The Bulletin

Haviv Gur, a journalist for the Times of Israel, shares fascinating insights on the recent assassination of Hamas leaders and its complex implications for Middle Eastern politics. He highlights the escalating tensions due to a deadly Hezbollah strike, sparking conversations about peace prospects. The discussion also touches on President Biden's proposed Supreme Court changes and the cultural clashes around artistic expression in today's heated climate. Throughout, the dialogue invites listeners to navigate the noise of modern politics and conflict with a critical eye.

Brody Malone is a three-time U.S. national all-around champion gymnast and a notable Olympian. Missy Franklin, a five-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming, shares her journey navigating life beyond competition and finding purpose. Jimmy Mellado, a decathlete turned president of Compassion International, discusses how sports shaped his commitment to service. The trio explores themes of resilience, identity struggles, and the transformative power of sports, emphasizing the importance of mental health and community support for athletes.

ERLC presidential kerfuffle, Secret Service Director Resignation, and Mr. Netanyahu goes to Washington.Find us on Youtube.This week, Clarissa, Mike, and Russell welcome Pete Wehner (The Atlantic, NYT, Trinity Forum) to talk about the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and the unlawful firing of their president, which leads to discussion of populism in the church. Then, the three engage in a review of the Secret Service director’s resignation and what this means for the American people. Finally, Chris Seiple (Comparative Religion Program Fellow at University of Washington) joins for a discussion of the events and implications surrounding Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to DC.GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Follow the show in your podcast app of choice Find us on Youtube. Rate and Review the show in your podcast app of choice Leave a comment in Spotify with your feedback on the discussion–we may even respond! TODAY’S GUESTS: Peter Wehner is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum. He was formerly a speechwriter for George W. Bush and a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Wehner is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, and his work also appears in publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and National Affairs.Chris Seiple is the Senior Fellow for Comparative Religion at the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. He is widely known and sought after for his decades of experience and expertise regarding issues at the intersection of geopolitics, US foreign policy, Asia, conflict resolution, human rights and religion. He has pioneered innovative solutions in the U.S. Marine Corps, at the U.S. State Department, the Templeton Religion Trust, and as the president of the Institute for Global Engagement (IGE), where he developed a “Track 1.5” theory of change rooted in relational diplomacy. ABOUT THE BULLETIN:The Bulletin is a weekly (and sometimes more!) current events show from Christianity Today hosted and moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s Editor-in-Chief) and Mike Cosper (Director, CT Media). Each week the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden withdraws from the 2024 Presidential Race.In this bonus episode of The Bulletin, Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and Clarissa Moll react to Biden's announcement to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race. They consider the implications and consider the announcement from a kingdom-focused perspective.“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity TodayProducer: Clarissa MollAssociate Producer: Leslie ThompsonEditing and Mix: TJ HesterMusic: Dan PhelpsExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

RNC recap, Dr. Ruth and Richard Simmons die, and Christian higher ed’s survivalThis week on The Bulletin, Russell Moore and Clarissa Moll welcome Madeleine Kearns to recap the first three days of the Republican National Convention ahead of Trump’s keynote address. Then, author and professor Alan Noble joins the show for a conversation about the loneliness, longing, and deaths of Richard Simmons and Dr. Ruth. Finally, Christian universities are closing at a notable rate. Alan, Russell and Clarissa discuss the reasons for this trend and the implications of it. Today’s Guests: Madeleine Kearns is a staff writer at National Review and a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum. She is from Glasgow, Scotland, and is a trained singer.Dr. O. Alan Noble is Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University and author of numerous books and articles. Alan has written articles for Christian publications such as Modern Reformation, InTouch Magazine, and Christianity Today and for secular publications like VOX, Buzzfeed, and The Atlantic.“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity TodayProducer: Clarissa MollAssociate Producer: Leslie ThompsonEditing and Mix: TJ HesterMusic: Dan PhelpsExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

National security expert Elizabeth Neumann discusses the Trump assassination attempt, rising violence in US politics, importance of local voting, historical leadership examples, and the threat environment in America.

New York Times columnist Frank Bruni discusses grievance culture in society, emphasizing scarcity over abundance. The impact of grievance on polarization in churches, families, and friendships is explored, offering a way forward for cultural unity. Bruni shares insights on the importance of talking across differences and embracing common ground for a better future.

This week’s supreme Court rulings and the Israel/Hamas conflictThis week on The Bulletin, Russell Moore and Mike Cosper welcome legal expert David French to discuss the decisions delivered by the Supreme Court. Then, Shane Claiborne joins Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll to discuss the Israel/Hamas conflict.Today’s Guests:David French is a columnist for the New York Times. He’s a former senior editor of The Dispatch. He’s the author most recently of Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation.Shane Claiborne is a prominent speaker, activist, and best-selling author. Shane worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, and founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia. He heads up Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living "as if Jesus meant the things he said." Shane’s books include Jesus for President, Red Letter Revolution, and The Irresistible Revolution. In 2023, Shane received the prestigious The King Center's Beloved Community Award for Social Justice from Dr. Bernice King (daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King).“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity TodayProducer: Clarissa MollAssociate Producer: Leslie ThompsonEditing and Mix: TJ HesterMusic: Dan PhelpsExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike CosperSenior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Debate review, the future of Electric Vehicles, and Gender Youth MedicineIn this episode of The Bulletin, Russell Moore, Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll discuss last night’s first presidential debate. Then, NBC news analyst Mike Murphy joins us to talk about the future of electric vehicles. Finally, gender youth medicine is a highly controversial topic both inside and outside the church. Mark Yarhouse and Rebecca McLaughlin join us to talk about the Cass Review and how Christians can respond to children wrestling with issues of gender identity.Today’s Guests:Mike Murphy is one of the Republican Party’s most successful political media consultants, having handled strategy and advertising for more than 26 successful Gubernatorial and Senatorial campaigns. He served as a top campaign messaging and political strategist to Sen. John McCain’s historic Straight Talk Express Presidential campaign in 2000, and also for successful gubernatorial candidates Mitt Romney, Jeb Bush, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tommy Thompson, and John Engler. In 2020 he served as a key strategist for Republican Voters Against Trump. He currently co-hosts the popular weekly politics podcast “Hacks on Tap” with David Axelrod, which boasts over 14 million downloads to date. Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist who specializes in conflicts tied to religious identity and sexual and gender identity. He assists people who are navigating the complex relationship between their sexual or gender identity and Christian faith. He runs the Sexual and Gender Identity (SGI) Institute at Wheaton College, and is an award-winning teacher and researcher. He was a past participant with the Ethics and Public Policy Center think tank in Washington, DC, and he was named Senior Fellow with the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities to conduct a study of students navigating sexual identity concerns at Christian colleges and universities. He has been a consultant to the National Institute of Corrections to address issues facing sexual minorities in corrections, and he was part of a consensus panel from the American Psychological Association on sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts that convened to provide input to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in Washington, DC. He is currently the Chair of the task force on LGBT issues for Division 36 (Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) of the American Psychological Association.Rebecca McLaughlin holds a PhD from Cambridge University and a theology degree from Oak Hill Seminary in London. She is the author of several books, including Confronting Christianity, The Secular Creed, Jesus Through the Eyes of Women, and Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?. “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity TodayProducer: Clarissa MollAssociate Producer: Leslie ThompsonEditing and Mix: TJ HesterMusic: Dan PhelpsExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Robert Morris’s abuse, rising nationalism in Europe, and Summer reading suggestions.In this episode of The Bulletin, Russell Moore, Mike Cosper, and Clarissa Moll talk with Nicole Martin about the resignation of pastor Robert Morris and why churches harbor predators. Next, nationalism is increasing in Europe. Are the threats the same as we’ve seen on our own shores? Finally, we end with some suggestions for summer reading from our hosts and the larger Bulletin community.Today’s Guest:Nicole Martin serves Christianity Today as chief impact officer after serving on its board of directors. Nicole oversees three major strategic initiatives that are shaping the future of CT including The Global Initiative, the Big Tent Initiative, and the Next Gen Initiative. Book list:David Zahl:Fully Alive - Elizabeth Oldfied The Bright Sword - Lev GrossmanErik Petrik:Lives of Girls and Women - Alice MunroAll the Pretty Horses - Cormac McCarthyThe Beginning of Wisdom - Leon CassCommentaries on Peter - Karen Jobes The Work of Art - Adam MosesLeslie Thompson:The Irrational Season - Madeleine L’EngleGentle and Lowly - Dane OrtlundWhat is Life Worth? - Kenneth R. Feinberg The Complete Stories - Flannery O’ConnorMike Cosper:You Like it Darker - Stephen KingThe Age of Grievance - Frank BruniNicole Martin:The Lagos Wife - Vanessa WaltersHeaven and Earth Grocery Store - James McBride Russell Moore:When the Clock Broke - John GanzDæmonomania (The Aegypt Cycle Book 3) - John CrowleyMariner - Malcolm Guite“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity TodayProducer: Clarissa MollAssociate Producer: Leslie ThompsonEditing and Mix: TJ HesterMusic: Dan PhelpsExecutive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices