The tragic death of Charlie Kirk has ignited passionate debate across the nation. For some, the cry for justice has taken the form of calls for the death penalty—even public execution. The question now: How should Christians view forgiveness, and what should come next for Charlie Kirk’s killer?
At the center of this discussion on forgiveness is Charlie’s widow, Erica Kirk. Her words, spoken through tears yet brimming with faith, have deeply impacted the nation. “My husband Charlie, he wanted to save young men just like the one who took his life,” she said. Then, drawing from the example of Christ Himself, she declared, “That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love.”
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This radical act of forgiveness stunned listeners. It is one thing to talk about loving enemies in theory; it is another to live it out when the wound is fresh and the loss is immeasurable. Yet Erica’s choice revealed a profound truth: forgiveness denies evil the hatred it craves.
Glenn Beck, reflecting on Erika Kirk’s response explained, “The man who killed Charlie deserves death. I think we all have the right to hate him, especially the wife that will never see her husband again. But that’s not victory, and that’s not what we’re supposed to do.” Instead, he urged Christians to recognize that the real enemy is not the killer himself but the powers of darkness that manipulate and destroy. Quoting the Apostle Paul, he reminded listeners, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world.”
Still, forgiveness does not erase the call for justice. “Justice protects the innocent, but mercy redeems the guilty,” he said. “Order and love. I want both. God’s law demands justice, yet His character demands mercy.” As Beck pointed out, the state of Utah, where the crime occurred, does enforce the death penalty. He acknowledged that the law must be carried out, but he stressed the spirit in which it should happen: “If they go for the death penalty, I would hope that everybody on that firing squad is weeping—that they are providing justice that must be served, but they are doing it with a soft and gentle heart and mercy.”
This distinction is critical. Justice without mercy hardens into cruelty, leaving no room for redemption or growth. Mercy without justice becomes indulgence, eroding society and abandoning victims. True righteousness requires both.
In the end, Beck’s call is clear: Christians must resist hatred, even when it feels justified. The cross itself stands as the ultimate example. With nails piercing His hands and lungs collapsing, Jesus gasped out the words, “Father, forgive them.” That act of divine mercy shook the kingdom of darkness—and set the pattern for all who follow Him.
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As the nation watches, the way believers respond to Charlie Kirk’s death may become a witness in itself. How we act in this moment is crucial for what we see happen next in the spiritual realm.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the upcoming book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment.
