In my previous writings, I referenced Charlie Kirk only once, and that was somewhat recently in my Substack entitled, “The Road to Perdition-The Frost Family, Josh McKoon and the Seven Mountains Mandate.” In that article, I criticized a certain movement among supposed Christians whose beliefs and actions, I believe, erroneously extrapolate authority well beyond that which can be reasonably attributed to Christ’s Great Commission:
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20 KJV
There are politicians among us, however, who believe America is designed to be what they term, a “Christian nation,” which means that those who do not believe what they believe have no discernible right to become a candidate, or to occupy elected offices in American Government. In that article, I provided examples of individuals who believe what I describe and who profess what I consider to be an extra-biblical doctrine known as as the “Seven Mountains Mandate.” That doctrine, in my opinion, is not “mandated” in the Great Commission. In fact, that “mandate” is neither authorized in America’s founding document, the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration alleges quite the opposite, that all men, regardless of race, national origin, or religious belief, are created equal by their Creator, and endowed with identical rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Furthermore, among those rights is “the right of the people to alter or abolish a government” especially once it becomes tyrannical, in other words, a government that becomes sufficiently destructive of the rights of men. But when that might occur, the Declaration does not empower men to themselves become tyrannical and institute a theocracy, Christian or otherwise, at the expense of empowering individuals of competing beliefs, in all aspects of life, to participate in governing. And the reason is exactly because those who wrote and endorsed the Declaration of Independence were of abiding Christian faith, wizened through their faith to recognize that God gives us all the freedom to decide matters for ourselves. The gift of free-will was awarded mankind in the Garden of Eden. A nation that does not respect free-will is therefore not a Christian nation.
That said, many “Christian Nationalists” purport that only Christians have the right to participate in American Government. And those who promote the “Seven Mountains Mandate” AKA the “Dominionist” movement invariably promulgate the notion that God MANDATES Christians to absorb all political positions in American government, in essence embodying a theocracy which, if history is our teacher, invariably becomes the tyrannical government those who instituted it sought to escape. Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
During the 2020 CPAC conference, Charlie Kirk referenced what he termed the “Seven Mountains of cultural influence,” alleging to the crowd that President Trump understands what that term means and is heavily influenced by that meaning in his presidency. Having heard Charlie Kirk make that claim, in my Substack I asked the question whether Charlie Kirk was himself a “Dominionist,” a term describing those who believe in “hard core” Christian Nationalism, bent on establishing theocratic dominion over America. In the article, I concluded that there exists insufficient evidence for me to make such a claim and therefore refrained from doing so.
Since his death, the Internet has been overwhelmed with videos of Charlie Kirk doing what he enjoyed immensely, speaking and debating with students on college campuses. Last week, practically in reply to my previous question, one such video found its way to me, which seemed to answer whether Charlie Kirk supported Christian Nationalism. I will now show you that video, and then finalize my comments.
In the above video, I am satisfied that by his own words, Charlie Kirk neither supported, nor promoted Christian Nationalism. Instead, he promoted that Christians should “influence” their “governmental structure,” which is proper for individuals all faiths to attempt, qualifying first that their respective beliefs are compatible with the nation’s laws and Constitution.
Final Thoughts
At my age and stage of life, I rarely came into contact with the work of Charlie Kirk. If you turn on YouTube, however, or are involved in social media at all, you will likely soon be steered to view samples of his prolific undertakings. And that is how I came to know of Charlie Kirk. I was not what one might call a “follower.” I was simply an occasional “viewer.” Perhaps that is my own regretful failing. But, frankly, as a consequence of recent events I now know much more about Charlie Kirk, his life and body of work, than I likely would ever have known, had he lived to an old age. Perhaps there is needed encouragement for his followers in that revelation.
Based on my observations and world view, I believe Charlie Kirk was on his own journey, unique with respect to God’s plan and purpose for his life, no different than any of us in that regard. He was not there yet. Knowledge in those areas Charlie Kirk embraced, both intellectually and spiritually, became the foundation of authority he regularly summoned to construct his arguments. Enhanced by his own intense efforts, Charlie Kirk possessed a profound gift of instant recall, particularly of Scripture, and used his gift to effectively underwrite his positions. Yet, even with his uncommon knowledge and ability, I see evidence that he was searching for more…more knowledge, more insight, and yes, more wisdom. And as rigid as he may have seemed in his public pronouncements, I also see evidence that he could be persuaded by facts to question even some of his own foundational precepts, especially most recently.
And thus, at the tender age of 31, Charlie Kirk remained a work-in-process, sincerely looking for truth, in that respect no different than any of us, at whatever stage life we find ourselves.
Charlie Kirk will leave a legacy, as we all will. Historically, however, it just seems that few of us ever leave a legacy of influence in this world which becomes greater in death than it ever was in life. Notwithstanding Christ of course, those individuals with names such as Washington, such as Lincoln, Jefferson, King and others you might consider, I believe are among an elite subset in that regard. I cannot tell the future of course, but from where I sit I believe it safe to say, that as influential as Charlie Kirk became during his 31 years, there is a sincere opportunity that the purposes and meaning he imparted to this world during his time cut short on earth, may greatly increase, rather than diminish, in time.
Regretably, Charlie can no longer influence whether that prospect comes true.
As my mind wanders this serene Sunday morning, I am reminded, as I am often, of the legacy of another whose candle was extinguished long before full burn, his legacy at least partially cemented into this world during the few moments he was called to speak through the ages at a Pennsylvania battlefield. I offer Lincoln’s perspective to encourage all who might apply it to the meaning and purposes imparted into this world by Charlie Kirk, and who as a result may choose a course that magnifies that meaning for others.
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Peace, be still.
Thank you for writing this very fine column.
Great read Hank, thank you.