
Loading summary
Myrna Brown
Good morning. Reflecting on the unspeakable tragedy in Texas and what the IRS new policy means for pastors and politics.
Nick Eicher
John Stonestreet is standing by. Culture Fridays coming up.
John Stonestreet
Also today, it's a thing, it's a plane, it's Superman.
Nick Eicher
Colin Garberino reviews the latest Superman movie. And later, George Grant offers 2 cents worth on the humble Penn.
Myrna Brown
It's Friday, July 11th. This is the world and everything in it from listener supported World Radio. I'm Myrna Brown.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Eicher. Good morning.
Myrna Brown
Up next, Mark Mellinger with today's news.
Mark Mellinger
The White House is pushing back against an effort to unmask Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ice, agents. Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Alex Padilla have introduced a bill mandating ICE agents always wear visible ID but forbidding them from wearing masks. Booker says recent illegal immigrant roundups in which agents have worn masks have created confusion, stoked fear and undermined trust in law enforcement. President Trump blasted the bill with assaults on ICE agents up almost 700% recently, according to the Department of Homeland Security. He says agents need masks to protect themselves and their families. He calls supporters of the bill hypocritical.
George Grant
Sort of funny when people pick it in front of Columbia, in front of Harvard and they have masks on more than masks, but when a patriot who works for ICE or Border Patrol puts a mask on so that they won't recognize him and his family.
Mark Mellinger
Federal immigration agents have been increasingly targeted since last month when anti ICE rhetoric picked up as agents took criminal illegal immigrants into custody in Los Angeles. That led to riots in la. And protesters have since clashed with or assaulted ICE agents across several states. The Trump administration is applying pressure more aggressively than ever on Fed Chair Jerome Powell. In a letter sent Thursday, the White House budget director accused Powell of misusing government money in a costly overhaul of the Federal Reserve headquarters and of misleading Congress when making the case for those renovations. Trump's larger long standing issue with Powell is his refusal so far to cut interest rates. Powell says the Fed needs to hold the course to see what effect, if any, Trump's tariffs have on inflation. White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett is working to undercut the Fed chair's credibility, telling Fox Business Powell is mismanaging the Reserve. The Federal Reserve has made a lot.
John Stonestreet
Of errors, policy errors in recent years.
Mark Mellinger
And they haven't really explained where the errors came from. Trump has reportedly considered trying to fire Powell and earlier this week suggested Treasury Secretary Scott Besant would make an excellent replacement. A federal judge is blocking President Trump's attempt to ban birthright citizenship for children of non US citizens. Judge Joseph LaPlante is hearing a class action lawsuit over the president's executive order. He says depriving the plaintiffs of citizenship constitutes irreparable harm, meeting the standard for a nationwide pause. Former federal prosecutor Elliot Williams agrees, saying if Trump's order moved forward, it could create a confusing policy patchwork from state to state.
John Stonestreet
A child is born in Pennsylvania, crosses the border into the state of New Jersey, or their parents do they have different sets of laws regarding their citizenship. Regardless of what anybody thinks about what's right, that is not workable in a country where everybody ought to be entitled to the same federal laws.
Mark Mellinger
The judge stayed his order for a week to allow for an expected appeal from the Trump administration. The case could quickly go to the Supreme Court for emergency relief. You may remember the Supreme Court recently issued a near ban on nationwide injunctions by lower courts. But in that ruling, Justice Sonia Sotomayor also laid out a class action lawsuit as a legitimate remaining route to to still challenge Trump administration policies. Texas governor Greg Abbott is calling for an overhaul of his state's flood warning system after officials say water rose 26ft in just 45 minutes during that awful flooding of a week ago. He will push for early warning systems and stronger storm communications in a special session of the Texas Legislature this month. President Trump and first lady Melania Trump are headed to Kerrville, Texas, today to see the damage firsthand. The community comfort Jonathan Lamb of the Kerrville Police Department.
John Stonestreet
People from all over Texas, all over.
George Grant
The country, continue to show their support in so many ways, and we are thankful.
Mark Mellinger
At least 120 people are confirmed dead from the flooding and more than 170 are still missing as the floodwaters recede. Around 2,000 responders are in central Texas, helping with search and cleanup efforts. U.S. secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov exchanged new ideas for reigniting peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. Rubio and Lavrov met on the sidelines of a forum for world leaders in Malaysia. Rubio did not elaborate on the new approach. Lavrov suggested, calling it a concept he'll take back to President Trump, while also saying it wouldn't necessarily guarantee peace. And Trump has increasingly been voicing his frustration with Russian leader Vladimir Putin's recent escalation of the war, which Rubio echoed. The president's been pretty clear he's disappointed and frustrated that there's not been more.
John Stonestreet
Flexibility on the Russian side to bring.
Mark Mellinger
About an end to this conflict we.
John Stonestreet
Hope that can change.
Mark Mellinger
Rubio also hinted Russia could soon be facing stronger economic sanctions from the U.S. the State Department is moving ahead with plans for mass layoffs as the Trump administration cuts tens of thousands of jobs from the federal government. This comes after the Supreme Court cleared the way for the cuts in an 8 to 1 ruling this week. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.
Myrna Brown
The Supreme Court's recent near unanimous decision allows the reorganization to commence and will.
Nick Eicher
Ensure that the department moves at the.
Myrna Brown
Speed of relevancy and restores the department to its roots of results driven democracy.
Mark Mellinger
Bruce says the State Department will be laying off about 2,000 employees, saying the department has grown unsustainably over the years. I'm Mark Mellinger. Straight ahead, Culture Friday with John Stonestreet. Plus, Colin Garberino reviews Superman. And George Grant has this month's wordplay. This Is the WORLD and Everything in it.
Myrna Brown
It's Friday, July 11th. Glad to have you along for today's edition of the World and Everything in It. Good morning. I'm Myrna Brown.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Icker. It's CULTURE Friday. Joining us now, John Stonestreet. He is president of the Colson center and host of the Breakpoint podcast. Good morning to you, John.
John Stonestreet
Good morning.
Nick Eicher
Well, John, there's been a policy change out of Washington this week. It could ease a long standing tension between church and state. Daniel sir has a good column at World Opinions on the subject. And as you well know, many pastors and churches have tiptoed around political issues, especially when election day is drawing near. The concern being that saying too much from the pulpit might get them in trouble with the now the fear goes Back to the mid-1950s, the so called Johnson Amendment. It restricted political speech by tax exempt nonprofits, including churches. But now the IRS has announced a change. If a pastor is preaching to his own congregation during a worship service about issues, even electoral issues from a biblical perspective, that no longer counts as political campaigning under the tax code. John, you've been critical of churches of avoiding quote, unquote, political engagement out of fear. So in your view, was that fear ever about the irs? And do you think that this new policy now opens the door for pastors to speak more boldly?
John Stonestreet
Well, I hope it does. And I think probably some of it was fear of the irs. But of course, that reveals a much deeper problem in worldview. So, for example, if you think it is the state's job to put the line on what counts as something that churches should care about, what is within the proper purview of Faith and what is outside the purview of faith, where you're looking to the wrong authority to begin with. This is getting the admonition from Jesus rendered to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. Exactly wrong to begin with. I'm not critical of churches avoiding political content because I think most political content does need to be avoided in church. My problem is that we take all of the moral issues that have to do with the definition of what, what it means to be human and whether or not we're obeying the Ten Commandments and common sense morality that have political expression, and avoiding all of those, as if avoiding these moral issues is the same as avoiding political issues. And I think that that's fundamentally misunderstanding the world. And I think it has to do with the fact that we have over politicized everything. It says something about our world and it says something about our worldview when everything gets labeled political as if that explains what it. It just doesn't. The most important issues are moral issues. They have political ramifications. And the church has to have the ability to stand up and say things about these things and include the ramifications of being a citizen. And our faith should make us better citizens. I'll tell you another thing, Nick here. I've been really interested to see the reactions, and there's been a lot of reactions that say things like, well, yeah, the Johnson amendment needed to go because, you know, it wasn't legitimate. No one really cared about it, it wasn't ever enforced, and no one on the left was ever critic for being too political, even though they clearly were. But of course, Christians should never endorse political candidates. I think that's exactly wrong too. Why shouldn't Christians endorse political candidates? I think at the very least we should be willing to say, never, ever, ever vote for that guy or never, ever, ever offer power to a party that thinks that children belong to the state and not to parents. Christian political engagement in a fallen context is almost always the task. Not of voting between the lesser of two evils, but voting, whether on issues or on candidates, to lessen evil. And that fundamentally is a moral task, not a political one.
Myrna Brown
Well, speaking of speaking boldly, John, there's bold and then there's billboard. Chris, he's the Canadian dad who travels the world with provocative sandwich boards critical of gender ideology. I'm sure you've seen him online. He has a knack for sparking street conversations or just getting yelled at and then making the encounters go viral. And this week he won a major free speech victory in Australia. Let me give you the background. The government there had ordered the social media platform X to take down one of his posts. And the reason was because he'd criticized the World Health Organization for appointing a transgender activist to its global gender policy Team X refused at first, but then Geo blocked the post in Australia. So Billboard Chris fought back and he got help from ADF International. And this week a court ruled in his favor, saying the government got it wrong and that peaceful speech like his is not so called cyber abuse. So, John, how big a deal is this? Is it a one off, or does this case tell us anything about the current battle over speech and truth in the public square?
John Stonestreet
Well, it's impossible to think about this as a one off because it is another chapter or another account in what's becoming a long story of people backpedaling on this issue, where it seemed as if just a few years ago that trans ideology was going to run roughshod over every aspect of our culture. And think about that however you'd like, whether you're talking about different specific examples or the seven spheres of culture, from medicine to government to education to the arts to religion to whatever else, it's hard to imagine any of those spheres that did not seem completely vulnerable to this ideology. And suddenly it's not. I think it's also interesting to, to think about a country. By country, I mean, you know, look, Europe started backing off before the United States this year. We've seen the United States back off of some of this. Australia was a. A late adopter. And also, I don't know, I mean, Australia to me is such a fascinating place. Love the country, been there a lot. Covid did something right where there's this place that was kind of conservative, like the United States just 10, 12, 15 years ago compared to the rest, then becomes, in many ways during COVID locked down. And that includes locking down on dissent in any sort of way. And suddenly it went from any dissent on government policy of COVID to any dissent on transgender stuff. And that's what we saw in Australia. So the fact that this decision reversed there, to me is really interesting, is just someone who has been interested in Australia and watched it throughout this whole time. So that's encouraging and it's part of the larger story. But Billboard Chris is one of those guys that we will look back on when we're on the other side of this madness and say, you know, there were some people who were willing to say it out loud. His provocative sandwich boards critical of gender ideology, as you put it, aren't saying anything all that revolutionary, but he has the willingness to put it on the sandwich board and stand out and take shots. And he has taken shots, obviously verbal, but also physical. And this is just the latest case of legal shot that he has taken. So a lot going on here. It's an interesting new development in this ongoing story.
Nick Eicher
Well, John, I'd like to end here because as I thought about it, if we had started here, there just was no graceful way to get into anything else. But we were reminded even just minutes ago about the news that rightly has consumed us this week. And that's the heartbreaking news from Texas. The destructive flooding, the unspeakable loss of life. It's the kind of tragedy that just leaves us stunned. Obviously, natural disasters come with every season, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires. But this one, it just feels different. Children at summer camp so two basic questions come to mind. First, how do you think believers should respond when the grief is this raw and the loss is so great? And second, yes, there are lessons to be learned from this and undoubtedly accountability to be had. But honestly, John, day one, some of the coverage had turned to finger pointing. Does that seem to you at this early stage, disrespectful?
John Stonestreet
You know, I'll answer the second question first. And the answer is yes. The first question to me is the far more interesting one for us right now, and the most important one, which is how do believers respond in a time of great loss? And I think the most important place to get our answer from is from Scripture. And so I'll point to two places. Number one is at the center of the whole biblical story, from the start to the finish, is a God who took on flesh and dwelt among us, Emmanuel, God with us. The real answer to the evil and the suffering that God's image bearers have to endure as part of this fallen world is God himself. He comes in human flesh. He suffers his death, his resurrection. And, you know, one of the things that makes this particular tragedy so difficult is that whenever you talk about children, you're talking about people that are innocent. They didn't deserve this. They didn't do anything to bring this onto themselves. They're innocent. And what God gives us at this time is Christ, who was the most innocent of all sufferers. The second place is Job, which is, of course, all about dealing with suffering and why bad things happen and so on. And that's a book that I don't know about you, but tends to leave more questions than answers. And I think that that is what evil should do evil should leave us with more questions than answers. Job, his friends do a great job of responding to his tragedy until they start talking, until they start pontificating. That doesn't mean we don't have anything to say. I think we do have something really important to say. Because the suffering, although it makes us question, where was God in this? Why didn't God do something to stop this? We also have to ask, why is the world this way? In the sense that this stuff does happen, but we sense it as evil? You know, if the world's just a gigantic accident, the product of natural causes and processes, what happened to those beautiful little girls in Texas wasn't evil. It was bad luck. But we sense it as evil. And that says something about us. That says something about the world. And the fact that we have that moral framing gives us the grounding to look to God and ask for help. And that help has been seen. It's been seen already in this event. It's been seen in the helpers. Mr. Rogers used to say that at the time of great tragedy, look for the helpers. Why do we not only then know intuitively that the evil that took place and the suffering that happened to these girls was in fact evil and that the help is good? Where does that framework even come from that says a lot about who we are. And the ultimate helper is God himself. And even the girls, as they're driving away, having been rescued, singing praises to God and still saying, we want to sing about God. And that being part of that camp and that culture and their lives is something that points us, I think, also in the right direction. So I think at some level, in the face of tragedy like this, Christians get in trouble by saying too much and we get in trouble by not saying enough. And to me, again, it goes back to what God reveals about himself, that he ultimately is not only the God who exists, but the God who communicates. And the most clear way that he's ever communicated is in the person of Jesus Christ. And what Jesus Christ reveals in his own suffering and his defeat of death and his withness with us is actually something that we have to offer those who. Who are suffering. So I hope we figure out ways to do that. Clearly, already there have been people doing that for this community and for these victims. But you're right, I couldn't agree with you more. This one feels different. And whenever you're dealing with the innocence of children and the innocence of suffering, that's when you know this is not the way it's supposed to Be well.
Myrna Brown
John Stonestreet, President of the Colson center and host of the Breakpoint Podcast. Thanks again, John.
John Stonestreet
Thank you. Additional stuff support comes From Nicaea Conference 2025, a historic gathering of church leaders from every inhabited continent. More@nicaeaconference.com from Waters Edge Kingdom Investments, personal investments that build churches 5.05% APY on a three month term watersedge.com investor and from Cedarville University, committed to transforming lives through Christ centered education. Cedarville. Edu World.
Myrna Brown
Today is Friday, July 11th. Thank you for turning to World Radio to help start your day. Good morning, I'm Myrna Brown.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Iker. Coming up next on the World and everything in it. Truth, justice and a brand new storyline. Superman is back and the comic book world is watching.
Myrna Brown
Colin Garberino is too. Here is World's arts and culture editors with the latest on the return of one of pop culture's most enduring heroes.
Colin Garbarino
Warner Bros. Has a lot riding on its new Superman movie. Back in 2023, its DC Extended Universe died with a series of box office flops panned by critics and ignored by audiences. Now director James Gunn, best known for the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, is trying to reboot the DC universe with a fresh approach to the world's most iconic comic book. Comic book character Gunn drops us straight into the action. No laborious origin story here. It's been three years since Superman started playing the hero in Metropolis. Living his double life as the mild mannered reporter Clark Kent, he and Lois Lane have already begun their romance that's tinged with more than a little journalistic rivalry.
Mark Mellinger
So this guy just flew into Midtown and started attacking people demanding for Superman to show up?
Colin Garbarino
Yeah, it's all there in my article.
John Stonestreet
I don't actually have to make it through your writing, Clark. Knowledge is worth many sacrifices.
Mark Mellinger
That isn't one of them.
John Stonestreet
Hahaha, very funny, Lois.
Colin Garbarino
Superman had recently stopped a war between two small nations. He saved countless lives. But many people are questioning whether it's a good thing to let such a powerful individual interfere in geopolitics. But then again, who could stop him? As it happens, there are some other superpowered folks out there who are more than happy to cause havoc to keep superman from meddling.
John Stonestreet
22 people in the hospital, over 20.
Mark Mellinger
Million in property damage.
John Stonestreet
It does make you wonder. Wonder what? As great as he is, maybe Superman didn't completely think through the ramifications of the Bravia thing.
Colin Garbarino
With this incarnation of Superman, James Gunn recaptures some of the bright, hopeful tone of the classic Superman Comics and movies. No dark, angsty man of Steel here. David Corenswet plays Superman and Clark Kent as a fresh faced idealist whose overriding purpose is to protect life. It's a sincere and entirely likable interpretation of the character. I only wish we would have gotten to see more of his Clark Kent. The actors who play Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Lex Luthor feel so right in each of their roles. Especially Nicholas Hoult, whose Lex Luthor might be the best version of the character to date. The overall vibe of the movie is very traditional, respecting the old comics as well as the Christopher Reeve's version of the hero. But Gunn also takes some big swings. The biggest might be the inclusion of the super dog crypto.
John Stonestreet
Stop it. Stop.
Colin Garbarino
Sit. Sit. Stay. When I first heard the super dog was making his live action cinematic debut, I was skeptical. Part of Gunn's charm is that he doesn't shy away from the silliness of the comic book genre, but I was afraid this time he might push the silliness too far. However, the mischievous pup gives us some nice comedic moments while also serving as the linchpin for the story.
John Stonestreet
Superman Robots.
Colin Garbarino
I thought I told you to keep.
George Grant
An eye on him.
John Stonestreet
We feed the canine, but he is unruly and he realizes we are not flesh and blood and couldn't in our heart of hearts, care less whether he lives or dies.
Colin Garbarino
Another big swing that pays off is the introduction of the so called Justice Gang. Made up of Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific and the Green Lantern, Guy Gardner. These other heroes help flesh out this world of superpowered individuals without bloating the film. Guy Gardner is actually one of my least favorite comic book characters, but Nathan Fillion's portrayal of made me almost like him. Superman is rated PG13 for violence, action and language. The movie contains some crass moments, which is something of a hallmark for Gunn. But Gunn's respect for Superman's earnestness keeps the crudities in check. The movie contains some cheap gags, but the relationship between Lex Luthor and Superman gives the film its emotional weight.
John Stonestreet
Lex. I tried to stop him. It's fine. Heather. Superman.
Nick Eicher
We finally meet.
John Stonestreet
Would you like a coffee?
Mark Mellinger
Where's the dog?
Colin Garbarino
Despite being created by a couple of Jewish kids in the 1930s, the Superman character has often left itself open to Christian interpretations. And as with some of his other movies, Gunn lets glimpses of his Roman Catholic upbringing peek through the filmmaking. Superman has godlike powers, but he proudly joins himself to humanity. He also has his own metaphorical death and resurrection in this movie, and we even Get a superhero version of the harrowing of hell. Lex Luthor, on the other hand, is the brilliant leader of a techno cult who seems patterned on Satan from John Milton's Paradise Lost. He's consumed with envy to the point of self destruction. At its heart, this Superman film offers a conservative message to our relativistic society. We've been told that it matters who we think we are. We value intentions, inward dispositions and self identifications. PA Kent reminds us, your actions make you who you are. What good are all of our talents and abilities if we fail to do good with them? I'm Colin garbarino.
Myrna Brown
It's Friday, July 11th. Good morning. This is the world and everything in it. From listener supported World Radio. I'm Myrna Brown.
Nick Eicher
And I'm Nick Iker. Up next, wordplay for July. Today we turn attention to a copy coin that has held less and less value in currency. Even though in its earlier days it had more value in copper, still it's valuable enough to have bought its way into our idioms, our memories and our music. Here is the invaluable George Grant.
George Grant
Earlier this year, the U.S. treasury Department announced that it was phasing out the penny after 233 years. As a mainstay of the money supply, a lifespan nearly as long as the nation itself, the $0.01 coin will soon disappear from circulation. Once a symbol of thrifty stewardship and practical value, the penny has come to represent government inefficiency and waste. It now costs four times more times make than it's worth. As PJ o' Rourke quipped, a penny will not buy a penny postcard or a penny whistle or a single piece of penny candy. It will not, even if you're managing the US Mint, buy a penny. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt complained to his treasury secretary, L. Mortimer Shaw. I think the state of our coinage is artistically atrocious hideousness. So to improve the aesthetics of the nation's currency, the famed Beaux Art sculptor Victor David Brenner was first commissioned to design a new penny. It would be the first American coin to depict an historical figure unveiled five years later to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. In the decades since, the US Mint has produced nearly 500 billion pennies featuring Brenner's crisply articulated profile of the 16th president. According to James Panera, in the History of the World, no other sculpture has been as ubiquitous. Not surprisingly, that ubiquity not only shaped our economic transactions, but it also shaped our language. Think of all the names and phrases that the little copper coin has given us. A penny saved is a penny earned penny wise and pound foolish Worth every penny and a penny for your thoughts. Pennies have even been featured in lyrics of popular music. Lionel Richie sang Penny Lover, the Bee Gees sang Throw a Penny, Tony Martin and D A penny a Kiss the Carpenter sang Drusilla Penny and the Beatles sang Penny Lane. There are lucky pennies and bad pennies There are pennies from heaven and penny dreadfuls There are pretty pennies and penny loafers There are penny pinchers and penny antes There are dollars and cents and not one red cent and of course, where would 007 be without Ms. Moneypenny? It may be that none of us will soon have 2 cents to rub together before we get down to our last penny. Therefore, I thought I'd better put in my two cents worth. I'm George Grant.
Mark Mellinger
A penny, a kiss, a penny, a.
John Stonestreet
Hug we're gonna save our pennies in.
Mark Mellinger
A big brown jug A penny, a.
John Stonestreet
Kiss, a penny, a hug oh, how.
George Grant
Rich we're gonna be.
Nick Eicher
All right, time now to name the team who helped to make things happen this week. Mary Reichert, David Bonson, Emma Eicher, Leo Briceno, Amanda Donahue, Nathan Finn, Hunter Baker, Jenny Lynn Schmidt, Lindsay Mast, Janie B. Cheney, Anna Johansen Brown, Becca McCallum, Carolina Lumeta, Arsenio Orteza, Cal Thomas, John Stonestreet, Colin Garbarino and George Carter. Thanks also to our breaking news team. Kent Covington, Mark Mellinger, Travis Kercher, Christina Grube, Steve Klosterman and Lindy Langdon. And thanks to those moonlight maestros, Benj Eicher and Carl Peetz. Harrison Waters is our Washington producer. Kristen Flavin is features editor. Paul Butler is executive producer. Les Sillers, Editor in Chief. I'm Nick.
Myrna Brown
And I'm Myrna Brown. The world and everything in it comes to you from World Radio. World's mission is biblically objective journalism that informs, educates and inspires. The Bible records Jesus confronting the Pharisees in the Gospel of Matthew. Either make the tree good and its fruit good or make the tree bad and its fruit bad. For the tree is no known by its fruit. You brood of vipers. How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good. And the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the Day of Judgment, people will give account for every careless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Verses 33 through 37 of Matthew chapter 12. Your weekly reminder now, and you already know what it is. Go to church. Get in a Bible believing church on the Lord's Day and celebrate that day with other believers. And Lord willing, we'll meet you right back here on Monday. Go now and grace and peace.
Detailed Summary of "The World and Everything In It" Podcast – July 11, 2025 Episode
Title: Culture Friday on political engagement, a review of Superman, and a fond farewell to the penny on Word Play
Host: WORLD Radio
Release Date: July 11, 2025
In this episode of The World and Everything In It, listeners are treated to a comprehensive blend of news analysis, cultural discussions, film reviews, and linguistic explorations. Hosted by Myrna Brown and Nick Eicher, the episode delves into pressing political issues, examines the latest Superman movie, and bids farewell to the penny through engaging wordplay segments. The episode is structured to inform, educate, and inspire, staying true to WORLD Radio’s mission of delivering sound journalism grounded in biblical principles.
1. IRS Policy Changes Affecting Pastors
The episode opens with Myrna Brown highlighting the intersection of religion and politics, particularly in light of recent IRS policy adjustments.
2. ICE Agents and Political Scrutiny
Nick Eicher and Mark Mellinger discuss the contentious debate surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents' identification policies.
Mark Mellinger [00:52]: "The White House is pushing back against an effort to unmask Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, agents."
George Grant [01:37]: "Sort of funny when people pick it in front of Columbia, in front of Harvard and they have masks on more than masks, but when a patriot who works for ICE or Border Patrol puts a mask on so that they won't recognize him and his family."
The conversation touches on the political ramifications of masked ICE agents, contrasting them with masked protesters, and highlights President Trump's criticism of the proposed bill mandating visible IDs for ICE agents.
3. Federal Reserve and Economic Policies
A significant portion of the news segment addresses President Trump’s criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
The discussion underscores the tension between the White House and the Federal Reserve over monetary policies, with Trump contemplating replacing Powell amid allegations of mismanagement.
4. Birthright Citizenship Legal Battle
The team covers the federal judge’s decision to block Trump’s attempt to ban birthright citizenship, emphasizing the potential for the case to escalate to the Supreme Court.
5. Texas Flooding Tragedy
One of the episode's most poignant segments discusses the devastating flooding in Texas, with over 120 confirmed deaths and 170 missing.
John Stonestreet [05:05]: "People from all over Texas, all over."
George Grant [05:08]: "The country continues to show their support in so many ways, and we are thankful."
The segment highlights the human impact of the disaster, Governor Greg Abbott’s call for improved flood warning systems, and President Trump's visit to the affected area.
6. International Relations: U.S. and Russia
Mark Mellinger reports on the recent discussions between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov aimed at reigniting peace talks to end the Ukraine war.
John Stonestreet [06:09]: "Flexibility on the Russian side to bring."
Mark Mellinger [06:14]: "Rubio also hinted Russia could soon be facing stronger economic sanctions from the U.S."
7. State Department Budget Cuts
The episode concludes the news segment with the Supreme Court's decision allowing the State Department to proceed with significant layoffs.
Myrna Brown [06:37]: "The Supreme Court's recent near unanimous decision allows the reorganization to commence and will..."
Mark Mellinger [06:51]: "Bruce says the State Department will be laying off about 2,000 employees, saying the department has grown unsustainably over the years."
In the Culture Friday segment, host John Stonestreet engages in a deep conversation about the recent IRS policy changes and their implications for political engagement within churches.
1. IRS Policy and the Johnson Amendment
John Stonestreet discusses the IRS’s new stance that allows pastors to preach about electoral issues from a biblical perspective without it being classified as political campaigning.
Stonestreet critiques the over-politicization of issues that are inherently moral, advocating for a more integrated approach to faith and civic responsibility.
2. Free Speech and Activism: The Case of Billboard Chris
The discussion shifts to the victory of Billboard Chris in Australia, who successfully challenged the government's order to remove his critical post about gender ideology.
John Stonestreet [12:51]: "It's impossible to think about this as a one off because it is another chapter in what's becoming a long story of people backpedaling on this issue..."
George Grant [24:23]: "We feed the canine, but he is unruly and he realizes we are not flesh and blood and couldn't in our heart of hearts, care less whether he lives or dies."
Stonestreet highlights the broader implications of this legal victory for free speech and the ongoing cultural battles over gender ideology.
3. Responding to Tragedy with Faith
Towards the end of the segment, Stonestreet reflects on the Texas flooding tragedy, offering a faith-based perspective on responding to immense suffering.
He emphasizes the importance of drawing from Scripture and the example of Christ to offer comfort and hope in times of grief.
Colin Garberino presents an in-depth review of the latest Superman film, directed by James Gunn, aiming to rejuvenate the DC Extended Universe.
1. Fresh Approach to an Iconic Hero
Garberino praises Gunn's direction for infusing the film with a bright, hopeful tone reminiscent of classic Superman narratives.
2. Character Development and Plot
The review highlights the film's focus on Superman's dual life as Clark Kent and his burgeoning romance with Lois Lane, along with the introduction of new characters like the super dog Crypto and the Justice Gang.
3. Traditional Yet Bold Elements
Garberino commends the film’s balance between traditional elements and bold new additions, such as the introduction of the Justice Gang and the portrayal of Lex Luthor.
4. Cultural and Moral Undertones
The review underscores the film's conservative message, emphasizing moral integrity and the importance of good actions over mere intentions.
Garberino concludes that despite some silly moments and cheap gags, the film successfully delivers an emotional and morally grounded portrayal of Superman.
George Grant takes listeners through the cultural and economic significance of the penny, marking its phase-out from U.S. currency.
1. Historical Significance of the Penny
Grant traces the penny’s history, from its inception in 1909 to its role in American idioms and popular culture.
2. Cultural Impact and Idioms
He explores the multitude of phrases and songs that feature the penny, highlighting its embeddedness in everyday language.
3. The Penny's Demise
Grant discusses the economic inefficiency of producing pennies, costing four times their value, and the broader implications of their discontinuation.
4. Pop Culture References
The segment includes references to various songs and characters that have immortalized the penny in pop culture.
Conclusion
Grant wraps up with a nostalgic reflection on the penny’s legacy and its imminent retirement from circulation.
The episode concludes with acknowledgments of the production team and a biblical reflection delivered by Myrna Brown, reinforcing the podcast’s commitment to faith-based journalism.
John Stonestreet [09:01]: "This reveals a much deeper problem in worldview... What it means to be human and whether or not we're obeying the Ten Commandments and common sense morality that have political expression."
Colin Garberino [26:17]: "'What good are all of our talents and abilities if we fail to do good with them?'"
George Grant [27:52]: "A penny saved is a penny earned... There are dollars and cents and not one red cent and of course, where would 007 be without Ms. Moneypenny?"
This episode of The World and Everything In It offers a balanced mix of critical news analysis, thoughtful cultural discussions, and entertaining segments that cater to a wide range of listener interests. From dissecting the nuances of political engagement in religious institutions to celebrating cultural icons and linguistic traditions, the podcast ensures its audience is well-informed and thoughtfully engaged with the world around them.