If you’re a Christian - what are your thoughts on Charlie Kirk?

[ondemand]

There’s been a lot of very fiery discussions on other boards about the life and (horrific) death of Charlie Kirk. I’m a Christian (and regular MN name changer) but I’m intrigued to know what other Christians thought of him too?

In my circle of (Christian) friends, the reaction is a bit mixed. Most would say they knew he was a Christian as he regularly shared about his faith, some agreed with him on everything and others didn’t like his political views at all.

I’m not looking to start a debate (I promise!) but curious to know what other believers think.

I'd never heard of him until he was shot.
Whatever he was, he didn't deserve that.

I watched and enjoyed his thoughtful debates. I loved his passion for our Lord Jesus. When I heard the news it felt visceral. I cried for days. The outpouring of celebration by those who disliked him has struck me as an example of any masks they had now coming off en masse.
We live in a world where the darker it gets the starker the contrast with the light.

Reminds me of the words of John 3:19
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

I had never heard of Charlie Kirk until his violent murder hit the headlines. At first, I was absolutely disgusted by some of the responses to his death and the manner of his death. Then I read a lot of out of context soundbites that were being copied and pasted all over the place and was equally horrified at what I was reading. How could a Christian say such things? So I went in search of what he actually said - ie the full context and nuance surrounding the soundbites. I have posted my views on many of the many threads that were started in order to further vilify him.

He was a passionate man of God - fulfilling the great commission. We can see from 'religious' debates on other parts of this site how God's Truth enrages people who deny Him. Charlie's God-given mission was to engage young people in debate with his 'prove me wrong' tours. He debated with vigour, strength, conviction and passion but also with grace and humour. So many people have no idea how to debate and so I can see how his style, combined with stating Truths that do not embrace modern secular politically correct world views would enrage those who do not know the Lord.

How prophetic were his words: "When you stop having a human connection with someone you disagree with, it becomes a lot easier to want to commit violence ..." 😢

The hate that was then spewed towards his newly grieving widow Erika, just showed the state of some people's hearts. Unspeakably vile.

We have another thread on here about end times. I believe his murder and the hatred being thrown his way is merely a further symptom of the spiritual war.

He is now with his Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus and I hope that sure and certain knowledge brings some comfort to those who most love the flawed human being, Charlie Kirk. 🙏

I should have added my own views in my OP. Long before this happened I followed Charlie and was fascinated by how quickly his brain worked and how much knowledge he had on everything from theology to the US Constitution.

Some of his views (which I’d say were ‘extra biblical’) around roles in marriage made me uncomfortable and also yes, guns. I don’t get US gun culture at all.

But in general, I love what he stood for and I continue to be gobsmacked at how people have formed an opinion based on edited clips of his debates. Even someone in my church posted something recently calling him a ‘Nazi hate monger’. I can only assume this person had never watched any of his actual content.

There’s one clip where Charlie’s talking to a trans girl who’s asking for advice. Charlie was so kind and basically encouraged this person to ‘make peace with the way God designed your body’.

There’s an interview out today with one of his friends who got him in the car to go to hospital. He said they knew he was gone and was with Jesus but they kept trying CPR anyway. I think his murder is kickstarting something really interesting in young people who are starting to ask big questions about faith.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rCbPLD9Mahg

@ondemand Even someone in my church posted something recently calling him a ‘Nazi hate monger’.

Well, I guess I would wryly observe that churches are not necessarily filled with Christians born again in Spirit and in Truth. Maybe they need to examine their own heart and let us hope that one day they will be willing to remove the log from their eye, and obey the eighth Commandment.

It was a terrible thing, nobody deserves to die like that.

I'm a bit wary of how he's been almost beatified in some circles though. I had heard of him before and had very mixed feelings about things he said. Some good and godly, some quite problematic.

I think Matthew 26 is applicable, tragically.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."

I’m just interested in that scripture you quoted. How do you see it applicable here?

He was pro- guns, wasn't he?

That is too simplistic so I am bound to say no. He was pro the right to bear arms (for protection).

I think the right to bear arms is something US Christian conservatives hold dear. Some will see the Constitution as a document inspired by God and so it’s baked into their understanding of faith, God, nationalism and all sorts.

I don’t understand it but I’m not American so I tend to stay out of that discussion.

Charlie Kirk, the human being, the man-of-God, the husband, daddy, son and friend, in the words of somebody (Pierre Wilson) who came to know Charlie well. It makes a change from reading all the lies peddled about him:

Charlie was a man of faith. He was kind, thoughtful, generous, and deeply caring. He was a husband, a father, and a friend. He was directly responsible for helping launch the careers of so many in this movement. And when he disagreed with people, he did so passionately. But even then, there was no hate in him. Even in debates where he stood firmly for what he believed, he never despised those who saw things differently.

To everyone reading this—the left may think this moment silences us, but it does not. Our resolve is stronger than ever. We will not back down. We will push forward. The work continues because the mission matters.

https://www.blexit.com/libraries/charlie-kirk-the-man-behind-the-platform

I cannot condone the ownership and potential use of guns under any circumstances.

But I'll leave it there.

Well as @FuzzyPuffling said he was pro guns. He was pro the right to bear arms which means he was pro people owning guns. He debated on that at length and defended it. I think it's clear how the scripture applies.

Agreed.

To everyone reading this—the left may think this moment silences us, but it does not.

This kind of statement is so bad. It's setting people up, right against left, falsely. It's just not true that the right loved him as a godly man and the left rejoice in his death. Reality is far more nuanced than that.

It's such a shame to bring this into a Christian board when we should be focusing on our common ground rather than looking for things to disagree on.

I absolutely agree with this.
There is far too much division in this world already. Jesus is love, He came to forgive our sins and give us grace. He died for us.
Focus on love, not guns.

I don't agree. I do think perhaps he'd have been better to say 'the murderer and those celebrating Charlie's death' rather than 'the left'. Although it appears to be true that the alleged murderer was, again allegedly, co-incidentally indoctrinated by 'left' leaning politics.

But he is correct in the overall message: the murder will not stop people following in Charlie's steps to proclaim Biblical Truth. 🙏

I agree too.

However, that was just Charlie's personal opinion, to which he was entitled. Sadly, the majority of citizens in the USA agree with him - NOT just 'conservative Christians'.

But to major on this is doing a disservice to Charlie's Godly mission, and creating a straw man smoke screen to Charlie's overall message - and his willingness to invite debate to 'prove him wrong' about his strong Christian principles.

@ChristmasStars, so what was Charlie's 'sword' do you think?

@ondemand I’m not looking to start a debate (I promise!) but curious to know what other believers think.

You started one, nonetheless 😂

I hadn’t heard of Charlie Kirk. From what I’ve read since his death he appears to be very conservative with the strand of Christian nationalism that is difficult to comprehend outside of the US. I studied US politics a very long time ago and that is equally hard to understand. His murder is appalling.

My apologies! At least on this board it’s less likely to descend into name calling…at least I hope. 😂

I'm not sure why you're wanting me to spell it out. I would say it's clear that he lived by the message of gun ownership, and he died by that, tragically.

Well I've seen information on both sides of this. There are people saying he had swung left, and others who say he was following Nick Fuentes and America First.

I think it's pointless to go down that route until actual facts come out some time in the future, and try to reduce the division.

Like a few others here I had not heard of Charlie Kirk prior to his tragic death. No-one should die like that, especially in front of their wife and children. Horrific. As I tried to work out who he was there were all sorts of quotes flying around, so it's been quite hard to sort through what is distorted and what is accurate. Then I got on MN and saw some of the truly horrible things being said, and found those things elsewhere, too. Some of what I saw was demonic.

US gun culture is something I will never understand, nor condone. I've heard several passionate Christians there talk about how it's necessary to carry guns. I just can't get my head around it. That aside, Charlie Kirk seemed to be a very passionate Christian with a gift for speaking and debate. I feel that he was still very young and would have matured far more, but alas that will never be.

My church (which is US-based) discussed the whole event last Sunday as everyone was very unsettled by what happened, and it did help. One person in the group said 'Now we can clearly see who is who after this' by which he meant, we can see who supports Christ, or will do, and those who will not.

God rest his soul, and I feel very sad for his children left behind, his wife does appear to be very strong in her faith.

Also, I feel that the Holy Spirit is working strongly as a result of this, so many videos I've seen of people who are considering attending church for the first time, or wondering about Christianity. Praise God for that.