The death of Charlie Kirk: Tipping point or turning point for culture?

In October 2021, at a Turning Point USA event, Charlie Kirk was asked by a young man: “At this point, we’re living under corporate and medical fascism. This is tyranny. When do we get to use the guns?” Kirk’s response was quick and certain: “Now, I’m going to denounce that and tell you why: Because you’re […] The post The death of Charlie Kirk: Tipping point or turning point for culture? appeared first on Salt&Light.

Religion Sep 15, 2025 0 18 Add to Reading List

The death of Charlie Kirk: Tipping point or turning point for culture?

In October 2021, at a Turning Point USA event, Charlie Kirk was asked by a young man: “At this point, we’re living under corporate and medical fascism. This is tyranny. When do we get to use the guns?”

Kirk’s response was quick and certain: “Now, I’m going to denounce that and tell you why: Because you’re playing into all their plans. The minute you resort to violence, you lose.”

Yesterday (September 10, 2025), while answering questions at Utah Valley University, Kirk was shot dead while answering questions from another student – ironically, on the topic of gun violence.

He was just 31 years old.

Who was Charlie Kirk?

You might even have seen your own Pastor, who had never mentioned his name before, post a tribute on social media.

Senior Pastor Chua Seng Lee of Bethesda Bedok Tampines Church wrote: “Thank you Charlie. May God raise up many more voices in exchange of yours. May your uncompromising love for God and nation be caught by the millions of youth in America and around the world. May this truly be the Turning Point for America and the world as the blood of martyrs cry out to the Lord.”

Pastor Ian Toh of 3:16 Church posted: “Charlie’s life reminds us that real goodness is courageous. It is not afraid of the cost. It speaks truth in love. It confronts lies with conviction. And it points people to Christ without compromise. That is a life worth honouring, and a voice we will not forget.”

Charlie Kirk has been hailed a light in the darkness and a martyr by Christian leaders.

Pastor Andrew Yeo, Executive Director of FOPx, wrote: “Your voice in this generation is a light in dark places. Your legacy and influence will continue to point many back to truth. Thank you for showing us what it means to stand firm in faith, to speak truth with courage and to lead with conviction and love. May your life continue to inspire many to boldly live to the Gospel in every sphere of society.”

Added preacher and author John Bevere: “I had the privilege of sharing a platform with Charlie at a men’s event. I found him to be a kind and tender man, yet wise and bold in his stand against evil. I believe with all my heart Charlie has heard the words from Jesus himself: ‘Well done.’ May his life and his family’s sacrifice embolden the rest of us not to shrink back from speaking the truth of God’s Word. I’m so proud of you, brother.”

The tributes continue to pour in for Kirk, a young conservative Christian leader who in 2012 – aged just 18 – was so troubled by how liberal values were affecting college students that he co-founded Turning Point USA, a non-profit organisation committed to equip youths in America to fight the culture war. His passion for youth drove him to speak up boldly on campuses and in the media.

He was a master debater, one who argued at breakneck speed and with deep conviction. At his “Prove Me Wrong” tables during his tours and appearances, he engaged students directly, offering platforms where ideas would roundly discussed and tested.

He never backed down from a challenging question – he was always open to debate.

He was also unflinching about his political beliefs, and is believed to have influenced young voters powerfully in the last Presidential election in America.

Kirk is survived by his wife Erika and their two very young children.

All around the world, Christians are praying for Kirk’s young family. Photo from his Instagram page.

How do we make sense of the assassination of Charlie Kirk?

1.⁠ RECOGNISE THE STATE OF THE WORLD

The nature of Kirk’s murder may be shocking, but sadly, in this current climate, few are surprised that such a thing could happen.

Mass shootings in the US have happened so often in the last decade that a sense of numbness and learned helplessness has enveloped us all.

Even the unprovoked fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in a train Charlotte, North Carolina, last month barely registered.

Tragically, Kirk’s death serves to underpin the fact that we are living in an age of lawlessness, where what is good according to God is seen as wicked, and what is morally wrong is swept into the bag labelled “human rights”.

As Christians, we must awaken to the wrongs that happen around us. We are called to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (Peter 5:8)

2.⁠ ⁠RECOGNISE THE NEED OF THE WORLD

In Ephesians 5:16, we are urged to “make the most of every opportunity in these evil days”.

Kirk did exactly that. He used every chance he had to declare the Lordship of Jesus, to correct wrong thinking, to speak truth where it was not welcome. His style might not have been the most subtle or persuasive, but he lacked compromise.

You may not agree with his specific positions, and you may choose not to adopt such an aggressive approach, but wherever and whenever we see a door open, we are reminded that our days are short. We must make use of every opportunity to share Jesus with those who don’t know Him yet, and to bring the love of Christ to those who need it most.

Kirk took every opportunity to declare the Lordship of Jesus.

3.⁠ ⁠RECOGNISE THE POWER OF THE WORD

Kirk did not shy from speaking the truth; he was not afraid of other people’s pushback or outright hostility.

We have the very weapon that is the Bible; why are we not spending time in it?

If we don’t know the truth, how can we speak the truth?

Kirk knew his Scripture and used it like a sword. Reading and chewing the Word of God is essential for our survival in these dark days. We have the very weapon that is the Bible; why are we not spending time in it?

As reminded in Ephesians 4:14-15, when we reach full, mature knowledge of the Son of God through His Word, “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

4.⁠ RECOGNISE THERE IS ANOTHER WAY

There have been two default responses to the news of Kirk’s assassination. One camp calls for blood to match blood. Catch the killer and persecute him. The other camp descends into mockery, arguing that Kirk’s views warrant no sympathy even in his death.

We must break the cycle. We cannot let the way of the world be our way.

It feels the murder of Kirk is the tipping point of culture. A tipping point is when things have boiled over to a point where things are out of control. In a world marked by outrage, offence and for-us-or-against-us rhetoric, there are no logical conclusions that end well.

What then must we do? We must break the cycle. We cannot let the way of the world be our way.

Christians, we know that evil does not overcome evil. We are commanded not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

If we are at a tipping point in history, we need to make it a turning point. Enough with bloodshed; enough with justifying offence; enough with deadlocked disagreements which can trend only towards death. The truth must be spoken in love. Love cannot ignore the truth.

The world is stuck at ideological impasse. Christians – what love can we show in the face of escalating evil? What moves can we make towards peace? What example can we set in meaningful dialogue?

If nothing changes, it won’t be long before more will follow down the path of Charlie Kirk. God help us all.