AMERICA HAS A HEART PROBLEM!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

HANDLING THE TRUTH

by Steve Fair

 

     The killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, 31, has dominated the news since he was shot at a Utah college campus on Wednesday.  The alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson, is being held without bail after being turned in by his father.  Robinson is not cooperating with authorities.  On Friday night, Kirk's widow issued a statement standing by Kirk's chair where he sat when he broadcast his popular podcast.  She vowed to continue Kirk's work at Turning Point USA, and continue his Fall campus tour.  "It will be greater than ever," Erika Kirk said.  Three observations:

       First, political violence is never acceptable.  No civilized society settles political or religious disagreements by killing those who espouse a differing viewpoint.  But that is where we are in the United States- uncivilized/uncouth/course.  Heated political rhetoric on both sides of the political spectrum make 'agreeing to disagree,' nearly impossible.  Most rational people condemned Kirk's murder, but some liberals who disagreed with his political views were ecstatic he had been cut down and rejoiced in his death.  Such behavior reveals a dark, depraved heart in need of regeneration.  America has a 'heart' problem.  Believers should be pleading for a sovereign God to touch hearts and draw men to Him, otherwise our country is doomed.    

     Second, acknowledging different viewpoints was one of Kirk's characteristics.  He would often publicly debate college students whose liberal views contradicted his own, listening with respect.  Kirk reached college students by encouraging them to use critical thinking skills to challenge what they believed.  He taught them political apologetics and forced them to defend their particular position by reasoning and systematic presentation of ideas.  Instead of learning to regurgitate material for a grade, Kirk challenged students to think.  Colleges are teaching students, "what to think," and not "how to think."  They have become institutions of indoctrination, not institutions of higher learning. 

     Third, truth can be offensive.  People don't want to hear the truth and it often makes them mad.  Because they lack critical thinking, reflective judgment and logical inquiry skills, they are easily offended by those who believe differently than they do.  The real truth is not a subjective human concept but an absolute standard stemming from God's infallible character, words, and deeds. Believers believe Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God and, therefore, the source of absolute truth itself.  When He said, "I am the truth," he was not just referring to his teachings but to his very person and divine nature.  Jesus embodied the truth entirely and He was killed for it. 

     Three closing points: (1) Charlie Kirk was not perfect.  No one is.  Some have deified him and have placed him as an object of worship.  Only God is to be worshipped.  Kirk may be admired for his dedication to a cause, but God should be preeminent to believers.  (2) Free Speech is under constant attack in America.  The thought police are out in full force.  When free speech is gone, America is gone.  (3) The events of the last week should make everyone more introspective, not more boisterous.  The depravity of the situation should drive true believers to their knees.    

     In his book, Truth Wars, John MacArthur exhorted people to, "Buy the truth, and do not sell it."  His point is the truth should be cherished and defended.  It shouldn't be compromised for relevance.  "An understanding and appreciation of biblical truth is a hallmark of a genuine believer, " MacArthur writes. 

     Col. Nathan Jessup famously yelled at Lt. Daniel Kaffee: "you can't handle the truth."   

Sadly, that seems to be where many Americans are.