The death of Charlie Kirk

Dear Editor,

The news has been full of the shooting of Charlie Kirk. I must confess that the first I knew of him was when I heard he’d been shot, and that’s probably true for many people like me. However, those of us in middle age or our later years need to be aware that among many of a younger generation Charlie Kirk was massive.

We may or may not share his politics, but as Christians we all share his faith. He was our brother in Christ and has gone to be with Jesus. No Christian should have any truck with those among Charlie Kirk’s political opponents who are rejoicing in his murder and celebrating the fact that he’s dead. That’s just plain wrong on every level.

Notably, many others have commented that, although they had no time for his views, their experience of him in debate was that he was courteous, reasonable and kind. In this Charlie Kirk is an example to us all, including as we engage with brothers and sisters in church life with whom we won’t always see eye to eye.

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Erika, now a widow, his young children, now fatherless, and all who were close to him. I saw a video clip where Charlie Kirk said, “The gospel in four words is ‘Jesus took my place’; in three words, it’s ‘Him for me’; in two words, it’s ‘substitutionary atonement’; in one word, it’s ‘Grace.’ ” Spot on!

Whatever our various political opinions, let’s renew our commitment as Christians and churches to share this wonderful message – not because it’s the gospel of Charlie Kirk, but because it’s the good news of Jesus Christ, our crucified Saviour and risen Lord. He is our everything, and the only hope of the world.

Yours sincerely,
Jeremy Brooks, Bromsgrove