Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost – September 14, 2025

 

Scripture reading: Matthew 5:8-12

Three recent bits of important political news

  1. In July of 2025, the IRS modified the Johnson amendment (1954) to allow “houses of worship” to endorse political candidates.
  2. On September 3, Tim Kaine-D, VA made a revealing statement: “The notion that rights don’t come from laws and don’t come from the government, they come from the Creator — that’s what the Iranian government believes. So, the statement that our rights do not come from our laws or our governments is extremely troubling.”
  3. In August, Governor Newsom called for a Special Election on Nov 4, 2025 re: Prop 50. If passed, the proposition will likely will give CA five new Democrat Congressmen. Rural counties will lose their representation in Congress. I suggest we all vote “No.”

Charlie Kirk

  • He was best known as a conservative cultural commentator. He approached political issues through the twin lenses of the Bible and the Constitution (and the corresponding ideas of a free market, limited government and democratic and republican ideals).
  • He spoke at conferences and college campuses and devoted his life to promoting civil, reasoned discourse, the respectful interchange of differing ideas without succumbing to the urge to silence and delegitimize the other person.
  • Two undeniable things about Charlie. First, his impact on the younger generation was vast. He modelled principled living and gave young people a voice in the political process. Second, he consistently lived out his character. One of his most conspicuous traits was his courage. He would speak the truth fearlessly to everyone at all times. He talked about the Gospel, biblical morality, political principles and cultural trends. He would go into the lion’s den and remain fearless (Josh 1:8-9).

Assassination Culture

  • April 7, 2025 the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and Rutgers University Social Perception Lab published a report: “Assassination Culture: How Burning Teslas and Killing Billionaires Became a Meme Aesthetic for Political Violence.”
  • The survey found that 48% of those who self-identify as “left of center” believe it is morally justified or at least “somewhat justified” to murder Elon Musk. 55% believed the same of President Trump.
  • Summary: “These attitudes are not fringe — they reflect an emergent assassination culture, grounded in far-left authoritarianism and increasingly normalized in digital discourse.” Not just normalized but lionized (e.g.: Luigi Mangione).
  • What’s going on here? A couple things. One is an increasing tendency in American culture to conflate love and endorsement. “If you really love me, you will endorse what I do and how I believe.” Any disagreement you have with my views is an attack on me.
  • A second problem is the growing tolerance of “stochastic terrorism:” the indirect solicitation of violence against someone by casting aspersions on them (e.g., Charlie was called a fascist, sexist, racist, Nazi, homophobe, transphobe, etc.).
  • “But God…” (cf. Eph 2:4). The challenges we face are God sized. But they haven’t caught Him off guard. The world is resisting the Kingdom of Christ, but God’s purposes will win out: there will be continued opposition, but the Christ will build his Church, increasing numbers will be saved, preparing the road for our Lord’s triumphant return (Mt 16:18).

Takeaways

  • We should grieve Charlie’s death and the new low we’ve reached as a nation. Plead with God: pray that Charlie’s death is the catalyst for a moral and spiritual sea change. Tertullian: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
  • We should double down on our resolve to live as faithful disciples of Jesus in this conflict zone, which is our world. Charlie died for Christ. The least we can do is live for Christ. Speak the truth in love. Don’t cave to fear, don’t hold back. Love others in word and deed, and point them to our one and only hope: Jesus Christ, the King of kings!