A Texas megachurch is facing criticism after a viral TikTok video showed a rehearsal of its Christmas production with drummers flying over the crowd on wires. The church says it’s simply offering its best to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Critics say it’s an extravagant violation of Jesus’ humble spirit. Who’s right? New data says Americans are far more isolated and lonely than ever before, and it’s not because of Covid. Is the church the solution or part of the problem? And a researcher offers three surprising explanations for why the decline of religion in the U.S. didn’t start until the 1990s. Then, Old Testament scholar Carmen Imes answers questions about the book of Exodus. Why did God harden Pharaoh’s heart? What does it really mean to take God’s name in vain? And how do all of the details about the tabernacle apply to Christians today?
Patreon Bonus: Getting Schooled by Kaitlyn Schiess: Mary 101 - https://www.patreon.com/posts/75878590/
Holy Post merch store - https://www.holypost.com/shop
News Segment
0:00 - Intro
2:49 - Megachurch Christmas production
21:12 - Loneliness
39:01- Why Americans are leaving their churches
Sponsors
53:29 - Sponsor: Faithful Counseling
Get 10% off your first month at faithfulcounseling.com/holypost
54:35 - Sponsor: Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology
Visit www.biola.edu/talbot for more information and to apply today.
Interview with Carmen Imes
BibleProject Classroom on Exodus - https://bibleproject.com/classroom/overview/exodus-overview/
Carmen Imes - https://twitter.com/carmenjoyimes
55:42 - Interview intro
57:16 - Why Exodus is important
58:55 - Pharoah’s heart being hardened
1:03:58 - Taking the Lord’s name in vain
1:10:54 - Tabernacle
1:19:05 - Golden calf story
1:26:05 - BibleProject Exodus course
Links mentioned in news segment:
Holy Post 529: Rapture Anxiety and Why Analog Discipleship is Better with Jay Y. Kim - https://www.holypost.com/post/episode-529-rapture-anxiety-why-analog-discipleship-is-better-with-jay-y-kim
“Texas Megachurch responds to backlash over opulent Christmas show” (Houston Chronicle) -
https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/texas-megachurch-tiktok-17616329.php
“Americans are choosing to be alone. Here’s why we should reverse that” (Washington Post) - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/11/23/americans-alone-thanksgiving-friends/
“Why Americans are leaving their churches” (Religion News Service) - https://religionnews.com/2022/12/01/why-americans-are-leaving-their-churches/
Other resources:
“Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters” by Carmen Joy Imes - https://amzn.to/3uQbKKp
Carmen Imes on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/CarmenJoyImesPhD
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.
544: MLK, Reparations, & the Benefits of Awe
543: Women and the Gender of God with Amy Peeler
542: How to Repair American Evangelicalism with Walter Kim
French Friday: Free Speech & Social Media
541: Rethinking Heaven, the Harrowing of Hell, & Christian Civics with Michael Wear
540: Top Stories of ’22, “Tots of Scorn,” & the Naughty List with a Secret Guest
538: Rotten Pastoral Restoration & the Power of Pain with Drew Dyck
What in the World? EPISODE 4: The Mission of God
French Friday: The Case for Civil Same-Sex Marriage
537: The War Over Christmas Movies & Gen Z’s Mental Health with Josh Packard
536: Listener Voicemails! Archeology, Abortion, & Avoiding Holiday Family Arguments
Episode 535: What Does the Global Church Believe About Guns? with Morgan Lee
Episode 534: Does Ministry Matter More than the Marketplace? with Joe Leininger
Episode 533: Why Do We Struggle with the Sabbath? with Ruth Haley Barton
French Friday: What Abortion Abolitionists Get Wrong
Episode 532: How Would Jesus Fight the Culture War? with Mike Erre
Episode 531: What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism? with Paul D. Miller
Episode 530: Can We Still Trust the News? with Bonnie Kristian
Episode 529: Rapture Anxiety & Why Analog Discipleship is Better with Jay Y. Kim
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Hello Heaven Podcast
Curiously Kaitlyn
Devoted To Prayer
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap