The Briefing with Albert Mohler – April 14, 2025

Host: R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
Description: Cultural Commentary from a Biblical Perspective

Educational Decline in Post-COVID America

Albert Mohler opens the episode by addressing the significant decline in academic performance among American elementary, middle, and high school students post-COVID-19. He emphasizes that the deterioration in achievement scores was already a concern before the pandemic, and rather than recovering, the situation has worsened for many students.

[05:30] Albert Mohler: "The pandemic is not the only reason US students are losing ground... today the country's lowest scoring students are in a free fall."

Mohler references a New York Times headline to underscore that the educational crisis extends beyond the impact of COVID-19. He highlights a troubling trend where high-achieving students remain consistent, while those at the lower end are experiencing a steep decline, indicating that the pandemic was merely a catalyst rather than the root cause.

Family Structure and Educational Outcomes

Delving deeper, Mohler attributes much of the educational decline to family disruption. He argues that children from stable, two-parent households are less likely to fall behind academically compared to those from single-parent or disrupted families.

[15:45] Albert Mohler: "When you look at a child with two parents in the home, the likelihood of that student falling behind is remarkably lower than the general population."

Mohler contends that societal reluctance to acknowledge the importance of traditional family structures contributes to the erosion of educational standards. He insists that addressing family stability is crucial for reversing the negative trends in student performance.

Impact of Technology and Smartphone Proliferation

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the pervasive influence of smartphones among youth. Mohler presents alarming statistics, noting that:

[30:20] Albert Mohler: "Today, 90% of US adults and a similar share of teenagers own a smartphone... one in three nine-year-olds have a smartphone."

He argues that the omnipresence of smartphones is detrimental to students' concentration and academic performance, fostering a dependency that undermines traditional learning methods like reading. Mohler warns that this technological shift is creating a generation ill-prepared for future societal and employment challenges.

Political Influences on Education

Mohler examines the political dimensions affecting education, particularly the role of teacher unions and Democratic policies. Citing a report from The Economist, he highlights that learning loss has been more pronounced in Democrat-leaning states due to prolonged school closures influenced by teachers' unions.

[40:10] Albert Mohler: "Labor unions in these areas, teachers unions... were quick to shut down the schools and very slow to open them back up."

He criticizes Governor Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania for not fulfilling his campaign promise of implementing school choice, attributing this failure to the overpowering influence of teachers' unions within the Democratic Party. Mohler suggests that this political entanglement hampers effective educational reforms.

Wellness Culture and Its Societal Implications

Shifting focus, Mohler addresses the rise of wellness culture, particularly its infiltration into significant life events like weddings. He shares excerpts from a New York Times article showcasing how wellness practices—such as meditation, journaling, and the use of healing crystals—have become mainstream in wedding ceremonies.

[55:00] Albert Mohler: "Mindfulness is traced to new thought, new Age concepts that emerged in the United States in the 19th century as an alternative to Christianity."

Mohler critiques the commercialization and secularization of wellness trends, viewing them as counterpoints to Christian values. He underscores the cultural shift towards prioritizing self-care and mindfulness over traditional religious practices, which he believes contributes to the erosion of moral norms.

Upcoming Webinar on Christian Education

In the concluding segment, Mohler promotes an upcoming free live webinar titled "What Should I Look for in a College?" scheduled for April 15th at 5:30 PM Eastern Time. He invites Christian students and their parents to join the session, where topics will include:

• Navigating spiritual challenges on college campuses
• Seeking genuinely Christian education
• Preparing for a faith-filled life and mission

[70:15] Albert Mohler: "We'll talk honestly about the spiritual challenges in today's higher education on today's college campuses... every child deserves that privilege, that's not privilege, that should be the default."

Mohler emphasizes the importance of aligning educational choices with Christian values to foster personal and spiritual development.

Key Takeaways

1. Educational Decline Post-COVID: The pandemic exacerbated existing issues in the American education system, with significant declines in student performance, especially among the lowest achievers.

2. Family Structure Matters: Stable, two-parent households are pivotal in ensuring children’s academic success, highlighting societal and moral implications of family disruption.

3. Technological Impact: The widespread use of smartphones among youth is detrimental to concentration and learning, contributing to educational challenges.

4. Political Interference: Teacher unions and Democratic policies are implicated in prolonging school closures and resisting educational reforms like school choice.

5. Rise of Wellness Culture: The integration of wellness practices into societal norms and significant life events represents a shift away from Christian values, impacting moral standards.

6. Christian Education Advocacy: Mohler advocates for informed educational choices aligned with Christian beliefs to prepare youth for a faith-driven life.

For more insights and resources, visit Albert Mohler's Website or follow him on Twitter. Information about the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College can be found at spts.edu and boycecollege.com, respectively.