The BreakPoint Podcast

Robert Prevost has been elected Pope Leo XIV. What should we be looking for in the new leader? A new law in Washington calls religious freedom into question in cases of reporting abuse. AI-fueled spiritual fantasies and psychosis are destroying families and lives. John and Maria offer a framework on discerning truth from heresy in different religions and denominations.   Recommendations TIME: How Hard is Chess?  What Would You Say? Video Series Segment 1 - New Pope Elected and State Shenanigans  CNN: May 8, 2025 Leo XIV elected as first American pope CBS News: Feds call child abuse confession law for priests "anti-Catholic" as church vows to excommunicate those who comply WORLD: Maine court removes mother's right to bring child to church Segment 2 - AI-Fueled Psychosis Rolling Stone: People are Losing Loves Ones to AI-Fueled Spiritual Fantasies Breakpoint: Richard Dawkins, a “Cultural Christian” Resources from Sherry Turkle Breakpoint: Leave Loud, Blaming Churches TIME: How Hard is Chess?  Segment 3 - Mormonism and Denominational Differences Colorado's fourth Latter-day Saints temple to reflect new mountain home in Colorado Springs Segment 4 - Listener Questions Submit a question to Breakpoint here! 60 Minutes: Egg freezing popularity increasing among young women to preserve their fertility Breakpoint: Messing with Imago Dei __________ Sign up for the FREE video series Why Life? at colsoncenter.org/whylife. Sign up for the Colson Educator Course: Navigating Cancel Culture at colsoneducators.org.  

Is “baby optimization” unscientific and immoral?  Related Resource Breakpoint Forum: The Perils and Promise of Artificial Intelligence ___________ Join the Colson Center as a Cornerstone Partner at colsoncenter.org/monthly. 

Does Hollywood usually know the answer to “What could possibly go wrong?”  _____________ Learn more about the Colson Fellows Program and apply today at colsonfellows.org. 

Why all Christians should care who the next pope is.  __________ Register for the ACSI Rooted Educator Worldview Summit in Dallas, TX at acsi.org/rooted. 

Physician Professor who questioned transgender treatments for kids wins big in court.  Related Resource What Would You Say?: Is Sex Assigned at Birth? __________ Register for the ACSI Rooted Educator Worldview Summit at acsi.org/rooted. 

“Hard” is not hell; it leads to treasures in heaven.  ___________ Register for the informational Colson Fellows webinar on May 8 at colsonfellows.org/webinar. 

Colorado and Oklahoma are two states debating the place of religion in public schools. A new study finds the risks of taking the abortion pill are drastically greater than we've been told. And new research debunks the supposed perils of marrying early.   Recommendations IFS: Marry Early And Flourish Together The Austin Institute: The Economics of Sex How to Think Like Socrates by Donald J. Robertson Socrates Meets Jesus by Peter Kreeft The Colson Fellows Program Segment 1 - Public Education and Religion FOX: Colorado parents unload on liberal lawmakers, prompting changes to controversial gender bill Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond Oral Argument Clergy in the Classroom by David Noebel, J.F. Baldwin, and Kevin Bywater Segment 2 - Bombshell Abortion Pill Study The Abortion Pill Harms Women: Insurance Data Reveals One in Ten Patients Experiences a Serious Adverse Event Breakpoint: New Report: The Abortion Pill Harms Women What Would You Say?: Is the ‘Abortion Pill' as Safe as Tylenol? Segment 3 - The Benefits of Marrying Early IFS: Marry Early And Flourish Together The Metropolitan Review: Would You Rather Have Married Young? The Colson Fellows Program Segment 4 - Listener Questions Send in a question for Breakpoint at Breakpoint.org American Association of Pro-life Obstetricians and Gynecologists  Christian Dental Association The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity National Review: HHS Report Exposes the Risks of Gender Experimentation on Children __________ Get access to the FREE course Hope Always: How to Be a Force for Life in a Culture of Suicide at colsoneducators.org. Join the Colson Center as a Cornerstone Monthly Partner at colsoncenter.org/monthly.

“You'll do for now” cohabitation isn't making couples happier.  Related Resource WWYS: Is Cohabitation Good for Relationships? __________ Register for the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit in Dallas, TX at ASCI.org/rooted. 

What if marching for women's rights meant for the persecuted instead of for abortion?  ______________ Learn more about the Colson Fellows Program by registering for one of our upcoming webinars at colsonfellows.org/webinar. 

Christians should not get lost in cultural cynicism but instead be a Church wrapped in truth and discernment.  ____________ Get your access the “Why Life? ” video series at colsoncenter.org/whylife. 

New data findings should call for a reexamination of the nearly unrestricted distribution of chemical abortion pills.  Related Resource What Would You Say?: Is the ‘Abortion Pill' as Safe as Tylenol? __________ Download the free e-book: Being the Church in a Post-Christian Culture by S. Michael Craven at colsoncenter.org/church.   

The Church must have a theology of the body, or “disturbing” science will fill in the blanks.  Related Resource What Would You Say?: What is IVF, and is it ethical? __________ Become a Cornerstone Partner with the Colson Center at colsoncenter.org/cornerstone. 

A meeting at the White House this week looked at several examples of anti-Christian bias in bureaucracy and beyond. The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case originating in Maryland that puts school officials over parents. And John and Maria discuss the legacy of Pope Francis. Segment 1 - Anti Christian Bias, SCOTUS Hearing on Parental Rights Attorney General Pamela Bondi Hosts First Task Force Meeting to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias in the Federal Government CSPAN: Mahmoud v. Taylor Oral Argument Segment 2 - Death and Legacy of the Pope Breakpoint: The Passing of Pope Francis and the Future of the Roman Church First Things: Pope Francis, My Worst Protestant Nightmare by Carl Trueman Segment 3 - Falling Birth Rate New York Times: Birthrates Languish in Record Lows, C.D.C. Reports CNN: US fertility rate hovers near record low as Trump administration pushes for a baby boom Emma Waters on Falling Birth Rates In Pursuit Conference: What do Marriage and Motherhood have to do with the Happiness of Women Segment 4 - Answering Listener Questions Breakpoint: The Cornerstone of a Legacy The Resurrection of the Son of God by N.T. Wright __________ Download the free e-book: Being the Church in a Post-Christian Culture by S. Michael Craven at colsoncenter.org/church.  Get access to the free video series: “Why Life? Courageous Faith in a Culture of Death” at colsoncenter.org/whylife. 

Taking the eye off the prize.  Related Resource What Would You Say?: Doesn't Religious Liberty Protect Extremists? _____________ Register for an upcoming Colson Fellows Informational Webinar at colsonfellows.org/webinar. 

Radical gender ideologues, not physicians, lead the medical movement to trans American children.  Related Resource Breakpoint Forum: The Real Facts About Gender Ideology __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment visit Breakpoint.org. 

God's divinity, humanity's frailty, and the way forward for America.   ___________ Join the Colson Center as a Cornerstone Monthly Partner at colsoncenter.org/cornerstone. 

The impact of the Pope's legacy. __________ Register for the upcoming Identity Project Webinar: Saying 'I Do' is Good for You at colsoncenter.org/marriage. 

Chuck Colson and his passion for worldview training.  Learn more about becoming a Cornerstone Monthly Partner at colsoncenter.org/cornerstone. ___________ Get free access to the free video series “Why Life?  Courageous Faith in a Culture of Death” at colsoncenter.org/whylife. 

John and Maria look ahead to Easter Sunday and remember the anniversary of the passing of Charles Colson. The highest court in the UK rules there are only two genders. And are there biblical guidelines for when we should we help the poor? Recommendations Death on a Friday Afternoon by Richard John Neuhaus The Biggest Story Bible Storybook By Kevin DeYoung Segment 1 - Holy Week and Remembering Chuck Colson Breakpoint: Jesus, the Last Adam Breakpoint: “I Thirst” Points Us to God's Scars There is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind by Anthony Flew Breakpoint: How Johnny Hart Pointed to the Cross and Empty Tomb in the Funny Papers Johnny Hart's Good Friday Comic Strip Segment 2 - UK Supreme Court on Gender BBC: Supreme Court backs 'biological' definition of woman J.K. Rowling on X Segment 3 - Helping the Poor The World and Everything in It: April 15, 2025 National Review: The War on Poverty at 50 Recovery Ministries Try to Help Portland Get Clean by Maria Baer When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert Poverty Cure | Session 1 | Michael Matheson Miller __________ Learn more about how ADF helps the Church be the Church at adflegal.org.  Register for the upcoming Identity Project webinar: Saying 'I Do' is Good for You at colsoncenter.org/marriage.

Good Friday—Jesus' last words on the cross fulfill Scripture.  ___________ What does it look like for the Church to be the Church in a post-Christian world? Download the free e-book: Being the Church in a Post-Christian Culture by S. Michael Craven at colsoncenter.org/church.   

Maundy Thursday—Jesus' Last Supper and His new command to “love one another.” _____________ Learn more about how ADF helps the Church be the Church at adflegal.org. 

When four Jewish girls needed to be protected from the Nazis, Fritz Niermann leaned into his faith.  __________ Join the Colson Center as a Cornerstone Partner at colsoncenter.org/monthly. 

The ADF's argument against taxpayer cash for abortion.  __________ Learn more about how ADF advances every person's God-given right to live and speak the truth at adflegal.org. 

Try though they may, biblical doubters can't beat the truth.  __________ Register for the upcoming Lighthouse Voices: The Christian's Guide to this 'Civilizational Moment' at colsoncenter.org/lighthouse. 

It's been a decade since the Supreme Court decision that legalized so-called same-sex marriage. The ruling has left many victims. And Colorado continues its desire to be the nation's most liberal state. Recommendations Breakpoint: How Johnny Hart Pointed to the Cross and Empty Tomb in the Funny Papers Learn more and apply for the Colson Fellows Program at colsonfellows.org. Segment 1 - Ten Years after Obergefell Breakpoint: Obergefell After 10 Years Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience Breakpoint This Week: Defunding Planned Parenthood and the Ethics of “Bodyoids" The Way of the (Modern) World by Craig Gay Segment 2 - Colorado's Radical Laws Colorado SB 25-183: COVERAGE FOR PREGNANCY-RELATED SERVICES AP: Judge finds frozen embryos are not divisible property in cancer survivor's case against ex-husband Colorado bill could strip parents of custody for misgendering their children __________ Register for the upcoming Identity Project webinar: Saying 'I Do' is Good for You at colsoncenter.org/marriage. Learn to manage your money with a team that takes good stewardship to heart with Sovereign Private Wealth at sovereignpw.com.

Katy Faust on the legacy of the most disruptive law on marriage.  ___________ Become a Cornerstone Partner with the Colson Center at colsoncenter.org/monthly. 

We're certainly in a moment, and the faithful should be the guiding lights.  Register for the upcoming Lighthouse Voices: The Christian's Guide to this 'Civilizational Moment' at colsoncenter.org/lighthouse.  __________ Learn more about Sovereign Private Wealth and how to manage your money with a team that takes good stewardship to heart at sovereignpw.com. 

Like many faith giants, God calls us to embrace this time and place while yet imperfect. __________ Register for the upcoming Lighthouse Voices: The Christian's Guide to this 'Civilizational Moment' at colsoncenter.org/lighthouse. 

The addiction of gambling hits not just in dollars, but in human lives.  __________ Learn more about Sovereign Private Wealth and how to manage your money with a team that takes good stewardship to heart at sovereignpw.com. 

A Lighthouse Voices story from Dr. Jeff Myers.  __________ Download your copy of the free e-book: Being the Church in a Post-Christian Culture by S. Michael Craven at colsoncenter.org/church. 

The US Supreme Court heard oral arguments Friday on South Carolina's attempt to stop Medicaid payments to Planned Parenthood. Geneticists are promoting frightening plans to create babies to specifications. And gambling on sports continues to grow, leaving problems in its wake. Recommendations NYT: This baby was carefully selected as an embryo. ADF: Supreme Court to Hear Case About States' Funding of Abortion Facilities Segment 1 - States Try to Stop Medicaid Payments for Abortion FOX: Who is Stephanie Turner? Women's fencer who knelt to protest trans opponent and ignited global awareness ADF: Planned Parenthood Does Not Deserve Your Tax Dollars Segment 2 - Designer Babies NYT: This baby was carefully selected as an embryo. CBS: "What kind of society do you want to live in?": Inside the country where Down syndrome is disappearing First Things: Who Owns the Embryos? CNN: Gosnell horror fuels fight for abortion laws Breakpoint: Inventors of CRISPR Win Nobel Prize, but Should We “Rewrite the Code of Life?” Segment 3 - The Sports Gambling Crisis WORLD: Gambling scandals hover over college and pro basketball __________ Restore hope and make communities safer by partnering with Prison Fellowship at prisonfellowship.org/colsoncenter. Register for the next Lighthouse Voices: The Christian's Guide to this 'Civilizational Moment' at colsoncenter.org/lighthouse. 

The little-known mentor who helped Lewis become one of the greatest Christian thinkers of our time.  __________ Download your free copy of the e-book Being the Church in a Post-Christian Culture by S. Michael Craven at colsoncenter.org/church. 

The time has never been better to help people consume the Word, not just have it on their shelves.   __________ Sign up for the self-paced Colson Educators course, Worldview Foundation, at colsoneducators.org. 

It's good to want babies.  Related Resources What Would You Say?: Should We Panic About Overpopulation? ___________ Register for the upcoming Breakpoint Forum: A New Sexual Revolution at colsoncenter.org/greenville. 

No matter the label, it's all His, and that's the view by which to navigate life.  Related Resource What Would You Say?: How to Have a Conversation: Basic Principles ___________ For more information or to apply for the Colson Fellows Program visit colsonfellows.org. 

Young men are searching for meaning and looking to the Church. Related Resource What Would You Say?: Do I Really Need to Go to Church? ____________ Register for the next Breakpoint Forum on A New Sexual Revolution at colsoncenter.org/greenville.

President Trump threatens to defund Planned Parenthood. Will it happen? And scientists suggest growing human bodies to be used for body parts.    Recommendations Become a Cornerstone Monthly Partner at colsoncenter.org/monthly The Patron Saint of Liars by Ann Patchett Segment 1 - Defunding Planned Parenthood WSJ: Trump Administration Plans to Freeze Family-Planning Grants Sean McDowell: Heating up! The Current Debate Over Abortion Rights (w/ Lila Rose) Lila Rose: Best Arguments for Christianity w/Dr ‪Sean McDowell‬ | The Lila Rose Show E195 Breakpoint: David Daleiden's Courage, Planned Parenthood's Deceit Planned Parenthood admits staffer 'inadvertently' gave kids graphic coloring books in Louisville Segment 2 - Ethics of “Bodyoids"  MIT Tech Review: Ethically sourced “spare” human bodies could revolutionize medicine Breakpoint: The Late, Great Stem-Cell Debate __________ Register for the next Breakpoint Forum on A New Sexual Revolution at colsoncenter.org/greenville. Restore hope and make communities safer by partnering with Prison Fellowship at prisonfellowship.org/colsoncenter. 

Loose laws for in vitro fertilization have allowed for appalling assaults on human rights.  ______________ Restore hope and make communities safer by partnering with Prison Fellowship at prisonfellowship.org/colsoncenter. 

Disciplining with a Christian worldview makes all the difference.  Related Resource Learn more about the Colson Educators program at colsoneducators.org.  __________ Get your copy of Being the Church in a Post-Christian Culture by S. Michael Craven at colsoncenter.org/church. 

Cultural fads are flashes in the pan because the future belongs to Christ alone.  __________ Restore hope and make communities safer by partnering with Prison Fellowship at prisonfellowship.org/colsoncenter. 

If everybody's religion is right, then no one can be wrong . . . right?  ______________ Sign up for free access to 200+ expert-led videos addressing topics like gender, identity, and purpose at identityproject.tv. 

Believe it or not, the social media-sphere will live another day without our every opinion.  __________ Register your student for Summit Ministries with a special discount code at summit.org/breakpoint. 

President Trump moves forward with his plans to scrap the Department of Education. John and Maria discuss the ethics of immigration and deportation. And the Department of Justice ends its investigation of the Southern Baptist Convention. Recommendations Colson Fellows Program Progressives are starting to come around on the importance of marriage and fatherhood Segment 1 - Dismantling the Department of Education Executive Order: Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities ABC: Illinois bill aims to add more oversight of homeschooling, not all want it Segment 2 - The Ethics of Immigration Policy AP: Detained Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil appears in immigration case Segment 3 - Investigation of the SBC Concludes Christianity Today: Southern Baptists Say DOJ Investigation Concludes Without Further Charges __________ Use code BREAKPOINT25 at checkout for a discount on registration for Summit Ministries worldview training camp at summit.org/breakpoint. Register for the next Breakpoint Forum on A New Sexual Revolution at colsoncenter.org/greenville. 

Without God, opposing cultural forces look awfully alike.   ___________ Register your student for a 12-day worldview conference with Summit Ministries at colsoncenter.org/breakpoint. 

Tens of thousands are responding to the Gospel message of salvation at campuses nationwide.  __________ Sign up for the Colson Educators course Navigating Cancel Culture: Holding Fast to Truth and Love in a Hostile World at colsoneducators.org. 

Executive orders lose weight when worldviews are at war.  __________ Get access to over 200 expert-led videos on topics like identity, culture, and theology at identityproject.tv. 

Empty libraries and human-less humans.   Related Resources Breakpoint Forum: The Perils and Promise of Artificial Intelligence What Would You Say?: Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) Replace Humans? __________ Register for the upcoming Lighthouse Voices with Dr. Jeff Myers at colsoncenter.org/lighthouse. 

The Bible's “policy” on disability is dignity, inclusion, and care.  __________ Register for the upcoming Breakpoint Forum: A New Sexual Revolution at breakpoint.org/greenville. 

A Facebook whistleblower makes a strange claim about social media. And the role of the intellect in forming a Christian worldview.   Recommendations Lighthouse Voices with Dr. Jeff Myers Segment 1 - Is Social Media Good? Turner's Creed - by Steve Turner BBC: Facebook moderator: ‘Every day was a nightmare' When Prayer Requests Become Viral Hashtags by Maria Baer Segment 2 - In Defense of Thinking Sam Seder on Jubilee Debate Why You Think the Way You Do by Dr. Glenn Sunshine Colson Fellows Program __________ Use code BREAKPOINT25 at checkout for a discount on registration for Summit Ministries worldview training camp at summit.org/breakpoint. Learn more about the Colson Fellows Program at colsonfellows.org.

Obeying the call of God even when the fruits are far out of sight.  ___________ Can We Help the Next Generation Find True Happiness? Register for the upcoming Lighthouse Voices event featuring Dr. Jeff Myers at colsoncenter.org/lighthouse. 

There are no borders when it comes to attacks on the Church and the call to pray and help.  ___________ Register your student for a Summit Minstires worldview conference and recieve a special discount at summit.org/breakpoint.