This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:13 – 15:39) A Debate? Let’s Call It a Debacle.: The Republican Presidential Candidates Were Set Loose, and the Loser Was American PoliticsPart II (15:39 – 23:11) ‘There was a Deep Malevolence, Bordering on Sadism in Your Actions’: British Nurse Turned Serial Killer Sentenced to Life in Prison After Killing Seven BabiesBritish Nurse Who Killed Babies on the Job Gets Life Sentence by Wall Street Journal (David Luhnow and Humza Jilani)Part III (23:11 – 27:00) Driverless Car in San Francisco Hits New Roadblock — Wet ConcreteDriverless Car Gets Stuck in Wet Concrete in San Francisco by New York Times (Michael Levenson)Sign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

DOCUMENTATION AND ADDITIONAL READING
PART 1
(0:0 – 4:26):
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The FDA Loosens Regulations on Mail-Order Abortions and Canada Bans Conversion Therapy—Ominous Developments We’ll Be Tracking into the New Year

PART 2
(4:27 – 10:9):
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The News Here is Not the Fact of Secularization, but its Velocity: Pew Research Shows 3 Out of 10 Now ‘Religiously Unaffiliated’

PEW RESEARCH CENTER
About Three-in-Ten U.S. Adults Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated

PART 3
(10:10 – 14:25):
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To Whom Does Christmas Really Matter? To Those Who Believe the Son of God Was Born to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem

PART 4
(14:26 – 17:6):
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What Does It Mean That Jesus is God’s Son? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners Of The Briefing

PART 5
(17:7 – 20:49):
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How Should Christian Parents Raise Children in the Culture of Santa Claus? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners Of The Briefing

PART 6
(20:50 – 26:18):
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Do Nativity Scenes Violate the Second Commandment? — Dr. Mohler Responds to Letters From Listeners Of The Briefing

The guys are back in the Baptist Catechism, talking about the nature of prayer. Plus, Jimmy is eating healthy, and Joe is eating Flamin’ Hot Cheetoes.Baptist Catechism Q. 105Q. What is prayer?A. Prayer is an offering up our desires to God,⁠ by the assistance of the Holy Spirit,⁠⁠ for things agreeable to his will,⁠⁠ in the name of Christ,⁠⁠ believing,⁠⁠ with confession of our sins,⁠⁠ and thankful acknowledgments of his mercies⁠.RESOURCESThe Baptist CatechismA Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism by Benjamin BeddomeRead Beddome’s Exposition online for free here.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/doctrine-and-devotion/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands