed in things like a seven-day creation, the rapture, prophecies about the return of Jesus, and supporting the state of Israel. But data shows that fewer evangelicals hold these beliefs, but that doesn't mean fundamentalism is going away. Skye and Kaitlyn are joined by Mike Erre to discuss the changing definition of Christian fundamentalism in America, and why the older variety may have been better. Then Bob Goff talks about his new video project through the Holy Land called "A Journey with Jesus," and how he sustains his joy in these angry times. Also this week—why is Gen Z drinking less alcohol?
 
Get Tickets to a Holy Post Live Recording with Lecrae on April 22, 2026:
https://hubs.ly/Q046WJPg0
 
Holy Post Plus:
My Hill to Die On:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/153191886/



Ad-Free Version of this Episode:
 
https://www.patreon.com/posts/153302907/
 
0:00 - Show Starts
 
3:34 - Theme Song
 
3:56 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Feeding America, led by neighbors! Give now to end hunger at https://www.feedingamerica.org
 
4:33 - 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.
 
5:46 - Why Aren't People Drinking Alcohol?
 
16:52 - Creationism Isn't Very Common
 
27:50 - The Anti-Israel New Right
 
37:50 - Why Are Evangelicals Less Pro-Israel?
 
52:26 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST
 
53:28 - 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
 
54:34 - 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!
 
55:37 - Interview
 
58:59 - Why'd Bob Goff Write A Journey with Jesus?
 
1:07:34 - Maintaining Authenticity
 
1:25:50 - End Credits
 
Links Mentioned in News Segment:
Alcohol's Not Popular?
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/16/dining/us-alcohol-restaurants.html
 
Israel, Rapture, and the Right:
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/03/08/gop-maga-israel-evangelicals-theology-premillennialism-00818312
 
Creationism's Not That Common:
https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/creationism-isnt-as-common-as-you
 
Other Resources:
A Journey with Jesus by Bob Goff: https://a.co/d/0eU7SveP
 
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.