The Deaths of Stephen and Charlie Kirk

Today, let’s take a few minutes to acknowledge the profound sorrow and righteous anger we all feel in the loss of Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk was more than a political voice; he was a brother in Christ.  He boldly proclaimed his faith in numerous public settings, and in his final moments, he was defending the historical reality of Jesus Christ. While we grieve this immense loss, we do not grieve without hope. We believe that, like the martyrs of old, Charlie’s ultimate testimony will not be in vain. 

His death is not an end, but rather a new beginning.  It is a call for a new generation to rise up with courage, to speak truth with unwavering conviction, and to carry the light of Christ into a world that desperately needs it. We must ensure that the cause for which he lived and died—the cause of faith, family, and freedom—does not falter but instead burns brighter than ever before.

A Biblical Parallel

As the saying goes, “history repeats itself!”  And as the playwright, Eugene O’Neill (1888-1953) once said, “There is no present or future – only the past, happening over and over again – now.”  On September 10, 2025, history repeated.  For those of us who lived through JFK, MLK, and RFK, we remember the familiar grief being evoked by CJK (Charles James Kirk).

The murder of Charlie Kirk was not just an assassination—a murder for political reasons. It was also a martyrdom—a murder because of an adherence to a cause, and especially his religious faith. 

Both Stephen and Charlie had their lives taken from them in an attempt to silence their testimonies of the Lord Jesus Christ.  However, while their deaths clearly reveal a parallel, I believe Charlie’s legacy will also prove to parallel that of Stephen.

The Martyrdom of Stephen

As one of the first deacons, Stephen was a powerful, outspoken defender of the Christian faith. His preaching, however, infuriated the religious establishment.  They saw him as a threat to their reign, their control, and power. 

After Stephen delivered a searing indictment of the nation of Israel, the people, and its leaders (Acts 7:1-53), he was dragged outside the city and stoned to death.

Stephen’s death did not silence his message.  But in the days and weeks that followed, a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem arose, led by Jewish leaders like Saul of Tarsus. This forced the believers to flee, scattering them throughout Judea, Samaria, and beyond, and having an unintended but divinely orchestrated consequence: it fulfilled Jesus’ commission in Acts 1:8 for His followers to be witnesses “to the end of the earth.” As the believers scattered, they carried the gospel message with them, planting seeds of faith everywhere they went. The persecution did not extinguish the Christian movement; it fueled its worldwide expansion.

The Martyrdom of Charlie

Drawing a parallel, many believe (myself included) that Turning Point USA will not be “crippled” by the death of its founder and leader.  Instead, TPUSA will grow and unite to broaden its influence. Charlie Kirk’s death has been described as a “watershed moment” for the conservative youth movement, with this tragedy serving as a “call to action” for a generation that seeks truth.

In the immediate aftermath, Turning Point USA and Charlie Kirk’s widow announced their intention to not only continue the organization’s work but to expand it, with a renewed sense of purpose. They have pledged to carry on with planned campus tours and events, vowing to make the organization stronger than ever before. Supporters believe that the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk will inspire a new generation of young conservatives to become more vocal and active, responding to this event with greater determination and resolve.

Contrasts and Distinctions

While the parallels are compelling, there are also important distinctions. The early Christians were physically scattered into new geographical areas to spread the gospel message. Turning Point USA, in our digital world, already has worldwide reach, but their outreach will resonate more greatly with the same Spirit-fueled message that Charlie shared.

Another distinction is that Stephen’s martyrdom occurred because of opposition from the established religious authorities. Charlie’s assassination is a modern-day political crime embedded in a deeply polarized, media-driven environment. 

Finally, while Stephen was a key figure, the early church had multiple significant leaders. Turning Point USA, by contrast, was built around the knowledgeable, effective communication and influential personality of Charlie Kirk, making his absence a greater challenge for the organization’s future. It is with faith that we believe God will raise leaders to continue his mission.

Conclusion

History has shown the martyrdom of Stephen to have been a pivotal event in the life and mission of the Church.  I believe we will see the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk to be a Turning Point in the USA and worldwide, spreading the truths of God that can set people free.  

Someone once said: A voice silenced by violence can echo more loudly in death than it did in life, inspiring countless others to take up the cause.

So how should we process all this in accordance with our faith? 

I’ll let someone from the Great Cloud of Witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) respond.

 A number of years ago, I wrote about one of my favorite Christian fathers in the faith, John Chrysostom.  History records the following conversation that ensued when  Empress Eudoxia  threatened to banish him because of his testimony of Jesus:

“You cannot banish me, for this world is my Father’s house,” said John.

“But I will kill you,” the Empress said.

“No, you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God.”

“I will take away your treasures,” said Eudoxia.

“No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.”

“But I will drive you away from your friends and you will have no one left,” Eudoxia responded.

“No, you cannot,” said John, “for I have a Friend in Heaven from whom you cannot separate me. I defy you. For there is nothing you can do to harm me.”

So what would Stephen and Charlie say to us?

I believe they would say, Rise up, be of good courage, be of good cheer, fight the good fight, run the race, and keep the faith, until you lay hold of your final rest with Jesus. And always remember, as Chrysostom reminds us, we have a Friend in Heaven!

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Now, when things like this happen, we often ask, “Why?”  And most often, we never get a satisfactory explanation.  So remember, as children of God, we don’t live by explanations, we live by faith- faith in the hope we have, and in the promises of God.  With faith in Christ, we find renewed hope and joy amidst sadness and grief.

Take a moment to reflect on the Promises of God and the Friend We Have in Jesus.