The Briefing with Albert Mohler, Jr.
Episode Date: Friday, December 12, 2025
Theme: Cultural Commentary from a Biblical Perspective
Overview
In this episode, Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. offers his analysis of recent cultural and political developments from a Christian worldview. Major topics include the LA City Council’s controversial move to ban certain slurs during meetings (raising complex free speech questions), anticipation of political maneuvering heading into the 2026 and 2028 elections, and several listener questions on sensitive ethical and theological issues—including egg donation to same-sex couples, church contention sparked by disputes about Catholicism, and a nuanced exchange with a gay listener objecting to Mohler’s framing of homosexuality in previous episodes.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. LA City Council Bans Offensive Language: Free Speech and Moral Order
[00:04–09:50]
- Summary: The Los Angeles City Council recently banned specific offensive slurs during council meetings following incidents where children in attendance were exposed to such language.
- Tension highlighted:
- The ban is criticized by free speech advocates as a potential First Amendment violation.
- USA Today coverage notes the debate over whether restricting offensive language impedes the right to be heard or protects others’ rights to participate in government.
- Mohler’s analysis:
- He underscores the need for boundaries on free speech, referencing the classic Supreme Court limit: “Free speech…does not extend to yelling fire in a crowded theater.”
- He decries the cultural moment as indicative of broader societal unraveling, lamenting the extension of personal autonomy to the license to use any language in official, public forums.
- Quote:
“It just shows you that as a society we are losing our moral marbles. We're losing any form of sense.” [08:39]
- He affirms different contexts require different rules (e.g., kindergarten vs. college classrooms), arguing that while constitutional protections are broad, certain standards of order and decency matter in civic life.
- Predictive note:
- Mohler believes such controversies stemming from LA will soon appear in broader national debates.
2. Political Watch: The Upcoming 2026 Midterms and 2028 Presidential Race
[09:51–14:44]
- Summary: With 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election on the horizon, political jockeying is heating up—especially within the Democratic party.
- Key points:
- Prominent discussion surrounds former Vice President Kamala Harris potentially running for president in 2028, drawing on her current visibility and book sales.
- The New York Times recently commented on an emerging pattern: Democratic governors (Gretchen Whitmer, Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, Josh Shapiro) are maneuvering for national office.
- Mohler’s analysis:
- Governors are seen as “natural cultivating places” for presidential nominees in both parties, due to executive leadership experience.
- He notes the historical rarity of senators succeeding in direct presidential bids (exceptions being JFK, Obama).
- Quote:
“The only way they can get to the Democratic presidential nomination is knocking all the rest of them out of the race…watch what's going on, especially after the first of the year.” [13:44]
- Mohler predicts a rapid acceleration of visible campaign activity as 2026 approaches.
3. Listener Questions and Biblical Ethical Reflections
[14:45–52:20]
a. Is Donating My Eggs to a Gay Couple a Sin?
[15:15–17:30]
- Question: Submitted by Alyssa: “Is donating my eggs to a gay couple a sin?”
- Mohler’s response:
- He answers unequivocally: Yes, arguing that it facilitates something “contrary to God’s plan” for family and procreation.
- Clarifies the biblical context for having children: husband and wife in a monogamous, faithful marriage.
- Points out how, even with adoption honored by Christians as redemptive, the purposeful creation of a child for a same-sex couple is, in his view, beyond Scriptural acceptance.
- Quote:
“Virtually every word in that sequence cries out wrong, which cries out sin.” [17:25]
b. Contentiousness Around Catholicism in the Church
[17:31–23:18]
- Situation: A listener reports a young man, formerly Evangelical, zealously advocating for Catholicism and causing heated arguments in his former church, insisting only Catholic practice ensures true salvation.
- Mohler’s focus:
- He highlights contentiousness and divisiveness as central issues—over and above theological disputes about Catholicism.
- Cites 1 Corinthians 11:16 and Paul’s assertion that “...the churches of God have no such practice” (of being contentious).
- Urges that such behavior not be tolerated within church fellowship, possibly requiring direct confrontation or even discipline.
- Quote:
“This should not be a matter tolerated within the fellowship of a church. Someone who is contentious in this way…We do not do these things, nor do the churches of God.” [21:45]
- Acknowledges that deeper issues around understanding the gospel, justification, and worship are at play, but sees fractiousness as the most urgent pastoral concern.
c. Respectful Dialogue on Homosexuality
[23:19–52:20]
- Summary:
- Mohler responds to an email from a listener who identifies as gay, disagrees with Mohler labeling homosexuality as a “struggle,” and asserts such rhetoric is “dangerous” and contributes to suffering and self-harm.
- The listener questions:
- Framing homosexuality as a struggle.
- The feasibility (or scientific validity) of “change.”
- Mohler’s alleged harm vs. personal autonomy and well-being.
- Mohler’s answer is careful and multi-layered:
- He acknowledges the “serious argument” made by the listener and expresses appreciation for the respectful tone.
- Firmly stands on biblical authority, stating Scripture is “incredibly clear” in both testaments regarding homosexual behavior.
- Insists he uses the term “struggling” because many Christian listeners do experience inner conflict between faith and desires.
- He reiterates:
- Christian sexual ethics are not determined by subjective feeling but by God’s design as revealed in Scripture—marriage between male and female.
- He stresses his intent is not harm, but to point to the “good news of the Gospel.”
- He distinguishes his position from mere opinion or prejudice, rooting it in his theological convictions and doctrine of creation.
- Mohler pushes back on the idea that homosexuality is harmless by scriptural standards, asserting the “harm” includes “eternal, infinite harm.”
- Memorable Segment:
- Responding directly to the message, Mohler reads the line:
“If the gentleman you spoke about is listening…what I would tell him is, go find a man who loves you and enjoy your life.” [approximately 34:10]
- Mohler responds:
“That is the last thing. … the last thing the Scripture says to anyone is, give yourself to your sin. Instead, what we're called to do is to fight sin and to resist sin and to obey Christ…” [35:36]
- Responding directly to the message, Mohler reads the line:
- He closes by contending the gravity of sexual ethics issues comes down to the nature and character of God:
“When we talk about setting up an equation where if God doesn't meet our expectation he isn’t willing, worthy or deserving of worship, then we have turned ourselves into the One who determines who God must be. And that is the one thing no human being has any power or license to do.” [47:20]
- Ends on a pastoral note, emphasizing the primacy of salvation over argument:
“The biggest issue for me is not winning an argument, but hoping that you will come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that your sins will be forgiven.” [51:25]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On free speech and public order:
“Free speech…does not extend to yelling fire in a crowded theater.” [05:40, paraphrasing Supreme Court precedent]
-
On the LA City Council’s dilemma:
“Some people say that facilitates political debate. Well, here's what we need to understand. It actually shuts down political debate.” [07:55]
-
On contentiousness in the church:
“If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.” [1 Corinthians 11:16 quoted at 19:00]
-
On responding to disagreement regarding sexuality:
“My biggest concern is not to add to someone's suffering, but as best I know how, based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to point the way out of that suffering.” [39:28]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- LA City Council language ban / free speech debate: [00:04–09:50]
- 2026–2028 US political landscape analysis: [09:51–14:44]
- Listener question: Egg donation and same-sex couples: [15:15–17:30]
- Listener question: Catholic convert causing church contention: [17:31–23:18]
- Response to gay listener on ‘struggle’ and the church’s sexual ethic: [23:19–52:20]
Tone and Style
Dr. Mohler maintains a formal yet pastoral tone throughout, blending cultural critique and biblical exposition. He is direct—sometimes blunt—on moral and doctrinal questions, especially regarding sexuality, but aims to show personal respect to interlocutors. His rhetoric is earnest, sometimes somber, with a sense of urgency and concern for the church and nation’s trajectory.
Summary for New Listeners
This episode is a representative sample of Mohler’s engaged, unapologetically evangelical approach to news and social issues. He analyzes headline controversies through a Scripture-centric moral framework, offers concise (sometimes hard-line) answers on applied ethics, and models civil but unyielding dialogue with listeners who passionately disagree with his conclusions. The episode will be valuable for those seeking to understand current events as interpreted through Mohler’s conservative Christian worldview.