While debating university students on the campus of the Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, Charlie Kirk, youth leader of the politically conservative Turning Point USA, was shot and killed. It happened amid debate about gun violence at 12:20 pm by Tyler Robinson from the roof of a building some 200 yards away.
America is grieving for his wife and young children about this act of horror and terror. In many ways, this shooting is a commentary on the state of life in America which has become extremely polarized–especially since the last election.
It’s evident that Charlie Kirk was a genuine believer in Jesus Christ and His gospel. It’s admirable to see how boldly he stood up for Him, for the gospel, and for biblical morality. It’s quite amazing to see how he was able to be a voice to Generation Z concerning true righteousness. In some ways, like John the Baptist, he has been “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” saying, “Prepare ye, the way of the Lord.” His voice can’t help but embolden Christians everywhere to speak for true biblical righteousness and the Good News of Jesus.
Unfortunately, however, Charlie Kirk represented, not only some extreme expressions of conservative politics, but also those of President Trump whose views and ways of speaking often tend to contradict biblical Christianity. In the current administration, it seems, conviction and boldness are often overshadowed by expressions of power and arrogance. And when it comes to true Christian witness, of course, the manner of communication is as important as its content.
It’s possible that Charlie Kirk’s admirable witness to biblical faith could be confused with some of these negative aspects of today’s US conservative politics. It’s important to make the distinction, I believe, that republicanism in America today does not necessarily represent true biblical Christianity.
Jesus certainly represented many truths that conform to conservative ideas — the affirmation of divine creation and the implication of it in the rights of the unborn, the affirmation of divinely-instituted marriage and with it, the conclusion concerning the immorality of homosexuality or transgenderism, etc. But in truth, Jesus also represented views that are sometimes more in line with some of the emphasis in today’s more liberal democracy including, for example, care for the poor, for those in humble circumstances, and even for our enemies.
There is no doubt that Charlie Kirk’s assassination has struck a chord with public sentiment in North America–and, no doubt, all over the world. In answer to the prayers of many, God can hopefully use this tragic event to turn many people’s attention back to Him and His righteousness. I am hopeful that He will use Charlie Kirk’s voice on social media to help people hear the gospel of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sins. We need to rejoice in his testimony of faith as we also pray for the awakening of many people to their need for salvation and goodness through Jesus Christ.
But also, my hope and prayer is, that through Charlie’s expressions, people will not confuse the gospel with the idea that the current US administration is the most Christian kind of government. As Jesus taught, we should honour those who have been appointed to government while always recognizing that the kingdom of God transcends many earthly ideas of government. While we should try to influence government—however God calls—to reflect biblical values, we should be careful not to equate any particular earthly government or political leader with the kingdom of God, or in what may be implied in some kind of Christian nationalism.
I pray that God will use Charlie Kirk’s passing not only to awaken people to the desperation of our times, but also our need to pray for those who lead us. We should also pray, that through Charlie’s testimony, this generation all over North America might be turned to Christ – trusting Him for their salvation and seeking to follow Him as He instructed.
ed ©
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