The Briefing with Albert Mohler - Episode Summary Date: Wednesday, April 9, 2025

1. Resurrection of Extinct Species: The Dire Wolf Controversy

Albert Mohler opens the episode with a fascinating report from Time magazine about the resurrection of the dire wolf, a species extinct for approximately 10,000 years. He discusses the groundbreaking efforts of Colossal Biosciences, a company aiming to bring back extinct animals through genetic engineering.

• Time Magazine Report Highlights:

  • Revival of Dire Wolves: Time features the birth of three dire wolf pups, named Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi, who are the first of their kind to exist in over 10,000 years. The company claims to have used ancient DNA to engineer these wolves by modifying the genome of existing gray wolves and using domestic dogs as surrogate mothers ([00:02:30]).
  • Expansion Plans: Colossal Biosciences isn't stopping at dire wolves. Their "de-extinction" agenda includes the woolly mammoth, the dodo, and the thylacine (Tasmanian tiger), with the creation of a woolly mouse earlier in the year as a precursor ([00:07:15]).

• Scientific and Ethical Concerns:

  • Authenticity Questions: Critics argue that these wolves are not true dire wolves but genetically engineered replicas lacking the complete genetic makeup of the extinct species. Nick Rawlitz from the University of Otago states, “the pups are not dire wolves, but gray wolves that have had part of their genome changed to look like dire wolves” ([00:18:45]).
  • Ecological Impact: The introduction of these creatures raises significant ecological questions. Stephen Latham from Yale University warns, “a single woolly mammoth is not a woolly mammoth herd” and emphasizes the impossibility of recreating the complex social structures of extinct species ([00:15:30]).
  • Moral and Theological Implications: Mohler critiques the human hubris involved in tampering with nature, arguing from a Christian perspective that such actions overstep the intended dominion humanity has over creation as outlined in Genesis. He states, “We are not given the power to bring species into existence. We are not given the power to tamper with nature in this sense” ([00:22:10]).

• Commercial Motivations: The project is driven by significant financial investments, with billions of dollars at stake, suggesting strong commercial motivations behind the scientific ambition. Mohler highlights, “This is a commercial story. Time magazine wants you to know this is big business” ([00:10:50]).

2. Political Commentary: Congressman Jared Huffman’s Protest

The episode shifts to a political analysis of a recent event involving California Congressman Jared Huffman and his protest against the National Prayer Breakfast.

• Huffman's Protest: Huffman released a one-and-a-half-minute video on social media where he announced his intention to protest the National Prayer Breakfast, an event attended by every U.S. president since 1953. He showcased two pins: one reading "Build This Wall," symbolizing the separation of church and state, and another stating "Entering Gilead," referencing a theocratic dystopia ([00:25:30]).

• Critique by Con Carroll: Reporting from the Washington Examiner, Con Carroll criticizes Huffman’s stance, emphasizing the hypocrisy of condemning an event that has long been a tradition among presidents, regardless of their political affiliation. Carroll remarks, “If Clinton and Obama, who attended it, are your idea of sinking into a dystopic theocracy, you might want to have your head checked” ([00:27:05]).

• Mohler’s Analysis:

  • Secular Agenda: Mohler interprets Huffman’s actions as indicative of a broader secularist agenda within certain political factions, noting the hostility towards Christianity and attempts to redefine the separation of church and state ([00:28:45]).
  • Worldview Conflicts: He underscores the uneven distribution of worldviews across America, particularly highlighting the strong secular leanings in regions like California’s coastal districts. Mohler asserts, “As we abandon the Christian worldview, we move from disregarding it to disrespecting it to basically hating it” ([00:30:20]).

3. Upcoming Event Promotion: Choosing a Christian College

Towards the end of the episode, Mohler promotes an upcoming free live webinar titled "What Should I Look for in a College?" scheduled for Tuesday, April 15th at 5:30 PM Eastern Time. The webinar aims to assist Christian students and their parents in navigating higher education, addressing spiritual challenges on campuses, and understanding what constitutes a genuinely Christian education ([00:35:00]).

Notable Quotes:

• Albert Mohler on De-Extinction:

  “This is like a 1960s or 70s science fiction movie, only this isn't science fiction” ([00:12:10]).

• Nick Rawlitz on Dire Wolves:

  “The pups are not dire wolves, but gray wolves that have had part of their genome changed to look like dire wolves” ([00:18:45]).

• Stephen Latham on Woolly Mammoths:

  “A single woolly mammoth is not a woolly mammoth herd” ([00:15:30]).

• Jared Huffman’s Statement:

  “I'm not going to attend the event, but to protest it” ([00:26:00]).

Conclusion

In this episode, Albert Mohler critically examines the ambitious and ethically complex endeavor of resurrecting extinct species through genetic engineering, highlighting both scientific skepticism and theological concerns. He also delves into the political landscape, analyzing Congressman Huffman’s protest as a reflection of ongoing secular-Christian tensions in American society. The episode underscores the importance of maintaining a Christian worldview in the face of advancing scientific capabilities and shifting political ideologies.

For more insights and discussions, listeners are encouraged to visit Albert Mohler’s website and follow him on Twitter/X.