An Unacceptable Version of Christianity

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name' ........Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’-Matthew 7:22-23

Among the many shooting incidents that have become commonplace in the US, one caught the attention of world media a couple of weeks back. Charlie Kirk, a right wing,  self-styled evangelist and political activist was shot and killed at Utah Valley University. An ally of President Donald Trump, Kirk was the founder-leader of a youth movement Turning Point which provided a platform for popularizing his spiritual  and  political views across more than 4000 schools and University campuses in the State. Conservatives raised his death to the status of Christian martyrdom, and  some members of the  Catholic religious hierarchy also applauded his efforts to spread Christian faith among the youth. CNA reported the German Catholic Cardinal Muller’s comment that Kirk was “a martyr for Jesus Christ.” Bishop Robert Barron described him as being “Christlike”. All this leads us to reflect on Christianity and its different versions and blends. Kirk’s version needs to be closely examined to see  whether it adheres to what Jeus Christ taught as the Way, the Truth and the Life –or whether it is a blended version that helps to serve many purposes at one time.

Undoubtedly Kirk took a Christian standpoint on many controversial issues like LGBTQ and abortion laws, and he claimed that his faith in Jesus was central to his life and his evangelical mission. However, it is very hard to explain away his stand on the preservation of Second Amendment rights which pertains to arms possession. He even thought that “some gun deaths”  every year was a fair price to pay for this entitlement. Ironically, he was part of the “fair price” paid this year! Added to this was his undisguised contempt for foreigners, especially the black and brown races. He stood firmly against the American Civil Rights Act (1964)  which had brought diversity and inclusion to American society. He made derogatory remarks about African American , Indian and Chinese professionals on public platforms, proving himself to be the classic racist that today’s global societies and networks would rather be well rid of.

How do we take stock of this version of Christianity that Kirk popularized? Does his stand on marriage and abortion erase the “gun deaths “ he excused? Wasn’t his own gun death wrong in the eyes of the law? Was it not a transgression of the sixth commandment? Christ preached a religion of love. He sent His disciples to “the ends of the earth”, to every tribe and nation to gather people for God’s kingdom. St Paul brings out the essence of Christian fellowship and its single uniting element in his letter to the Corinthians—For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.-1 Cor 12:13. For Charlie  Kirk, and for all who accept his racist views and want to claim him as a Christian martyr, St James poses one question that has to be honestly answered in the present context- Have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?-James 2:4.

Charlie Kirk’s life and his meteoric rise to fame is more of a political success story than a spiritual journey. Having co-founded Turning Point to popularize political viewpoints on college campuses, Kirk became associated with Donald Trump Junior during  the election campaign. Turning Point quickly rose to prominence and contributions to the group matched its growth story. Its presence and influence among college students helped the conservatives to push many of their plans and ideas through this platform. It is from this lofty political position that Kirk presented to college students his hybrid version of Christianity. His presence drew huge crowds but not all of them were convinced about his skewed rendering of biblical truths .Shelbe Johnson, an African American student from MIT shared a comment that fits in perfectly as a description of Kirk’s evangelistic efforts- In fact, I think his rhetoric not only negated the moments he shared a Christian perspective, it poisoned the gospel by mixing hate and divisiveness with the love of Jesus.

Kirk’s spirituality can be called out on two counts. The first pertains to his evangelistic message where faith in Jesus, along with some Christian viewpoints on trans ideology and abortion,  form the salad dressing for racism and support for possession of arms. This is not acceptable by any authentic Christian standards- You cannot serve God and mammon Matthew 6:24. Like many false prophets before him, Kirk tried to bring out a unique mix that had a spiritual façade, a politically beneficial standpoint and a personal racial prejudice – everything in the name of Jesus!

The second count is a more serious offence from a biblical perspective- one against which stern warnings are repeatedly given in the gospels. The Bible lashes out against false prophets and shepherds who scatter the flock! Jesus Christ is uncompromising in His condemnation of this category of teachers—Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! Matthew 18:7.

In  Kirk’s case, he not only claimed that his faith was central to his life, he also spread that brand of faith among thousands of school and college students in campuses across the State. His fan following, the young and vulnerable students, were happy to worship a God who stood for some righteous causes but was flexible when it came to  loving one’s neighbour. If the neighbour didn’t share your skin colour or your country of origin, that biblical law was not applicable. Also, the biblical teaching about showing the other cheek when someone slaps you was definitely not part of what Kirk advocated. Possession of arms to guard against contingencies of that nature was a better strategy from his point of view, even if it meant there would be some undeserved gun deaths every year.

I have no intention to stand in judgement of Kirk.  He suffered an untimely and tragic death at the hands of a trigger-happy assailant. My appeal is to all Christians who base their faith on the Word of God— who follow Christ, the Way , the Truth and the Life. The truth of God cannot be compromised and the Bible is our ultimate anchor. There are many in the world today who do not seek God in the Bible, who do not try to understand Him as He reveals Himself to us. Rather, they create an idol of their choice who may resemble the true God in some superficial ways, but is largely a personal concept. They find Bible quotes to authenticate this idol and present it to a gullible public who doesn’t know or care to understand the true God, the Word Incarnate!

May we always be on guard against those  who corrupt others by exchanging “ the truth about God for a lie.”-Romans1:25. May God help us to exercise more prudence when we declare someone as a Christian martyr. May we have the grace and knowledge to understand what martyrdom means, especially in the context of the lives of true Christian martyrs.