By Timothy Heiser · Contributing Writer
It has been over two weeks since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and yet his name is still everywhere. This is the result of a legacy left by a spirited and winsome man. I am writing this article because I want to create a space free from all the noise surrounding this situation. I want a space where we can properly mourn his death. Kirk’s assassination is a tragedy – one that we should all care deeply about.
This is a tragedy of a human life lost. Charlie Kirk was a human being, with a wife and children. He was 31 years old. His life was taken from him and from his family. Suddenly. Without warning. Violently. Gruesomely. Irrationally. Unjustifiably.
This is a tragedy for our nation. Kirk was a man who sought peace and unification in our country. While an imperfect human, he strove for civil discourse. He was met with the exact opposite: violent murder.
This is a tragedy for Christians. Above all, Kirk was a follower of Christ, and through his work, a type of evangelist. As Kirk himself declared, “What God wants from me is a life fighting for the truth.” Kirk died living the life God wanted him to live. He died proclaiming the gospel. He died a martyr.
According to his wife, Erika Kirk, “One of Charlie’s favorite Bible verses was Ephesians 5:25: ‘Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.’ My husband laid down his life for me, for our nation, for our children. He showed the ultimate and true covenantal love.”
A tendency of Christians can sometimes be to jump too quickly to hope without giving the proper time and space to grieve. I know this article is too brief to fully provide that space, but I refuse to end it without proclaiming the great hope that we do have! In Kirk’s own words, “All death can do to a believer is deliver him to Jesus.” Kirk is currently enjoying perfect peace with his heavenly Father and his Savior Jesus Christ.
We are left with the question of how to respond. This act of political violence against a voice of truth and peace is deeply troubling, whether you think it is that of a lone radical leftist, a political conspiracy or demonic forces. But God encourages us in Isaiah 8:12-13, “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”
Our culture may be too polarized, our government may be corrupt and evil spirits may be at play, but God is much more terrifying. God is much bigger. Even when the world is bleak, God is sovereign, and He is King.
I am encouraged to see the many students who continue to follow Kirk’s words, “Never underestimate the power of your voice and the impact you can have on the world when you speak up for what you believe in.” I hope that this article may open more space for these conversations.
Thank you to those who gathered by the flagpole in prayer on the night of the assassination. Thank you to the many friends with whom I have had conversations on this topic; I am sure there are many more conversations going on throughout campus. And thank you especially to whomever wrote the Kirk quotes in sidewalk chalk outside of STEM, many of which I borrowed for this article.
Although the rain has washed the chalk away, I pray that even amidst the rain of our tears, those words may stay with us and encourage us to carry on Kirk’s vision of bringing Christ’s kingdom to earth.
