7 Christian Leaders on Healing America after Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Christian leaders across the nation say they are praying that Charlie Kirk’s assassination will mark a turning point for the better in America, inspiring people to embrace what he represented — healthy dialogue without violence, the free exchange of ideas, and ultimately a vision that points to the gospel.Kirk died Sept. 10 shortly after he was shot on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, as he answered questions in front of some 3,000 students. He was the founder of Turning Point USA and a leading voice in both conservatism and Christianity. Here’s how seven leaders hope Kirk’s death will change America for the better.1. Erick Erickson, conservative radio host, Erick Erickson Show”This event feels like a turning point,” Erickson wrote in a World Opinions column. “There have been a series of escalating acts of violence for some time. James Hodgkinson attempted the mass assassination of Republican members of Congress on a baseball field. Luigi Mangione assassinated Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare. An anti-Semite in Washington killed Yaron Lischinsky and Sara Milgrim, two Israeli Embassy employees. A man in Minnesota assassinated Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, while also attempting to kill State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.”In Ephesians 4:26, the Apostle Paul said, ‘Be angry, yet do not sin.’ During the Biden Administration, a number of mostly online political activists on the right insisted that the right must behave and operate the same way as the left. Some suggested the Christian idea of turning the other cheek and forgiveness were signs of weakness. Now, political activists on the left and prominent politicians like Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy say the left needs to ‘fight fire with fire.’ Where Christianity calls for us to love our neighbors and let God handle retribution, the world desires that we take it upon ourselves to do that. Many political activists, shocked and angry at Charlie Kirk’s death, are wondering how to respond.”Last week on his radio program, Charlie said, ‘You have to try to point them towards ultimate purposes and towards getting back to the church, getting back to faith, getting married, having children. … I’m trying to paint a picture of virtue of lifting people up, not just staying angry.’ As Christians wonder how to respond to another in a growing list of violent acts in this country, we should remember Charlie’s words. Our job is to love God and love our neighbor. God will provide and God will punish.”Today, Charlie Kirk is home with the Lord. His wife, Erika, and his two children are without a husband and father. The conservative movement is without one of its prominent advocates. But Christ remains, and so too does the mission Charlie Kirk set for himself — painting a picture of virtue to lift people up instead of keeping anger festering.”Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Megan Varner/Stringer
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