The Podcast Biola Should Have Made
I recently criticized the "Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture" podcast for their commentary on "Faith and Politics after Charlie Kirk" published on October 3, 2025. Here is the podcast they should have done.
Host: Welcome back to Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture. Today, we’re tackling a heavy but vital topic: "Faith and Politics after Charlie Kirk." The assassination of Charlie Kirk, the bold Christian conservative and founder of Turning Point USA, has left a void in the public square. Joining us is Laura Zifer to unpack what Charlie’s life—and death—means for believers navigating the political arena. Let’s start with this: what made Charlie Kirk such a pivotal figure in blending faith and politics?
Laura: Thanks for having me. Charlie Kirk was a force because he didn’t just talk about faith and politics as separate spheres—he lived them as one seamless mission. At 31, he was out there on college campuses, where radical leftist ideas often drown out dissent, and he brought a Christian worldview with facts, reason, and a disarming calmness. He wasn’t just debating tax policy or free speech, as critical as those are; he was also sharing the gospel to thousands, turning campus lawns into spaces of eternal consequence. His X posts—70,000-plus of them—showed a mind that could pivot from dismantling the Deep State to calling out moral decay, all while pointing to Christ as the ultimate answer. His video recorded interactions with university students show the same.
What set him apart was his courage to engage the haters—not with venom, but with wit and truth. People like Robert Gagnon praised him for standing firm against smears, like being called a racist for opposing DEI quotas, which he (rightly) saw as anti-meritocratic and unbiblical. Scott Klusendorf called him a model for integrating faith with cultural engagement, never retreating from the public square. Charlie didn’t just play defense; he went on offense for the Kingdom, and that’s why his death hit so hard.
Host: Absolutely, his murder at Utah Valley University was a gut punch—a stark reminder of the cost of speaking truth. So, in this post-Kirk world, how should Christians approach politics without him?
Laura: Charlie’s death doesn’t signal retreat; it demands resolve. He showed us that faith isn’t a private hobby—it’s a public witness. Christians in politics after Charlie need to emulate at least three things he did with excellence:
First, stand on truth without apology. His biblical convictions shaped his views on everything—marriage, life, liberty—and he never diluted them to appease the mob.
Second, engage with grace and grit. Charlie faced down screaming students with a smile, but he matched their intensity when needed, always armed with facts.
Third, evangelize unashamedly. He wasn’t just winning arguments; he was winning souls, leading students to Christ in the middle of hostile Q&As.
The void he leaves is real, but his example is a blueprint. Look at the ripple effects: vigils like the one in Lynchburg, VA, where thousands called him an inspiration, or Texas Faith Fest, where his death sparked a wave of Christian activism. Christians can’t shrink back now. Politics isn’t a dirty word—it’s a mission field. Charlie saw politics as a tool to advance righteousness, not an end in itself. Defending the common good through public policy is a critical way we can love our neighbors well. It’s a critical outworking of the Christian worldview. And Charlie did that better than anyone.
Host: That’s powerful. But with the hostility Charlie faced—culminating in his murder—how do believers balance boldness with safety in such a polarized climate?
Laura: Charlie’s life teaches us that boldness doesn’t mean recklessness, but it also doesn’t mean hiding. He knew the risks—campuses were powder kegs of ideological rage—but he went anyway, trusting God’s sovereignty. Christians today need that same trust, coupled with wisdom. Practically, that means mastering your arguments, like Charlie did, so you’re not just shouting opinions but reasoning from Scripture and evidence. It means building communities—think Turning Point USA chapters—where believers support each other to speak out. And it means praying for discernment to know when to stand and when to strategize.
His death also forces a hard look at the culture. As one YouTube discussion put it, “The answer isn’t fear—it’s fearless witness, like Charlie’s.” The call to “be Charlie” isn’t about courting danger; it’s about carrying his torch—speaking truth in love, even when it’s costly. Politics without faith is just a temporary fix at best; faith without action is just sentiment. Charlie fused them, and we must too.
Host: That’s a stirring call to action. Before we wrap, any final thoughts on what Charlie Kirk’s legacy means for the future of faith in the public square?
Laura: Charlie Kirk’s legacy is a challenge: don’t let the light he carried go out. He showed that a single voice—rooted in Christ, sharp with wit, and fearless in delivery—can shake campuses, shift elections, and save souls. His murder wasn’t the end; it’s a spark. Faith and politics after Charlie means picking up where he left off: proclaiming truth, engaging the culture, and trusting God with the outcome. As Scott Klusendorf said, Charlie’s life demands we “engage culture with biblical truth.” So, to every listener: be bold, be wise, be Charlie. The mission’s not over—it’s just begun.
Host: Wow, that’s a rallying cry. Thank you for this insight. Listeners, let’s keep this conversation going. How are you carrying Charlie’s torch? Comment below, and then get to it.
