I, like many others, have been consumed with thoughts about the Charlie Kirk assassination to the extent that I confessed to some brothers just recently that my time had probably been misused. With a myriad of thirty-second to thirty-minute soundbites always available at our fingertips, the temptation to know more, dig deeper, or find the detail that none in my circles have seen is pervasive. Regardless of how much I know, I cannot seem to know enough. 

Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, was often cited saying, “Thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass over the lips or through the fingertips.” That being the case, what I have written here is an attempt to ease my own mind by “disentangling” my thoughts. I’m sure that most of what is written here is not new, but I hope they provide clarity for me and any who may find themselves similarly consumed by these thoughts. 

First, what happened on September 10th in Utah Valley was a tragic act of evil. To deny as much is similarly evil. 

Second, I have caught myself saying things like “whoever would do such a thing is sick,” as if the problem were an illness to be cured. To be sure, the problem is not illness, but evil. We have been so hammered by the talk of mental health that we see everything as “sickness” rather than seeing things as they are; good and evil. I won’t pretend to know all the environmental, social, or physical pressures leading to this event (although I have read about many), but I do know that people are responsible for their actions. All people have a choice to make between right and wrong, good and evil. Regardless of one’s social or political view, the desire to take the life of another human being because of their speech is detestable; not a sickness, but evil. 

Third, I’ve heard some complain that Charlie's death has been magnified beyond its significance. The argument goes something like this, “There are other recent events that are just as tragic (school shootings, stabbings, etc.) but people aren’t reacting the same way to these. Why is Charlie’s death more tragic?” The answer is that it isn’t more tragic, but it is still tragic. Further, I think many felt a connection with Charlie because he gave a platform to what they believed but didn’t know how to articulate. Admittedly I have not watched many of Charlie’s full debates or listened to many podcasts. However, I have listened to many shorter segments from him and found myself refreshed by the way he put so plainly what others in the political realm seemed to avoid. While others claim to have a Christian or Biblical worldview, it always seemed that Charlie was willing and able to place that front and center. In short, I believe people are pulled toward this event, not because Charlie’s life was more valuable than another, but because many saw in him and heard from him what they wished they heard from others in politics (and probably from themselves). 

Fourth, my hope is for the young man who performed this heinous act to repent and believe the Good News of Jesus. Yes, the government has a responsibility to punish evil (1 Peter 2:14), but the Good News for him is that the price he owes for this atrocity can be atoned for by the work of Jesus. The reason that Christianity is so radical is that we believe that, should he repent and believe in Jesus, Charlie will one day stand side by side with his killer as brothers, worshipping their savior for all eternity. That’s how amazing grace is. No sin too great. No sinner too far gone. All because our savior is greater and has gone further to redeem the lost. 

Finally, while I too feel a sense of loss and discouragement because of Charlie’s death, we must not lose heart. Psalm 46, which was posted in part by Charlie’s wife the day before his killing, says, “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. Therefore, we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its water roars and foams and the mountains quake with its turmoil… The Lord of Armies is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.” (Psalm 46:1-3,11 – CSB) 

So, what are we to do?

We pray. We pray for Charlie’s family. We pray for Charlie’s killer. We pray for the work Charlie started. And we pray for many to hear of Charlie’s God. Basically, we turn to the Lord, our refuge and strength, and trust that He is God and that He is good.