This week, the kidnapping of children from a Catholic school in Nigeria prompted further discussions about Christian persecution in the country. Then, in a surprising turn of events, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced she will resign in January, while newly elected mayor of New York City Zohran Mamdani held a friendly meeting with President Trump. Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll discuss these headlines and share favorite gift ideas as the holiday season begins. This conversation features gratitudes from listeners near and far.

REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:

-⁠JD Vance’s Interfaith Marriage, Fighting in Nigeria, Nick Fuentes Interview⁠

-⁠Pete Hegseth Addresses Military, Nigerian Christians, Government Shutdown

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ABOUT THE BULLETIN: 

The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. 

The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. 

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today 

Producer: Clarissa Moll 

Associate Producer: Alexa Burke 

Editing and Mix: TJ Hester

Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs

Music: Dan Phelps 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper  

Senior Producer: Matt Stevens

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On Thursday, Christianity Today announced that Nicole Martin will be our new president and CEO. In this episode, Nicole and CT board member Walter Kim join Clarissa Moll for a conversation about the legacy of Billy Graham, the call to unity in the midst of division, the centrality of Christ and pro-life values, and the vision for CT’s future.

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ABOUT THE GUESTS: 

Nicole Martin is Christianity Today’s president and CEO. Formerly, she was CT’s chief operating officer. She is the author of several books including Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender and Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry.

Walter Kim is the president of the National Association of Evangelicals and is on Christianity Today’s board of trustees. He previously served as a pastor at Boston’s historic Park Street Church and at churches in Vancouver, Canada and Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as a campus chaplain at Yale University. 

ABOUT THE BULLETIN: 

The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. 

The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. 

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today 

Producer: Clarissa Moll 

Associate Producer: Alexa Burke 

Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris

Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs

Music: Dan Phelps 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper  

Senior Producer: Matt Stevens

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This week, President Trump hosts the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for a formal White House visit, despite the prince’s responsibility for numerous human rights abuses. National security expert Elizabeth Neumann joins Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll to discuss how to interpret this visit. Then, New York Times columnist David French stops by to talk about shifts in the Republican party as the U.S. emerges from the government shutdown. Finally, CT’s Sho Baraka joins us to talk about the TikTok trend of the performative male, and how one man in Detroit is using jujitsu to teach boys and men to control their strength and be emotionally open. 

REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:

-Mastering Masculinity with Jason Wilson by Sho Baraka  

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ABOUT THE GUESTS:  

David French is a columnist for The New York Times. He’s a former senior editor of The Dispatch and author of Divided We Fall: America’s Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation.

Elizabeth Neumann is a national security expert who has served across three presidential administrations: on the inaugural staff of the White House Homeland Security Council under President George W. Bush, as an advisor to the office of the director of national intelligence during the Obama Administration, and as the Department of Homeland Security’s deputy chief of staff and assistant secretary for counterterrorism and threat prevention in the Trump administration. Neumann is also a national security contributor for ABC News.

Sho Baraka is a recording artist, performer, culture curator, activist, and writer. Baraka is an alumnus of Tuskegee University and the University of North Texas. He is a cofounder of Forth District and the And Campaign, and he has served as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. He was an original member of influential hip-hop consortium 116 Clique, recording with Reach Records. In 2024, Baraka became the Big Tent editorial director for Christianity Today.

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Over the weekend, President Trump changed his tune about the Epstein files, calling for them to be released. Meanwhile, the rift between Trump and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene widens. Former Bethel worship leader Sean Feuchts hosts communion on state capitols around the country, and finally near the White House. And ICE arrests over 80 individuals in Charlotte, North Carolina, in one of the first major raids in southern states. Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll discuss these headlines. 

REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE:

-Sunday Afternoon Reads: An American Deportation

GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: 

-Join the conversation at our Substack.

-Find us on YouTube. 

-Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. 

ABOUT THE BULLETIN: 

The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. 

The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. 

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today 

Producer: Clarissa Moll 

Associate Producer: Alexa Burke 

Editing and Mix: TJ Hester

Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs

Music: Dan Phelps 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper  

Senior Producer: Matt Stevens

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This week, Israeli settler violence continues against Palestinians; Mike, Russell, and Clarissa discuss the complex dynamics in the West Bank. Then, Congress releases emails from Jeffrey Epstein that mention President Trump. Nicole Martin stops by to consider how we can think about the new revelations. Last, CT contributor Luke Simon joins the conversation about the role of purity in Christian discourse about sexuality and political violence. 

REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:

‘Promised Land’ miniseries by The Bulletin

Rachael Denhollander Calls for a Southern Baptist Reckoning on Abuse on The Russell Moore Show

Harm, Trauma, and Church Abuse with Diane Langberg on The Russell Moore Show

Have We Kissed Purity Goodbye? By Luke Simon

GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: 

Join the conversation at our Substack. 

Find us on YouTube. 

Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. 

ABOUT THE GUESTS:  

Nicole Martin is Christianity Today’s chief operating officer. She is the author of several books including Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender and Made to Lead: Empowering Women for Ministry.

Luke Simon is a content strategist for The Crossing church in Columbia, Missouri, and a M.Div. student at Covenant Theological Seminary. He has written on Gen Z, technology, masculinity, and the church. His writing appears in Christianity Today, Mere Orthodoxy, and The Gospel Coalition.

ABOUT THE BULLETIN: 

The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. 

The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. 

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today 

Producer: Clarissa Moll 

Associate Producer: Alexa Burke 

Editing and Mix: TJ Hester

Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs

Music: Dan Phelps 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper  

Senior Producer: Matt Stevens

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The federal government inches towards reopening as five Democratic senators signal they will join Republicans in passing legislation to fund the government. SNAP benefits were in question during the shutdown– how can Christians think about the role of the federal government in providing food assistance? And we haven’t heard much in the news about Iran recently; what’s going on there? Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll discuss these headlines, and Clarissa talks with Sara Billups about how to address anxiety through embodied, spiritual practices.

REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE:

-Nervous Systems: Spiritual Practices to Calm Anxiety in Your Body, the Church, and Politics by Sara Billups. 

GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: 

-Join the conversation at our Substack. 

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ABOUT THE GUESTS:  

Sara Billups is a Seattle-based writer and cultural commentator whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Christianity Today, Aspen Ideas, and others. Sara writes Bitter Scroll, a monthly Substack letter and co-hosts the podcast That’s the Spirit. She earned a Doctor of Ministry in the Sacred Art of Writing at the Peterson Center for the Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary. 

ABOUT THE BULLETIN: 

The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. 

The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. 

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today 

Producer: Clarissa Moll 

Associate Producer: Alexa Burke 

Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris

Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs

Music: Dan Phelps 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper  

Senior Producer: Matt Stevens

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nelson and Gladys Gonzalez snuck into the US in the 1980s from Colombia, rooted themselves in California where they became Christians, and eventually became lay leaders at Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. CT’s Andy Olsen got to know the Gonzalez family and recounts their complex and poignant story in his piece ‘An American Deportation.’ We’ve asked Andy to read his piece out loud. We think you’ll love it. Settle in and enjoy! 

READ THE WRITTEN VERSION:

-They Led at Saddleback Church. ICE Said They Were Safe. by Andy Olsen.

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ABOUT THE GUESTS:  

Andy Olsen is the senior features writer at Christianity Today. He previously oversaw the print magazine team. His writing has appeared in the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune, among other outlets, and has been recognized by the Religion News Association and the Evangelical Press Association.

ABOUT THE BULLETIN: 

The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. 

The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. 

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today 

Producer: Clarissa Moll 

Associate Producer: Alexa Burke 

Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris

Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs

Music: Dan Phelps 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper  

Senior Producer: Matt Stevens

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This week, former Vice President Dick Cheney died at the age of 84. Steve Hayes of The Dispatch stops by to discuss Cheney’s life and legacy. Then, CT’s Harvest Prude analyzes Tuesday’s elections in New York, Virginia, California, and New Jersey, and how the results signal voter frustrations with the Trump administration and the economy. Last, CT’s Ken Chitwood joins Russell, Mike, and Clarissa to talk about German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statement telling Syrian refugees it’s time to go home.

REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:

-CT’s international reporting 

-A Little-Noted Element Propelled Mamdani’s Rise: Gen Z Loneliness by Emma Goldberg and Benjamin Oreskes

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ABOUT THE GUESTS:  

Steve Hayes is CEO and editor of The Dispatch. Prior to co-founding the company in 2019, he worked at The Weekly Standard for 18 years covering Washington, politics, and national security. Steve is the author of Cheney: The Untold Story of America's Most Powerful and Controversial Vice President. He has worked as a contributor at CNN and Fox News and currently serves as a political analyst at NBC News. 

Harvest Prude is Christianity Today’s national political correspondent and a congressional reporter based in Washington, DC. She is a former reporter for The Dispatch and World, having served there as political reporter for their Washington bureau.

Ken Chitwood is an award-winning religion, travel, and culture newswriter based in Germany. He is editor of ReligionLink, a nonpartisan, monthly newsletter with source guides and story ideas for journalists reporting on religion. His work has appeared or been featured in Foreign Policy, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, USA Today, The Guardian, and Christianity Today.

ABOUT THE BULLETIN: 

The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. 

The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. 

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today 

Producer: Clarissa Moll 

Associate Producer: Alexa Burke 

Editing and Mix: TJ Hester

Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs

Music: Dan Phelps 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper  

Senior Producer: Matt Stevens

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Vice President JD Vance comments about his interfaith marriage saying he hopes his wife becomes a Christian. Fighting in Nigeria continues, and President Trump remarks about possible intervention. Tucker Carlson hosts a friendly interview with alt-right Nazi sympathizer Nick Fuentes. Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts defends the interview and re-ups his support for Carlson. Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll discuss these headlines, and Clarissa talks with Collin Hansen of The Gospel Coalition about cultural apologetics in our modern age.  

REFERENCED IN THE EPISODE:

-The Bulletin episode 213 - segment 2 about Nigerian Christians with Liam Karr

-Jihadists Persecute Christians in Nigeria. Is It Genocide? by Emmanuel Nwachukwu

-The Gospel After Christendom: An Introduction to Cultural Apologetics 

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ABOUT THE GUESTS:  

Collin Hansen is the vice president for content and editor-in-chief of The Gospel Coalition and executive director of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. He is an author, journalist, and podcast host known for books like Young, Restless, Reformed and Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation. Hansen also hosts the Gospelbound podcast and is an adjunct professor at Beeson Divinity School. 

ABOUT THE BULLETIN: 

The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. 

The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. 

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today 

Producer: Clarissa Moll 

Associate Producer: Alexa Burke 

Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris

Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs

Music: Dan Phelps 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper  

Senior Producer: Matt Stevens

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President Trump has been dropping hints that he will run for a third presidential term. Charlie Sykes joins Russell, Mike, and Clarissa to discuss if there’s any merit to these claims. Elizabeth Neumann stops by to talk about the US’s continued strikes on boats off the coast of South America. And, ChatGPT announces it will offer erotica content to adult users. Brandon Rickabaugh discusses spiritual formation for an AI world.

REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:

-The Bulletin's AI Miniseries.

GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: 

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ABOUT THE GUESTS:  

Charles J. Sykes is a political commentator who hosted a conservative talk show in Wisconsin for 23 years. He was the former editor-in-chief of The Bulwark, and is currently an MSNBC contributor. Sykes has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Salon, USA Today, National Review, The Weekly Standard, and other national publications. He has appeared on the Today Show, ABC, NBC, Fox News, CNN, PBS, and the BBC and has been profiled on NPR. 

Elizabeth Neumann is a national security expert who has served across three presidential administrations: on the inaugural staff of the White House Homeland Security Council under President George W. Bush, as an advisor to the office of the director of national intelligence during the Obama Administration, and as the Department of Homeland Security’s deputy chief of staff and assistant secretary for counterterrorism and threat prevention in the Trump administration. Neumann is also a national security contributor for ABC News.

Brandon Rickabaugh is the founder and director of NOVUS, a center dedicated to applying Christian wisdom for the renewal of public life and academia. He is the co-author of The Substance of Consciousness and the author of two forthcoming books: What is Consciousness? and The Unity of Consciousness and Self.

ABOUT THE BULLETIN: 

The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. 

The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. 

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today 

Producer: Clarissa Moll 

Associate Producer: Alexa Burke 

Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris

Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs

Music: Dan Phelps 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper  

Senior Producer: Matt Stevens

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