logo
episode-header-image
Sep 24
1h 25m

688: The MAGA Contradiction & Educationa...

PHIL VISCHER
About this episode

The memorial service for Charlie Kirk revealed a deep contradiction with the MAGA movement. Kirk’s widow was cheered when she forgave his assassin and modeled Jesus’ command to love your enemies. But the crowd also cheered when Stephen Miller and President Trump dehumanized their opponents and expressed hatred for their enemies. Esau McCaulley joins Phil and Skye to discuss the tension between Christian love and pagan power. Also this week, Dr. Terence Lester tells his inspiring story in his new book, “From Dropout to Doctorate,” and how he’s working both spiritually and systemically to reform education.

Holy Post Plus:

Ad-Free Version of this Episode:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/139584724/

 

Cotton Candy Debate?

https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-hill-to-die-139484708

 

0:00 - Show Starts

 

3:00 - Theme Song

 

3:21 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST

 

4:35 - 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.

 

7:35 - Charlie Kirk’s Mixed Memorial Service

 

11:56 - Christlike Responses

 

22:53 - Two MAGAs

 

31:57 - Black Christians Grapple with Kirk’s Legacy

 

42:50 - Sponsor - World Relief - Join The Path as a monthly partner with World Relief! https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost

 

44:00 - The After Party - What’s discipling you? Reimagine political engagement through the lens of scripture and neighbor love with the free Redeeming Babble course today - https://redeemingbabel.org/the-after-party/free-course2/?utm_source=TPO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=TheHolyPost&utm_term=Fall2025

 

45:07 - 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!

 

46:05 - Interview

 

47:46 - How Poverty Causes Trauma

 

52:47 - The Headstart People Don’t Get

 

1:01:48 - The Sick, Sin, and System Narratives

 

1:14:33 - How He Decided Not to Quite

 

1:25:18 - End Credits

 

Links Mentioned in News Segment:

Bulwark Article on Two Speeches at the Memorial:

https://www.thebulwark.com/i/174243794/a-tale-of-two-speeches

 

Black Christians Confront Charlie Kirk’s Religious Legacy:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/09/22/charlie-kirk-black-christians/

 

Other Resources:

From Dropout to Doctorate: Breaking the Chains of Educational Injustice by Terence Lester: https://a.co/d/itUHu8I



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.

 

Up next
Yesterday
690: Flying Bishops, Evangelical Ignorance, & Slow Theology with A.J. Swoboda & Nijay Gupta
For the first time ever, the U.K. has appointed a woman as the Archbishop of Canterbury to lead the global Anglican Communion. Kaitlyn, Skye, and Mike Erre discuss the implications of appointment and how Anglicans use “flying bishops” to maintain unity over divisive theological i ... Show More
1h 29m
Oct 1
689: The Rapture, Repentance, & Redefining the Good Life with Grace Hamman
After a South African pastor claimed that Christ would come for his church on September 23, TikTok became rapture obsessed. Mike Erre joins Skye and Kaitlyn to discuss our ongoing fixation with this bad theology, why people get caught up in rapture predictions, and how it damages ... Show More
1h 27m
Sep 17
687: Charlie Kirk & the Conflict Entrepreneurs
Last week, a gunman in Utah killed Charlie Kirk on a college campus. Rather than uniting the country against political violence, Kirk’s assassination has only made divisions wider. Some on the left celebrated his death, saying he reaped what he sowed, while some on the right, inc ... Show More
1 h
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Have evangelical leaders sold out to a progressive secular agenda? Megan Basham vs Krish Kandiah hosted by Billy Hallowell
In this episode of Unbelievable host Billy Halliwell moderates a debate between author and journalist Megan Basham and social entrepreneur Krish Kandiah. They explore the intersection of evangelicalism and progressive politics, discussing topics such as the implications of secula ... Show More
1h 13m
Jun 2025
Cultural Update: Why Don't We Feel We're Thriving?; The End of Rainbow Capitalism; Democratic Socialism
This week, Scott is joined by Talbot professor Thaddeus Williams to discuss: Why Don’t We Feel We're Thriving? — Despite living in the most prosperous era of human history, many Americans feel anxious and discontent. The End of Rainbow Capitalism? — Major corporations are backing ... Show More
57m 21s
Sep 4
#233 Nathan Apffel - Inside the Dark World of Megachurches and Corrupt Pastors
Nathan Apffel is a Christian, filmmaker, entrepreneur, and director of The Religion Business, a multi-part docuseries that exposes the financial practices and lack of accountability in Western religion, particularly Christianity. Drawing from personal experiences with church scan ... Show More
2h 50m
Jun 2024
YOU Should LEAVE Your Church OVER THIS!
Within the Christian circuit there have become different stances on homosexuality. On this episode of Radical Radio, Robby sits down and goes through what the Bible actually says in regards to Homosexuality. Whether your church affirms it, does not support it, or doesn’t communic ... Show More
41m 9s
Sep 2024
E147: Why He Stood Alone For God w/NBA Star Jonathan Isaac
We all remember the historic moment in 2020 when the entire Orlando Magic team was kneeling during the national anthem in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, save one brave player. The name of that player was Jonathan Issac and today we welcome him on the show to learn more about ... Show More
36m 13s
Nov 2024
Electioneering
Final presidential campaign days, screen-free churches, and the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza.Find us on Youtube.This week on the show, Clarissa, Mike, and Russell talk about campaign trail updates with less than a week before the presidential electio ... Show More
54m 20s
Jul 24
Spiritual Atheism & Religious Deconstruction (w/ Britt Hartley)
If belief dies, can wonder survive? Britt Hartley (author of No Nonsense Spirituality) digs into her journey from devout Mormonism to mystic atheism, her deconstruction of religious dogma, and her experience of profound nihilism after losing belief in God. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSO ... Show More
1h 32m
May 2025
7 Things Protestants Misunderstand About Christianity (Dr. John Bergsma) | Ep. 523
Dr. John Bergsma is a Full Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, in Steubenville, Ohio. He served as a Protestant pastor for four years before entering the Catholic Church in 2001 while pursuing a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. ... Show More
4h 7m
Oct 2024
The Occult, Vatican Secrets, and The Mysticism of Pope St John Paul II (Jason Evert) | Ep. 491
Jason Evert is a renowned Catholic author and speaker, best known for his work promoting chastity among teens and young adults. He is the co-founder of the Chastity Project and Totus Tuus Press. With a Master's degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Evert ... Show More
3h 14m
Apr 2025
S5 37: Was the Resurrection Real? With Sean McDowell
Christianity isn’t based on blind faith, but on the reality that Jesus lived, died, and rose again. Today I’m joined by apologist Sean McDowell to talk about all the evidence we have for the resurrection of Jesus, and how we can wisely engage with seekers and skeptics about the h ... Show More
43m 19s