vile or virtuous: evangelical pastor speaks on kirk

edited by sarina e. guerra
questions/formatting by justin orsino
answers by chris nunn

1. What was your immediate reaction to Charlie Kirk’s death, and what do you think that reaction reveals about today’s political climate?

The first I heard of the shooting in Utah, I was in a board meeting. It was difficult to proceed with the meeting after having heard that a brother-in-Christ was fighting for his life, and ultimately we decided to stop the meeting to pray. A few minutes later, someone saw the shocking video for the first time and immediately expressed doubt that anyone could have survived such a horrific assault. My immediate, visceral response was one of…

extreme Sadness &
Heartache.

I felt a lump in my throat and found myself unable to concentrate. I felt such a sense of heaviness as I mourned the loss of a man who spoke so confidently and boldly on behalf of Jesus.

2. Kirk argued strongly for gun rights — does his death change how you see that stance, or is it separate from the circumstances?

Kirk’s horrific death reveals the wickedness of the heart of man. If we take away the rights of citizens to bear arms, the wickedness of the heart of man will find other means to kill those with whom they disagree. Kirk’s view on the 2nd Amendment was founded upon his belief that historically, a government that is left unchecked…

has the Tendency
to become Tyrannical.

Kirk believed that the citizens’ right to bear arms is necessary to ensure that if the government were to overstep its boundaries, the citizens would have the means to protect themselves from such a threat. I do not think Kirk’s view would have changed on the 2nd Amendment, despite his own death.

3. Is it fair to speak harshly about a controversial figure after their death, or should criticism stop once someone passes?

Kirk was a staunch supporter of Freedom of Speech. As vulgar and insensitive as I believe the hateful rhetoric being spoken about Charlie in the days following his death to be, people in our country do have the right to say it. However, just because people have the right to say horrible, hate-filled things doesn’t mean that people should exercise that right. People need to learn…

Discretion &
Grace.

Far too many people feel brave sitting behind a keyboard, not considering that a wife, mother, father, or one day a child, may read those vile comments.

4. Do the public responses to his death say more about Kirk himself, or about America’s polarization?

The polarization of America is evident. I do not recall a time in recent history when I have ever felt our country has been so divided. We need to learn how to disagree with one another without becoming disagreeable. The response to Kirk’s death says more about the brokenness of our own nation than it does about the life of Kirk himself. Kirk desired to open up a dialogue with all kinds of people and engage them in conversation about our differences. If we were all more concerned with listening and understanding one another than being understood ourselves, our nation would look very different. I think the Apostle James said it best:

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be…

quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:19-21).”

5. If political violence becomes normalized — no matter which side it targets — what does that mean for free speech and democracy?

God help us if political violence becomes normalized. When men become so threatened by an ideology or belief that they resort to violence to silence that voice, what does that really communicate about the offender’s convictions? I fear that violence will silence the voices that we need to hear the most today. If the truth-bearers allow the violent to silence their voice, what hope do we have as a nation? Amid all of the shouting and rhetoric we hear and read today, I hope the truth-bearers remember that it isn’t the loudest voice in the room that determines truth. Truth determines truth, and truth has a name.

As Jesus says in John 14:6, “I am The Way, THE TRUTH, and the life, and no man can come to the Father but through Me.”

Jesus also said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32).

If the violent can silence the voices speaking truth…

How shall we
ever be truly
Free?