The Briefing with Albert Mohler: Thursday, February 12, 2026

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

Overview

In this episode, Albert Mohler delivers a sober analysis of two significant current events through a Christian worldview: the tragic mass shooting at a school in British Columbia, Canada, and the controversy surrounding the removal of the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in the United States. Throughout, Mohler examines the moral and cultural implications of these events, particularly focusing on how society discusses issues of gender, identity, tragedy, and pride, emphasizing a biblical interpretation of these unfolding stories.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Tragedy in British Columbia: The School Shooting

(00:04–26:56)

• Summary of Events (00:04):

  • Mohler recounts the worst mass shooting in Canadian history, centering on a school in British Columbia. Most victims were children; nine died, others were seriously wounded.
  • The shooter, who also killed family members before attacking the school, is described as an 18-year-old who “was a biological male who approximately six years ago began transition to female.”

• The Media's Role and the 'Code' in Reporting (04:50):

  • Mohler exposes how mainstream media use coded language when describing the shooter’s gender identity.

    • Quote:

      “Police said they believe the shooter was a woman with brown hair wearing a dress, but declined to give a name pending family notification.” (Wall Street Journal, 08:12)

  • He identifies subtle messaging:

    • Rather than directly stating the shooter was transgender, reports default to gendered descriptions based on appearance or self-identification, not biological sex.

• Direct Reporting vs. Coded Messaging (15:30):

  • Cites BBC coverage for being explicit:

    • Quote:

      “The suspect was named as Jesse Van Rootselaar, 18, born 'a biological male who approximately six years ago began transition to female.’” (BBC via Police Report, 16:22)

  • Mohler highlights double standards in how sex is consistently reported for victims but ambiguously for suspects.

• Cultural and Moral Reflection (18:30):

  • Notes an observable trend: several recent high-profile violent acts have had connections to gender confusion or transgender identity.
  • Criticizes the secular impulse to blame such tragedies on “a heterosexual dominated society marked by patriarchy and gender stereotypes,” urging Christians to pay close attention to narrative framing.

• Importance of Biological Reality (22:40):

  • Emphasizes that intelligible reporting is only possible when acknowledging biological sex as determinant.
    • Quote:

      “The only way the world makes sense is if male and female are determinative categories. That is the only way the world makes sense.” (22:55)

• Christian Response (26:20):

  • Calls for prayers for victims’ families and for moral and biological honesty in public discussion.
    • “Let's also pray for a society that can speak with moral honesty, even with biological honesty, and most importantly, that moral honesty about the true nature of what we're facing here.” (26:35)

2. The Stonewall Monument and the Pride Flag Debate

(26:56–51:45)

• News Summary (26:56):

  • The federal government ordered the removal of the Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument—a significant LGBTQ historic site.
  • Mohler frames this as a symbolic controversy about national identity, morality, and public symbolism.

• Symbolism of the Pride Flag (32:40):

  • Mohler acknowledges the pride flag’s significance for the LGBTQ community and society, but also its function as a symbol of rebellion against biblical sexual ethics.

• Discussion of Corporate and Cultural Pressures (35:30):

  • Describes how corporate America has adopted Pride symbolism, creating moral dilemmas and pressure for dissenters.

    • Quote:

      “Their supervisor tells them to fly the gay pride flag, to put the pride on their desk, and to indicate support for the movement. Otherwise, they're really not with the program.” (36:00)

  • Shares personal conversations with major corporate leaders regarding employee pushback against mandated endorsement of Pride messaging.

• Theological Critique of ‘Pride’ (39:15):

  • Explores the word “pride” itself, highlighting its negative status as a cardinal sin in biblical tradition.

    • Quote:

      “It's very interesting that that's the word that came so early to be associated with what's now the gay pride movement or the LGBTQ pride movement... That pride, biblically, is at the top of the list of the vices, not the virtues.” (39:20)

  • Roots the critique in Genesis 3 (the fall) and Augustine’s doctrine of pride as the root of all sin.

• Human Sinfulness and Christian Hope (45:35):

  • Mohler stresses that everyone is guilty of pride, not just those in the LGBTQ community.

    • Quote:

      “Every single one of us is guilty of the sin of pride. And it's also a trap, a trap of sin from which it's very difficult to escape. We can actually be proud of a moment in which we think we weren't proud.” (45:45)

  • Differentiates between asserting human dignity (rooted in being created by God) and pride that seeks to find honor in what God forbids.

• Biblical Worldview on the Issue (47:55):

  • Critiques public pride in sin as described by Paul in Romans 1 and as an echo of Genesis 3.
    • Quote:

      “When you actually go so far as to artistically create a flag to represent pride in a rebellion against creation order and clear defiance of the creative purpose of God and the clear teachings of God's word, it just becomes a parable unto itself that you want to fly a flag and call it pride.” (49:13)

• Final Reflections (50:55):

  • Ends with a call for humility and repentance, stating that all have sinned and all require the hope found in the gospel:
    • “Every one of us in our own way has sinned against God. That is not to say that everyone has committed a sin against creation order. It is to say all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Every single one of us has no hope but the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (51:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Media Coding and Gender:
  “Once you see the code, you can't unsee it. And I think probably once you hear it, you can't unhear it.” (15:01)

• On Cultural Definitions:
  “In a secular society that's losing its moral senses, you have to shift the issue from the question…to this trouble being forced on them by a heterosexual dominated society marked by patriarchy and gender stereotypes…” (18:50)

• On Human Sinfulness and the Christian Gospel:
  “Every time we see that flag, we need to be reminded not only of the moral crisis we face, but of the sin of pride and what it means. And just be humbled by the reality of the phenomenon of sin and the insidiousness of pride, lest we also fall.” (51:30)

Segment Timestamps

| MM:SS | Segment | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 00:04–26:56 | British Columbia School Shooting | | 04:50–16:30 | Media Reporting and Gender Language | | 22:40–26:56 | Biological Categories & Christian Response | | 26:56–35:30 | Stonewall Flag Controversy | | 35:30–39:15 | Corporate Pressure, Cultural Pride | | 39:15–47:55 | Theological Reflection on ‘Pride’ | | 47:55–51:45 | Final Reflections: Sin, Gospel, and the Pride Symbol |

Tone and Style

Mohler’s tone is grave, analytical, and pastorally concerned, focusing on the weight of moral decision-making, the clarity of biblical categories, and the challenge for Christians to respond faithfully to tragic and controversial events. He frequently references scripture, Christian tradition, and current journalism, urging listeners toward compassion, discernment, and humility.

Summary for Listeners

This episode offers a deeply Christian analysis of urgent cultural events—first, a tragic school shooting with notable complexities in how gender identity is discussed and reported; second, the disputes over public symbols like the pride flag—through scriptural and moral lenses. Mohler stresses the necessity of speaking and living truthfully about human identity, acknowledges the ubiquity of sin, and calls listeners to compassion, humility, and gospel hope in the face of widespread cultural confusion and tragedy.