Today, we set aside our series Winning Spiritual Battles Because We Use Our Spiritual Weapons to seek to put a biblical lens over the event that has captivated our national thinking over the past ten days—the assassination of Charlie Kirk and his impact upon the rising generation. A partisan tweet on social media this week got my attention. It said, When Democrats are angry, you get Black Lives Matter riots, Antifa church shootings, Trump assassination attempts, Charlie Kirk assassination, pro-life pregnancy centers put on fire, Tesla vandalism, attacks against ICE agents, attacks against police, attacks against federal court houses. When Conservatives get angry, we have prayer vigils. What do you think of this tweet? Is this contrast accurate or unfair? Let’s try to think biblically about the cause of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and what Charlie’s remarkable impact upon millions of young men and women across America can teach us.
ROOT CAUSES OF CHARLIE’S MURDER
A. Observation # 1: Political violence is committed by those on the left and right. Although I have long been aware of the unfathomable atrocities committed by left wing Communist dictator, Mao Ze Dong, it was enlightening for me to read this week of the equally heinous crimes of the American-supported dictator against whom, Moa fomented rebellion, Chiang Kai-shek. One historian describes Chinese life under Chang, “The Chinese people are terrorized from two sides: Mao’s rebels and Chiang’s army. Armed and dangerous, these forces roam the countryside demanding taxes, seizing food, raping women. Enraged, many civilians secretly begin supporting the Communists, who are deemed les evil than Chian Kai-shek’s corrupt national army” (Bill O’Reilly, Confronting Evil). Similarly, we know that in Iran, the Ayatollah Khomeini, who called America the Great Satan and Israel the Little Satan, was the personification of evil. Between 1979 and 1989, between five and ten thousand women were executed by the regime. Millions more were raped and sexually abused for so-called crimes against Islam. But the pro-Western dictator, known as the Shah, who was overthrown by Khomeini, was no less ruthless a killer. “He rules through sheer brutality. At his order, innocent civilians are routinely abducted, tortured, disappeared” (Ibid). The Shah’s secret police, known as SAVAK, are responsible for gunning down between 500 and 1200 dissidents in what has been called the Jaleh Massacre. A historical lens confirms the truth of the biblical verdict, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one” (Rom 3:10-12). Man is radically depraved. Sin corrupts every facet of the human heart including the use of political power. Political violence and evil are committed by the politically right and politically left.
B. Observation # 2. Despite the presence of evil on the right and left, these political ideologies are NOT equal when it comes to INSPIRING political violence. Conservative ideology does NOT inherently inspire political violence. The left-wing, woke political movement DOES. Recently, CBS news reported the findings of Stanley Schwartz at Cedarville University that of those who self-identified as “left of center,” 38% said it would be “somewhat justified” to murder President Trump. For those self-identifying as more left-leaning, those numbers grew to 48% who agreed it was “somewhat justified” to murder Donald Trump. These numbers are astonishing. This is the fruit of left-wing ideology. To understand the reason that we see this fruit of woke thinking, we must go to its roots. Here are three roots of left-wing ideology that breed violence.
Root 1. Their utter dependence upon the flawed ad hominem way to argue causes them to constantly demonize their opponents. AI explains: “The ad hominem fallacy occurs when someone attacks the character, traits, or circumstances of an opponent rather than addressing the argument they are presenting.” Left-wing ideology cannot be supported by logical arguments or historical facts. Left-wing policies have a proven record; they fail everywhere they are attempted—be it Mao’s China, Pol Pot’s Cambodia, Castro’s Cuba, or Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela. And when they fail, the poor suffer the most. Since logic and history disprove leftist ideology, the only argument they have left is calling their enemies fascists, “Hitler,” or racists. Their fundamental approach to arguing their case is to demonize their opponents. When any political movement relies on this form of argument it is promoting hatred to further its cause. Psychologists have a fancy term for the way hate-filled rhetoric leads to violence. They say it provides “a permission structure” for the weak-minded to murder a political adversary.
The killer of Charlie Kirk left no doubts about his motivation. He had engraved on one of his bullets, “Hey Fascist, Catch!” This murder is rooted in the political left’s character assassination of Charlie Kirk labeling him a fascist. This fact is indisputable. Its contrast to the conservative approach to winning followers could not be clearer. Charlie sought dialogue with his political opponents.
Root 2: Left-wing ideology is rooted in cultural Marxism, which justifies the violence of the oppressed class against the oppressors. Cultural Marxism, aka critical theory is a comprehensive way of viewing society that is rooted in Karl Marx’s dichotomy of society into the oppressed proletariat laboring class and the oppressor bourgeoisie land and business owner class. Italian Marxist Antonia Gramsci extended this oppressor/oppressed lens into every aspect of culture. Thus, not only are laborers oppressed by business owners, but the poor are oppressed by the rich, blacks are oppressed by whites, women are oppressed by men, homosexuals and transgendered oppressed by cisgendered people. Poor nations are oppressed by wealthy nations, immigrants wanting to cross our borders are oppressed by Americans citizens who want closed borders. Palestinian Muslims are oppressed by Israel. Criminals are criminals because they are the oppressed class, so violence against ICE and law enforcement officers doing their duty is fomented.
Gramsci called the force that enables these oppressors to oppress “unjust, cultural hegemony.” All inequities are caused by the cultural power of the OPPRESSORS, which these OPPRESSORS cling to through their religious, political, social, and cultural structures. These structures, such as Christianity, the US Constitution, the free market, law and order, accurate history, and the structure of the family must be torn down to accomplish social justice. Critical theory is evil to the core. It appeals to the heinous human propensity towards envy, excuses violence, foments rebellion towards authority and sets up a perverted view of justice that is expressly forbidden in Scripture—basing justice upon one’s class. Leviticus 19:5 says, You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.
Critical theory’s justification of violence by the oppressed class toward the “establishment” is clearly seen in the reaction to the death of George Floyd. Leftists rioted in 140 cities, vandalizing and looting. They fire-bombed police cars. At least 19 people were killed. As Antifa and Black Lives Matter burned down buildings across the country, left wing mayors and governors did nothing. The same critical theory class envy and justification of evil violence by the oppressed is seen in the murderer of the CEO of United Health Care, Brian Thompson, in NYC by Luigi Mangione. Left-wing ideologues across the nation celebrated this brutal taking of a human life. Charlie Kirk’s killer was in the “oppressed class,” according to critical theory—in a homosexual relationship with his transgender roommate transitioning to be a female. Robinson etched a transgender meme on one of the bullets intended for Charlie. When asked by his roommate why he had murdered Kirk, Robinson said, “I’ve had enough of this hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.” Critical theory justifies the murder of an oppressor by the oppressed.
Root 3: Left-wing ideology is fundamentally committed to overthrowing existing political authority. The left’s approach to injustice is to overthrow existing political structures, promoting lawlessness to create anarchy (so they can seize power). Scripture calls all Christians to promote justice for the poor and destitute. But it never countenances violence to accomplish such justice. Writing at a time of enormous unjust persecution of Christians by Nero, Paul wrote,
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain (Romans 13:1-4).
The support of left-leaning politicians for those who have committed violent crimes is astonishing. Critical theory gives oppressors the right to murder their political opponent. This ideology could not contrast more sharply with the biblical worldview of crime. The biblical view that spells out what is required in our treatment of others is the royal law of love. “You shall love your neighbor as yourselves.” The reason such love is required is rooted in the identity of that neighbor—she bears God’s image. James appeals to this principle to persuade us to use kind words. With (our tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so (3:9-10).
The biblical worldview of crime is more fully reflected in Genesis 9, where again, we see that it is rooted in man’s identity as God’s image-bearer. From his fellow man I will require a reckoning for the life of man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, FOR GOD MADE MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE. Punishment for breaking the moral law is required for justice. But NOT punishing evil behavior is also unloving to the lawbreaker. Letting the lawbreaker continue down the spiral toward greater and greater evil is to hate him. Prov 13:24: Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. And we know that Whom the Lord loves he disciplines (Heb 12:6).
It is the biblical worldview, not cultural Marxism, that shaped civil rights champion Martin Luther King, Jr. He was committed to non-violence, and he rooted his appeal to justice for black Americans in their God-given human dignity as those made to be like their heavenly father. Listen to these words, from his “I have a Dream” speech given on the steps of the capitol. Appealing to Amos 5:25, he said,
I have a dream that one day “every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together…This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country, ‘tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!”
King wanted human biblical freedom based upon the truth that every black man was created in God’s image. He did not seek the violent overthrow of government, anarchy, or the totalitarian rule of the left. The political conservatism that Charlie championed was like that championed by Martin Luther King, committed nonviolent submission to the rule of law, and to justice for all because all humans bear the image of God.
PUTTING A BIBLICAL LENS OVER CHARLIE’S IMPACT
A. Components of Turning Point USA’s Mission that All Christians Can Support
- The organization’s mission is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government. Thes are all consistent with biblical teaching.
- It is organized to empower informed civic and cultural engagement grounded in American exceptionalism and a positive spirit of action. Empower informed civic and cultural engagement. By any measure, Scripture supports helping Christian citizens become politically engaged and influence culture.
B. Components of TPUSA’s Mission to Be Cautious About. The term, American exceptionalism is a term that requires careful thought.
- We must be exceptionally grateful to God for our material prosperity, and the precious treasure we enjoy of freedom from tyranny.
- We are exceptional in that our declaration of independence is biblically based. We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
- We are exceptional in giving much of our wealth to charity and world missions and in usinn our military not to invade but to defend human rights.
- However, a belief in American exceptionalism can lead to nationalism—an ideology that a Christian cannot embrace. Our citizenship is in heaven.
- American exceptionalism can lead to blindness to the shortcomings of our founding fathers, which has severely wounded our fellow citizens.
--The man who penned the Declaration of Independence did not believe all men are created equal. Jefferson, like 6 other US presidents owned slaves.
--From 1800-1860 many, if not most of the richest men in America were slave traders; it was the most lucrative business in the country.
--Thomas Jefferson, whose monument graces the DC skyline, would be found guilty of sexual abuse today because of his sexual relationship with Sally Hemings, the enslaved, underaged companion of his younger daughter Polly. Hemmings was 15 years old, when the sexual relationship began. Slaves can’t say “no” to their masters. DNA tests prove that Thomas Jefferson fathered six children through her while she remained his slave.
- Despite these caveats, there is much for Bible-believing Christians to celebrate in the rise of Turning Point USA because conservatism’s values greatly overlap Biblical ones. But it is Charlie’s actions that most inspires me.
C. Charlie’s Obedience to His Lord’s Call To Be Salt and Light For the World.
1. Charlie lived out a holistic gospel. As John Stonestreet said, Charlie defied the idea that we have to separate sharing the gospel from the other areas of life. Questions about sports, politics, and God were all fair game. Also, homosexuality, transgenderism, and abortion. He was proving false and demonstrating to be false the idea that we have to NOT talk about politics in presenting the gospel." Charlie Kirk knew that ideas have consequences and bad ideas have victims. So, he went into the hotbed where destructive ideas were being forged—university campuses. As his pastor testified, Charlie knew that the shaping of culture was a spiritual battle. Everyday, he lived out the truth of 2 Cor 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. But he didn’t simply share the biblical worldviews. He used his vocation as a politically conservative operative to proclaim the gospel, when he saw the opportunity.
2. Charlie’s impact resulted from his strategy to ENGAGE with others. In my opinion this strategy, more than anything else, explains his unparalleled success. Remember his slogan, “If you disagree with me come to the front of the line (at the mic).” In contrast to almost every conservative influencer, Charlie wasn’t content to go deliver lectures on college campuses, or just post on X. He understood the “silo” nature of polarized culture today—that conservatives have no contact with the left and the left no contact with the right. He understood intuitively that he could never get a hearing with the rising generation unless he engaged directly with them, listening to their viewpoint. A thoughtful biblical commentator, opined, “Charlie showed that conversation can be had. He showed it must be had. He showed that the truth can still win hearts and minds and that lies can be opposed and that it can all be done with a big smile” (Ibid).
3. Charlie won the hearts of his listeners by respectfully listening to those who disagreed with him. Here is another description of Charlie’s impact. “Charlie Kirk was a committed truth teller with a remarkable gift for exposing and answering deceit. Yet in the midst of doing that he treated his conversation partner with the dignity they had as image-bearers of their creator recognizing that they too were victims of their own bad ideas.”
4. Charlie intentionally developed skill as an apologist for Christ. He knew the command of Peter, In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (3:15). Charlie went to his pastor on one occasion and said, “I didn’t ask for it but I’ve become a high-profile defender of the faith. Would you train me? I need to become the best I can be.”
5. Charlie had the courageous heart of a lion. Proverbs 30:30 states A lion (is) mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing. When Charlie first stepped onto college campuses, without even a college degree, think of the fears he had to overcome. What if I am asked a question I can’t answer? What if I end up making a fool of myself, worse yet making a fool of Jesus? What if this whole thing only succeeds at making the Christians on this campus laughing stocks because I screw up? Charlie must have known and claimed Jesus’ promise to his followers when they faced hostile opponents Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you (Matt 10:19-20).
By the time you read this, Charlie Kirk’s funeral will be over. You will have heard many fine things about Charlie. I close with just one. He shaped his life according to these words from Jesus.
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
May Carlie Kirk’s life and death inspire us to NEVER hide our light under a basket.
For Further Prayerful Thought:
- How would you respond to someone who tried to argue that Charlie’s death had nothing to do with the left-wing ideology embrace by his killer Tyler Robinson.
- What do you think is the difference between patriotism and Christian nationalism. (Hint—whenever you see ism attached to a word it describes a worldview).
- Which aspects of Charlie’s example do you find most inspiring. How can you allow that inspiration to bring about a change in your life?
