The World and Everything In It

Episode: September 12, 2025
Main Theme: National Grief, America’s Volatile Cultural Moment, and Christian Guidance Amid Crisis

Episode Overview

In this somber episode following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, hosts Myrna Brown and Nick Eicher, along with guests John Stonestreet and Pastor Kevin DeYoung, examine whether America is approaching a cultural breaking point. They discuss how Christians can process and respond to violence and grief—especially as these traumas increasingly touch public life. The episode closes with prayers for national revival and comfort.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Breaking News Recap: Charlie Kirk’s Assassination & National Turmoil

• The Event:

  • [01:01–03:13] Recap of the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University, ongoing manhunt, and concern over political violence.
  • Coverage of the thwarted assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and heightened political tensions.

• National Mood:

  • [02:45–05:42] The episode captures a country on edge: heightened security at 9/11 memorials, school shootings (Evergreen High School, CO), and international tensions.
  • Quote: “Any attack on the First Amendment is an attack on the very foundation of our democracy. That is why we will, we will relentlessly pursue this case…” – FBI Special Agent Robert Bowles [01:17]

2. Culture Friday — Is America Near a Breaking Point?

With John Stonestreet, Colson Center President, and Breakpoint Podcast Host

Processing Charlie Kirk’s Death:

• [07:11–10:54]
  • Nick Eicher observes that Kirk is being flattened to a “provocative political activist” by some, but many mourn him as a Christian and a friend.
  • Quote: “More than a handful of people I heard saying… I know Charlie knew Christ and if he doesn’t make it, he will step into the presence of the Lord. So I was really encouraged by that, even as I was horrified by hearing the story.” – Nick Eicher [07:41]

Defacing the Image of God:

• [08:08–10:54]
  • John Stonestreet: “That’s what evil is. It’s horrible... when the image is so defaced, there’s no other word for it than horrible, and it’s still horrible, even though we can have trust in Christ...” [08:08]
  • Critiques knee-jerk politicization of tragedy by media and politicians.
  • Reflects on loss: “It’s horrible that a young woman is now a widow way too early, raising children by herself. It’s horrible that these beautiful little kids are without a dad…” [09:26]

On Living in a Human-Unfriendly Culture:

• [10:54–14:43]
  • Discusses the bystander effect in the public stabbing of Irina Zyrutska.
  • “We do not have a human friendly culture right now…and when you do not have a human friendly culture, there’s not the same barriers and obstacles to these great horrors...” – John Stonestreet [13:45]

Political Violence & Civilizational Danger:

• [14:43–17:36]
  • “Are we on the brink of serious political violence?”
  • John: “All political violence starts with an ideological divide. …We give our religious allegiances to something. And when those things get divided at such a fundamental level, people, it’s just hard to bridge that gap and hold things together.” [17:03]

Memorable Moment:
“If we can’t all agree that that’s horrible, what the heck are we doing?” – John Stonestreet [10:44]

3. Pastoral Guidance: Helping Young People Process Violence and Grief

With Pastor/Author Kevin DeYoung
Segment hosted by Lindsay Mast

When Public Trauma Strikes:

• [19:39–22:07]

  • Parents express deep uncertainty: “Who do I grieve with and what am I grieving? ...Do I grieve in front of my kids? And if I do, are they scared when they see me afraid?” – Summary from parent via Lindsay Mast [19:53]

• Finding a Balance:

  • Kevin DeYoung’s guidance: “I don’t think we help our students or our kids if we completely turn ourselves inside out and show every last bit of anxiety... And yet, absolutely… it can be very healing to express to our kids, ‘I don’t quite know what to make of this either.’” [20:28]

Choosing Hope Over Despair

• [22:35–24:07]
  • Encourage honest, hopeful communication: “We want to be talking about this. And… point people toward hope...don’t wallow in anger and don’t resort to violence, but find joy and purpose.” [22:46]
  • Warns against invalidating grief: “If we do that in a... ham-fisted way, it feels like a stiff arm to people’s emotions: like, don’t be sad, don’t be upset, don’t be scared...” [23:41]

Teaching a Theology of Enemies

• [24:41–27:18]
  • How to confront visible celebration of violence:
    • “We need a lot of help as Christians in having a theology of enemies. We know that Jesus says to love our enemies, and that’s really paramount, and pray for our enemies. But… there are real, tragically some violent enemies to the truths of the Bible…” [24:41]
  • Prepare young people: "Do not be surprised... when the fiery trial comes, and to be forewarned is to be forearmed." [26:21]

Is Martyrdom Now Real for American Christians?

• [27:18–29:55]
  • DeYoung: Don’t try to explain everything at once; instead, assure children that “Jesus is worth it.”
  • “God has been with his people…and that same God is going to be with you…God has not left the throne, that this did not take him by surprise…” [29:27]

Dealing With Graphic Images and Unbearable News

• [29:55–32:27]
  • On the viral video: “No one should feel like they’re not doing their duty…not to watch the video…because they are so hard to unsee. ...To detox as much as you can from this online ecosystem...put better things in there, whatever is lovely, whatever is good...” [30:35]

4. Prayers and Hope for America

Listener Prayers and Hymn: “How Firm a Foundation”

• [34:51–38:58]
  • Listeners’ heartfelt prayers for national revival, spiritual healing, and comfort in uncertain times, set against a hymn of faith and hope.
  • Notable blessing:

    “Father, I grieve at the wickedness and the turning our back on you in so many ways…Please, would you cause a revival in our country?” [35:28]

  • Encouragement to trust in God:

    “Lord, we know that we can be secure and we can rest in you because you never change.” [37:25]

  • Closing benediction:

    “The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you… and give you peace.” [38:58]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “That’s what evil is. It’s horrible…there’s just some of these moments where the horror just stands out. And it’s horrible on many sides.” – John Stonestreet [08:08]
• “If we can’t all agree that that’s horrible, what the heck are we doing?” – John Stonestreet [10:44]
• “Civilizations cannot hold without common definitions of life and value and truth.” – John Stonestreet [16:37]
• “We do not have a human friendly culture right now…when you do not have a human friendly culture, there’s not the same barriers and obstacles to these great horrors…” – John Stonestreet [13:45]
• “There’s nothing worse really for a parent than to see your own kid sad. And so we start parenting out of our own desire not to be sad over our kids’ sadness…” – Kevin DeYoung [23:55]
• “Do not be surprised…when the fiery trial comes, and to be forewarned is to be forearmed.” – Kevin DeYoung [26:21]
• “We worship a crucified Savior who was hated and therefore his followers can expect some of the same.” – Kevin DeYoung [27:05]
• “God has not left the throne, that this did not take him by surprise, and that the end of the story has not yet been written for us, but it has been for God. And it’s ultimately a good story.” – Kevin DeYoung [29:44]

Important Timestamps

• 00:05–06:52: News of Kirk assassination; national turmoil.
• 07:00–17:43: Culture Friday with John Stonestreet; cultural analysis on violence and division.
• 19:39–32:27: Processing violence and grief with Pastor Kevin DeYoung, practical advice for parents and young people.
• 34:51–39:16: Listener prayers and hymn “How Firm a Foundation” for national revival and hope.

Tone & Style

• Sober, reflective, and hopeful, blending grief with a deep trust in God’s sovereignty.
• Emphasizes honest lament, robust Christian worldview, and encouragement to anchor in faith and community amid uncertainty.

Summary

This episode serves as both diagnosis and balm: acknowledging America’s cultural volatility and loss, grieving with honesty, and urging listeners—especially Christians—to respond with both realism and hope. Through thoughtful analysis and pastoral wisdom, the program leans into the tension of public trauma and private faith, offering listeners comfort, perspective, and a call to both prayer and action.