The new year starts off with a bang in this week’s news roundup, as hosts Mike Cosper and editor in chief Russell Moore take on the battle for speaker of the House and the complexities of violence in professional football.

Never ones to shy away from hard conversations, Mike and Russell talk honestly about the chaos machine that has become American politics, and they ask incisive questions about the gladiatorial nature of America’s favorite sport. On the floor and the field, who have we become when we glory in our shame? Reflections on the legacy of Pope Benedict XVI remind listeners of the upside down beauty of the Christian gospel, and special guest, retired NFL offensive tackle Derwin Gray, speaks to the risks and joys of playing a sport you love.

Joining us this week:
Derwin Gray graduated from Brigham Young University and went on to play professional football in the NFL for five years with the Indianapolis Colts (1993–1997) and one year with the Carolina Panthers (1998). He graduated magna cum laude from Southern Evangelical Seminary with a master of divinity degree, with a concentration in apologetics, and began serving as the lead pastor of Transformation Church in January of 2010.

Resources Referenced:
“Whoever wins, serving as House speaker will be more like ‘being mayor of hell’” by David Lauter, Los Angeles Times
The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism by Matthew Continetti
Horsefeathers, movie
On the House: A Washington Memoir by John Boehner
Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration by Pope Benedict XVI
The Two Popes, movie
Homily of His Eminence Card. Joseph Ratzinger, 18 April 2005
Address of His Holiness Benedict XVI to the Roman Cura Offering Them His Christmas Greetings, 22 December 2005
“Epidemiology of collegiate injuries for 15 sports: summary and recommendations for injury prevention initiatives”Journal of Athletic Training

“The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today
Executive Producer: Erik Petrik
Host and Producer: Mike Cosper
Producer and Editor: Azurae Phelps
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