More than an emotional shift

Charlie Kirk’s demonic murder and the very public memorials of his death note a durable sea change for masculine Christian faith in the United States and beyond. As Rod Dreher noted, it marks the death of “winsome” Christianity.

The world witnessed the calloused murder of a 31-year-old man committed to teaching young people, in real time, how to articulate strongly held consequential ideas while disagreeing respectfully in public. Most of us agree we need more, not less, of this virtue today. Charlie engaged in this work unapologetically as a MAGA conservative and a disciple of Jesus Christ. For him, the latter informed and eclipsed the former. He inspired millions of young people, particularly young men.

But one deeply deceived young man bought the lie that Kirk was hateful and decided a bullet rather than reason was the proper response.

Reactions have been dramatic, from proper shock, horror, and persistent sadness to macabre public celebration. What that young man did to a young husband, father, and thought leader was pure evil. Charlie’s work with college students was a social and intellectual good.

Even those who don’t know the word “theodicy” can discern such diabolical Evil has compelled people to recognize and publicly seek allegiance with the Good. And this fact is only part of the good flowing from what one young man meant for evil. To be sure, God is not done with Charlie Kirk’s death.

At that powerful Sunday memorial service in Glendale, Ariz., Kirk’s young widow did something that was undeniably supernatural. She did so before millions of eyes and ears.

Through tears, memorializing her slain husband, she met his murderer’s pure evil with … unmoderated forgiveness. She told the world, “My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life.” Then she paused, and continued contemplatively, “That young man. That man, that young man” as if to recognize his own tragic humanity and value. Then she convincingly spoke the following unnatural words: “I forgive him. I forgive him, because it was what Christ did, and is what Charlie would do.” 

In those simple words, that young widow and newly single mom obliterated the economy of grievance that has so infected our public consciousness of late. When have you ever heard something so personally profound said so publicly with such fleshly truth in your lifetime? If there is a spiritual realm, that declaration cannot not have a massive effect.

It is certainly what moved the seeking Elon Musk to post these equally revolutionary words from our Lord hours later: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Some touch of grace was clearly birthed in Musk’s heart.

Consider Tucker Carlson, who has long admitted being a highbrow episcopal agnostic, in his tribute to Kirk at the memorial. After being profoundly moved by that service, he confessed, “Whatever happens next in America, I hope it’s in this direction, because God is here, and you can feel it.” He then spoke of Jesus and what got Him killed, tying that to Charlie’s work. “The main thing about Charlie and his message, he was bringing the gospel to the country.” Carlson then explained, “He was doing the thing that the people in charge hate most, which is calling for them to repent.”

Carlson observed Charlie knew politics was an inadequate savior because it is unable to answer ultimate questions. Carlson then surprised even himself, admitting “the only real solution is Jesus.” He ended, “As we proceed into whatever comes next, and clearly something’s coming next, remember this moment, remember being in a room with the Holy Spirit coming like a tuning fork.” 

Elon and Carlson are certainly not alone.

Charlie’s brutal slaying, and the brilliant clarity it brought between good and undeniable evil, has gotten a number of people seriously thinking—and talking—about the things of the Lord who barely gave them much thought previously. The Holy Spirit is in this. I bet you can name at least five people whose lives have been spiritually awakened in a concrete way. I met two more just this morning at my local church, people like this man, this precious man, and this young man’s unbelieving brother.

Yes, Charlie Kirk’s public martyrdom is indeed more than an emotional vibe shift. It provides a new perspective on Truth that untold millions are now actively seeking. Dr. Albert Mohler observed the day after the memorial service, “I think in theological terms, it was a far more significant event than most people might understand.” It was indeed, and every one of us has a duty to continue giving it life through our own public, faithful witness.

We are Charlie Kirk because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.