Should Charlie Kirk Be Celebrated?

The debate over Charlie Kirk’s legacy should inspire evangelical Christians to dig deeper in search of the best possible faith-driven model for civic engagement. If we take our puritan heritage seriously, we must contribute to the good of all—not merely to being heard or winning for ourselves.

I think many of us can feel it, in evangelical circles. Things are tightening among our own. Friends and family post passionately, either for or against Charlie Kirk. In our networks, most tributes focus on how he emboldened young Christians to follow Jesus and encouraged commitment in marriage and family. The critics, however, highlight his harsh statements and his loyalty to making Trump “great” as a leading figure in the MAGA movement.

On the first point, it’s understandable why many Christians, even in Europe, have found Kirk inspiring. For years, many have felt misunderstood—or even canceled—by a dominant secular elite. When someone breaks through the noise, elevates our values, and makes them heard, it is no wonder we cheer. But will doing so, in the long run, backfire?

Because the other side of the coin is clear: Kirk emerged as one of the sharpest voices of Trumpism. With recent public pressure in the U.S. to silence dissenting voices, it is fair to say democracy itself is under heavy strain. Praising Kirk without nuance risks honoring not only a man of conviction, but also one who contributed to eroding the very institutions that secure freedom.

So how should we as Christians navigate these tensions?

Faithful Presence, Not Power Politics

Our own history, through Hans Nielsen Hauge and the revivalists of the 1800s, shows that faith-inspired community-building can strengthen democracy. The Haugian movement didn’t just protect freedom of speech and religion but helped establish a political order where ordinary people had influence. Democracy is more than formal rules; it depends on informal norms—a willingness to engage in respectful debate and to accept majority decisions without undermining opponents. If Christians today forget this, we could lose the very freedoms we cherish.

In shaping the think tank Skaperkraft in Norway back in 2011, we leaned on the Lausanne Movement’s 2010 Cape Town Commitment. It reminds us that Christians are called to live as witnesses of truth, peacebuilders in a divided world, and expressions of God’s love through tangible service. This is not «conquering» cultural mountains with militant rhetoric. It is what theologian James Davison Hunter calls «faithful presence»: practicing lived faith in everyday life. As Os Guinness taught, our task is not merely to defend Christians’ rights («just us») but to work for justice for all. Timothy Keller reminded us of the dignity of work as service for the common good.

A Prayer for Our Time

My prayer for Christians in Norway and Europe today is this: may we be known first for our love of people, for contributing to the renewal of democracy rather than its breakdown. May we stand for conviction without tearing apart the social fabric that allows us to celebrate our common life together—like waving the flag side by side on May 17, across political divides.

Christian social engagement is not about short-term victories. It is about shaping a society for the good of all. It means protecting free speech, respecting fair rules, and working for institutions that endure beyond the passions of the moment. If we succeed in that, then we pass on more than slogans—we hand the next generation a democracy strengthened by faith, rather than weakened by polarization.

The article was first published in the Norwegian daily Dagen on Sept 25th, 2025: https://www.dagen.no/meninger/bor-charlie-kirk-hylles/1486919