10 - Hero or Idol?

Like many of you, I’ve followed the news these past 12 days about the death and impact of Charlie Kirk. Countless narratives have surfaced in this short time.

One question people are asking stands out to me: are people idolizing Charlie Kirk, or is it right to celebrate him as a hero?

Some would argue that too much has been made of his death and feel cautious about saying too much about him. 

I would contend that in today’s day, with a media filled world that displays all of our divisions, Charlie represented being a bridge builder. 

Our country is deeply divided - politically, spiritually, culturally, and in so many other ways.

So seeing someone devoted to having conversations with anyone of any view point be assassinated was absolutely gutting. Charlie was a force for good in the world and to see someone of faith who didn’t just preach, but walked and lived out his faith as his life mission was inspiring. 

I hold no qualms about celebrating Charlie as a hero and martyr of the faith. 

In a world of so few heroes, I welcome more to become heroic in this hour through courage and faith to do more good in the world and leave people better than you find them.

I am more inspired than ever to live boldly, courageously, and have even more conversations of truth and faith about God, my country, and life from a place of bridge building. 

Charlie wasn’t afraid to speak the truth, knowing it could trigger others, but he spoke in such a way that showed he valued the person, not just the truth he spoke.

He wasn’t speaking truth just to fill the air. He was speaking truth to show a different way of life.

I think comparatively of those I’ve heard preach from the pulpit, divisive messages and stances that are just spoken to prove a point rather than win a heart. There is a big difference in delivery when you care about the soul vs only caring to be right.

Charlie had mastered the ability to hold both truth and love in the same hand.

He modeled a life that knew how to read a room, speak to an audience of those who hated him, and yet, honor Christ through it all. He didn’t cower back or refrain from speaking the truth even though he knew it would trigger people. He accepted that the gospel can be offensive to those who are antithetical to the message of the cross.

Do I think Charlie was a perfect person or that he should be idolized? Absolutely not. Only Christ modeled perfection. 

So, to circle back: are people idolizing Charlie Kirk—or honoring a hero?

I think the fruit of Charlie’s life, which has been people talking more about Christ than at any previous point in this generation, shows that Charlie didn’t live to be idolized. He denied himself and took up his cross and pointed others to Christ. He made Christ the hero of the story, and it’s in a life’s work that exemplified that, where Charlie’s became a hero for so many. Not in competition with Christ, but in living for Christ.

So frankly, I don’t see him being idolized when I see people talking about him. I see people sharing that they are inspired by him, and in my view, there is nothing wrong with that. 

There are heroes every day who may not be as well known as Charlie was, people who care for the most vulnerable among us, those who do work that is unseen by the masses, mothers and fathers who are doing their best to raise the next generation, and those who sacrifice after a long day at work to go on and serve others in some capacity. There is too much to say about the many who are serving tirelessly for a great cause or mission.

So I will end here to say that I was moved by so much of what I’ve learned of Charlie’s life in the past nearly two weeks now. If I carry anything forward from his life, and there is a lot to choose from, I choose bridge-building, courage, and action.

Let’s talk more tomorrow, friend!