In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. James Holt, Associate Professor of Religious Education at the University of Chester in England and author of On Holy Ground: Inter-faith Encounters and the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I wanted to chat with him about how Latter-day Saints can hold unapologetic convictions in the Restored Gospel while simultaneously recognizing and celebrating God’s active hand in other world religions. Drawing on decades of classroom teaching, interfaith leadership, and scholarly research, Dr. Holt shares how genuine, respectful dialogue can transform our understanding of God’s children without compromising our own faith.
We explore the theological foundations of interfaith work, the beauty of "holy envy," and practical ways we can move past mere tolerance toward deep, loving, and Christlike relationships in our everyday communities.
Some highlights from this episode include:
God at Work Across Faiths: Dr. Holt examines the 1978 First Presidency statement regarding God’s light in moral leaders and philosophers throughout history, unpacking why recognizing divine truth across all religions is essential to understanding the full depth of Christ’s grace.
Moving Beyond the "Fortress Church": Addressing Patrick Mason’s concept of the fortress church, Dr. Holt explains why Latter-day Saints cannot fulfill the call to be the "salt of the earth" if they isolate themselves in cultural echo chambers rather than engaging meaningfully with their neighbors.
The Power of "Holy Envy": Reflections on learning from other traditions, including the Sikh principle of seva (selfless service without expectation of reward), Pope Francis’s inclusive ministry in Catholicism, and the transformative focus of Buddhist mindfulness in our daily discipleship.
Engaging Without Contention: Practical advice on how to handle difficult or patronizing interfaith encounters by choosing understanding over "winning," avoiding defensive "Bible bashes," and adopting Martin Buber's "I-Thou" framework to view others as fellow children of God rather than objects or potential converts.
Everyday Steps for Interfaith Connection: Simple, actionable ways to start building bridges this week—from offering a warm, supportive presence to neighbors of minority faiths to asking thoughtful questions about upcoming religious holidays and traditions.
Social Media (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook): @drjamesdholt
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For All The Saints episodes are released every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVDUQg_qZIU&list=UULFFf7vzrJ2LNWmp1Kl-c6K9Q https://open.spotify.com/show/3j64txm9qbGVVZOM48P4HS?si=bb31d048e05141f2
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/for-all-the-saints/id1703815271 If you have feedback or any suggestions for topics or guests, connect with Ben & Sean via hello@forallthesaints.org or DM on Instagram
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