Voting Maps, DHS Funding, Troops in Europe, and Reclaiming ‘Evangelical’

The Bulletin

Christianity Today

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

4.4 • 586 Ratings

🗓️ 5 May 2026

⏱️ 40 minutes

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Summary

The Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map was unconstitutional because it improperly considered race to create a majority-Black district. Congress voted to end the longest Department of Homeland Security shutdown in US history. And President Trump says he is considering a reduction in the number of US troops in Germany. Warren Cole Smith joins Clarissa Moll to discuss these headlines, and then Clarissa speaks with Walter Kim and Bonnie Kristian about the term ‘evangelical,’ and whether Christians should keep it or not. 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: Warren Cole Smith is the president of MinistryWatch.com. Previously, Smith served as vice president and associate publisher of WORLD News Group, publisher of WORLD Magazine. He is the author of Restoring All Things: God’s Audacious Plan To Change The World Through Everyday People. Walter Kim is the president of the National Association of Evangelicals and is on Christianity Today’s board of trustees. He previously served as a pastor at Boston’s historic Park Street Church and at churches in Vancouver, Canada and Charlottesville, Virginia, as well as a campus chaplain at Yale University. Bonnie Kristian is the editorial director of ideas and books at Christianity Today and a fellow at the think tank Defense Priorities. She is the author of Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community and A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What It Means to Follow Jesus Today. Her writing has been published at outlets including The New York Times, The Week, USA Today, CNN, Politico, and others. ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a twice-weekly news analysis podcast from Christianity Today, with editor-at-large Russell Moore and executive editor of news Clarissa Moll. Each episode offers commentary on current events and headlining news with a roundtable of premier guests, and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. 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	This paid message is from Glu.
0:02.0	There are 450,000 organizations across the U.S., churches, non-profits, and mission-driven businesses
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0:50.0	Thank you. That's g-l-o.com. From Christianity today, you're listening to The Bulletin, a podcast about the people, events, and issues that are shaping our world.
0:51.4	I'm Clarissa Mall.
1:02.8	This week, a Supreme Court decision adjusts congressional maps, the Department of Homeland Security reopens, and President Trump toys with pulling U.S. troops out of Europe.
1:12.9	Warren Cole Smith and I discuss these headlines, and I sit down with Walter Kim and Bonnie Christian to talk about whether evangelical has become a dirty word.
1:14.3	Welcome to the show.
1:22.6	Good morning, listeners. Welcome to our Tuesday roundtable, where we let you know what's catching our eye as the week begins. Joining me today is editor-in-chief at Ministry Watch, Warren Smith. Warren,
1:28.5	thanks for being with me. Thanks, Morris. Great to be on with you again.
1:32.2	On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana's congressional map was unconstitutional,
1:37.4	because, according to the New York Times, it, quote, improperly considered race to create a
1:42.4	majority black district. The court ruled in a six-three decision,
1:46.4	one that some say is a major blow to the Voting Rights Act, and others say preserves the integrity
1:52.0	of a level playing field for elections. Warren, what exactly did the court decide for us?
1:58.8	Well, the court, as you said, decided six to three that would make it
2:03.7	less likely that states will be able to create majority, minority districts. And some of those
2:10.2	majority minority districts, I know, for example, here in North Carolina, where I live,
	...

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