Summary of "The Briefing with Albert Mohler" – Friday, March 21, 2025

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Briefing with Albert Mohler
• Host: R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
• Description: Cultural Commentary from a Biblical Perspective
• Episode Date: March 21, 2025

1. Texas Arrests Highlight the Ongoing Battle Over Abortion Laws

Albert Mohler opens the episode by addressing the recent arrests in Texas related to illegal abortion practices. He contextualizes these events within the broader pro-life movement and the legal shifts following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision in 2022, which overturned Roe v. Wade.

Albert Mohler [02:30]: "When you have states moving towards what we would see as more consistent pro-life, eventually someone's gonna get arrested for performing an abortion."

Key Points:

• Supreme Court Influence: The Dobbs decision has empowered states like Texas to implement stricter abortion laws.
• Recent Arrests: Two clinic employees in the Houston area were arrested for allegedly performing illegal abortions, marking the first criminal arrests since the Dobbs decision.
  • Sources Cited:
    • Texas Tribune: "2 Houston Area Clinic employees arrested for allegedly providing illegal abortions."
    • NBC News: "Texas Midwife arrested and charged with performing illegal abortions."
    • New York Times: "Texas arrest midwife and associate on charges of providing abortions."
• Legal Implications: Mohler emphasizes the importance of upholding pro-life laws to prevent mainstream media backlash and to sustain the pro-life cause.

Albert Mohler [05:15]: "If we're going to recognize the imperative of defending the unborn, that means that we're going to have to take responsibility in a grown-up way and say that that will require criminal sanctions and actual arrests and actual prosecutions if people violate that law."

2. The Moral Imperative of Enforcing Pro-Life Legislation

Mohler delves into the ethical responsibilities tied to defending unborn life, arguing that true commitment to the pro-life cause necessitates the enforcement of laws against abortion.

Albert Mohler [09:00]: "We either believe or we don't believe that an unborn human life is a human life. If we do believe that, and I believe biblically we must believe that, then you have to grow up and take responsibility for the fact that that means that if someone is an agent of abortion, they're conducting a criminal act."

Key Points:

• Consistency in Pro-Life Advocacy: Avoiding enforcement undermines the movement's credibility.
• Challenges Ahead: Anticipates intense media scrutiny and public debate following these arrests.
• Role of the Legal System: Highlights the necessity of legal consequences to uphold moral and civil order.

3. Listener Questions and Mohler's Biblical Responses

Mohler transitions to addressing questions from listeners, providing thoughtful, Biblically grounded answers on various topics.

a. Adoption and the Command to "Be Fruitful and Multiply"

Question: Do married couples who adopt fulfill the command to be fruitful and multiply?
Timestamp: [15:45]

Mohler's Response:

• Affirmation of Adoption's Value: Agrees that adoption honors the biblical mandate by providing for children and supporting civilization.

Albert Mohler [16:10]: "I believe that a Christian couple, a married couple adopting a child is indeed helping the entire civilization to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth."

• Flexibility in Family Planning: Emphasizes that while adoption is commendable, couples may discern their path based on unique circumstances.

b. Family Size and Mission Field Challenges

Question: Is there a limit to the number of children a family should have given their circumstances, especially in mission work?
Timestamp: [19:20]

Mohler's Response:

• Biblical Command Reiterated: While encouraging large families, he acknowledges personal discernment in family size.

Albert Mohler [19:50]: "I don't think there is a biblical warrant to burden your conscience one way or the other here."

• Respect for Individual Decisions: Recognizes that each couple may arrive at different conclusions based on their specific context.

c. Explaining the Trinity to a Child

Question: Was Jesus still in heaven when He was on earth during His ministry?
Timestamp: [23:30]

Mohler's Response:

• Clarification of Christ's Incarnation: Affirms that Jesus was not in heaven during His earthly ministry but returned post-resurrection.

Albert Mohler [24:10]: "The specific question is whether or not Jesus was still in heaven when he was on earth during his earthly ministry. And the answer to that is no."

• Emphasis on the Mystery of the Trinity: Acknowledges the complexity and divine mystery inherent in understanding the Trinity fully.

d. The Doctrine of the Trinity and Theological Speculation

Question: Given that the Bible doesn't explicitly say God is triune, how do we know He is? Could there be more persons in the Trinity revealed later?
Timestamp: [27:50]

Mohler's Response:

• Scriptural Foundation: Asserts that the Trinity is clearly and repeatedly revealed in Scripture.

Albert Mohler [28:15]: "The scripture tells us that we have all that we need to know in the inerrant and fallible Word of God and that it is our singular authority."

• Avoidance of Speculation: Encourages adherence to Biblical authority over theological conjecture.

e. God’s Protection and Real-World Suffering

Question: How to reassure a child that God protects us when bad things like break-ins occur?
Timestamp: [31:40]

Mohler's Response:

• Balancing Assurance with Reality: Supports trusting God while acknowledging the presence of evil and suffering in the world.

Albert Mohler [32:05]: "Words of assurance that you're trusting the Lord to keep you safe is a very sweet and honest word of affirmation and encouragement."

f. Demons, Angels, and the Knowledge of Human Thoughts

Question: Can demons or angels hear or know what I'm thinking?
Timestamp: [34:10]

Mohler's Response:

• Avoiding Theological Speculation: Maintains that beyond what Scripture reveals, further assumptions are unnecessary.

Albert Mohler [34:25]: "Let's avoid speculation, but let's know whether or not demons can read our minds. I think there's no evidence that they can."

• God’s Omniscience Highlighted: Emphasizes that God Himself knows our thoughts perfectly.

g. Understanding the Role and Appointment of the Chief Justice

Question: How is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court chosen, and can another justice become Chief while Roberts serves? What authority does the Chief Justice hold?
Timestamp: [37:00]

Mohler's Response:

• Historical Context Provided: Explains the unusual circumstances leading to John G. Roberts, Jr.'s appointment as Chief Justice.

Albert Mohler [37:35]: "John G. Roberts, Jr. was confirmed by the Senate and in just a matter of a very short time, assume role as the Chief justice of the United States."

• Clarification of Roles: Differentiates between the Chief Justice of the United States and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, underscoring the supervisory authority over the federal court system.

Albert Mohler [38:10]: "The Chief justice actually has a supervisory role over the entire federal court system."

• Significance of the Position: Highlights the impact of the Chief Justice on the judiciary and historical nomenclature of Supreme Court eras.

4. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Albert Mohler wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to submit their questions and engage with the content through various platforms.

Albert Mohler [41:50]: "Always fascinated with the questions you send. You can send yours just by writing me@mailbertmuller.com and thanks, as always, for listening to the Briefing."

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: albertmuller.com
• Twitter/X: @AlbertMuller
• Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: spts.edu
• Boyce College: boycecollege.com

Key Takeaways:

• The pro-life movement must consistently enforce laws against abortion to maintain societal credibility and uphold biblical principles.
• Adoption is affirmed as a meaningful fulfillment of the biblical mandate to "be fruitful and multiply."
• Complex theological questions, such as the nature of the Trinity or the knowledge scope of angels and demons, should be addressed with humility and reliance on Scripture.
• Understanding the roles within the judiciary, exemplified by the Chief Justice's appointment and authority, is crucial for informed civic engagement.

This episode provides a comprehensive look at pressing cultural and theological issues from a Christian worldview, emphasizing the importance of Biblical principles in navigating contemporary challenges.