As people of the Word who follow the Word Incarnate, Christians believe that language matters. The words we use to describe each other matter, and the words we choose to elevate matter. This week’s episode reveals this truth with startling clarity. Whether discussing transgender issues or CT’s historic complicity with J. Edgar Hoover, host Mike Cosper reminds listeners in this episode that our language offers vital Christian witness to both God and neighbor.
“Compassion isn’t compassion unless it's truthful,” says special guest Madeleine Kearns as she talks with Cosper and special guest Nicole Martin about Riley Gaines, preferred pronouns, and the necessity of biological realism. News editor Daniel Silliman joins Cosper for the second half of the episode to discuss rigorous J. Edgar Hoover, truth telling in journalism and history, and the implications of catering to the politics of power. The episode ends with another segment of “Hey, Daniel, What’s Weird?” featuring the most bizarre mixup of mail you’ve never heard of. Talk about words mattering!
Joining us this week: Madeleine Kearns is a staff writer at National Review and a senior fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum. She is from Glasgow, Scotland, and is a trained singer.
Nicole Martin serves Christianity Today as chief impact officer after serving on its board of directors. Nicole oversees three major strategic initiatives that are shaping the future of CT including The Global Initiative, the Big Tent Initiative, and the Next Gen Initiative. Martin worked as a business analyst for Deloitte before receiving her master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, where she was the recipient of the David Hugh Jones Award in Music and the John Alan Swink Award in Preaching.
Daniel Silliman is a journalist and a historian. He is the news editor for Christianity Today, the author of a history of bestselling evangelical fiction, and teaches humanities at Milligan University. Daniel spent several years as a crime reporter outside Atlanta before pursuing higher education in Germany, earning a MA from Tübingen University and a doctoral degree from Heidelberg University. He has reported and edited news coverage for CT since 2019.
Resources Referenced: Parent reports of adolescents and young adults perceived to show signs of a rapid onset of gender dysphoria by Dr. Lisa Littman Proving the Point by Madeleine Kearns Former college swimmer says she was assaulted at an event opposing the inclusion of trans women in women’s sports by Natasha Chen and Cheri Mossburg Female Role Models Are Being Supplanted by Men by Madeleine Kearns Carl Henry’s Temptation (And Ours) by Daniel Silliman The Gospel of J. Edgar Hoover by Lerone A. Martin Clue: The Movie J. Edgar Hoover’s articles for Christianity Today
“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Hosts: Mike Cosper and Russell Moore Producer: Matt Stevens Associate Producer: Azurae Phelps Editing and Mix: TJ Hester Music: Dan Phelps Graphic Design: Bryan Todd Additional Design: Amy Jones Social Media: Kate Lucky
