Podcast Summary: The Briefing with Albert Mohler
Episode: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Host: R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
Overview
In this episode, Albert Mohler delivers a cultural analysis from a Christian perspective, focusing on the progression of moral change in society—particularly the normalization of polyamory and non-traditional relationship structures as evidenced by recent articles in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. He also reflects on the life and legacy of the Reverend Jesse Jackson in light of his recent passing.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Patterns of Moral Change in Society
[00:04–06:25]
- Mohler outlines a four-step pattern describing how society's moral perspectives shift:
- Condemnation: A behavior is initially considered morally wrong.
- Erosion: Societal consensus weakens—some cease to condemn.
- Celebration: The behavior is openly celebrated by some.
- Enforcement: Celebration becomes expected; dissenters are marginalized.
"Those who will not celebrate it are the people who get into trouble." — Mohler [01:47]
- He ties this pattern to issues such as divorce, adultery, extramarital sex, and, most recently, the expanding LGBTQIA+ movement.
2. Case Study: Polyamory in the New York Times
[06:26–26:50]
- A NYT article, “Love Without Limits: Brazil Flirts with Polyamory,” spotlights cultural shifts in family structures within Brazil, a traditionally conservative country.
- Mohler highlights how moral revolutions are facilitated through media, which often employs the rhetoric of personal choice and alternative forms of family.
"It's a family. These are the people I chose, and they are the people I love." — Quoting article subject [08:03]
- Mohler challenges the idea that family is grounded in individual choice, emphasizing biblical foundations in kinship and creation order.
- The article describes individuals redefining love, marriage, and parenthood—indicative, Mohler argues, of the impact of modernity.
"If the statement makes sense to you that there are now different forms of love, marriage, and parenthood, it is because you are so deeply influenced by modernity…" — Mohler [13:25]
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He notes the backlash from religious communities, including Catholic and evangelical leaders, as well as ongoing legal disputes around the recognition of polyamorous unions.
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Notably, the NYT brings in the language of "deconstruction," as one woman explains her move towards polyamory involved questioning and shedding “concepts of sin, of spirituality.”
"In order to get to her polyamorous lifestyle, she had to deconstruct the biblical concept of sin. And that's exactly what's necessary…" — Mohler [19:48]
- Mohler is skeptical of claims that polyamory “is not just about sex,” cautioning against attempts to normalize or intellectualize such behavior.
3. Case Study: Throuples in the Wall Street Journal
[26:51–38:40]
- The WSJ published what appears to be a standard real estate piece, but its focus is on a "throuple"—three men navigating shared homeownership and relationship dynamics.
- Mohler highlights the linguistic innovation (“throuple,” “polycule”) and commercialization of non-traditional arrangements, noting the designer beds and custom-built spaces for such groups.
"A New York-based furniture designer…created a sculptural bed called 'hug,' designed to comfortably accommodate up to three partners." — Quoting article [35:30]
- He is critical of the article’s attempt to justify polyamorous living as an economic necessity—calling it a misdirection, since the article's examples involve affluent professionals.
- Mohler warns that repeated exposure to such stories, even in non-obvious contexts like real estate journalism, erodes traditional moral instincts and normalizes non-traditional lifestyles.
"What it does is break down a moral instinct. What it does is break down a capacity for moral judgment." — Mohler [36:25]
- He urges Christians to remain vigilant, reaffirming that biblical moral instincts must be protected and taught, as they are rooted in scripture and creation.
"We need to speak about it and remind ourselves, this is just as unbeautiful, just as unattractive, just as unrighteous as our first instinct is to see it to be." — Mohler [37:35]
4. Reflection on Jesse Jackson’s Life and Legacy
[38:41–48:55]
- Mohler reports on the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, discussing his formative role in the Civil Rights Movement and as a national political figure.
- He traces Jackson’s journey—his activism, theology, shifts in views (notably on abortion), and controversial status.
"He lived a very large life. He was an activist. He was in many ways a poet with his words, and he knew it." — Mohler [40:12]
- Mohler recalls personal encounters with Jackson, drawing lessons from his media savvy and thoughts on influencing public conversation.
"When Larry King asked you a question, [Jackson] said, you answer it and stop. He said, no, the way you have to do this is you answer Larry's question and then you keep talking until he cuts you off…that advice was actually pretty helpful." — Mohler [43:45]
- Despite significant differences, Mohler asserts Jackson's historical significance and the complexity of his character, observing the impact of his passing as another reminder of human finitude.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the mechanism of cultural change:
"When you look at something such as the LGBTQ revolution, you realize most of this would have been inconceivable just a short amount of time ago." — Mohler [00:34]
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On personal choice in families:
"The biblical understanding of family is not, first of all, grounded in choice at all. It's grounded in kinship." — Mohler [09:22]
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On the normalization process through media:
"These are major tools if you're driving a moral revolution. You say: This is and isn't just like the thing that already is." — Mohler [11:40]
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On the collapse of traditional sexual ethics:
"In order to get to her polyamorous lifestyle, she had to deconstruct the biblical concept of sin." — Mohler [19:48]
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On the impact of repeated cultural messaging:
"Next thing you know, it looks more and more normal." — Mohler [36:50]
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On Jesse Jackson’s public persona:
"He was a central part of the civil rights movement...He was also a divisive figure. He was a controversial figure. He intended to be all of those things." — Mohler [39:45]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [00:04–06:25] — Four-step process of moral change.
- [06:26–14:55] — Analysis of New York Times article on polyamory in Brazil.
- [14:56–26:50] — Modern notions of family; the religious and societal response.
- [26:51–38:40] — Wall Street Journal article on throuples; normalization through real estate and design.
- [38:41–48:55] — Life and legacy of Jesse Jackson, with personal anecdotes.
Conclusion
Albert Mohler uses contemporary journalism as evidence of seismic shifts in cultural morality, warning Christians of the subtle but persistent normalization of non-biblical lifestyles. He urges vigilance, rootedness in scripture, and intentional moral teaching, especially as sweeping changes in the definition of family and relationships saturate media narratives. The episode concludes with a nuanced reflection on the passing of Jesse Jackson, underscoring the complexity of public figures and the shared reality of mortality.