725: The Cage Match for America's Story plus Nijay Gupta

Last year, the President celebrated his birthday with a military parade. This year, he hosted a UFC cage match on the South Lawn of the White House. It's easy to compare it to the gladiator games honoring the Roman emperor, but Phil asks whether it's a sign that America would rather emulate pre-Christian Roman values than biblical ones. Americans can no longer agree on how to teach American history, so we're not teaching it much at all. Is it possible to recover a shared national story? Nijay Gupta is back to discuss his latest book, "Paul for the World," and why the Apostle would not recognize a modern Christianity that's focused on heaven rather than earth. Also this week—the science behind dad jokes. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://holypost.substack.com/p/725-the-cage-match-for-americas-story Bonus Interview: https://holypost.substack.com/p/should-the-church-preserve-ethnic 0:00 - Show Starts 3:12 - Theme Song 3:35 -  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 4:38 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 5:38 - Science Supports Dad Jokes 14:49 - UFC Fight at the White House 30:45 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Feeding America, led by neighbors! Give now to end hunger at https://www.feedingamerica.org 31:15 - 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! 32:17 - "American Dream" Finding Cuts 35:02 - What Story is America Telling? 52:16 - Interview 57:46 - Is Social Justice Christian? 1:06:20 - Epicureans and Stoics 1:14:33 - Bonhauffer and the Incarnate Church 1:28:15 - End Credits   Links Mentioned in News Segment: Sciences Supports Dad Jokes: https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/06/15/science-suggests-cringe-worthy-dad-jokes-may-serve-an-actual-purpose/   No Common American Narrative: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/2026/07/american-history-common-narrative/687301/   Other Resources: Paul for the World: A Grounded Vision for Finding Meaning in This Life—Not Just the Next (What Paul's Letters Say about Work, Friendship, Money, Wellness, Justice, and More) by Nijay Gupta: https://amzn.to/3RZR8ON   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.