In this week’s Brief: We touch on the ICE shooting in Minnesota and the nationwide protests unfolding in Iran, stepping back from the immediate outrage to talk about why these stories escalated so quickly and how Christians should respond with clarity, compassion, and prayer. We discuss why what’s happening in Iran feels different than past uprisings, what’s at stake as the regime cracks down, the potential for President Trump to order US military involvement, and why this moment calls for intercession, especially for persecuted believers. Plus quick hits on Bill and Hillary Clinton refusing to testify over the Epstein files, a DOJ investigation involving Fed Chair Jerome Powell, continued U.S. strikes against ISIS targets overseas, Scott Adams’ death, the new highest-grossing actor of all time, and why the Golden Globes function more like a Hollywood campaign stop than a cultural authority. And because it wouldn’t be Culture Brief without it, we get into the College Football Playoff National Championship, the NFL playoffs, wildly wrong preseason predictions, and the Buffalo Bills selling one of the strangest pieces of stadium memorabilia imaginable. Through it all, we’re considering what such a chaotic week reveals about our culture—and why Christians are called to consume the news differently, pray first, and anchor our hope not in power, politics, or outcomes, but in Christ. Topics(00:00): Introduction (01:17): Minnesota ice incident breakdown(11:11): National debate on immigration enforcement(19:36): Protests in Iran: a potential revolution(28:19): Trump’s response to Iranian protests(32:10): Prayers for Iran(32:27): Esther’s story and its relevance(33:56): NFL and stadium memorabilia(37:04): US military strikes on ISIS(40:33): Golden Globes recap(41:59): Clintons and Epstein subpoena(43:34): College football championship preview(45:01): NFL playoffs predictions(47:01): Conclusion and farewell ResourcesSend us your thoughts, questions, and topic ideas: culturebrief@denisonforum.orgCulture Brief InstagramWatch on Youtube Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe Articles on this week’s top headlines: Was the ICE shooting in Minnesota justified?What we know so far about the ICE shooting in MinneapolisHomeland Security to send hundreds more officers to Minnesota, Noem saysICE.govICE officer who shot Renee Good in Minneapolis has served decades in military and law enforcementRenee Good's Family Share Their 'Unimaginable Loss' After Her Death in Fatal ICE Shooting, Remember Her as 'Full of Heart'Deadly protests in Iran: A right analysis but a wrong spiritIran’s Leaders Face Their Biggest Challenge in a GenerationWhite House Weighs Iran’s Nuclear-Talks Offer as Trump Leans Toward StrikesIran Update, January 8, 2026Over 12,000 feared dead after Iran protests, as video shows bodies lined up at morgue'Dilbert' creator Scott Adams dies at 68 after prostate cancer diagnosis About Conner JonesConner 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 TomasellaMicah 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 ForumDenison 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.
