Is Charlie Kirk a martyr?

[5 point Gillinist]

In this video Al Mohler answers a question from an individual who asks if Kirk was a martyr.

I am of the opinion that, no, Kirk was not a martyr in the classical sense. He was not martyred for proclaiming the gospel, nor for refusing to recant Christianity, nor directly targeted for murder being as he was a Christian. I think it is important to note also that the devil actively works against Christians in various ways to torment them for being in the kingdom: trouble at work, home, etc. But not necessarily all are targeted by Satan's instruments specifically by them for their Christianity. I wouldn't put Kirk in the same category as those in the colosseum of Rome, or those who died at the hands of Catholics during the reformation.

What are other people's thoughts?

As a side, I think it is important to note that while Kirk had a Christian worldview, it did appear that there were some degrees of separation between the two. He told Dave Rubin (a homosexual conservative) that he thought it was great that he adopted and that people like him should be able to do so. He also platformed gay conservatives. None of which are conservative, or Christian.

 

[JonC]

I am not sure. Kirk engaged the world, both with politics and sharing the gospel.

I guess it would depend on the reason the shooter killed him. Was it for his stand in Christ or was it political.

If it was for his conservative politics then I would agree with you, but if for his faith I'd disagree. To make it more difficult, the issues blend (Kirk opposed transgender agendas and homosexuality on Christian grounds, but these are also political issues, and he addressed them as political issues as well).

I suppose we could look at the powers behind the assassination and conclude Kirk is a martyr.

It would be easier to decide if politics and Christianity had not been combined.

I agree with Kirks comments about homosexuality if he was speaking in a political context (politics is secular). But if from a Christian perspective I would disagree.

 

[5 point Gillinist]

I am not sure. Kirk engaged the world, both with politics and sharing the gospel.

I guess it would depend on the reason the shooter killed him. Was it for his stand in Christ or was it political.

If it was for his conservative politics then I would agree with you, but if for his faith I'd disagree. To make it more difficult, the issues blend (Kirk opposed transgender agendas and homosexuality on Christian grounds, but these are also political issues, and he addressed them as political issues as well).

I suppose we could look at the powers behind the assassination and conclude Kirk is a martyr.

It would be easier to decide if politics and Christianity had not been combined.

I agree with Kirks comments about homosexuality if he was speaking in a political context (politics is secular). But if from a Christian perspective I would disagree.

It seems to me if you'd ask most people they would say that he is a political activist. The problem is with political activists most conservatives make a profession of faith of some sort - granted Kirk's was far more bold and solid than others - but this doesn't make them a primarily Christian activist. Joel Webbon (a detestable man who drags the name of Christ through the mud) is a "pastor"/political activist, he's also a theonomist (which Kirk was not), but if he were assassinated most people would say he is a martyr due to his (supposed) Christianity.

I would offer pushback on your last point. We are to do all things unto Christ, and to not partner with darkness. This means my job is to be done with Christ in mind, my household run with Christ in mind, and even my political views/activism with Christ in mind.

All that to say, though Kirk shared the gospel, I find him to be primarily a political activist whose Christianity was inconsistently woven into his politics. Ultimately the hatred he suffered from others was demonic at the root, but I don't think I'd rank his death with martyrdom.

 

[Reynolds]

Yes. He was a martyr.

 

[5 point Gillinist]

Yes. He was a martyr.

Why do you believe him to be a martyr?

 

[Reynolds]

Why do you believe him to be a martyr?

He was killed for spreading the truth of The Word of God.

 

[5 point Gillinist]

He was killed for spreading the truth of The Word of God.

But was he preaching the gospel that day? He was seemingly doing one of his "prove me wrong" campus debates. As I said before he was a Christian, yet his politics were pretty heavily secular conservatism. I haven't watched Kirk, I didn't particularly care to follow him after several things he said, and allies he kept, but I could be wrong on his college open air debates. I would say Kirk's murderer's motives are murky due to Charlie Kirk's platform/activities, whereas if Ray Comfort were murdered, I would certainly conclude that he was a martyr.

 

[Reynolds]

But was he preaching the gospel that day? He was seemingly doing one of his "prove me wrong" campus debates. As I said before he was a Christian, yet his politics were pretty heavily secular conservatism. I haven't watched Kirk, I didn't particularly care to follow him after several things he said, and allies he kept, but I could be wrong on his college open air debates. I would say Kirk's murderer's motives are murky due to Charlie Kirk's platform/activities, whereas if Ray Comfort were murdered, I would certainly conclude that he was a martyr.

You need to go back and watch Kirk. The basis of his politics was his religion. He often engaged in pure Scriptural apologetics at these gatherings.

 

[5 point Gillinist]

You need to go back and watch Kirk. The basis of his politics was his religion. He often engaged in pure Scriptural apologetics at these gatherings.

That's good news then. I'll have to check that out. Do you have any specific videos I should watch.

 

[Reynolds]

That's good news then. I'll have to check that out. Do you have any specific videos I should watch.

No. I watched Charlie every night (recorded that day) and have seen it consistently for years.