Is Charlie Kirk A Martyr For A Spiritual War In America?

Image Credit: Charlie Kirk / Facebook

submitted by Holly Abernathy –

“Charlie Kirk’s Christian Supporters Mourn Him as a Martyr,” reads the headline from the New York Times. One shot was fired. The shock of Charlie Kirk’s death was felt and heard around the world, once again underscoring the political, racial, and religious tensions plaguing the United States. Various news outlets are also suggesting an international component as Charlie Kirk, 31, was an outspoken supporter of Israel and condemned the October 7 attack. We will learn more in the coming days, but the assassination of Charlie Kirk was certainly ideological in nature and a devastating manifestation of the current state of the country. But does the heinous and depraved assassination of Charlie Kirk make him a martyr for the spiritual war in America?

As outlined in Biblical history, there has been – and always will be – opposition for those who stand for God’s truth and hold fast to a Judeo-Christian value system. Throughout centuries, many have faced martyrdom. However the New York Times headline was intended, Charlie Kirk was known for speaking truth, unapologetically, when it came to matters of faith and his relationship with Jesus Christ, and the Moral Authority to which his belief system and life’s work were intertwined and inextricable was undeniable. His assassination not only underscores the deep political divide degrading the union of our Republic, but a physically unseen spiritual war, and highlights the cost of discipleship, the power of faith, and the reality of opposition faced by those who take a stand for God.

The Cost of Discipleship

Isaiah had a significant vision of God’s holiness and was known for his messages to Judah and Jerusalem of God’s impending judgement due to rebellion and idolatry, as well as his messages of hope about the coming Messiah who would bring salvation. The Bible does not record the exact manner of Isaiah’s death, but Hebrews 11:37 is believed to be a reference to his martyrdom during the reign of King Manasseh and his body being “sawn in two.” Isaiah possessed an unwavering faith and commitment to God’s truth. He delivered hope and a message that salvation was possible through repentance and the coming Messiah. Isaiah 9:6.

Jeremiah, called the “weeping prophet” because of his deep sorrow over people’s refusal to repent, warned of the destruction that would come to the Kingdom of Judah and Jerusalem due to the nation’s idolatry and breach of covenant with God. He also spoke of hope and future restoration after exile, but was beaten, imprisoned, and persecuted. Though the details of Jeremiah’s death are not recorded in the Bible, he is traditionally believed to have been stoned to death by his fellow Jews in Egypt because they were angered by his messages of rebuke. Throughout his life, he faced intense hostility for faithfully delivering messages of God that people did not want to hear. He warned Judah of their sin and destruction. Jeremiah 29:11.

Ezekiel was a prophet during the Babylonian exile who communicated God’s messages concerning the destruction of Jerusalem and the eventual restoration of Israel. His messages and prophecies were bold, including strong moral stances and condemnation of idol worship. According to Jewish tradition, Ezekiel was martyred due to his strong moral stances, confronting people about their sin and need for repentance, and reprimanding Jewish leaders for idol worship. He is believed to have died as a martyr for his strong stances and commitment to God’s truth. Ezekiel is buried in Al Kifl, Iraq at a mausoleum known as Ezekiel’s Tomb. Ezekiel 36: 26.

The Power of Faith

Paul was known for his faith and spreading the teachings of Christ across the Roman Empire during the first century. He authored many epistles (letters) that form a large portion of the New Testament. He wrote to encourage, guide, and correct leaders, young believers and churches. Prior to his conversion, he was known for severe persecution of Christ’s followers. He converted to Christianity after a dramatic experience on the road to Damascus. Throughout his life, he was beaten, imprisoned, and suffered greatly for his faith. Paul was martyred by beheading in Rome in about AD 67 under the orders of Emperor Nero.

James, famously nicknamed “Son of Thunder” (along with his brother, John) by Jesus because of his passionate, fiery personality and character, was also martyred. He left everything to follow Jesus and was with him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He also witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus. James promptly and enthusiastically accepted the call to follow Jesus and was known for his boldness and faithfulness in evangelism. He was martyred when he was put to death by sword by Herod Agrippa I.

Peter’s name means “rock” or “stone” and was given by Jesus who said Peter would be the foundation of the church, as referenced in Matthew 16:18. A fisherman, Peter was called by Jesus to be a “fisher of people.” He responded and left everything to follow Jesus. Peter boldly preached, healed, and ministered to both Jews and Greeks after Pentecost. He was imprisoned for preaching by Herod and rescued by an angel of the Lord and guided the early church through persecution. Peter’s legacy is his close, personal relationship with Jesus. Peter is believed to have been martyred by crucifixion in Rome under Emperor Nero. It is said Peter asked to be crucified upside down because he did not deem himself worthy to be crucified in a manner like his Lord.

The Reality of Opposition Faced by Those Who Take a Stand for God

John, one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, was the only one to die a natural death. All the others were martyred. Stephen, often referred to as the first Christian martyr, was known for being filled with the Holy Spirit and performing great signs and wonders. After Pentecost in AD 33, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples in Jerusalem and around 3,000 people became Christians. They began to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire. Shortly after, in AD 35, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, was stoned to death in Jerusalem and believers scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

His bold teaching angered Jewish leaders and caused accusations of blasphemy. He was known to preach about Jesus Christ as the Messiah and his bold criticism of Jewish authorities incited wrath against him. Acts 7:54 says “…they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.” During the trial before the Sanhedrin, Stephen had a vision in which he saw heaven open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “But he, full of the Holy Spirit,” the Scripture says, “gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, ‘Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” Then they rushed at him and cast him out of the city and stoned him. Stephen – the first Christian martyr stoned to death in Jerusalem – while “falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

Tertullian said “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” In the original Latin from his work Apologeticus, Tertullian wrote: “Plures efficimur quotiens metimur a vobis: semen est sanguis Christianorum,” which translates as “The more we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed.” We can conclude that Stephen laid the foundation for The Great Commission Jesus gave in Matthew 28:18-20 and that persecution and martyrdom do not destroy the church, but instead cause it to grow in strength and number.

Charlie Kirk – A Modern Day Martyr for the Cause of Christianity

“There is a God, and you are not Him” is a phrase used by many when understanding one’s relationship to the Divine. There is a God, and we are not Him. There is a God, and you are not Him. There is a God. I am not Him. He with his hand around the handle of a knife. He whose finger has pulled the trigger and diabolically executed a man – a husband and father, a son – for speaking Truth. They are not God. Everyone is calling it a political divide, but dehumanization and group-phrasing only lessen the impact of the ominous reality. It is a spiritual war.

Charlie Kirk spoke with unwavering faith and conviction. He delivered messages of hope and salvation to a country growing increasingly hostile towards Christianity. He was met with insults and mockery at university campuses across the nation, yet faithfully pressed on, seemingly unscathed. His strong, moral stances were rooted in the ultimate Moral Authority, and he wasn’t afraid to confront the intensifying moral decay of our culture in the America he loved so dearly. Charlie Kirk was violently and viciously assassinated. Executed. Murdered…for words. For speech. For speaking Truth. “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith…the most important thing in my life is my faith,” Charlie recently said in an interview.

Charlie was bold even in the face of intense criticism, courageously unapologetic, and faithful to our Lord, even unto death.

“The more we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed.”

Rest in peace, Charlie. Matthew 25:21.

About the Author: Holly Abernathy is a communications and creative arts professional. She works in a variety of media and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.6qCreative.com.