The memorial for Charlie Kirk this past Sunday was incredible. What made it so incredible is how Christ-centered it was and how many times the gospel was clearly articulated. The truth of Christ was spoken by pastors and apologists—as you would hope—but it was also clearly articulated by political pundits, podcasters, federal cabinet members and heads of state.
Not only was the gospel expressed more clearly than most contemporary memorials it was likely the most watched proclamation of Christ in the history of the planet. It was attended by more than 100,000 people[1] while more than 100 million viewed it online! This was bigger than any funeral of a pope, president, or king. This was far larger than any Billy Graham crusade or any other occasion where the gospel of Jesus Christ was proclaimed. Praise God!
It was not a presentation of one God among many. It was not multicultural or pluralistic. It was a declaration of the exclusive truth that is in Christ. It did not focus on the unknown god or a god in general, but the God of Charlie Kirk, who is the God of Paul, the God of Daniel, the God of David, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the true and living God. The triune Creator, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The King of kings and Lord of lords. You could say, it had more gospel truth than you would hear in most church services. Speakers mentioned sin (repeatedly). They said our sin is our biggest problem in this world. They spoke about Christ’s virgin birth and sinless humanity. They spoke about the cross and his sacrifice for sin. They spoke about penal substitutionary atonement. They spoke about repentance and faith. They spoke about the sure return of Christ. They spoke about the new heavens and new earth. They read Scripture. The people cheered when the physical resurrection was declared. This was a sight to behold that left a lump in my throat on many occasions.
It is true that some Christians are objecting to the style of music or lack of theological precision in some of the remarks or a lack of robust conviction in some of the speakers. My advice to them? Be quiet. Don’t become like the tone police and nitpick while missing the plot. Don’t be a Pharisee who rejected the wonder of Jesus because all they could see were prostitutes and tax collectors. The secretary of state, secretary of war, secretary of national intelligence, the vice president and the president of the most powerful country in the world just declared that we need God—and not just any God—we need Jesus Christ and his gospel. Just a few years ago, the heads of state in the US were proudly promoting transvestites, drag queens, homosexuality, gender-affirming “care”, a world without borders, and many other poisonous fruits of an antichrist secularism.
We live in exciting times. As has always been the case, revivals, renewals, and reformations are messy. There are, and will be many, who will speak of Christ and promote Christ without the doctrinal accuracy that emerged after decades and centuries of theological refinement. How long did it take you to master Christian doctrine? By all means, let us teach and instruct those inquiring of Christ and those who seek to follow him. But let us not be known for a critical spirit, but a courageous spirit, a charitable spirit, and a spirit of excitement in the work that God is doing.
Consider these words from Paul:
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Philippians 1:12-18
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Paul’s imprisonment (and later martyrdom) served to fuel the proclamation of Christ. Not all of it was from good motives, but he rejoiced that Christ was proclaimed!
Charlie Kirk’s public martyrdom—a crushing loss—is serving the proclamation of Christ in incredible ways. Whether in pretense or in truth, I rejoice.
If you haven’t already, watch his memorial, pray for the advance of the gospel, and go, be courageous and speak the truth with clarity and love.
[1] The stadium held 73,000 but with more than 10,000 at the Desert Diamond Arena and more than 10,000 in other viewing areas outside the stadium.