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

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