Episode 527: Does God Want Public Christian Symbols? & Non-Anxious Leadership with Mark Sayers

09/21/22 • 88 min

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A court has ruled that a Christian-owned business is not required to pay for health insurance that includes drugs to prevent HIV. Is the ruling a victory for religious liberty, or a case of Christians unfairly imposing their beliefs on others? In an effort to “bring God back into public schools" Taxes now requires schools to display “In God We Trust” signs. But what happens when the sign is in Arabic? Southern governors are shipping undocumented immigrants North. But is their goal to actually solve the immigration crisis, or are they using vulnerable people for a partisan stunt? Then, pastor and culture-watcher Mark Sayers is back to talk about his new book, “A Non-Anxious Presence.” He says we’ve entered a new cultural era riddled with anxiety and uncertainty that Christian leaders relying on the previous era’s models are not equipped to handle. Drawing from Friedman’s family-systems theory, Sayers argues we must learn to patiently resist the unhealthy people in our communities, endure sabotage, and fundamentally rethink our definitions of success. Plus, annual awards for hilarious scientific achievements.

Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks...Do we actually know what happens the moment we die? https://www.patreon.com/posts/72258893/

News Segment 0:00 - Intro 2:52 - Bizarre scientific awards 11:04 - Religious freedom and health insurance coverage 23:13 - Public Christian symbols 38:39 - Southern governors sending migrants north

Sponsor 58:23 - Sponsor: Abide

Get 25% off a premium Abide subscription by texting “holypost” to 22433

Interview with Mark Sayers “A Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World Will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders” - https://amzn.to/3f3wRnO Mark Sayers - https://www.marksayers.co 1:00:18 - Mark Sayers intro 1:02:49 - Anxiety in a gray zone 1:06:26 - Friedman’s systems theory and culture 1:08:35 - How leaders can bring health 1:15:39 - Comfort and escapism 1:22:22 - Leading with God’s presence 1:27:42 - Credits

Articles referenced in news segment: Ig Nobel prize winners - https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/constipation-s-effect-on-scorpion-sex-garners-biology-ig-nobel-70504

“A Texas Judge Just Took Religious ‘Freedom’ Too Far” (Bloomberg) - https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-09-14/texas-prep-drug-ruling-in-braidwood-case-should-be-overturned?

“Southern governor sending migrants north face a crisis of faith” by Jonathan Merritt (Religion News Service) - https://religionnews.com/2022/09/16/southern-governors-sending-migrants-north-face-a-crisis-of-faith/

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

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.

Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks...Do we actually know what happens the moment we die? https://www.patreon.com/posts/72258893/

News Segment 0:00 - Intro 2:52 - Bizarre scientific awards 11:04 - Religious freedom and health insurance coverage 23:13 - Public Christian symbols 38:39 - Southern governors sending migrants north

Sponsor 58:23 - Sponsor: Abide

Get 25% off a premium Abide subscription by texting “holypost” to 22433

Articles referenced in news segment: Ig Nobel prize winners - https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/constipation-s-effect-on-scorpion-sex-garners-biology-ig-nobel-70504

“A Texas Judge Just Took Religious ‘Freedom’ Too Far” (Bloomberg) - https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-09-14/texas-prep-drug-ruling-in-braidwood-case-should-be-overturned?

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

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.

Previous Episode

Episode 526: Was the Constitution Divinely Inspired? with Kaitlyn Schiess

The water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi, was foreseeable and preventable. Did white evangelicalism's anti-government attitude contribute to the catastrophe? Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson has yet another take on the evangelical infatuation with Trump. Do we need any more? And a recent article by theologian Kirsten Sanders says we’ve entered a new era of evangelicalism where online influencers are shaping the movement more than pastors or institutions. Then, Skye and Kaitlyn discuss the belief held by some American Christians that the Constitution was inspired by God. Where did this view come from? Why is it dangerous? And why is it finding new popularity today? Plus, Phil plops a headline.

News Segment 0:00 - Intro 4:54 - News of the Butt headline 6:10 - Jackson water crisis 17:52 - Another article on evangelicalism and Trump?

Sponsor 54:22 - Sponsor: Abide Get 25% off a premium Abide subscription by texting “holypost” to 22433

Getting Schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess 55:40 - Getting Schooled intro 57:57 - Divine inspiration of the Constitution - overview 1:15:24 - Dangers of holding this view 1:22:54 - Resources

Resources from Getting Schooled: “We the Fallen People” by Robert Tracy McKenzie - https://amzn.to/3qzgkuf

“The Bible in Politics” by Richard Bauckham - https://amzn.to/3U1zQgF

“Every Leaf, Line, and Letter” edited by Timothy Larsen - https://amzn.to/3U9M7ja

Articles mentioned: “Jackson water crisis deepens as state deploys National Guard” - https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/09/01/jackson-mississippi-water-crisis/

“Trump should fill Christians with rage. How come he doesn’t?” by Michael Gerson (The Washington Post) - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/09/01/michael-gerson-evangelical-christian-maga-democracy/

“The Evangelical Question in the History of American Religion” by Kirsten Sanders (The Hedgehog Review) - https://hedgehogreview.com/issues/the-use-and-abuse-of-history/articles/the-evangelical-question-in-the-history-of-american-religion

Join us on Patreon for more episodes of Getting Schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess and other great bonus content!

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost

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.

Next Episode

Episode 528: Can Ancient Liturgy Save Evangelicalism? with Aaron Damiani

The death of Queen Elizabeth has many wondering about the future of Christianity in the UK. The Queen was outspoken about her faith in Jesus Christ, but how will King Charles change what it means for the monarch to be the “Defender of the Faith”? We all know evangelicals are divided by politics, but a new report by Catholic bishops says Roman Catholics are too. What can we learn from one another? Poverty among kids in the U.S. has declined dramatically in recent decades. Liberals say it’s the result of government programs. Conservative credit economic growth. Who is right? Then, Anglican pastor Aaron Damiani talks with Skye about his journey from megachurch burnout to life-giving liturgy. His new book, “Earth Filled with Heaven,” is written to Christians skeptical about tradition, rituals, and sacraments, but they might be the key to saving evangelicalism from itself. Plus, why you shouldn’t drink coffee before shopping or trust ads featuring dogs. Bonus Patreon Interview with Aaron Damiani - Https://www.patreon.com/posts/72516965/ News Segment 0:00 - Intro 03:06 - Dog and cat marketing 9:42 - Drinking coffee before shopping 11:13- The Queen’s faith and Christianity in the UK 21:46 - Catholic church split by politics 30:36 - Child poverty has declined Interview with Aaron Damiani “Earth Filled with Heaven: Finding Life in Liturgy, Sacraments, and other Ancient Practices of the Church” - https://amzn.to/3Szeaqy Aaron Damiani - https://twitter.com/aarondamiani 43:55 - Background 47:47 - Megachurch burnout 52:14 - Liturgy and sacrament overview 59:38 - Misperceptions about liturgy 1:08:21 - Mitigating celebrity dynamics in the church 1:11:48 - Is this just another novelty? 1:15:08 - Credits Articles from news segment:“Dog owners take more risks, cat owners are more cautious, research finds” by Lei Jia (Salon) - https://www.salon.com/2022/09/04/dog-owners-take-more-risks-cat-owners-are-more-cautious-research-finds_partner/ “Drinking coffee before shopping could make you spend more” by Adam Barnes (The Hill) - https://thehill.com/changing-america/enrichment/arts-culture/3567346-drinking-coffee-before-shopping-could-make-you-spend-more/ “US Catholic bishops’ report to the Vatican shows a church split by politics” by Claire Giangravé (Religion News Service) - https://religionnews.com/2022/09/23/u-s-catholic-bishops-report-to-the-vatican-shows-a-church-split-by-politics/ “Expanded Safety Net Drives Sharp Drop in Child Poverty” by Jason DeParle (NYT) - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/11/us/politics/child-poverty-analysis-safety-net.html Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost 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.