It seems everyone, at least every Americans, has to have some thoughts about the recent very public assassination of political influencer Charlie Kirk. To be honest, I had never heard of him before the news stories about his tragic murder. Apparently, from all that I have read and watched, I am out of touch. He is touted by some as a hero of a generation. President Trump celebrates his life and deplores and condemns his death. As of this writing, we do not yet know the identity or motive of his murderer.
Kirk is called by all a “conservative” influencer. I read an article about him that said he was conservative in that he believed in and promoted small government and free enterprise. I also believe in those ideals, but I probably think of them differently. Government should be as small as necessary to serve the common good and enterprise should be as free as possible within the confines of an economic system that serves all.
I deplore and condemn Kirk’s murder. I abhor violence, including political violence. I have no sympathy with the alleged liberal/Democratic celebrators of Kirk’s murder.
One thing about Kirk that interests me is his church membership. He was, apparently, a member of Dream City Church in Phoenix, Arizona. It used to called First Assembly of God of Phoenix. When I was a young Pentecostal boy I knew of Pastor Tommy Barnett, founder of the church. He was celebrated as a church planter and grower. His son, Luke, now pastors the church. So, apparently, Kirk was Pentecostal. I wonder how many of his followers knew that? And what does that mean—about him?
I am shocked by three things about Kirk’s assassination. First, its evil. Second, that I did not know of such a celebrity. Third, by the very public outcry resulting from his tragic murder. To any Christians who are tempted to celebrate Kirk’s murder I say: Remember God’s words through the prophet Ezekiel: “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked….” (33:11) Not that I think Kirk was wicked. My point in quoting that passage is that EVEN the deaths of the wicked God do not please God. So much more, God is not pleased by the deaths of those who are not wicked. We, Christians, have no right to celebrate anyone’s death, not even Osama bin Laden’s! Even if you think Kirk was terribly wrong, you are sinning if you celebrate his death. Don’t do it. Repent if you did.
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