As one of the pastors of TDC, it is clear the murder of Charlie Kirk has greatly impacted our congregation. While I have not heard of anyone who has a personal connection to the Kirk family, it seems this incident has deeply troubled many of us.

In moments like this, moments you might call national tragedies, we must have a framework for understanding. If we don’t, we will be disoriented by media: sensationalism, grotesque videos, rage bait, false news, and misguided perspectives. 

Seriously, that’s the choice we must make: develop a Biblical worldview or receive the world’s view. I don’t think I need to tell you which one is better, and which one will yield peace and righteousness. 

So in an effort to build a Biblical worldview and also install some safeguards against confusion, let’s talk about what the Charlie Kirk tragedy isn't:

1. It is not okay. If you are deeply troubled, you should be. Proverbs 1:11 talks about the evil of lying in wait for innocent blood. When any image-bearer of God is murdered, we should shudder. The taking of his life is a grievous evil. Do not watch the videos, do not share the videos, and if you have, ask the Lord to minister to you and heal your soul. You are not made to casually observe murder. It’s not okay, and it’s right to be sobered.

2. It is not just political. This is a sticky one, because many conflate conservative politics and Christianity. Because Charlie Kirk was a follower of Jesus and an outspoken supporter of the Republican party, it is easy to combine these two aspects as being one in the same. At the risk of muddying this point, let me just say this: as followers of Jesus, our lens for observing the world should be primarily spiritual and secondarily political. Faith informs political views and decisions, not the other way around. We cannot allow this order to flip. Parties and regimes come and go, but we are citizens of the Kingdom. As followers of Jesus, we do not need to be silent on political matters but we need to understand our priority in political matters is God’s glory and His gospel.

3. It is not new. When the world seems full of blood and chaos, it is tempting to feel as if this is the worst it’s ever been. But it’s not. Murder is as old as sinful humanity, and if you read history, you will know men have always committed atrocities. Cain killed Abel in the very beginning of humanity. The atrocities of today are right in front of us, on these little glass screens we carry around with us. This wasn’t the case in the past, as news traveled slower and without video. But the sin of murder is not new, and the world is just as sin sick as it’s always been. 

4. It is not beyond God’s reach. If the Charlie Kirk murder and subsequent outrage, confusion, and conflict make you feel defenseless, know that none of this is outside God’s reach. He is aware, He is active, and He hears your prayers. While evil may win skirmishes on earth, evil loses in the end. Satan is a loser. Good wins because God wins. Jesus is victorious, and therefore you are not a victim but a victor with Him. Pray and trust our perfect God to be just that — a perfect God. Pray for revival, as people are talking a lot about faith, God, and truth right now. 

5. It is not the end. As followers of Jesus, we can bask in what He has accomplished for us: He has fulfilled the law for us, He has died for our lawbreaking, and He has risen, vindicating His testimony and power. What Jesus has already done is enough light to see by. But He’s not done. He will return to earth, and He will make all things new. He will bring us into the heavenly city where there is no sin. Tissues won’t be there. Hospitals will be unnecessary. There are no caskets. All the ravages of sin will be erased, and the delights of living in God’s presence will be on full blast. When the evil of this world troubles you, remember your beautiful future. This isn’t the end. Jesus is coming back!

Throughout the Bible, God calls us to be people of courage. Take heart. Have no fear. The righteous are bold as lions. This is not because we’re strong, but because He is. 

You have a mission, my friends. Do not desert your mission by resigning to fear. Do not distort your mission by resorting to rage on social media or in family gatherings. 

Let me end with two quotes. One from Jesus, and one from C.S. Lewis. I believe C.S. Lewis is merely applying what Jesus says in the first. 

Jesus told His disciples:

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

In a time of fear of nuclear bombs, C.S. Lewis expounds the notion of living courageously in crazy times: 

"…the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.”

“They may break our bodies, but they need not dominate our minds.” Set your mind upon Jesus, my dear brothers and sisters. Take your thoughts captive, and rest in His immense grace.