I enjoy Dr. Jim Denison’s excellent cultural commentary, “The Daily Article,” and highly recommend it. A recent one, “Three reasons Charlie Kirk’s murder is relevant to us all,” struck a deep chord in my heart, soul, and spirit. I’d be interested in what you think about his conclusion that this horrific event could have a dramatic impact on all Americans, but especially those of us who claim to be followers of Jesus. Be sure to “Leave a Reply” at the bottom of this blog.

The tragedy of Charlie Kirk’s violent death will affect every American and especially every Christian, “in ways that may not be obvious but are deeply significant.”

Dr. Dennison comments that the man who shot Charlie disagreed with Kirk’s ideas, considered his words hateful, and therefore felt justified in killing him. Furthermore, “Many who are celebrating Kirk’s death are doing so for the same reason.” Here are a few of Dr. Dennison’s observations:

Here are three reasons Charlie’s murder is so dangerous for our nation:

One: The “veto of violence”

New York Times columnist Ezra Klein noted: “The foundation of a free society is the ability to participate in it without fear of violence. Political violence is always an attack against us all.” His colleague David French added, “The assassin didn’t just take aim at a precious human being, created in the image of God, he took aim at the American experiment itself.” The Free Press editors noted: “Charlie Kirk was murdered while practicing the very act that gave birth to this nation—and the only thing that will ensure its survival.” If our nation loses its First Amendment right to free speech via the “veto of violence,” our democratic process is imperiled. Presidential biographer Jon Meacham added: “If this is open season on everybody who expresses an opinion, then the American covenant is broken.”

One in three college students now consider violence

to be justifiable against a speaker uttering “hate”

Two: “Words are violence”

This threat is amplified by the claim that “words are violence. … this dangerous idea has been ‘percolating on college campuses these days. The argument is that if words can cause stress, and prolonged stress can cause physical harm, certain types of speech can be a form of violence. This psychological claim has been extrapolated into the belief that it is fair to respond violently to words with which we disagree. In a new survey, a record one in three college students now consider violence to be justifiable against a speaker uttering “hate.” … Taken to its logical conclusion, this thinking robs our democracy of free speech protections and imperils the political process itself.

Unashamed and unafraid are commitments

God’s people especially need in these days.

Three: “Oppress the oppressors”

A third cultural factor behind Charlie Kirk’s murder is the Critical Theory (CT) claim that all relationships are based on power struggles between “oppressors” and the “oppressed.” According to CT, the appropriate response by the oppressed is therefore to “oppress the oppressors.” … If words are violence, violence becomes an appropriate response to words. You can see why this belief is threatening to all Americans but especially to evangelicals.

Unashamed and unafraid

How should we [Christians] respond? In an increasingly secularized culture, such compassion will increasingly require courage. [St. Paul] told the Romans, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Even when imprisoned in Rome and awaiting execution, he testified that “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Unashamed and unafraid are commitments God’s people especially need in these days. Will you pray for the courage to be both today?

Dr. Dennison ends with this quote from St. Teresa of Avila, “Let nothing frighten you. Who has God lacks nothing. God alone is enough.” [Note the precise wording in her original Spanish is more accurately translated: “Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.”]

You can read the whole article from Dr. Dennison here. You can also sign up, for free, for his Daily Article here, which I highly recommend you do. He comments on the top headlines from a non-partisan, biblical perspective and Christian worldview and in a very kind, wise, and gracious way.

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