The Briefing with Albert Mohler: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Overview:

In this episode, Albert Mohler examines two major recent events at the intersection of culture, law, and Christian conviction. First, he analyzes a Supreme Court case addressing whether licensed Christian counselors in Colorado can offer biblically-based counseling to minors regarding same-sex attraction under state bans on “conversion therapy.” He then turns to the sentencing of the would-be assassin of Justice Brett Kavanaugh and the judicial endorsement of transgender identity as a factor in sentencing. Mohler reflects on the profound worldview clashes involved, especially regarding religious liberty, free speech, institutional “capture,” and the normalization of transgender ideology in public life.

Supreme Court and “Conversion Therapy” Bans (00:50–28:00)

Main Issue:

• Case Focus: Whether a Christian counselor in Colorado, Kaylie Chiles, can operate according to Christian convictions with minors struggling with same-sex attraction, in light of a state ban on "conversion therapy."
• Wider Impact: Similar bans exist in about half of US states.

Key Discussion Points:

• Worldview Clash:
  • Mohler argues the dispute is fundamentally about competing worldviews:

    “Christians understand it is also often a clash of worldviews.” (00:16)

• Scope of “Conversion Therapy”:
  • It is a broad, sometimes ill-defined label:

    “It covers a wide waterfront of issues, some of which I think most Christians would say are absolutely biblical and some... fundamentally wrong.” (04:07)

  • Biblical counseling is lumped together with discredited or harmful practices.
• Colorado Law:
  • Outlaws any talk suggesting same-sex attraction is disordered.
  • Mohler warns this prohibits Christians from “speak[ing] truth in love” as counselors.
• Freedom of Speech vs. Medical Regulation:
  • Conservative justices view this as a free speech issue.

    “Justice Samuel Alito said it's a straightforward free speech issue.” (17:57)

  • Colorado frames it as a matter of regulating medical practice.
  • Notably, even Justice Elena Kagan was skeptical of state “orthodoxy” on such issues:

    “Justice Kagan, in particular, said that the state of Colorado does not have the right to choose a view on an issue or that it declares to be state orthodoxy.” (19:39)

• Religious Liberty at Stake:
  • The essential issue, Mohler contends, is the ability of Christians to live out and speak their faith.
  • He warns of Christians being “pressed out” of professional life:

    “There are entire areas of professional life where I think it's very likely that Christians are going to be pressed out.” (25:30)

• Institutional Capture:
  • Professional organizations now define “appropriate” care in ways contrary to Christian moral teaching.
  • Example: “The AMA, that's the American Medical Association, and also the largest association of pediatricians... take positions that are not medical, they are moral and fully in support of the LGBTQ revolution.” (27:00)
• Implications Beyond Colorado:
  • Precedent could affect freedom nationally.

Notable Quote:

• “It's a reminder that previous generations of Christians didn't even see this coming, folks. This wasn't even seen until lately when... those who are trying to lead a moral revolution in this country would further their aims is by seeking to criminalize even speech that is contrary to where they want the country to go.” (29:13)

Supreme Court Security & the Kavanaugh Assassination Attempt (28:01–52:36)

Main Issue:

• Nicholas Roske (now identifying as “Sophie”) was sentenced for the assassination attempt on Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
• Sentencing was reduced, in part, due to issues regarding Roske’s transgender identity and prison placement.

Key Discussion Points:

• Judicial Endorsement of Transgender Identity:
  • Judge Deborah L. Boardman gave a lighter sentence to Roske partly due to concerns about placing a “trans woman” in a male prison.
  • Mohler points to the judge’s comments:

    “I am heartened that this terrible infraction has helped the Roske family accept their daughter for who she is.” (41:53, quoting Judge Boardman)

  • Mohler calls this “editorializing...moral broadcasting” from the bench.
• Consequences of Transgender Ideology in Law:
  • Questions if this sets a precedent for differential treatment in criminal sentencing.
  • Cites Matthew Hennessy in The Wall Street Journal observing possible links between “mental illness, radical trans ideology, and the recent upsurge in political violence.” (45:15)
• Executive Influence:
  • Trump-era policies—defining only two genders and mandating biological-male placement for male inmates—had concrete impacts in this case.

    “...signals from the White House, policies from the White House, who is sitting in the White House... have everything to do with public policy.” (48:45)

  • Mohler expresses gratitude for such clarity:

    “Thanks be to God, there it was.” (50:08)

  • Warns that without such definitions, women’s spaces and prisons would be at greater risk.
• Cultural Shifts and Signs of “Sanity”:
  • Notes mild pushback in the mainstream media on putting males in female spaces.

    “Every time just a little bit of sanity comes back, it might not stay back for long. Let's press the argument courageously while there is an opening to do so.” (52:19)

Closing Reflections & Call to Prayer (52:36–End)

Key Points:

• Vigilance and Prayer:
  • Christians are commanded to pray for those in authority, particularly in these dangerous and clarifying times.
  • Mohler comments on a foiled plot to bomb a Catholic church hosting the annual “Red Mass” for the judiciary, emphasizing the atmosphere of threat.
• Ultimate Reminder:
  • Times are perilous but also clarifying for Christians.
  • Freedoms and rights ultimately come from God, not government.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• “Christians understand it is also often a clash of worldviews.” (00:16, Mohler)
• “What the state of Colorado is calling conversion therapy would actually just also include biblical counseling.” (09:26, Mohler)
• “Justice Kagan, in particular, said that the state of Colorado does not have the right to choose a view on an issue or that it declares to be state orthodoxy.” (19:39, Mohler)
• “There are entire areas of professional life where I think it's very likely that Christians are going to be pressed out.” (25:30, Mohler)
• “If you can define talk as medical treatment... you could shut down an entire avenue of speech.” (32:59, Mohler)
• “Judge Boardman, saying in court, saying this right out loud, ‘I am heartened that this terrible infraction has helped the Roske family accept their daughter for who she is.’” (41:53, quoting Judge Boardman)
• “Perhaps experts in psychiatry and criminology will begin exploring the obvious but poorly understood connections among mental illness, radical trans ideology, and the recent upsurge of political violence.” (45:15, quoting Matthew Hennessy)
• “[President Trump] made a very clear statement of the fact that his administration would recognize two and only two genders.” (48:45, Mohler)
• “Thanks be to God, there it was.” (50:08, Mohler, on public declaration of two genders)
• “Let's press the argument courageously while there is an opening to do so.” (52:19, Mohler)

Summary Takeaways

• The Supreme Court’s ruling on conversion therapy bans will have far-reaching consequences for free speech and religious liberty, affecting Christian counselors and professionals nationwide.
• There is increasing concern over the conflation of speech and “medical treatment” and the ability of the state to dictate permissible viewpoints.
• Institutions—including professional bodies and now some courts—are enshrining progressive orthodoxy regarding sexuality and gender, often to the exclusion and detriment of traditional Christian voices.
• Recent events underscore the necessity for Christians to engage the culture courageously while remaining committed to truth and prayer for those in positions of authority.