Culture Brief - Christian perspectives on the week's biggest news, sports & pop-culture stories

In this week's Brief: The U.S. and Israel launched simultaneous strikes on Iran in what's being called Operation Epic Fury, and the world changed overnight. We’re joined by Dr. Jim Denison, founder of Denison Ministries and author of The Daily Article to break down the latest updates on the conflict. Dr. Denison is one of the foremost Christian voices on faith and global affairs, especially when it comes to Israel, Iran, and radical Islam.
He helps us unpack the history of Iran's Islamic Revolution, the Sunni-Shia divide, the apocalyptic theology fueling the regime, and the big questions Christians are wrestling with: Israel's role in prophecy and modern day geopolitics, the legality of the strikes, and how far a president can go without Congress.
Plus, Dr. Denison shares how believers should be praying for our leaders, our soldiers, the innocents caught in the crossfire, and for the spiritual awakening in the Muslim world that he says has been quietly growing for decades. 
We believe you will find this conversation educational, engaging and uplifting in the midst of a very tense global moment.
Topics
(0:00) Introduction & Meet Dr. Jim Denison
(2:29) Rapid Iran conflict rundown
(5:47) US politics and risks
(9:56) Iran revolution history
(13:58) Sunni–Shia divide explained
(17:48) Why Iran hits neighbors
(20:24) Iran missile strategy
(21:43) Christian views on Israel
(27:43) War powers legality
(30:55) Conflict vs war debate
(34:56) How believers should pray
(39:08) Closing prayer and wrap
Resources
Send us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: [email protected]
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Articles on this week’s top headlines:
Denison Forum: Ali Khamenei reportedly found dead in Tehran
Denison Forum: A biblical reflection on the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Denison Forum:Possible terrorism in Texas and jihad against Americans
The Focus: Is America’s war with Iran legal?
The War in Israel (E-Book)
Denison Forum: Will the Iran war forge a “very different” Middle East?

About Dr. Jim Denison 
Dr. Jim Denison is a cultural theologian and the founder of Denison Ministries. He writes The Daily Article, a widely read commentary helping millions think biblically about the day’s most pressing headlines.
Dr. Denison has studied Islam extensively and traveled to Israel many times, spending decades analyzing the spiritual and geopolitical forces shaping the Middle East. He holds a PhD in philosophy of religion, has taught apologetics at the seminary level, and is the author of more than thirty books, including The War in Israel and Radical Islam: What You Need to Know.
About Conner Jones
Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.
About Micah Tomasella
Micah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.
About Denison Forum
Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this week's Brief: USA! USA! USA! Team USA wins gold in men's and women's hockey to cap off the best Winter Olympics performance in American history—and the men's overtime win over Canada felt like a generational moment. We break down the game, the 26 million viewers, and the tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau that had the whole country in tears.
From there, we dive into the Supreme Court's major tariff ruling, what it means for presidential authority, and Trump's contingency plan. Plus, a full breakdown of the State of the Union—the bipartisan highlights, the jabs, the polls, and what Trump said about Iran as a third of the U.S. Navy sits off their coast.
Plus, a major Mexican cartel leader is killed with U.S. intelligence support, Trump orders the release of UFO files, the Ukraine war hits four years, Prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson are arrested, the latest on the Nancy Guthrie case, and a reflection on why feelings have replaced values—and what Scripture says about it.

Topics
(0:00) Introduction 
(2:01) USA Hockey gold thriller
(7:31) Kash Patel locker room
(8:15) Tariffs Supreme Court ruling
(12:21) State of the Union highlights
(14:18) Polling and speech takeaways
(17:36) Iran tensions and buildup
(23:01) Why hit Iran
(24:08) Cartel kingpin fallout
(26:51) UFO files push
(29:35) Feelings versus values
(33:39) Mailbag
(36:49) War and scandals
(40:05) Wrap-up
Resources
Send us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: [email protected]
Culture Brief Instagram
Watch on Youtube 
Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

Articles on this week’s top headlines:
Denison Forum: Why the Supreme Court ruling on tariffs is good news
Denison Forum: “Jack Hughes for President”
Denison Forum: Who was “El Mencho” and why should his death matter to you?
Denison Forum: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, four years later
The Boys of Team USA
Olympics: Medal Count 
Trump says he’ll raise tariffs to 15 percent after Supreme Court ruling
Supreme Court rules most Trump tariffs illegal in major setback for economic agenda
Marist Poll: The State of the Union
60% disapprove of Trump ahead of State of the Union
Trump’s approval rating with independents hits a new low ahead of the State of the Union
Witkoff warns Iran is ‘a week away’ from 'bomb-making material' as Trump weighs action
The biggest decision Trump will make
Surveillance of romantic partner led to El Mencho’s deadly capture, Mexican authorities say
Tourists Stranded in Mexico After Cartel Violence Erupts: ‘I Watched Them Explode a Jeep’
We asked scientists what they think we'll learn from the government's UFO files. Here's what they said.

About Conner Jones
Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.
About Micah Tomasella
Micah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.
About Denison Forum
Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

​​In this week's Brief: Is the American dream still alive? We dig into the data and what Americans actually mean by "the dream," why hope is more powerful than negativity, and how Christians can stay grounded while the loudest voices online try to convince us everything is falling apart.
From there, we honor three cultural giants we lost this week—James Van Der Beek, Robert Duvall, and Rev. Jesse Jackson. We explore what their lives and legacies teach us about the difference between earthly impact and eternal significance.
Plus, updates on the Winter Olympics medal count and fun facts on what athletes actually get paid, a mailbag question on finding clean TV shows, the DHS government shutdown, looming U.S. strikes on Iran, and the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal getting shaken up by Paramount. 
Topics
(0:00) Introduction
(2:03) Cultural noise vs. reality: why the news feels so negative
(3:07) Encouraging survey data: the American dream is more than wealth
(6:14) History & hope: checks and balances, perseverance, and a crisis of hope
(11:50) Freedom to live out faith: opportunity, religion, and a legacy tease-up
(14:06) Remembering James Van Der Beek
(17:02) Remembering Robert Duvall
(19:37) Remembering Jesse Jackson
(25:05) Gospel invitation: where your eternity (and legacy) begins
(28:35) Winter Olympics check-in: medals, curling, and must-see moments
(34:49) Mailbag: finding clean(ish) TV shows in a hyper-streaming culture
(39:26) Checking in: DHS shutdown, Iran strike prep, and streaming mega-deals
(41:55) Wrap-up: closing ceremonies, USA Hockey, and State of the Union
Resources
Send us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: [email protected]
Culture Brief Instagram
Watch on Youtube 
Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

Articles on this week’s top headlines:
American Optimism Proves Its Resilience
Niall Ferguson: A Republic—If You Don’t Throw It Away
People: James Van Der Beek and Wife Kimberly Renewed Wedding Vows from Bed in 'Moving' Ceremony Days Before His Death (Exclusive)
EW: James Van Der Beek secured down payment to buy family's Texas ranch just before his death with help from friends
Denison Forum: James Van Der Beek’s death and the path to true hope
WSJ: Robert Duvall, Oscar-Winning Actor, Dies at Age 95
Facebook: Robert Duvall
WSJ: Jesse Jackson, Civil-Rights Leader and Democratic Presidential Candidate, Dies at 84
NYT: Jesse Jackson, Charismatic Champion of Civil Rights, Dies at 84
Truth Social: Donald J. Trump

About Conner Jones
Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.
About Micah Tomasella
Micah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.
About Denison Forum
Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this week's Brief: We break down Seattle's dominant Super Bowl win over the Patriots, the halftime show culture war between Bad Bunny and the Turning Point USA, and why this year's Super Bowl felt like an all-around stinker. But the moment that actually mattered most? Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba giving all glory to God at the pinnacle of success.
From there, we dive into the AI arms race, from Super Bowl ad wars between Anthropic and OpenAI to the "SaaS-pocalypse" that rattled Wall Street. And we touch on one of the most disturbing political stories of the year: an AI-generated video shared from President Trump's account depicting the Obamas as primates.
Plus, major Epstein file updates including Ghislaine Maxwell's testimony and international fallout, Winter Olympics highlights, the latest on the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping, and a reflection on what true success and failure look like through the lens of faith.
Topics
(0:00) Introduction 
(5:08) Halftime show controversy
(12:37) AI in the spotlight
(18:00) Trump's AI video controversy
(22:50) Epstein files: dark revelations
(31:03) Winter Olympics highlights
(38:55) Savannah Guthrie kidnapping case
(40:57) Tensions with Iran
(41:54) Conclusion and call to action
Resources
Send us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: [email protected]
Culture Brief Instagram
Watch on Youtube 
Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

Articles on this week’s top headlines:
X Post: Seattle Seahawks Jaxon-Smith Njigba’s faith
X: Super Bowl Viewership
X: Super Bowl Halftime Viewership
Denison Forum: How to help kids process disturbing news in a digital age (Epstein files)
Denison Forum: What Lindsey Vonn wrote after her crash at the Olympics
Lawmakers Review Unredacted Epstein Files
A.I. Blitzes the Big Game
Denison Forum: Should churches use AI?
Tech-Stock Recovery Fuels Dow Record
Denison Forum: White House video depicts the Obamas as primates
CNN: Nancy Guthrie case live updates

About Conner Jones
Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.
About Micah Tomasella
Micah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.
About Denison Forum
Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.

In this week’s Brief, we step into one of those rare moments when it feels like everyone is watching—and arguing about—the same things.
We discuss the Grammys’ most talked-about moments, including overt political messaging from Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, and other celebrities, and why so many Americans feel burned out by award shows that seem less about art and more about ideology. We then contrast that with the night’s most powerful moment: Jelly Roll’s reminder that Jesus doesn’t belong to a political party—but transforms lives.
We also wrestle with the Super Bowl as a cultural battleground, asking why the halftime show sparks outrage every year and how Christians can keep their priorities straight when sports, politics, and identity collide. From there, we move into a fast-paced news roundup covering the latest Epstein document releases, rising tensions with Iran, and the Don Lemon arrest raising questions about protest, journalism, and religious freedom.
Plus quick hits on the Clintons, Disney’s new CEO, and the Winter Olympics.
Topics
(0:00) Introduction 
(1:54) Grammys recap: performances and controversies
(4:26) Bad Bunny’s political statement
(9:46) Super Bowl halftime show controversies
(14:51) Jelly Roll’s powerful Grammy speech
(19:37) Epstein files: new revelations and reactions
(23:55) Tensions with Iran: military and diplomatic developments
(26:54) Don Lemon and the FACE Act controversy
(29:52) Spiritual reflection: slowing down in a fast-paced world
(33:19) Mailbag
(41:20) Tune in: upcoming events and entertainment
Resources
Send us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: [email protected]
Culture Brief Instagram
Watch on Youtube 
Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe
Articles on this week’s top headlines:
Denison Forum: Should I have watched the Grammys?
A smiling Cher laughs at her Grammys flubs in a good-natured, chaotic appearance
BAD BUNNY Wins BEST MÚSICA URBANA ALBUM | 2026 GRAMMYs
BILLIE EILISH & FINNEAS O'CONNELL Win SONG OF THE YEAR | 2026 GRAMMYs
JELLY ROLL Wins BEST CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY ALBUM | 2026 GRAMMYs
X Post: Guitar Gods Unleashed (Ozzy)
X Post: Sharon Osbourne 
Clintons to testify in Epstein congressional probe later this month, contempt vote on hold
Clintons finalize agreement to testify in House Epstein probe, bowing to threat of contempt vote

About Conner Jones
Conner Jones is the Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries and Co-Hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. Conner passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife and son.
About Micah Tomasella
Micah Tomasella is the Director of Advancement at Denison Ministries and co-hosts Denison Forum's "Culture Brief" podcast. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are the proud parents of two daughters. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry.
About Denison Forum
Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.