The BreakPoint Podcast

John and Maria discuss the long-awaited return of hostages from Gaza; China cracking down on Christians again, racist texts from Young Republicans, and Global Anglicans announce the Church of England has left them.  RECOMMENDATIONS  Interesting Times Podcast  Facts About Fertility    Segment 1 - News Headlines  Gaza Christians Come Home  Chinese Pastors Arrested  Global Anglicans Break with Church of England  Segment 2 - More News Headlines  Trans Trending Downward  Is this Revival?  More Men than Women Attending Church  Young Republicans Text Messages  ______________________  Support Breakpoint by becoming a Cornerstone Monthly Partner between now and October 31 at colsoncenter.org/october.  Watch Truth Rising, now available at truthrising.com/colson.   

Christian education offers a vision of identity rooted in the foundational truth that we made in the image of God. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

The racist origins of Planned Parenthood.  __________ Sign up for the Why Life? video series at colsoncenter.org/whylife.

The atheist who had a lot to say about God, man, and the West.  _________ Register for CCNC by going to colsonconference.org.

Humans were made to worship with song.  __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

Religious freedom is not about keeping religion out of government but keeping government out of religion. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

The hostages in Gaza are headed home in a tentative peace deal, conversion therapy gets a hearing at the Supreme Court, and there is a new, controversial Archbishop of Canterbury    Segment 1 - News Headlines  PBS News: What we know about the deal to pause war in Gaza and what's next  Breakpoint: SCOTUS Decides Whether Christian Counselors will be Able to Help Children  Segment 2 - FDA Approved Generic Abortion Drug  The Hill: FDA approves new generic abortion pill, drawing conservative fury  Loyola Today: A Loyola Icon with an Enduring Legacy, Sister Jean Dies at 106  Segment 3 - New Archbishop of Canterbury  Substack: The Faith of a Mustard Seed: The New Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lections Appointed for the Day  Comments from Listeners  Substack: Kentucky's Custody Law Did Not Reduce Divorce    ______________________  Support Breakpoint by becoming a Cornerstone Monthly Partner between now and October 31 at colsoncenter.org/september.  Watch Truth Rising, now available at truthrising.com/colson.   

Is the West a sitting duck?  __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

There may be no better example of Christian faithfulness and courage right now than in Nigeria. __________ Free Colson Educators course - Hope Always: How to be a Force for Life in a Culture of Suicide

Colorado is co-opting professional counseling conversations to impose gender ideology on therapists. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

Critical Theory is too morally bankrupt to analysis Hamas' attack and Israel's response.  __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

We cannot manufacture revival, but that should not keep us from hoping, praying, and working for it. __________ Give today to guide future leaders in a Christian worldview at colsoncenter.org/october.

Another attack on a house of faith, this time the motive appears more religious than political. Louise Perry, a non-religious feminist, converts to Christianity. And what's helped Mississippi turn around its long-time miserable student test scores.    Recommendations  The Case Against the Sexual Revolution by Louise Perry  Truth Rising  Segment 1 - News Headlines  CNN: Investigators are searching for a motive in shooting at Michigan church. Here's what we know  Louise Perry Converts  National Review: Mississippi Learning: Educational Success Is a ‘Choice' After All The Wall Street Journal: Divorce Plunged in Kentucky. Equal Custody for Fathers Is a Big Reason Why. NBC: Kieran Culkin's wife says she's pregnant after ‘Succession' star revealed baby pact in Oscars speech  Segment 2 - Third Wayism: Keller and Kirk YouGov poll: What Americans really think about political violence Comments from Listeners  ______________________  Support Breakpoint by becoming a Cornerstone Monthly Partner between now and October 31 at colsoncenter.org/september.  Watch Truth Rising, now available at truthrising.com/colson.  

Giving as a Christian comes with self-evaluation. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

Practicing the pro-life argument with Aunt Betty.  __________ Learn more about Truth Rising at truthrising.com/colson.

When the Church fails to answer very knowable truths of the faith, bad ideas can become famous.   __________ Learn more about the new Colson Educators course, Navigating Cancel Culture, at colsoneducators.org.

The Church has a great opportunity to fill a longing in adults.  __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

Only Christianity provides the framework for forgiveness. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

John and Maria reflect on the memorial for Charlie Kirk. Did that memorial start a Christian revival in America? The devastating persecution against Christians in Nigeria continues. And another prediction of the Rapture proves false.    Recommendations  The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity by Philip Jenkins  Truth Rising on X   #truthrising Segment 1 – The Charlie Kirk Memorial  The Man in a New Suit  Segment 2 - Revival?  Jonathan Edwards and Revival  Truth Rising Documentary  “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards  The Kingdom of Cain: Finding God in the Literature of Darkness by Andrew Klavin  Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby Segment 3 - Persecution in Nigeria and the Rapture  Free Press: “He's Christian. In Nigeria, That Meant Torture and Prison.” by Josh Code Comments from Listeners  ______________________  Support Breakpoint by becoming a Cornerstone Monthly Partner between now and October 31 at colsoncenter.org/september.  Watch Truth Rising, now available at truthrising.com/colson.  

If our eschatology on the apocalypse leaves us with anything other than peace and purpose, we're doing it wrong.  __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

Looking past the accusations, the record shows something more revealing about Kirk's character. __________ Register for the Colson Center National Conference before November 29 to receive up to 50% off tickets. Go to colsonconference.org.

More historians are recognizing that Christianity has been a force for good in the world. __________ Register for the Colson Center National Conference before November 29 to receive up to 50% off tickets. Go to colsonconference.org.

If this is a “turning point” for our culture, our work must be anchored in the true turning point of human history. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

It's not so much that Christianity is Western, but that Western culture is at root Christian. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.  

John and Maria talk about the latest revelations about the man accused of shooting Charlie Kirk, the free speech implications of Jimmy Kimmel losing his TV show and a question about Christian schools.    Recommendations “All My Questions” by Bethany Barnard CrossExamined Podcast by Dr. Frank Turek   Segment 1 - Charlie Kirk's Shooter The New York Times: Texts From Suspect in Charlie Kirk Shooting Offer Insight Into a Motive Breakpoint: The Theory of Everything in Critical Theory “Parable Of The Madman” by Friedrich Nietzsche The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt Notes from the Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche Truth Rising Documentary   Segment 2 - Jimmy Kimmel and Free Speech Delay Smartphones I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Frank Turek ______________________ Support Breakpoint by becoming a Cornerstone Monthly Partner between now and October 31 at colsoncenter.org/september. Free Colson Educators course - Hope Always: How to be a Force for Life in a Culture of Suicide Watch Truth Rising, now available at truthrising.com/colson.  

Modern gender theories promised to promote women but instead reduced them and now attempt to erase them. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

We must oppose eugenics in all forms, and we must train our children about God's design and the God-given intrinsic good of children.  __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Cultural Christianity is not Christianity.  __________ Become a Cornerstone Monthly Partner today at colsoncenter.org/monthly.

Every worldview assumes that there is a plan to life, even those that deny the Planner. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

Liberty depends on the older generation telling the truth about tyranny. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

John and Maria discuss the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk, whose bold defense of truth inspired a generation to think clearly and engage courageously.  Recommendations  Hebrews 11  The Babylon Bee: World Deemed Unworthy Of Charlie Kirk  Turning Point USA  Segment 1 - Charlie Kirk's Legacy  Associated Press: Suspect in assassination of Charlie Kirk arrested on suspicion of capital murder, weapons and obstruction offenses  WORLD: Charlie Kirk, 31, dies from gunshot wound  YouTube: Charlie Kirk Revealed in June How He Wanted to be Remembered  Segment 2 - This Cultural Moment  Breakpoint: From Cancel Culture to Assassination Culture?  ______________________  Support Breakpoint by becoming a Cornerstone Monthly Partner between now and October 31 at colsoncenter.org/september.  Access the Why Life? video series at colsoncenter.org/whylife.  Watch Truth Rising, now available at truthrising.com/colson. 

A new era has been marked; Christians must tell the truth.  __________ To download, print or share this commentary, or to receive these daily commentaries in your email inbox, go to breakpoint.org.   

If abortion is truly about women's health, as advocates claim, they should immediately demand more regulations and limits on the practice. __________ Become a Cornerstone Monthly Partner today by going to colsoncenter.org/monthly.

It's not too late to get your children off their smartphones. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

At this educational crossroads of our country, Christians can help loosen the stranglehold of the state over education. __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.  

If the government thinks it can grant rights, then they can also take them away.  __________ For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org.

John and Maria discuss the President deploying the National Guard to American cities, and what the arrest of a comedian in the U.K. for social media posts signifies. Also, Sen. Tim Kaine misunderstands human rights. John has a conversation with Jack Phillips and answers listener questions about “Shiny, Happy, People.” Recommendations  Truth Rising (streaming now)  Sarah Groves  Segment 1 - News Headlines  Associated Press: As Trump threatens more Guard troops in US cities, here's what the law allows  Comedian Arrested in U.K. for tweets   National Review: Malcolm Gladwell Reaches His Tipping Point on Trans Athletes  Segment 2 - Our Rights Come From God  Ted Cruz Confronts Tim Kaine   MSN: Kaine sparks backlash after calling Declaration of Independence's God-given rights ‘extremely troubling'  Segment 3 - Jack Phillips: Life Lived Forward   Comments from Listeners  US Weekly: Shiny, Happy People  ______________________  Support Breakpoint by becoming a Cornerstone Monthly Partner between now and October 31 at colsoncenter.org/september.  Watch Truth Rising, now available at truthrising.com/colson.   

The worldviews that we currently embrace in the West just aren't working out, and it's causing people to look again at the Christian story.  __________ Watch the Truth Rising documentary at truthrising.com. 

When people believe that bad ideas make people unworthy of their humanity, then what begins with hashtags and de-platforming can end with bullets and bombs. __________ Get the latest on the Truth Rising documentary at truthrising.com. 

Secularism as a worldview is simply not big enough for the God-shaped hole in the human heart. As more young people realize this, the Church has an incredible opportunity to help them find the One who can. __________ Get the latest on the Truth Rising documentary at truthrising.com/colson. 

Amid rising headlines about a “quiet revival,” Justin Brierley joins Breakpoint to discuss why young people and even secular thinkers are rediscovering Christianity. Together, he and John Stonestreet unpack the cultural hunger for meaning and the surprising rebirth of belief in God. __________ Get the latest on the Truth Rising documentary at truthrising.com/colson.  Learn more about Justin's work, books, and podcast at JustinBrierley.com.

Because Chloe had the courage to admit she was wrong and to embrace the truth, she is now an incredible example of how to live in this civilizational moment. _____________ Get the latest on the Truth Rising documentary at truthrising.com/colson. 

When it's worse to be a racist than a rapist.  ______________ Sign up for the free Worldview Formation course at colsoneducators.org. 

The horrific school shooting in Minnesota is raising the veil on mental health and transgenderism. The largest Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas closed this week due to budget shortages.  And Friday is the global premiere of the Truth Rising documentary. Recommendations Truth Rising Segment 1 - The Tragedy of the Minnesota School Shooting Christian Post: ‘Pure evil': Christian leaders react to Minneapolis Catholic school shooting The World and Everything in It: August 29, 2025 Breakpoint: Worldviews and Tragedy Segment 2 - Planned Parenthood Clinics Closing Dozens of Planned Parenthood Clinics Closed in 2025 Christianity Today: The Biggest Planned Parenthood in the Country Is Closing Family of teenager who died by suicide alleges OpenAI's ChatGPT is to blame PEOPLE: College Student Speaks Out After AI Chatbot Allegedly Told Him to ‘Please Die': ‘I Freaked Out' Bill Maher Returned From Summer Break With AI On His Mind FORTUNE: ‘Godfather of AI' says tech companies should imbue AI models with ‘maternal instincts' to counter the technology's goal to ‘get more control' Civilization: The West and the Rest by Niall Ferguson Segment 3 - Truth Rising Documentary Release Truth Rising documentary updates The Truth Project WORLD: Truth rising and a call to renewal Breakpoint: Broadening Death and Cheapening Life: The Organ “Shortage” Submit a question to Breakpoint here! __________ Get digital access to the 2025 Colson Center National Conference at colsoncenter.org/august. Stay up to date on Truth Rising, premiering September 5, at truthrising.com/colson.

The legendary Columba and the call to redeem paganism.  _______________ Get digital access to the National Conference with a gift of any amount at colsoncenter.org/august. 

The very low bar of deciding your own death.  ________________ Get updates on the Truth Rising documentary at truthrising.org/colson.

As the western world detaches from its Christian foundations, we should expect that more children will be devalued and harmed in more ways. _____________ Get digital access to the 2025 Colson Center National Conference with your gift to the Colson Center at colsoncenter.org/august. 

How should we now live in this time and in this place?  Related Resource Get updates on the Truth Rising documentary at truthrising.com/colson.  _____________ Get digital access to the 2025 Colson Center National Conference with your gift at colsoncenter.org/august. 

What would Jesus do?  ___________________ Get updates on the Truth Rising documentary at truthrising.com/colson. 

John and Maria discuss the news of the week including the death of Dr. James Dobson and President Trump's remarks on getting to heaven. Also, many parents are beginning to question public education. And are we on the brink of revival in Europe? Recommendations Bahnsen: Serrated Edge for Me but not for Thee Alistair Begg: The Secret of Contentment Segment 1 - Passing of Dr. Dobson and Headline News Dr. James C. Dobson, Visionary, Family Advocate and Founder of the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, Dies at 89 Summit Ministries Brio Magazine Adventures in Odyssey  Breakpoint: President Trump and the Hope of Heaven Newsweek: 7,000 Christians Have Been Killed in Nigeria This Year, Group Says Segment 2 - Golden Opportunity for Christian Education NYT: Why So Many Parents Are Opting Out of Public Schools NYP: Virginia teens suspended for questioning transgender student about being in boys locker room Colson Educators LifeWise Academy Segment 3 - Is There a Quiet Revival? Bible Society: The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendance The Times: Full-fat faith: the young Christian converts filling our churches Breakpoint: Is Penal Substitutionary Atonement “Knocked Out”? Submit a question to Breakpoint here! __________ Stay up to date on Truth Rising, premiering September 5, at truthrising.com/colson. Join the Colson Center as a Cornerstone Monthly Partner at colsoncenter.org/cornerstone.

How do you get to Heaven? ______________ Get digital access to the 2025 Colson Center National Conference with your gift this month at colsoncenter.org/august.