It’s Saturday, January 11, 2025.

Today’s edition covers a likely record-breaking gospel presentation on Joe Rogan’s podcast, the often-misunderstood work of the Holy Spirit, some recent statistics of Christian concern, and more.

Wisdom says: “he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” (Proverbs 8:36)

Of Christian Concern

THE FARTHEST-REACHING GOSPEL PRESENTATION IN HISTORY?

Tuesday’s episode of comedian Joe Rogan’s podcast may have contained the farthest-reaching proclamation of the gospel in history.

After biblical scholar Wesley Huff’s decisive victory in a high-profile internet debate with ancient civilization expert Billy Carson, Joe Rogan, the world’s most popular podcaster, interviewed Huff in an episode of the Joe Rogan Experience published this week.

In a viral clip from the episode, Huff critiques famous psychologist Jordan Peterson’s archetypal read of Jesus and shares the Christian view of moralism, religiosity, and the Mosaic law. Regarding the clip, one commenter suggested, “This might very well be the most widely-broadcast, genuine articulation of the gospel in the history of mankind.”

That suggestion may well be true, as Rogan has 14 million regular listeners. Protestia reports, “Even moderately popular episodes enjoy over 11 million downloads, and some far more. In a month’s time, Rogan’s downloads exceed 190 million in the course of a month...”

The YouTube video currently has 3.5 million views, which is the third most viewed video on Rogan’s channel in the past month. It is bested only by his interviews with Mark Zuckerberg and Mel Gibson, which were also published this week.

In addition to explaining the gospel, Huff’s conversation with Rogan covered various biblical textual and historical issues. Rogan, for his part, was fascinated, saying “wow” more than two dozen times throughout the three-plus-hour discussion.

Watch the gospel clip here and the entire episode here.

Also Noteworthy

→ Sixty-four percent of churchgoers say they are being discipled, according to a new Barna report. The survey’s definition: “Being discipled means someone is intentionally walking alongside you to help you grow spiritually and live out the disciplines of the Christian faith.” In the study, personal mentors emerged as the top disciplers, followed by pastors and small groups/Bible studies.

→ Christian journalist Megan Basham mounted an online assault this week against the idea that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Her investigation into the issue was sparked by an interview in which popular pastor J.D. Greear suggests Muslims do worship the same God as Christians, though not correctly. Greear argues similarly, Basham reports, in his book Breaking the Islam Code. She shared a thread of other theologians’ responses to the question.

→ Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky released his Festivus Report 2024 detailing “over $1 trillion in [United States] government waste, including things like ice-skating drag queens, a $12 Million Las Vegas pickleball complex, $4,840,082 on Ukrainian influencers, and more!”

→ “Fifty-four percent of evangelicals believe social media is more harmful than helpful to the Christian faith, but they use social media anyway,” a recent InfinityConcepts report finds. See the full report about evangelicals and social media here.

The Bible, Briefly

The Holy Spirit’s Work

The Holy Spirit is often misunderstood. In a recent social media thread, Christian author and podcaster Virgil Walker highlighted several aspects of the Holy Spirit and His work. Here are three of Walker’s observations.

1. The Holy Spirit is a person, not an “it,” and He is “equal in glory and majesty with the Father and Son.”

Jesus lists the Holy Spirit as an equal to the Father and the Son (Jesus Himself): “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Paul does this as well: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

2. “The Spirit glorifies Christ…”

Jesus said of the Spirit: “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:14)

3. The Spirit is active.

Walker lists a few of His activities.

To go deeper on these points and others, see Walker’s thread.

What did you think of today’s briefing?

Have some feedback for me? Submit comments or suggestions here. I’d love to hear from you!

Why "18:15"? The name Project 18:15 is based on Proverbs 18:15: “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” The aim is for this weekly email—a Christian news briefing, a Bible study, and a Church history lesson rolled into one—to be one way you keep abreast of current events and acquire knowledge you might not acquire elsewhere.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.