Charlie Kirk and the Soul of a Nation

On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was shot while answering questions on the college campus of Utah Valley University.

The news spread fast.

While initial reports suggested that Charlie Kirk was fighting for his life in a hospital, it eventually became clear that he was killed almost instantly by that lone bullet.

When I heard the news, I was shocked, saddened, and searching for answers. I had not listened to any of Kirk’s podcasts nor had I followed him on social media, but I knew who he was. I knew that he regularly interacted with college students all over the country. I knew that he was a young conservative who impacted politics, particularly in this last election. I knew that he espoused some level of belief in the Christian faith. And I knew that he was an effective communicator based on the few clips that I had seen of him in debate with college students.

But I did not know that he was a young husband and father, with a 3-year old and 16-month old at home with his wife, Erika. I did not know that he was growing more and more in his Christian faith, becoming bolder and bolder in his witness to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ on college campuses. I also did not know that he was so controversial, and so hated, among many who disagreed with him. I found that last fact out when I posted a simple tribute on my Facebook page and began to look at some of the posts about Charlie Kirk on the pages of some of my other Facebook friends.

What I saw shocked me almost as much as the news of his assassination.

While many expressed grief over his murder and admiration for his faith, others were more caustic, cold, and even cruel. One Facebook “friend” whom I have not personally interacted with in over 20 years even celebrated.

I was nauseous.

Unfortunately, Facebook has increasingly morphed into a cesspool of the worst side of our humanity. When I joined Facebook 20 years ago, it was a neat way to connect with family and friends from the various seasons of my life. Having lived in Florida, Alabama, Texas, New Jersey, and Louisiana, Facebook became the one place where I could keep up with the lives of people whom I had come to know in school, church, ministry, or community activities. Now, though Facebook can still be a good way to connect and stay in touch, it has become more of a political and ideological boxing ring. People seem to be more interested in posting controversial memes than cute snapshots for grandma.

Charlie Kirk’s death has made this even clearer.

Whether you liked Charlie Kirk or not…whether you knew of him or did not know of him…how you respond to his murder says a lot about the condition of your heart and the soul of our nation.

Here are four things to consider.

1. Timing

To post a tribute to someone after they have died, particularly in such a tragic, unexpected way, is not only normal but it is also human. One of the things that separates us from animals is the fact that cultures from all over the world, and throughout all of history, have developed rituals and ceremonies to honor the deceased. There is something in the human soul that recognizes the beauty of life, the finality of death, the tragedy of loss, and the mortality of us all.

As a pastor for over 30 years, I have conducted numerous funerals. Even in the best of situations (e.g., long life, painless death, hope of eternity), there is still sorrow over the finality of death. There is still the reality that someone who is loved, who was once young, breathing with life, is now gone.

It is customary and comforting for family and friends to gather around and remember the best of the person who is deceased. Even in cases where there is not much to celebrate in their life, there is a desire to honor them in some way in their death.

We treat their body with respect.

We treat their death with humility.

We treat their life with dignity.

To attack a person right after they have died, to tear them apart, whether by words or actions, is what animals do. Vultures, scavengers, and carnivores particularly.

When a society does not even let a person’s body be placed in the ground…does not even let a young wife and mom grieve…does not even care how a 3-year old processes her daddy’s death…but instead goes on the attack, it has diminished its humanity.

It has lost its soul.

2. Tone 

It is not just the timing of the attacks on Charlie Kirk’s character, but also the tone that is disheartening.

Did Charlie Kirk say provocative things? Yes.

Did he cross the line at times with his words? Certainly.

Did he sin at times in how he treated others? Absolutely.

Have you and I done the same things? Without a doubt.

Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone. (John 8:7)

It is fair to critique Kirk’s words. It is right to evaluate whether his words were true, helpful, or necessary. This is the biblical standard for all of our speech (Ephesians 4:29). And, if we are honest, we all fall short of that standard in some way every day.

Certainly the influence of Kirk’s words was greater than any one of us. He was a public figure. He was a debater. He was a podcaster. He was a political influencer. He was a provocateur in many ways. One could argue that he intentionally or insensitively provoked at times. But, on the other side of the coin, one could also argue that he provoked to force people to think, to confront preconceived opinions, to challenge political correctness. Cutting and pasting a few quotes, generally out of context, is not helpful regardless of what you may think. None of us would want that done to us. None of us should do it to others, particularly when our aim is to destroy the other person’s character.

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. (Matthew 5:22)

What is ironic is that those who seek to judge the tone of some of Kirk’s words often use a tone that is even worse. Of course, they justify it. But their own words condemn them.

For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use. (Matthew 7:2)

To see the speck in another’s eye and miss the 2×4 in your own is the epitome of blindness.

Here is what is practically indisputable: Charlie Kirk loved to debate…but he also loved the people he debated. He wanted the free exchange of ideas. He wanted to engage. Watch any of his videos on a college campus and you will see that (if you are willing to see it). Even those who vehemently disagreed with him (e.g., Bill Maher, Van Jones, Gavin Newsom) noted his genuine desire to listen, to learn, and to understand the issue more deeply.

We can all lament the loss of such a life.

3. Trump

I have found that many people condemn Charlie Kirk simply because they do not like Donald Trump. Guilt by association. Condemnation without consideration. Enmity without mercy.

The labels seem to fly out at a fast pace. “Homophobe! Transphobe! Racist! Misogynist! Fascist! Nazi!”

The labels are intentional. Their goal is to discredit a person. Dehumanize them. Demonize them. And then justify their destruction. Whenever we use a label, we seek to reduce a person to the lowest level. We seek to minimize their demise.

But human beings are much more complex than a label.

And human life is much more sacred than a political category.

Charlie Kirk campaigned for Donald Trump. Some credit him with swinging the election in Trump’s favor. But those things did not define Charlie Kirk. Perhaps the younger Charlie Kirk was all about political posturing and currying favor, but the husband-father-man of faith Charlie Kirk was changing…maturing. Thank God that none of us are “static beings.” We can change. The things of the past do not have to define us in the future.

Over the last few years, Kirk was being discipled by Frank Turek, a Christian apologist. He was arguing more and more from a biblical worldview. He was talking more and more about the gospel of Jesus Christ. His wife was leading an online Bible study. Whether you agree with his viewpoints or still question his motives, at least acknowledge that getting married, being faithful to your wife, and fathering two young children have a way of enlarging your perspective.

And don’t despise him just because you may despise Trump.

They are different individuals.

Each made uniquely in the image of God.

What Trump says, does, or does not do in response to Kirk’s death does not matter in the grand scheme of things.

Death is not a political issue.

It is a human one.

A human being was murdered. A human being was taken away from a wife and two children. A human being has left this life and entered into eternity.

This is all that matters.

Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee. (John Donne)

4. TRUTH

In the end, it does not matter whether you agreed with Charlie Kirk or not. In the end, it does not matter if you like Donald Trump or not. In the end, it does not matter if the “left wing” is worse than the “right wing” or if conservatives are worse than liberals.

What matters is TRUTH.

The political landscape has turned into a power play. Cultural Marxism and nihilism are becoming the philosophies of our generation. The goal is to get power. “Might makes right.” When the liberals are in power, they seek to attack, cancel, and silence conservatives. When the conservatives are in power, unfortunately, they often do the same.

Each side wants to win elections because each side knows that whoever wins gets to set the rules for the next term of office.

But if a person roots all of their hope in political power, if they justify behavior based on political expediency, if they evaluate their choices and responses based on party platforms, political positions, and pundit talking points, then they have lost their moral foundation.

Anything is justified.

Unfortunately, this seems to be the current state of our culture.

The question is not what a political party has done or not done or what a politician has said or not said, the question is, “Is it true? Is it right?” And for the Christian, “Is it biblical? Is it Christ-like?”

When it comes to the challenges and divisions of our time, the solution will not be found in DEI but in the Imago Dei.

We are all humans.

There is only one human race.

He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth. (Acts 17:26)

Racism is rooted in Darwinistic evolution.

But we are created in the image of God.

Every human life has value.

Every human life is sacred.

Every human life is flawed.

Every human life has been paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.

This is the truth that matters.

This is the truth that enables us to agree to disagree.

This is the truth that should govern our behavior.

This is the truth that should change our hearts.

This is the truth worth dying for.

And Charlie Kirk did.

That is why his life is worthy of our tribute.

Rest in peace, brother.