Certain “larger than life” events in American history made an indelible impression on those who were living at the time. The Pearl Harbor attack, the assassination of JFK, the evil attacks on September 11, 2001, now simply known as 9/11. Now there is a new one, especially for Gen Z and some Millennials – the assassination of Charlie Kirk. In each of these events, those most affected can recall and tell others who ask, where they were and what they were doing at the moment they heard of the tragedy. For us, it was the attack on 9/11. I received a phone call fairly early in the morning from a friend who said, “Turn the TV on now.” No explanation, just a frantic message. Within moments of turning it on, we watched in shock as a fully loaded passenger jet slammed into the Twin Towers in New York City. We soon discovered this was the second plane, a fully loaded commercial jet, hitting each tower. A few hours later, we watched in stunned silence as both towers collapsed, killing many who had yet to be evacuated from the topmost floors, along with many policemen and firemen who had rushed in to save those who were trapped. There was yet another jet that hit the Pentagon, of all places, and one crashed in an empty field because brave passengers gleaned from personal phone calls what was happening and stormed the cockpit. These brave Americans died, but they did prevent the jet they were on from taking out many more innocents on the ground. To say the whole thing was shocking is a vast understatement, and most Americans remained glued to their televisions for days, trying to find out the “who and why” of such a horrible attack on such a beautiful day. We spent the rest of the day, in fact the next several days, watching TV coverage and trying to figure out who would do such an evil thing and why? There were several weeks of blessed national unity in mourning, but that of course faded as people went on with their lives. Our grandkids know of “9-11” as history, but not so much as a devastating personal experience and loss. For many Gen Z and Millennials, the assassination of Charlie Kirk is their “9/11 moment.”

Until Wednesday, September 10, 2025, we of course were familiar with the name Charlie Kirk and his organization, Turning Point USA, and though we never attended a rally, we sometimes watched him on TV engage in friendly debates with any young person who sought to engage him – “friendly” meaning without meanness, rancor, or name-calling. And many young people did debate with him, sometimes several at a time. Charlie Kirk developed quite a huge following on college campuses. We all know Charlie was assassinated at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, during a live event on September 10, 2025. He was doing as he often did, engaging in live debates with students in his “Prove Me Wrong” style. But something unforeseen happened that caused a collective national gasp. At approximately 10:20 AM (some have said it was 10:23) MT, a sniper bullet struck Charlie in the throat. It was announced a little after 2:00 PM MT that he had passed away.

We learned a great deal more about Charlie Kirk over the next few days. We also saw something horrible that was unexpected, though perhaps we could have foreseen the ugliness. On the one hand, for many, there was outrage and grief at what seemed like a senseless death of one who, for young people especially, was a able defender of long-standing American values and the Christian faith, with a particular focus on God, family, and country. He was a champion of free speech, Judeo/Christian morality and ethics, marriage, conservatism, and capitalism, and believed it was important to talk face to face with those who disagreed with his views. Kirk was more than willing to stage events at some of the very institutions that have been indoctrinating their students into Critical Theory and Marxism to debate the issues freely.

Sadly, however, we also saw large numbers on the Left, young people and supposed adults, who actually cheered for the sniper and openly celebrated the death of this 31-year-old political activist and loving husband, and the father of two very young children, who were all on the scene at the time. All of this immense hatred was put on display for the world to see the ugly and deep divide in our nation. This social division is not new – we wrote about it in 2002 in “America at War with Herself” and several times since then. But this tragedy was far more emotionally raw than simple elections, and it is deeply personal for those who grieve Kirk’s loss. Also, the grieving were not always allowed to grieve in peace, as some vigils for Kirk were infiltrated by loud groups of people who hated him and the people who were grieving. If we had a neighbor that we weren’t particularly close to, or maybe had an actual “issue” with, would we crash their funeral and trash their grieving family? No, that would be wrong on so many levels. Ordinary human kindness would rule that out. And, if anybody on the right would crash a funeral, and trash the dead, or the dead and his family, shame on you.

Maybe even worse, many schoolteachers, politicians, health care workers and even popular Hollywood actors and celebrities publicly mocked Kirk and those who were grieving his loss. Again, common decency should rule that out. It’s hard to be as strongly critical of young people when alleged adults who have taught their hatred to the young act this way.

Charlie Kirk was a Christian, and just before he was shot, he clearly outlined the message of salvation in his debate with a student, who, as it happens, is a Mormon. He did so without disparaging Mormonism. This wasn’t unusual for him. Turning Point USA is not a “Christian organization;” it is a political activist organization that is headed up by a Christian. Among those who work there are Christians, Mormons, and plain old non-Christians as well. Some within the apologetics/discernment ministry camp almost immediately began pointing out areas of possibly questionable theology. In a Facebook post, our friend Amy Spreeman wrote:

Charlie Kirk’s assassination hit me hard, as it did for many others. I did not know much about him, but spent a considerable amount of time these past few days watching his college campus videos – especially the ones in which he shared the full Gospel. Praise the Lord. I believe his murder is ushering in a change in both our political culture and spiritually, as seen in the many who are seeking truth and looking for a church as a result of their grief and the message Charlie shared. I hope and pray that those who do not know God will draw close to Him and that the Lord would bring them to a saving faith.

I also want to respond to those who shared concerns about his seemingly dominionistic theology – obviously, I don’t agree with that, but having heard his testimony and Gospel witness, I do believe that he is a brother and in the eternal presence of Jesus. None of us has flawless theology, but in eternity, it is made whole.

Pointer: If you are working for an interdenominational organization, you may find yourself disagreeing with someone about something, because – newsflash – denominations differ. And even at your own “practically perfect” church, you might find yourself disagreeing with somebody about something too. Or someone might disagree with YOU. Sometimes, a point in doctrine might require disagreement to be true to the gospel — we surely don’t dispute that! Still, wherever you go, even home, you’ll likely occasionally disagree with someone on some fine point. You’ll have to pick your battles or stay home – by yourself.

Kirk’s widow, Erika, spoke on Friday evening, and her comments were very moving, although without attributing blame, she pointed out that this act has unleashed a movement the naysayers won’t be able to stop. “Much Of World Mourns Charlie Kirk As Widow Vows To Continue His Christian Legacy” lists some of the reactions from around the world:

Ordinary people also mourned with vigils being held across the United States and in cities worldwide.

In Sydney, Australia, thousands gathered in Hyde Park, lighting candles and singing “Amazing Grace.”

In London, mourners laid flowers outside the U.S. Embassy. In Cape Town, South Africa, young Christians spoke of Kirk’s influence on their faith and values.

In Madrid, Spain, crowds assembled outside the U.S. Embassy chanting: “Viva Charlie Kirk” (“Long live Charlie Kirk”), “Viva la libertad” (“Long live freedom”), “No nos callarán” (“They will not silence us”), “Viva España” (“Long live Spain”), and “Viva Estados Unidos” (“Long live the United States”).

Organizers described the tribute as “a cry against political violence and a call to defend the right to dissent without fear.”

In Berlin, Germany, candles and flowers were placed outside the U.S. Embassy, where participants prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, led by local Christian politicians.

At these gatherings, mourners echoed Erika Kirk’s vow that her husband’s faith-driven mission would continue despite his death.

Corey Miller, President of Ratio Christi let us know:

My friend and fellow philosopher, Owen Anderson, told me that the student-led memorial vigil at Arizona State U where he teaches had over 10,000 in attendance, and every student shared that Kirk was always proclaiming Christ (that’s what he wanted to be known for even though TPUSA is primarily a conservative political organization). At the end, the Director of TPUSA-Faith, Lucas Miles, challenged all the students there to place their faith in Christ. Boom!

Our friend, Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi made an interesting observation:

Theologians debate each other; Charlie Kirk, like Paul, was discipling nations and was hated like him.

Where will this lead? None of us really knows, but Charlie Kirk made an indelible impression that spans the planet and impacted the lives of many for eternity.Ω

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