“Christianity is not a series of truths in the plural, but rather truth spelled with a capital “T.” Truth about total reality, not just about religious things. Biblical Christianity is Truth concerning total reality—and the intellectual holding of that Truth and the living in the light of that Truth.” - Francis Schaeffer

For weeks, I have struggled to articulate my thoughts surrounding the assassination and martyrdom of Charlie Kirk. I know everyone has heard countless individuals weigh in on the matter; however, I felt compelled to do so as well, though I cannot fully explain why. What follows is a labor of love, intended to warn, encourage, strengthen, and guide.

Truth: Evil exists.

The non-Christian dislikes the term “evil” because it inherently acknowledges the existence of good. Something cannot be called evil unless there is an ultimate, objective standard by which the act is being evaluated. Yet, evil is universally experienced and recognized, indicating that there are moral laws that transcend physical, cultural, and societal boundaries. If transcendent moral laws, then a transcendent lawgiver. If a transcendent lawgiver, then God (Jas. 4:12). If God, then the one true God—Jesus Christ—is not far away (Acts 17:27).

Self-proclaimed Christians also squirm when hearing “evil” because, for too long, they have been bottle-fed the weak, watered-down milk that Americanized Christianity calls “the gospel.” Acknowledging the existence of evil establishes a black-and-white, right-and-wrong framework that many self-proclaimed Christians aim to avoid. The wolves have wormed their way into American pulpits (Jude 4) and preached another gospel, stripping away the boundary lines Jesus Christ established (Matt. 10:34-39) rather than proclaiming them.

The use of “self-proclaimed” Christian is deliberate, as opposed to self-evident Christians. Demonic leftist ideology has insidiously argued that one can “identify” however they choose. The most public manifestation of this evil is seen in “gender identity,” because satan loves when the bodies of little boys and girls are mutilated under the guise of “love” and “healthcare.” However, the most costly manifestation of this ideology has infiltrated the American church. When people are merely taught to “identify” as Christian, rather than truly becoming a Christian—by believing in Jesus Christ as Savior, confessing Jesus Christ as Lord, and exhibiting the fruit of a living faith by daily denying themselves, picking up their cross, and following Him (Lk. 9:23; Rom. 10:9-10; Jas. 2:14, 26)—the result is not the destruction of earthly bodies, but the damnation of eternal souls. As God said to the prophet Hosea:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

Because you have rejected knowledge,

I will also reject you from being My priest.

Since you have forgotten the law of your God,

I will also forget your children. (Hosea 4:6, NASB95, emphasis mine)

May such words instill fear in the hearts of those in American pulpits who have turned away from knowledge, driving them to repentance, for without it, “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones [Christians] to stumble” (Lk. 17:2, NASB95).

Truth: “Ideas have consequences, and bad ideas have victims.” - John Stonestreet

Reality is not relative; it is objective. There is good and evil. There is right and wrong. There is light and darkness, and “the Light shines in the darkness, but the darkness did not comprehend it” (Jn. 1:5, NASB95). Viewing ideas as abstract concepts with no immediate (or future) impact on reality causes all ideas to appear mutually beneficial; however, evil exists, and so do evil ideas, which will ultimately claim victims. Therefore, the question is not whether evil ideas will lead to destruction, but how extensive their destruction will be.

Truth: Charlie Kirk was assassinated and martyred because evil ideas have victims.

Merriam-Webster defines assassinate as “to murder (a usually prominent person) by sudden or secret attack often for political reasons.”

Martyr is defined as “to put to death for adhering to a belief, faith, or profession.”

Charlie Kirk was suddenly and secretly murdered for boldly preaching the Truth—the Truth of the gospel, of biblical Christianity—which provided the foundation for his “political” beliefs. Therefore, while Charlie Kirk was assassinated, he was ultimately martyred for the cause of Jesus Christ, and “precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones” (Ps. 116:15, NASB95). But what caused his death? Ultimately, a single individual pulled the trigger, and he alone is responsible for his actions. However, it would be irresponsible not to acknowledge that evil ideas—especially those promulgated by the media and political opponents, but also entertained within the church—created the permission structure that allowed for such violence.

Truth: The assassination and martyrdom of Charlie Kirk can be summarized as follows:

1. In one word: evil.

2. In two words: demonic evil.

3. In three words: Leftist demonic evil, but I repeat myself.

It is evil because satan cannot create, but can only pervert, distort, malign, and destroy what is good. It is demonic evil because “we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:10, NLT), and all humans are spiritual beings who will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. Additionally, it is demonic evil because demonic forces hate all image-bearers of God, especially Christians who have been given the right to be called children of God (Jn. 1:12), and because “the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they may not see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4, NASB95). It is Leftist demonic evil, though I repeat myself, because Leftism is the demonic religion of narcissism—the advocacy of and personal willingness to sacrifice others on the altar of self-advancement.

This last statement will almost certainly attract the most criticism, especially from ignorant, self-proclaimed pastors and Christians who always shout “evil on both sides”. However, not all worldviews are created equal, and evil worldviews have victims. So, I challenge the self-righteous cowards hiding behind pulpits who “just preach the gospel” and those hiding behind their social media profiles, crying “both sides,” to show where the statement is flawed. I understand that it is difficult to exercise muscles that have atrophied, in this case, the brain; therefore, I will attempt to jumpstart the process we once called “thinking” with a series of questions.

1. Which ideology advocates for the dismemberment and slaughter of unborn children on the altar of self-advancement called “abortion”?

2. Which ideology advocates for the sacrifice of the nuclear family on the altar of self-advancement called “homosexuality”?

3. Which ideology advocates for the bodily mutilation and chemical castration of kids on the altar of self-advancement called “gender reassignment surgery”?

4. Which ideology advocates for the forced redistribution of wealth on the altar of self-advancement called “Marxist equity”?

5. Which ideology advocates for the sacrifice of meritocracy on the altar of self-advancement called “Critical Race Theory”?

6. Which ideology advocates for the sacrifice of the citizen on the altar of self-advancement called “illegal immigration”?

7. Which ideology advocates for and celebrates the murder of their political opponents while sacrificing free speech on the altar of self-advancement called “‘mostly peaceful’ protests,” aka “domestic terrorism and rioting”?

Honest individuals recognize demonic narcissism as the foundation of these values. Direct from the pit of hell, this worldview only seeks to destroy what God has created. While Jesus says, “This is My body which is given for you” (Lk. 22:19, NASB95) and Christianity declares, “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 Jn. 3:16, NASB95), Leftism claims, “I will sacrifice your body (or life, finances, livelihood, etc.) for me.” To quote Pastor Josh Howerton:

“Political violence is a feature, not a bug, of progressivism. Because progressivism is built on top of a Critical Theory lens that sees the world through ‘Oppressed vs Oppressor’ categories rather than a Christian theology lens of ‘Right vs Wrong,’ it trains people to see opponents not as mistaken, but as evil oppressors.”

The idea that all worldviews are equally valid, with equally opposing evils, is either ignorant at best or malicious at worst. Therefore, it must be completely rejected, starting with the elimination of this false premise within the household of God. The core of Christianity, that “there is salvation in no one else” except Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12), repudiates this idea because Christianity declares it is the Worldview above all worldviews.

Truth: The permission structure for violence (“literally Hitler!”, “fascist”, “existential threat to democracy”, etc.) was promulgated by politicians and the media, but it was allowed because of the failure of many American pastors.

To be clear, it was not the failure of every American pastor. It can be too easy to develop the “woe-is-me” mentality of Elijah, ignorantly proclaiming, “I alone am left!”. At the same time, God sternly whispers encouragement that He has left thousands who have not bowed their knees to Baal (1 Kings 19:9-18). Such are those who steward the flock entrusted to them as faithful examples, recognizing they are not accountable to men, but to the Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:1-4).

However, many self-proclaimed pastors appear far more interested in gaining the approval of man rather than seeking to please God. Thus, the logical question is whether they are truly slaves of Christ, for as the Apostle Paul says, “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10, NASB95). With their itching ears, the people have purchased for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires (2 Tim. 4:3), and many “shepherds” have willingly sold their souls to accommodate.

What desires have they sold themselves for? The desire to live their “truths.” By nature, we desire not to feel convicted, for conviction alerts the heart, upon which God has written His law, that we are in error. In biblical terms, conviction—the conscience, the Holy Spirit—either accuses or defends our actions, alerting us to sin (Rom. 2:15). The conviction of sin declares there is right and wrong. Right and wrong declare that there is a transcendent moral standard. Thus, there is the Lawgiver, God, to whom everyone will give an account; yet, by nature, all desire to heed the seductive speech of the serpent that “Ye shall be as God” (Gen. 3:5). However, for the Christian, conviction is meant to be a sweet emotion, for though God is showing us our sin, He does so out of love, “even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights” (Prov. 3:12, NASB95).

Even so, rather than preaching the word—the whole purpose of God (Acts 20:27)—which by nature teaches, reproves, corrects, rebukes, and exhorts, rendering the man or woman of God thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 4:2), many American pastors have sought unbiblical values in pursuit of worldly success. They show “tolerance” instead of biblical love. They “affirm” and feed on the sins of God’s people (Hos. 4:8), instead of calling all to the sorrow that is according to the will of God: “a repentance without regret” (2 Cor. 7:10). They proclaim the inclusivity of Christianity (Jn. 3:16) without explaining the exclusivity of the gospel—that it is through Jesus Christ alone (Matt. 7:13-14; Jn. 14:6). They proclaim the “good news,” but have removed the bad news—that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Lacking testicular fortitude, they have abandoned Truth (Jn. 14:6) for truths, and the unfading crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4) for thirty pieces of silver.

In abandoning Truth, these “shepherds” have equally abandoned those asking questions and seeking answers. The Spirit of the Age stands ready and willing to provide a moral framework and worldview. The problem was never with imposing morality. The problem is whose morality will be imposed. Christians have the answer, but out of fear of “being political”, many “shepherds” have abdicated their positions in the public square. They have allowed evil ideas to prevail, and through their silence, they participate in them, rather than exposing them (Eph. 5:11). May pastors once again learn not to “fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28, NASB95). May they remember they are entrusted with keeping watch over souls, “as those who will give an account” (Heb. 13:17, NASB95, emphasis mine). May they remember that it is the cowardly who are first mentioned as taking part in the second death, the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8).

Truth: For Christians, proclaiming the Truth should not be extraordinary.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is unique; there has never been and will never be any other news like it, that “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

Charlie Kirk was unique. His character, influence, gifts, and abilities were profound, and there will never be another man or woman who replaces him.

However, let us always remember that for Christians, the proclamation of the gospel is not unique. The preaching of the gospel is commanded. Discipleship in the gospel is commanded (Matt. 28:18-20). Obedience to the gospel is commanded. And when we as Christians do what we are commanded to do, our response is to say, “We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done” (Lk. 17:10, NASB95). Charlie’s “intellectual holding of that Truth” and “living in light of that Truth” are not what made him unique; they made him obedient and faithful.

Many admired and respected Charlie because he provided what should have been expected and received from the American church: unapologetic, gospel-centered obedience and faithfulness. By America’s standards, Charlie Kirk was “uneducated” and “untrained.” Still, when the world witnessed his confidence, they “began to recognize [him] as having been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). It is disgraceful that the white-washed tombs of many American pulpits—the safest place in the world from which to preach the gospel—are so filled with “educated” and “trained” cowards that the evangelistic zeal of a young man on college campuses is regarded as extraordinary rather than normal.

Truth: People were shaken to their core, many for the first time, because:

1. American and Western Christians witnessed firsthand the promise that “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12, NASB95, emphasis mine).

This promise of Scripture has been largely neglected in the American church, and that is dangerous. While Christians around the world live this reality daily, the Western Christian is so comfortable that experiencing any hardship, much less persecution, has the potential to shake their faith. I am not saying we should “pray for persecution.” Western Christians should thank God for the tremendous freedoms they have to live out their faith, particularly in America. However, we must equally understand that persecution is not only allowed by God, but it is promised.

Scripture is full of such examples, with Hebrews 11 being a great place to start:

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. (Heb. 11:32-40, NASB95, emphasis mine)

How arrogant of Western Christians, especially the American church, to read about the suffering and death of their Savior, to learn about the persecution and martyrdom of Christians—in the Bible and around the world (Voice of the Martyrs)—and to witness the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk, men and women “of whom the world was not worthy,” and then to say, “We have this ‘new’ theology that we will not suffer for the name of Christ.”

2. The spiritual war between good and evil was undeniably exposed.

There’s an old song by Keith Green—a modern-day prophet—called “No One Believes in Me Anyone,” also known as “Satan’s Boast.” The final verse of the song reads:

Well, I used to have to sneak around

But now they just open their doors

You know, no one is watching for my tricks

Since no one believes in me anymore!

Well, I’m gaining power by the hour

They’re falling by the score

You know, it’s getting very easy now

Since no one believes in me anymore!

With the assassination of Charlie Kirk, many people, both believers and unbelievers, were forced to face the reality that evil is real, satan is real, demons are real, and that our world is more than just the physical.

And if evil is real, then God is too.

3. Charlie was killed for beliefs that every Bible-believing Christian holds.

If he was killed for his Christian worldview, then any Bible-believing Christian could be as well.

4. Evildoers—Leftists and their demons—are delighting in evil.

Many have watched as family, friends, politicians, and the media celebrated the murder of an innocent man. Furthermore, they have come to realize the harsh truth that their own deaths might be celebrated in the same way, perhaps even by the very people they called “friends.”

5. The soul was not made to witness what many saw.

While the death rate for everyone is 100%, you were not made to witness the gruesome, public execution of an image-bearer of God.

6. For the first time, many experienced the tremendous power of the love of Christ.

Unlike the 2020 “Summer of Love”—when Leftist domestic terrorists took to the streets in the name of “racial justice,” “peacefully protesting” the drug overdose death (not murder) of an unproductive, criminal member of society—the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination—a man, husband, and father beloved for his Christian witness and numerous societal contributions—was not riots, looting, and the destruction of cities.

Instead, the world saw prayer vigils where Charlie’s brothers and sisters in Christ gathered to mourn, pray, and fellowship. It saw a renewed sense of courage among Christians and non-Christians alike, that the demonic forces in the heavenly places would not scare us into silence. Most importantly, it saw a woman, a wife, and a mother publicly forgive her husband’s assassin, imitating God, “just as God in Christ has also forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32, NASB95; 5:1).

The contrast between these two worldviews is undeniable.

7. They witnessed God cause “all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28, NASB95).

Following Charlie’s death, many have come to realize the truth that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church,” as martyrs have “asserted the cause of Christ more effectively when dead than when they were alive.” This powerful truth serves as a profound testament and example of God’s ability to turn what the enemy meant for evil into good (Gen. 50:20).

8. Christianity is “Truth about total reality, not just about religious things.”

The notion that Christianity has no place in the public square, particularly in politics, has been resoundingly defeated. The idolatrous line, “separation of Church and State,” ignorantly and maliciously touted by self-proclaimed pastors and Christians as their excuse for apathy and cowardice disguised as “meekness,” was utterly shattered, as many of America’s most powerful leaders—the thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities (Col. 1:16)—humbled themselves before the One whose name stands above them all, the King of kings and Lord of lords. At the Charlie Kirk memorial, for instance, politicians such as Marco Rubio gave a more powerful and succinct gospel presentation than was likely found in many American pulpits that Sunday, to the absolute shame of the “shepherds” who filled them. He said:

“… that we were all created, every single one of us, before the beginning of time, by the hands of the God of the universe. An all-powerful God, who loved us and created us for the purpose of living with Him in eternity. But then sin entered the world and separated us from our Creator, and so God took on the form of a man, and came down and lived among us. And He suffered like men. And He died like a man. But on the third day, He rose unlike any mortal man…and to prove any doubters wrong, He ate with His disciples so they could see; and they touched His wounds. He didn’t rise as a ghost or as a spirit, but as flesh. And then He rose to the heaven, but He promised He would return. And He will! … [B]ecause He took on that death, because He carried that cross, we were freed from the sin that separated us from Him. And when He returns, there will be a new heaven, and a new earth, and we will all be together, and we are going to have a great reunion there again with Charlie and all the people we love!” - Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

Such is the result when we embrace Christianity as total Truth about total reality.

9. For the first time, many are seeking not just a “higher power,” but the one true God, Jesus Christ.

Many have found the wide path that leads to destruction, and few have found the narrow path that leads to life, but more are on their way. Which way, Western man?

Truth: We are witnessing what happens when worldviews collide.

When the Christian worldview collides with the world—anything and anyone against the will of God—the result is always further division. Jesus said:

Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. “For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. “He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt. 10:34-39, NASB95)

Contrary to what self-proclaimed pastors and Christians indirectly preach, the lost eleventh commandment is not “Thou shalt prove thyself to be nicer than God.” Jesus Christ has been, is now, and will be forever the eternal dividing line. Yes, God desires “all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4, NASB95), which He made evident by sending His Son, who offered His own life as a sacrifice once for all (Heb. 7:27); however, “no one comes to the Father but through [Him]” (Jn. 14:6). Yes, “if possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18, NASB95); however, the division caused by Jesus Christ does not depend on you, except that you would persevere in the midst of it and “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21, NASB95).

As these worldviews—the gospel of Jesus Christ and Leftist demonic evil—collide, the choice before us is clear: Christ or chaos.

Truth: “If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed” (1 Cor. 16:22, NASB95).

How are we supposed to determine who loves the Lord, especially with ignorant, self-righteous, self-proclaimed pastors and Christians shouting another lost commandment, “Thou shalt not judge!”, in our ears? Ignoring the fact that they have judged us for judging, let us recall the full command from Christ, which states, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you” (Matt. 7:1-2, NASB95). The issue is not whether we judge, but how we judge. We should avoid superficial judgment (Jn. 7:24), hypocritical judgment (Matt. 7:3-5), self-righteous judgment (Lk. 18:9-14), or unforgiving judgment (Matt. 5:7). Instead, we must judge righteously (Jn. 7:24) by carefully examining everything, holding onto what is good, and rejecting what is evil (1 Thess. 5:21-22). While God’s judgment alone determines salvation (Heb. 9:27), the fruit of a person's life provides evidence of salvation (Matt. 7:15-20), which we as Christians are called to recognize.

Of course, I am not advocating for the legalistic purging of everyone who sins from churches, as there would be no one left. However, biblically speaking, Christian leaders are held to a higher standard (Jas. 3:1), and we must be held to it. Therefore, self-proclaimed pastors in American pulpits—those who demonstrate no evidence of a love for the Lord (Jn. 14:15), thereby destroying and scattering God’s sheep (Jer. 23:1)—must be confronted biblically. They must be shown the error of their ways and given the opportunity to repent. If they repent, we must forgive, and we have won our brother. However, if they refuse to repent, they must be removed from Christian leadership and fellowship (Matt. 18:15-20).

In other words, let such an individual face the consequences of the demonic worldview they champion. Let them be removed from the fellowship of believers and delivered over “to satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor. 5:5, NASB95, emphasis mine). In disassociating yourself from them, do not view them as enemies, but urgently warn them as brothers and sisters in Christ (2 Thess. 3:14-15). While the actions are harsh, they are necessary and ultimately motivated by love. Love first for the individual sinning, with the hopes that by experiencing hell on earth (Jonah 2:1), they return to Jesus Christ and not experience hell for eternity. More importantly, this must be done out of love for the local church, so that it may not be polluted (1 Cor. 5:6-7), and so that new leaders can be raised up—those who desire to shepherd the flock God has entrusted to them (1 Pet. 5:2) and who labor to equip the saints so that they may better minister on behalf of their Savior and King (Eph. 4:11-12). Because, as the Apostle Paul states:

How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? (2 Cor. 6:14-16, NLT)

Truth: Repentance brings revival.

Some may criticize the “tone” of this letter, failing to recognize that they are part of the problem. Somewhere along the way, American Christians became more concerned with tone than they were with Truth. I prefer the words of G.K. Chesterton, who said, “Nine times out of ten, the coarse word is the word that condemns an evil, and the refined word the word that excuses it.” However, whether my words are coarse or not, now is a time for more than words; it is a time for action. Therefore, we must be wise in how we act, making the most of what time is left because the days are evil (Eph. 5:16), and the first wise action is personal repentance.

Yes, we must purge the evil from within, but how can we do so unless we see clearly? We need to first take care of our own house before trying to take care of God's household (1 Tim. 3:4-5). We must remove the planks from our own eyes first, so we can see clearly to remove specks in the eyes of others (Matt. 7:5). We must “repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19, NASB95, emphasis mine). With repentance, we can do business until He returns, and faithfully stewarding what has been entrusted to us (Lk. 19:13), we can walk blameless before Him, not because we are perfect, but because “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9, NASB95).

What follows is not for me to decide; it is between you and the Lord. But with a heart that is clean before Him, He will renew you with a steadfast spirit, restoring in you the joy of your salvation, so that you may be equipped to teach others His ways, and lead them into the light of His glorious presence, mercy, and grace (Ps. 51).

Go Hard.

Pastor Ethan