The Killing of Alex Pretti, Board of Peace, Ted Cruz Tapes, and The Body God Gives

The Bulletin

Christianity Today

News, News Commentary, Society & Culture, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity

4.4 • 586 Ratings

🗓️ 28 January 2026

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

On Saturday, a US Customs and Border Patrol agent shot nurse Alex Pretti in the street after he stepped between a woman and the ICE agent who was pepper spraying her. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump announced his new Board of Peace to rebuild Gaza. And on Sunday, recordings of Senator Ted Cruz were leaked to the press, distancing himself from potential GOP presidential contenders in 2028. Mike Cosper and Clarissa Moll discuss these headlines, and Mike sits down with Robert Smith, author of the book The Body God Gives (recipient of Christianity Today’s Book of the Year Award of Merit), to discuss a biblical response to transgender theory. REFERENCED IN THE SHOW: -The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory - Robert Smith -First Comes Sex, Then Comes Gender - CT review of The Body God Gives - J. Alan Branch GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: -Join the conversation at our Substack. -Find us on YouTube. -Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Robert Smith is an ordained Anglican minister and a lecturer in theology, ethics, and music ministry. He is the author of How Should We Think About Gender and Identity? and The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly politics and current events show from Christianity Today moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today’s editor-at-large and columnist) and Mike Cosper (senior contributor). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. The Bulletin listeners get 25% off CT. Go to https://orderct.com/THEBULLETIN to learn more. “The Bulletin” is a production of Christianity Today Producer: Clarissa Moll Associate Producer: Alexa Burke Editing and Mix: Kevin Morris Graphic Design: Rick Szuecs Music: Dan Phelps Executive Producer: Erik Petrik Senior Producer: Matt Stevens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	If we're going to retain the word gender, which I kind of think we're stuck with,
0:05.0	well, why don't we use sex for biological sex and gender for the psychosocial?
0:10.0	That is, the psychological reception of one's sex, the social expression of one's sex.
0:15.0	And so if we're going to pass the words out that way, there's at least a coherence and consistency to doing that.
0:29.4	From Christianity today, you're listening to The Bulletin, a podcast about the people, events,
0:34.7	and issues that are shaping our world. I'm Clarissa Mall, producer and moderator of the Bulletin.
0:39.9	This week, federal agents shoot intensive care nurse Alex Preti in the street. The Trump administration establishes a board of peace to makeover Gaza, and recordings
0:44.8	of Senator Ted Cruz are leaked to the press.
0:47.9	Mike Cosper and I discuss these headlines, and Mike sits down with Robert Smith to talk
0:52.4	about how to receive the bodies God gives us.
0:55.2	Welcome to the show.
1:04.2	This paid message is from Pew Research Center.
1:07.5	The U.S. Census doesn't track religion, but Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape
1:12.0	Study does. Since 2007, it's provided a comprehensive look at the ever-changing role of faith in America.
1:18.9	With responses from more than 35,000 Americans, the Religious Landscape Study provides authoritative
1:24.4	data on religious beliefs, practices, and identities across all 50 states.
1:29.3	To explore how faith shapes your community, visit pewresearch.org slash RLS.
1:39.5	Hello, listeners. Welcome to our Tuesday show, where we let you know what's catching our eye as the week begins. Joining me today is senior contributor, Mike Cosper. Hi, listeners. Welcome to our Tuesday show where we let you know what's catching our eye as the week begins.
1:45.2	Joining me today is senior contributor, Mike Cosper. Hi, Mike.
1:48.5	Hey, morning.
1:49.9	This past week, Minneapolis erupted after the death of ICU nurse Alex Prettie, who was shot multiple times when he stepped between a woman and the ice agent who was pepper spraying her.
2:02.4	The Trump administration has vehemently insisted that Preti was armed and dangerous, with DHS Secretary Kristy Noem saying
	...

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