TRUE GOSPEL VERSUS POLITICAL GOSPEL – TWO CONSERVATISMS AT CHARLIE KIRK’S FUNERAL

Posted on by

The hundreds of thousands of Americans who tuned into Charlie Kirk’s funeral could not help but notice the contrasting messages presented by speakers. “There could not have been a clearer presentation of the gospel” by some speakers, while “it was almost like a political gospel that was spoken” by others, said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on “Washington Watch.” “And I really think it’s a picture of the current conservative movement, if you will.”

On one hand, Pastor Frank Turek affirmed the incarnation and explained penal substitutionary atonement, on the other hand, White House advisor Stephen Miller preached a message of political victory over the enemies of Western civilization.

 On one hand, Charlie’s widow, Erika Kirk announced through tears that she forgave his assassin. “On the cross, our Saviour said, ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do’ [Luke 23:34],” she said, visibly contending with her emotions. “That young man — I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do. On the other hand, President Donald Trump confessed that he found such forgiveness impossible, apart from a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in his life. Kirk “did not hate his opponents; he wanted the best for them,” Trump began. “That’s where I disagree with Charlie. I hate my opponent. And I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Erika. But now, maybe Erika can talk to me and the whole group, and maybe they can convince me that that’s not right. But I can’t stand my opponent.” We need to pray that the Holy Spirit will convict Trump on the need to forgive his enemies.

Perkins was “troubled” by the content of some of the speeches, concluding that they showed “the contrast between the Kingdom of God, which is countercultural, which is counterintuitive, to the world. I think we actually saw that on display in the conservative movement yesterday.”

Of course, these contrasting messages and visions cannot be reconciled. Jesus himself juxtaposed these views on enemies in the Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45). And Jesus contrasted the political gospel with a spiritual gospel in his discussion with Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting” (John 18:36).

The way of Trump and Miller is earthly; the way of Erika Kirk and Turek is heavenly. One may be tempted to ask, which is the real legacy of Charlie Kirk? Which is the real pattern of conservatism?

Yet these questions presume that there is only one conservatism, one legacy of Charlie Kirk — one straw man at which leftist media quills can tilt. In reality, at least two distinct movements were jostling one another for position at Sunday’s memorial service, continue to jostle in the Trump administration, and have jostled around in Republican politics for some time.

Whether either movement — the Christian or non-Christian brands of conservatism — will succeed in claiming an undisputed right to Kirk’s legacy, or for control of Republican politics, remains an open question. The only point that seems settled (for now) is that the two movements will coexist as a confederation of rivals while the values of both remain under assault from the culturally dominant Left.

MASS BAPTISM OF 12,000 PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA

Posted on by

A recent massive gathering of Christians across California reportedly broke a record when participants collectively held the world’s largest-ever baptism. Baptize California, an event that unfolded over a Saturday and Sunday at various locations throughout the Golden State saw a historic number of people immersed at individual churches and during a main-stage event at Huntington Beach. The two-day extravaganza showcases countless examples of life change and spiritual renewal, featured speakers, worship music from leaders like Sean Feucht, and more. According to preliminary numbers, there were over 6,000 people baptized at the Huntington Beach location, alone, with an additional 6,000 people immersed in churches across the state. “You can smell another Great Awakening in the air like rain before it hits,” Pastor Francey, who founded the event said. “God lit a match! If God can do this in the church in California, it can — and it will — happen in the rest of America!”

“It was a surreal and extraordinary day!” Francey told CBN News. “It felt like we were living in the pages of the book of Acts!” And the individual stories coming from Baptize California are truly incredible. Francey shared just one such story, telling CBN News how a Satanist accepted Jesus and “immediately got water baptized.” “You could see the change immediately,” he said. The preacher said 1,000 people accepted Jesus at Huntington Beach, with thousands coming to watch the event unfold. “The crowd steadily swelled to — at one point — as much as 14,000,” Francey said. “Hundreds of churches linked arms to accomplish what happened.”

Remarkably, this prompting happened before the Asbury University revival took form — and before Francey found out about “Jesus Revolution,” the feature film about Greg Laurie’s life and the Jesus movement. The movie, which made more than $52 million at the box office, sparked mass intrigue and spiritual fervour in many nationwide. All of this was confirmation for Francey that God was at work. Just weeks after Baptize SoCal took place May 28, 2023, and broke baptism records, Laurie’s own event inspired by “Jesus Revolution” — also held at Pirate’s Cove — shattered the Baptize SoCal record, with over 4,500 baptisms.  Francey’s vision went well beyond his Baptize SoCal efforts. He said he also felt God call him to expand the efforts, which brings us to Baptize California, this year’s endeavour. With the success of Baptize California, Francey is already planning to launch Baptize America next year, setting his sights beyond California. “Now we are gearing up to do this and unite the church all over America,” he said.

This good news of the “gospel of the Kingdom” needs to be read in the context of Jesus’ warnings about the state of the world in the end times. It will be like the days of Noah when lawlessness abounded “and you will be hated by all nations for my names sake“.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:9-14