Charlie Kirk - Martyr or Political Activist?

[mindlight]

If anyone wants to see some personal communication between Charlie Kirk and a friend this public blog posts some of their texts. It showed me that Charlie Kirk was serious about God. Before his death I had never even heard of him. Like most of us I think he was finding his way, but he had alot going for himself in God. The Inspiring Charlie Kirk: My Friendship with a Great Man - by Bill Federer

I have a thought of justice in heaven that suggests everyone's rewards in heaven are not based on just what we do in this life, but if a believers life is cut short, then God's foreknowledge might reward us on what we would have done had we completed the race fully. Otherwise, how would a baby or even the unborn share in any rewards? But no worries, God is entirely just however he does it. He is longsuffering and merciful.

Thanks for the link. I was interested in Bill Federer's comments about the motivation patterns of Kirk's original donors. It seems they also had a heart for God, and that was why they gave the money. As you say, maybe he was just a beginner working out his own response to God and the world. That potential is now lost, but sometimes the blood of the martyrs is more fertile ground than the life of a singular man. This is what sways me to regard him as a martyr, what he was killed for and that people are taking up his banner and proclaiming Christ into every nook and cranny of the darkness of a culture of lies and rebellion across the world.

 

[mindlight]

Pastors, Evangelical leaders react to the killing of Charlie Kirk: 'A Christian martyr'

Christian pastors and Evangelical leaders are joining the chorus of Americans nationwide who are mourning the loss of Christian social activist Charlie Kirk

www.christianpost.com

 

[Richard T]

Thanks for the link. I was interested in Bill Federer's comments about the motivation patterns of Kirk's original donors. It seems they also had a heart for God, and that was why they gave the money. As you say, maybe he was just a beginner working out his own response to God and the world. That potential is now lost, but sometimes the blood of the martyrs is more fertile ground than the life of a singular man. This is what sways me to regard him as a martyr, what he was killed for and that people are taking up his banner and proclaiming Christ into every nook and cranny of the darkness of a culture of lies and rebellion across the world.

I think there are two groups that intersect Christianity. One consists of people that are sincere and put God first, and then there are opportunists that basically are in the political arena for power and money. I believe Kirk was the former. Some might point out the monies he recieved but the organization is huge so I don't think it is out of line. For instance, the CEO of the Red Cross makes 694,000 a year. I think his donors were also sincere.

As to the other group especially those currently serving government, they better address the hardest issues facing America like the U.S. deficits, severe inequality, inflation, health care costs, or social security solvency. Just yesterday, they walked back the idea to raise the retirement age. It will be interesting to see what they come up with for social security, but thus far Trump giving Social Security tax breaks during covid and cutting social security taxes for seniors in this term are making things worse and not better. Kirk did his part, and addressed mostly the moral issues, but the tougher economic issues may end up derailing the MAGA movement. It sort of is like mixing leaven with the gospel, we will know soon if this applies.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Agreed, but some of his political activism contradicts his status as a martyr e.g., the Stolen Election lie and repeated lies about COVID and Global Warming.

His faith happened to align with conservative politics. So what?
Even what Jesus preached went against the politics of his day,
especially within his own religion.

Christian values like Charlie had, went against leftist ideology and that angered
them.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Cardinal Dolan hails Charlie Kirk as ‘modern-day Saint Paul’

“He was a missionary, he’s an evangelist, he’s a hero,” New York’s archbishop said of Kirk.

nypost.com

 

[mindlight]

His faith happened to align with conservative politics. So what?
Even what Jesus preached went against the politics of his day,
especially within his own religion.

Christian values like Charlie had, went against leftist ideology and that angered
them.

The three examples I gave were of clear deceits.

 

[Jerry N.]

Charlie Kirk was both a political activist and a martyr. I have nothing bad to say about him, but I would like to think he would have improved with age. I found the hero worship of George Floyd disgusting, whether the police were responsible for his death or not. The conservative Right needed a champion without much baggage. Many people see Trump as tainted, but support him for lack of a better choice. Charlie Kirk’s death, as tragic as it is, has given focus to the Conservatives. It will be interesting to see the results.

 

[bèlla]

If Donors are demonstrably warping agendas, then bad. If what Kirk was out there doing was broadly positive and magnified God's Kingdom, then the effect of the givers can be determined by the fruit of what they supported. I see more positive than negative fruit in Turning Point USA and Kirk's overall witness.

Each person must draw their own conclusions. I see a different end ahead and I’m bowing out.

~bella

 

[Yarddog]

The death of Charlie Kirk shocked Americans and also people further afield across the world. He was a devout Christian out there sharing his faith. He was killed for his view that transsexuality is mentally delusional and a symptom of very unbiblical notions of what gender is. So since he was opposed to a culture of lies and wearing the mantle of faith when he was shot, does this make him a martyr? The question has to be considered from a more global perspective than just an American one as there is much wrong with the American culture.

How Should Pastors Respond to Charlie Kirk’s Assassination? - Christianity Today

After the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, how do pastors lead well in a fractured, reactive age? Here are five pastoral questions for this moment.

www.christianitytoday.com

The case for him being a martyr is that much of what he said reflects the deepest Christian teaching:

1. Jesus Christ is His Lord and Savior
2. A woman is what God made her; killing one's babies contradicts motherhood.
3. It is wrong to assert one's sexuality over one's relationship with God
4. Transsexuality is a symptom of a culture of lies and delusions about gender and identity.
5. The seven mountain vision of bringing Christianity into the center of society was a good and healthy one.
6. He spoke about a restoration of masculinity in an age that would prefer to emasculate men
7. What he said about the triumph of excellence and merit over quotas to remedy inequality
8. His bible based support of Israel alongside his opposition to the anti-Christian agenda of cultural Marxism

More controversial viewpoints:
1. He put a religious filter on immigration, saying people of false religions should not be allowed into the country. But he inconsistently applied this to Hispanic catholics, even though married to a catholic.
2. His views on COVID were unscientific and false
3. His view on the Ukraine war lacked geopolitical awareness of its significance to US national interest.
4. His view on global warming (that it was mainly not manmade) was scientifically false.
5. He and his family made considerable amounts of money out of his activism which provides questions about his actual motives.
6. He repeated the Big Lie that Trump peddled about the stolen election:

Charlie Kirk Denounces Man Asking About Killing People Ov...

The audience member at the Turning Points USA founder's tour openly called for people to be shot over false election voter fraud claims.

www.newsweek.com

He had his beliefs but they are not what all Christian Churches teach.

 

[Freth]

He had his beliefs but they are not what all Christian Churches teach.

Jesus had something to say about that.

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

 

[stevevw]

From my point of view being an Aussie and not an American. from afar I mostly seen Kirk from a Christian perspective. That he dared or was able to more or less go into the lions den and explicitly speak about the Christ and the gospel.

As for the political aspect I think its a fine line to walk. Its easy to spill into politicising Christianity. I don't think there should be a theocracy and I think Kirk even stated this.

I think Kirk tried to link important political issues which were really cultural issues that became politicised. But tried to look at these issues in society and speak about them from a Christian perspective and how this is better for society. People could disagree and they would argue their case. He never said people must be Christians.

In fact from most of what I heard it was common sense.

But the problem is I think that in recent years the political climate has heated up. Nothing new is being said. We have always disagreed on issues. But now its more polarised and disagreement is seen as a threat or the enermy.

Thats why I think what Kirk was doing was amazing in a way despite what has been said. The fact he was able to be more or less a minority voice in an opposing environment and even hostile and yet have civil discussions that I think allowed people to come together despite differences was itself revolutionary in such culture wars.

On preaching the gospel in public I do think Kirks death has raised the possibility that for Christians speaking their belief may be seen as a threat. I think there is an underlying spiritual battle emerging that is specifically against Christ. Kirks death was partly a reminder of what may be coming.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Agreed, but some of his political activism contradicts his status as a martyr e.g., the Stolen Election lie and repeated lies about COVID and Global Warming.

Not lies, but apparently being proven true today.

 

[mindlight]

Watching the funeral now on Fox News because the BBC is not sharing with any audio - editing out all the Christian stuff.

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[Michie]

It’s a very touching memorial. I’m sorry they are censoring it where you cannot hear all the wonderful things said.

 

[Freth]

This one is directly from the Charlie Kirk YouTube channel.