Episode Overview

Podcast: Breakpoint
Host: John Stonestreet (Colson Center)
Episode: The Epstein Files, Pagan History, and Christian Morality
Date: February 17, 2026

This episode explores how the shocking abuses revealed in the Epstein files mirror the sexual exploitation rampant in pre-Christian pagan societies—and how Christian sexual ethics radically transformed culture’s approach to sex, human dignity, and justice. John Stonestreet draws historical parallels, critiques both secular and Christian failures, and underscores the ongoing need for Christian morality to confront evil.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historical Context: Pagan Rome and Sexual Exploitation

• John Stonestreet references Dennis Prager’s article, "Judaism’s Sexual Revolution," highlighting the normalization of sexual abuse in pagan societies.
• Mainstream Greco-Roman culture dehumanized women and children, treating them as mere objects for male pleasure.
• Quote: "Children and women were, quote, very often treated interchangeably as simple objects of male desire." (Dennis Prager via Martha Nussbaum, [00:50])

2. The Epstein Revelations and the Modern Parallel

• Stonestreet draws a direct line between ancient and modern abuses, noting how the Epstein files reveal systemic sexual abuse, victimization, and cover-ups among powerful elites.
• He expresses shock at "how much evil could have continued for so long" ([01:25]), equating its scale with ancient depravity.

3. Christianity’s Transformational Impact

• The sexual ethic taught in Genesis and the writings of Paul radically curbed sexual exploitation.
• Stonestreet cites Prager: "This revolution forced the sexual genie into the marital bottle...and it began the arduous task of elevating the status of women." ([01:47])
• Christianity channelled sexual expression into marriage, making society less sexualized and affording greater respect to women and the human body.

4. Misunderstanding Paul and Christian Morality

• Highlighting Sarah Rudin’s historical research, Stonestreet contradicts the view of Paul as anti-women:
  • Quote: "'It's profoundly ignorant to think of the Apostle Paul as a dour proto Puritan... On the contrary, Paul's teachings on sexual purity and marriage were adopted as liberating in the pornographic, sexually exploitive Greco-Roman culture of the time.’" (Sarah Rudin, [02:46])
• Christianity’s views on sexuality were "as different from anything before or since as the command to turn the other cheek."

5. The West’s Moral Foundations and Modern Dilemmas

• Western outcry against abuse (e.g., Epstein) is only possible because of Judeo-Christian values.
• Citing Paul Anleitner’s post:
  • Quote: "We only find [Epstein’s crimes] morally reprehensible because of Christianity. Before the spread of Christianity, so-called civilized Greek and Roman elites openly flaunted underage sex slaves. This was normal." ([04:02])

6. Contemporary Christian Complicity and Hypocrisy

• Stonestreet laments that many Christians abandon Christian sexual morality, mistaking it for tolerance or love.
• He warns against churches and institutions covering up abuse, which betrays victims and undermines truth.
• Quote: "It's cruel, it's not loving to withhold the truth from broken people in a confused culture." ([04:40])

7. A Call to Confession, Justice, and Moral Courage

• Instead of complacency, Christians must confess hypocrisy and repent.
  • Quote: "The correct response to our failure to live up to the biblical vision...is to confess our own hypocrisy. It's to repent of our own sins." ([05:08])
• Stonestreet urges prayer that hidden evil will be exposed and that justice be done.
• References a post by Paul DeHart:
  • Quote: "Thank God that pagan morality was overthrown. Because if it had not been, then there would be no movement to reveal this evil, no movement to punish the evildoers, and no movement to offer the victims justice." ([05:57])

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• "An incredible number of victims were trafficked and abused, an incredible number of evildoers were involved, and a bunch of powerful people worked to keep it all hidden." – John Stonestreet ([01:12])
• "Christianity in fact worked a cultural revolution, restraining and channeling the male eros, elevating the status of both women, of the human body, and infusing marriage and marital sexuality with love." – John Stonestreet [03:16, referencing Sarah Rudin]
• "If you undercut the moral foundations of Christianity from the West, culture reverts back to pagan norms." – John Stonestreet, quoting Paul Anleitner ([04:27])
• "No matter who's implicated...we should pray that, as Jesus said, there's nothing hidden that will not be made manifest." – John Stonestreet ([05:18])

Important Timestamps

• 00:01–01:25: Introduction; Prager’s thesis on pagan sexual depravity and links to Epstein
• 01:25–02:40: Christianity’s transformative moral vision; Prager and Rudin on social revolution
• 02:40–03:50: Misinterpretations of Paul; historical impact on women’s status
• 04:02–04:30: Paul Anleitner’s summary of why we condemn abuses today
• 04:30–05:08: Christian abandonment of Christian sexual ethics; cost of compromise
• 05:08–05:57: Repentance, confession, and prayer for justice
• 05:57–06:15: Concluding gratitude for Christian morality’s victory over paganism

Tone & Style

• Thoughtful, earnest, and occasionally prophetic
• Cites scholarly research and contemporary commentary (Prager, Nussbaum, Rudin, Anleitner, DeHart)
• Maintains a sober outlook, calling for accountability and restoration

Summary Takeaways

This episode draws haunting parallels between ancient sexual exploitation and present-day scandals like Epstein’s, underscoring that only Christian moral revolution made such abuses condemnable by society. Stonestreet urges both honest reckoning within the Church and persistence in Christian conviction, reminding listeners that the struggle for justice and dignity stems directly from the Christian worldview.