On Charlie

I had just finished writing an article for our Issues Etc. Journal yesterday when I checked in on X only to read what seemed about a thousand Kyrie eleisons arising and filling my news feed. Something horrible had happened, I knew, but it took a while to find out. At first it was just the horrific news of Charlie being shot, but then came word that he had succumbed to his wounds. That joyous, bright, vivacious man—probably the foremost witness to Jesus Christ in the public square—had been plowed down by an assassin’s bullet. I spent the afternoon doom scrolling with the rest of you, and praying for him, for his wife, for his poor children, and for this nation.

How could this happen? During the past few years, I’d come to treasure the man’s posts and his fearless and friendly debates. He never regarded the person in front of him, vigorously disagreeing with him and even calling names, as an enemy, but as a friend to be persuaded and won. I confess myself a great fan of the current VP, J.D. He’s an incredibly gifted man and a great debater, but Charlie was in another league. I mean, hands down. J.D. sometimes stays on too intellectual a field for some to follow, but Charlie had the gift. He could speak to us all. And he used that gift to speak to the youth across this nation who have been swindled by the demonic into self mutilation and bitterness and hatred of their own family. He spoke to them with a charisma and genuine friendliness that they simply did not know what to do with. He walked the way of our Master, and he walked it to the end. My brother said to me this morning what so many of us thought: we expected him one day to be the President of these United States.

He could speak hard and devastating truth, but never in scorn and hatred. It came from a heart that was filled with the love of Christ. If you never heard him speak or debate, youtube has TONS of his efforts posted. Please, go listen to this voice of goodness (yes, I dare to call it that) that has been silenced. If all you know of him is the hatred spewed his way by the left, you don’t know the man at all. Still, as so many folks have insisted on X and in other forums, Charlie’s voice will NOT be silenced. We will not allow it. His message has only grown stronger and I believe will grow stronger yet. 

Indeed, as the Federalist published, Charlie is not merely a political victim; he is a martyr. His witness for Jesus over the past few years has been a thing of beauty to behold. He cared so much about his nation because he knew that this nation is not the ultimate; the ultimate is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and he wanted to serve the One who had laid down His life for him even in these penultimate things. And he wanted everyone to enjoy that Kingdom with him. He’s there now, awaiting the day of the Resurrection. 

Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him!