Summary of "The Briefing with Albert Mohler" – Friday, December 13, 2024

Podcast Information

• Title: The Briefing with Albert Mohler
• Host: R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
• Description: Cultural Commentary from a Biblical Perspective
• Episode Date: Friday, December 13, 2024
• Release Date: December 13, 2024

1. Introduction: The Secularization Debate

Albert Mohler opens the episode by addressing a prevalent question: "Do we live in an increasingly secularized society or not?" [00:04]. He acknowledges that while it may seem evident that society is becoming more secular, a deeper Christian perspective reveals a more nuanced reality.

2. Global Perspective on Secularization

Mohler explores the global landscape, emphasizing that a significant portion of the world's population remains strongly religious.

• Islamic Societies: "Much of the world outside the Christian world is an Islamic world. And that Islamic world is inherently not a secular world." [02:30]. He highlights that Islamic civilizations are deeply intertwined with religious beliefs and practices, making them less susceptible to secularization.

• Other Religious Traditions: He discusses how Confucianism, Hinduism, and Buddhism interact differently with secularism. While Confucianism and Buddhism can coexist with secular values to some extent, religions like Hinduism and Islam often stand in direct opposition to secular trends. "The headlines... in the Indian subcontinent and the surrounding area... Hinduism versus Islam and Islam versus Hinduism in terms of the allegiance of the people." [04:50].

• Secular Regions: In contrast, Mohler points out that regions such as Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand exhibit higher levels of secularization, especially among elites and in institutions like higher education and professional sectors. "In the Anglosphere and in the larger European context, yes, the elites have been secularized now for a very long time and the elites are by definition more influential." [06:15].

3. Case Study: The Haitian Massacre and Secular Media

To illustrate the persistence of theological themes even in ostensibly secular contexts, Mohler analyzes a recent New York Times headline: "Haitian Gang Leader Orders Massacre. Nearly 200 Left Dead in Capital." [07:45].

• Underlying Theological Motivations: He explains that the massacre was driven by a belief in witchcraft, specifically voodoo, which played a crucial role in the gang leader's decision to kill. "A gang leader... had become convinced they'd been told that witchcraft had caused the fatal illness of his son." [09:30].

• Media Representation of Theology: Mohler critiques the New York Times for addressing inherently theological issues within a secular framework. He notes, "If you don't worship the true and living God, you're going to worship something... There is only one God, but there are endless misapprehensions of him." [12:00].

• Implications for Secularism: This example underscores how theological beliefs can drive violent actions, challenging the notion that secularization is uniformly advancing. "It's not so much the case that voodoo is misunderstood in western culture. It is that a secularized section of western culture doesn't know what to do when it's dealing with something so inherently theological." [11:10].

4. Listener Questions: Engaging with Young Minds

Mohler transitions to addressing questions from young listeners, emphasizing his appreciation for their engagement and curiosity.

4.a. Question 1: Focus on Bad News vs. Good News and Proof of God

A 13-year-old listener asks:

1. "Why do most of your podcasts and some other podcasts related to yours talk more about the bad things that happen in the world? And why don't you normally talk about the good things that happen?"
2. "Is the Bible the only proof that God exists? And if that's the only evidence, then why does he not give us more?" [15:20].

Mohler's Response:

• Media's Preference for Negative News: "Most of the issues the world is throwing at us... turn out to be headlines that are mostly about something that, well, just to categorize them here, more bad things than good things." [16:45]. He explains that media outlets typically highlight conflicts and disasters rather than positive everyday occurrences.

• Hidden Virtues in Everyday Life: "What doesn't make the headlines is the fact that a husband and a wife are faithful to one another... None of it makes headlines when a person just goes to work and does his or her job and does it well and does it to the glory of God and comes home and has dinner." [18:10]. Mohler emphasizes the importance of valuing and living out unnoticed good deeds.

• Evidence of God Beyond the Bible: In response to the second question, Mohler clarifies that the Bible is not the sole evidence of God's existence. "The heavens are telling the glory of God... Creation itself is crying out the existence of the Creator. As human beings made in God's image, we have evidence for the existence of God in the structure of our own thinking." [21:05]. He assures listeners that the natural world and human cognition provide ample evidence of God.

4.b. Question 2: Understanding Matthew 24:36 and Jesus' Omniscience

A 13-year-old listener inquires about Matthew 24:36: "Concerning that day and hour, no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." Does this mean: A. Jesus is lying to the disciples and is omniscient, which would mean he can't be trusted? B. Jesus is not omniscient. Could that mean he's not qualified to be God?" [22:50].

Mohler's Response:

• Affirming Jesus' Divinity: "When you look at the scripture, we are told that Jesus is God. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." [23:30].

• Mystery of the Trinity: Mohler acknowledges the complexity and mystery inherent in Trinitarian theology. "Therefore, it is a mystery. We have to affirm everything the Scripture teaches, we have to deny everything that contradicts scriptural teaching." [25:00]. He advises believers to trust in the biblical revelation rather than seek to fill theological gaps with speculation.

4.c. Question 3: Navigating Career Choices and Vocation

A 14-year-old listener shares his dilemma: "In a theology class, I have to write a paper on how I will make my decision, like choosing college, career, ministry or Friends and how the Holy Spirit will affect that decision. I want to have a better answer than just saying I'll pray about it." [27:15].

Mohler's Response:

• Personal Testimony: Mohler shares his own journey of discerning his vocation, highlighting the importance of seeking God's guidance through prayer, community, and personal reflection. "I am eager to see how God is going to reveal to me what I should do with my life in terms of a job, where I should go, in terms of a school." [28:40].

• Flexibility in God's Plan: He notes that God's calling can evolve over time. "What I thought God would have me to do when I was 14 is not what I thought God would have me to do at 17, which is not what I ended up doing." [30:00].

• Encouragement to Remain Faithful: Mohler encourages the listener to remain faithful and open to God's direction, emphasizing that God's sovereignty ensures fulfillment of His purposes. "God is sovereign and He loves you and He will exercise His providence in your life in such a way that He will draw you to an interest, He will draw you to a profession, He will draw you to an area of academic interest." [32:10].

4.d. Question 4: Balancing Roles as a Young Pastor, Husband, and Father

A husband, father, youth and college pastor, and seminary student asks: "My role as a husband and father is my greatest joy... but I sometimes find myself tired, stressed, or on empty. I don't want to give my family the leftovers of a long day at work or study, nor do I want to cut corners as a pastor. What advice can you offer a young pastor about tackling a full schedule to the glory of God while also finding times to rest in Christ?" [34:25].

Mohler's Response:

• Acknowledging the Challenge: "There are certain times in life where just because of the circumstances of life, we find ourselves at times feeling like we are never everything we want to be in any single dimension of that life." [35:00].

• No Magic Formula: Mohler admits there is no one-size-fits-all solution but offers practical wisdom on managing responsibilities. "Over time, you're more faithful than day by day, you can be more faithful in a week than you are in a day." [36:20].

• Community and Partnership: He emphasizes the importance of partnership with one's spouse and support from the church community. "In partnership with your wife, you can figure out a lot of these things better than you can alone." [38:10].

• Embracing Imperfection and Continuous Growth: Mohler reassures that it's normal to struggle but encourages continuous effort toward faithfulness. "In no given day will you be absolutely faithful. Here’s the good news. Over time, you're more faithful than day by day." [39:50].

5. Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Resources

Mohler wraps up the episode by thanking his listeners and encouraging ongoing engagement.

• Encouragement for Young Leaders: "God gives children to young couples for a good reason. And the Holy Spirit uses all these things as a dimension of the Father's love for us in such a way that we are drawn to Him and drawn into faithfulness." [41:30].

• Contact Information: He provides resources for further engagement:

  • Website: albertmoller.com
  • Twitter/X: @AlbertMoler
  • Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: sbts.edu
  • Boyce College: boycecollege.com

“I'll meet you again on Monday for the briefing.” [43:00]

Key Takeaways:

• Global Secularization: While parts of the world are secularizing, many regions maintain strong religious identities, challenging the notion of a uniformly secular global trend.

• Interplay Between Theology and Society: Even in secular contexts, theological beliefs can significantly influence societal events, as seen in the Haitian massacre example.

• Value of Listening to Youth Questions: Mohler highlights the importance of addressing young listeners' concerns, offering thoughtful and biblically grounded responses.

• Balancing Multiple Roles: Effective time management, reliance on community support, and embracing gradual growth are essential for balancing responsibilities as a pastor, husband, and father.

This episode underscores the complexity of secularization, the enduring relevance of theology in global events, and the importance of nurturing faith among younger generations.