Scott Kamps
On Sept. 21 – before attempting my weekly nap – I tuned into Charlie Kirk’s memorial service.
I ended up watching all five hours – and I’m still astounded by what I saw.
President Trump described the service, “like an old-time revival.” I’m not a revivalist, but I did find the service encouraging. I’ve never witnessed so many high-ranking political officials making explicitly-Christian statements; this wasn’t a typical civil religion affair (i.e., religious, vague and inclusive).
Red, white and blue patriotism was definitely there, but the gospel of Jesus Christ was clearly proclaimed. Our war secretary and vice president both explicitly declared, “Jesus is King!”
Time will tell if this will catalyze true revival, or a broader political movement away from the emptiness and hopelessness of secularism and wokeism. Many positive trends are afoot in our nation – especially among young men – but much needs to be done to foster these trends.
Most Americans (Christian or not) used to understand the biblical worldview, but humanism/secularism has nurtured biblical illiteracy. Now, even many Christians don’t understand how the Bible should guide us in life.
This knowledge won’t come simply by praying a prayer or walking an aisle, but through hearing truths of the Bible faithfully and repeatedly.
Erika Kirk strongly demonstrated the power of the Gospel when she reminisced about Charlie’s desire to save young men, even those like the one who martyred him. Then, speaking directly to the assassin, she forgave him because “that’s what Christ did and that’s what Charlie would do.”
She went on to articulate the Christian ethos, “The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the Gospel is love, and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”
Later, Trump – in a self-deprecating, comedic way – said that Charlie Kirk “did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don't want the best for them.”
This has been interpreted many ways. It’s at least an admission that he doesn’t have the supernatural power Erika demonstrated. More Christians need to understand that while Trump’s policies have often been good for Christianity, he doesn’t often model Christian virtue.
Greater dichotomy has been pointed to by many contrasting Erika Kirk’s forgiveness speech with Stephen Miller’s “destroy our enemies” speech. Thinking those two messages can’t coexist betrays a lack of understanding the Christian social ethic.
Both messages belong in the Christian worldview. It’s the obligation of Christians (like Erika) to forgive; it’s the responsibility of magistrates (like Stephen Miller) to be “a terror” to those who do wrong (Romans 13:1-4). The Bible teaches Christians to give grace and turn the other cheek; concurrently, the government is to bear the sword, punishing evil.
Forgiveness and justice are emphasized throughout the Bible; both are significant aspects of what Jesus did and will do in this world. Carefully considering Jesus’ own words and mission will accentuate how inadequately most Americans grasp these truths.
Scott Kamps writes a bi-weekly column for The Graham Star. He can be reached via email, thestableguy@frontier.com.