Charlie Kirk And Martyrdom

Around noon Wednesday (September 10, 2025), Charlie Kirk, of Turning Point USA, was shot by a gunman while speaking to young people on a university campus. Charlie was a Christian whose faith in God drove his political activism. He built an organization that focused on conversations around faith and politics, and he stood up against many societal evils. He leaves behind a wife and 2 young children.

At this time, it is clear that the assassination was driven by hatred of the message that Kirk presented, a message that was largely rooted in Kirk’s Christian faith. Kirk was known for his firm belief that open and honest dialogue is vital. Not everyone agreed, and when those who hate the truth can’t answer with words, sometimes they respond in violence.

In times like these, there are a few things we as Christians should remember:

Don’t Be Surprised

We should never forget who it is we follow and serve. Jesus, the perfectly holy and righteous Son of God, was murdered by the wicked of this world. Jesus, in every conversation, had the perfect balance of truth and love. He never slandered or held unjust anger in his heart. Every word he spoke was Truth. And still they murdered Him.

Jesus was despised and rejected because he was a light in the darkness, and our dark world hates the light.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.  For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (Jn. 3:19-20 ESV)

And if they despised Jesus, we should also expect those who follow him to be likewise hated.

  "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. (Matt. 10:24-25 ESV)

When Christians engage with the public on matters of faith, those who hate Christ and his message will also respond with anger. Those who live in darkness hate the light.

We Must Not Fear

The gunman succeeded only in taking the life of Charley Kirk, but was unable to touch his immortal soul. Because of his faith in Christ, Charley was secure in the hands of God. There was nothing that the gunman could do to separate Charley from the Love of God.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:37-39 ESV)

So, in the same passage where Jesus warns his disciples that they will likewise be hated, He tells them not to be afraid of what men can do:

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt. 10:28 ESV)

Scripture tells us that for the believer, death is not the end, but is entrance into the very presence of God.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phil. 1:21 ESV)

Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8 ESV)

Therefore, we should have no fear of death, but boldly proclaim the gospel.

Lay Down Your Life

Christ calls us to go into the world and disciple the nations. From the Prophets and Apostles who gave up their lives for the truth, to the history of the Church filled with the blood of the saints, Christ's truth has often advanced with martyrdom. Charlie's death should remind us what we are here for, and should drive us to continue in the example he set.

Ancient Church Father Tertullian once said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

A Christian can gladly face death for the sake of Christ, and by so doing, witness to what truly matters. Jesus warns that those who try to preserve their lives at all costs will lose them in the end, but that true victory can be found by those who fearlessly lay down their lives for Christ.

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matt. 16:25 ESV)

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Rev. 12:11 ESV)

Pray that Others Would Take His Place

As this hole is left, with the death of one witness, pray that hundreds and thousands more would step into the gap. We need Christians to step up with the message of the gospel, to change hearts and minds.

Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." (Matt. 9:37-38 ESV)

Pray especially for witnesses on college campuses, where Kirk gave his life bringing the truth to young people.

Pray For Justice

As many are driven to anger and hatred in response to such a vile attack against the innocent, it is important to remember a few things.

Righteous anger is right in its place, but it can be a dangerous thing for the soul. In light of this, the Psalms give us the words to cry out in this time. Rather than being overwhelmed and helpless in the midst of injustice, the Psalms are filled with prayers to God to strike down and take away the power of the wicked.

Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. (Ps. 3:7 ESV)

Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants be known among the nations before our eyes! (Ps. 79:10 ESV)

Turn your anger into prayer that God would avenge the wrong and bring justice against the wicked. Pray that justice would be accomplished in the courts, and that the death penalty be brought against the perpetrator swiftly.

"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image. (Gen. 9:6 ESV)

For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. (Rom. 13:3-4 ESV)

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. (Eccl. 8:11 ESV)

And remember that even if justice is not done on earth, God, who is always perfectly just, will avenge.

For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb. 10:30-31 ESV)

Pray for the young man who is alleged to have done this wicked deed. Pray that he would turn from his wickedness. That while incarcerated, he would hear the gospel and turn to Christ. God has saved murderers in the past; he can save this young man. While he is deserving of death, no one who lives is beyond the saving power of Jesus.

Pray for The Family

Finally, pray for Charlie's wife Erika, and for the two young children he left behind. Pray she would lean on Christ in this tragedy, and that He would protect and bless that family in this time.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, (2 Thess. 2:16 ESV)