Those on the left - and Democrats in particular - take “forgiveness” to mean “you got away with [whatever was forgiven] and will suffer no [significant] consequences…go and sin some more”. That’s not how it works in Christianity…there can be no forgiveness without (at least) acceptance that one has sinned, preferably with true repentance. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord…the Christian in forgiving gives up individual vengeance and places it in the hands of God…Justice - which serves the purposes of consequences for the law-breaker and the protection of law-abiding society from the law-breaker - belongs to the state. Every individual Christian’s forgiveness of Charlie Kirk’s killer does not shield him from the legal consequences of his heinous crime.
As always a great and well thought out piece. I would like to add my two cents. First the American Christian tradition is different from the European one in that the replacement theory of Christians replacing Jews is not mainstream. I feel very comfortable with my Christian fellow Americans and never felt otherwise as an American of the Jewish faith. Secondly the Islamic tradition is one of conquest. They attempted to conquer Europe, first through the Iberian Peninsula and then through Eastern Europe by way of Hungry only to be stopped at the gates of Vienna. Today the third attempt is underway via immigration and population growth. Will an awakened Europe rise to this challenge. Only the future will tell but I have grater faith in America than I’ve had for a longtime that an unapologetic Christian faith may yet save the West.
There is an interesting book, “England Before and After John Wesley”. It describes a society that went from drunkenness and irresponsible behavior to a nation of prudent shopkeepers, and eventually one that gave rise to the movement ending slavery. Yet the Methodists were never the majority, not even close. By their example, they likely shamed the majority into adopting their behavior and helped change a nation. May our Great Awakening be as successful and have as great a positive force on the world.
Great post, as usual. I admit I'm a little uncomfortable with the notion of a militant Christianity. I write that as a lifelong Catholic. Not devout -- I've missed more than my fair share of Sunday Masses, but my identity is deeply tied to my cradle Catholic upbringing. Even with that upbringing I've always been a little uncomfortable with showy displays of faith -- they've always seemed a little performative and unnecessary. I prefer the "when you pray, go to your room and close the door" kind of faith, but maybe that's just because I'm reserved by nature? That said, I have no idea what precisely a militant Christianity would look like, but in the hands of our current crop of politicians, I have zero doubt that it won't be distorted into something ugly and ... unchristian. It's not like that hasn't happened before.
I love the idea of a reawakening, though. I hope that plays out well.
The beauty of the American system - legal separation of church and state - is that a church militant will not wield the armed force of the state as it did unfortunately in the past. An American militant Christianity likely would be a moral and spiritual recommitment along the lines of the 18th and early 19th century Great Awakenings. Much good there, but excesses to avoid - it was the moral hectoring and bullying strain largely out of New England which gave us Prohibition and which can be seen in the style - but not the doctrine - of the left’s smug sense of moral superiority and inevitability. I would argue our focus needs to be on personal moral and spiritual commitment; modeling and teaching behavior rather than trying to legislate it. A profound humility is essential…we must ever take to heart Cromwell’s admonition “in the bowels of Christ, think it possible [we] might be mistaken.” But, that does not mean an unwillingness to defend our values.
Always the reaction to something immoral, unethical, if not downright evil, becomes over-reaction. In this case, though, given the horrific consequences of failing to defeat militant atheism and the substitution of government policy for religious philosophy, morals & ethics, I cannot see any other reasonable alternative.
I share your concern regarding what might happen if this is left to politicians or others who see an opportunity. Luckily, we don’t have to sit idly by and allow others to shape the meaning of “militant Christianity.” I think we just saw what it might look like for most of us - large gatherings of people unafraid to gather, worship and celebrate those that are practicing their faith without malice or rancor. Simply doing that, and supporting others who act on their faith to help others in need without flinching from false criticism is enough to keep things headed in the right direction.
You’re just an “old school “ Christian. The Lutheran Church I grew up in even frowned on smiling in church. My church in Texas is exploding in attendance of young people and young families. We’re at four services and expanding.
I'm curious -- what denomination? I've been reading/hearing about young people returning to church, but not seeing it in blue state catholic parishes. I realize what I'm seeing is likely a blue state phenomenon, which is why I ask.
"old school". can't tell if that's a compliment or a slight. :-)
My church is non denominational but Baptist based since this is the south. No hymns but great praise music the younger troops like. Old school is an organ and hymns like we grew up with. Some would rather have hymns with great lyrics and I get that. I can enjoy both but I don't think the younger generation does.
We're in one of the largest red cities, our downtown parish is standing room only with all the young families. Local college's campus ministry is getting huge numbers of converts every year. "Blue" parishes are aging out though.
The establishment churches better get in line as to their place in society. It's about Family, God and country. The people are ready and willing. Are the churches?
The selected quotes pinned the major points and expanded the reach of your own writing magnificently. I especially like the Yamamoto quote, which I have been repeating to liberal acquaintances since Kirk's assassination. None of them have liked it, so, I regularly continue to use it when the opportunity presents.
Those on the left - and Democrats in particular - take “forgiveness” to mean “you got away with [whatever was forgiven] and will suffer no [significant] consequences…go and sin some more”. That’s not how it works in Christianity…there can be no forgiveness without (at least) acceptance that one has sinned, preferably with true repentance. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord…the Christian in forgiving gives up individual vengeance and places it in the hands of God…Justice - which serves the purposes of consequences for the law-breaker and the protection of law-abiding society from the law-breaker - belongs to the state. Every individual Christian’s forgiveness of Charlie Kirk’s killer does not shield him from the legal consequences of his heinous crime.
As always a great and well thought out piece. I would like to add my two cents. First the American Christian tradition is different from the European one in that the replacement theory of Christians replacing Jews is not mainstream. I feel very comfortable with my Christian fellow Americans and never felt otherwise as an American of the Jewish faith. Secondly the Islamic tradition is one of conquest. They attempted to conquer Europe, first through the Iberian Peninsula and then through Eastern Europe by way of Hungry only to be stopped at the gates of Vienna. Today the third attempt is underway via immigration and population growth. Will an awakened Europe rise to this challenge. Only the future will tell but I have grater faith in America than I’ve had for a longtime that an unapologetic Christian faith may yet save the West.
Well said, Professor. Thank you.
There is an interesting book, “England Before and After John Wesley”. It describes a society that went from drunkenness and irresponsible behavior to a nation of prudent shopkeepers, and eventually one that gave rise to the movement ending slavery. Yet the Methodists were never the majority, not even close. By their example, they likely shamed the majority into adopting their behavior and helped change a nation. May our Great Awakening be as successful and have as great a positive force on the world.
Great post, as usual. I admit I'm a little uncomfortable with the notion of a militant Christianity. I write that as a lifelong Catholic. Not devout -- I've missed more than my fair share of Sunday Masses, but my identity is deeply tied to my cradle Catholic upbringing. Even with that upbringing I've always been a little uncomfortable with showy displays of faith -- they've always seemed a little performative and unnecessary. I prefer the "when you pray, go to your room and close the door" kind of faith, but maybe that's just because I'm reserved by nature? That said, I have no idea what precisely a militant Christianity would look like, but in the hands of our current crop of politicians, I have zero doubt that it won't be distorted into something ugly and ... unchristian. It's not like that hasn't happened before.
I love the idea of a reawakening, though. I hope that plays out well.
The beauty of the American system - legal separation of church and state - is that a church militant will not wield the armed force of the state as it did unfortunately in the past. An American militant Christianity likely would be a moral and spiritual recommitment along the lines of the 18th and early 19th century Great Awakenings. Much good there, but excesses to avoid - it was the moral hectoring and bullying strain largely out of New England which gave us Prohibition and which can be seen in the style - but not the doctrine - of the left’s smug sense of moral superiority and inevitability. I would argue our focus needs to be on personal moral and spiritual commitment; modeling and teaching behavior rather than trying to legislate it. A profound humility is essential…we must ever take to heart Cromwell’s admonition “in the bowels of Christ, think it possible [we] might be mistaken.” But, that does not mean an unwillingness to defend our values.
Always the reaction to something immoral, unethical, if not downright evil, becomes over-reaction. In this case, though, given the horrific consequences of failing to defeat militant atheism and the substitution of government policy for religious philosophy, morals & ethics, I cannot see any other reasonable alternative.
I share your concern regarding what might happen if this is left to politicians or others who see an opportunity. Luckily, we don’t have to sit idly by and allow others to shape the meaning of “militant Christianity.” I think we just saw what it might look like for most of us - large gatherings of people unafraid to gather, worship and celebrate those that are practicing their faith without malice or rancor. Simply doing that, and supporting others who act on their faith to help others in need without flinching from false criticism is enough to keep things headed in the right direction.
You’re just an “old school “ Christian. The Lutheran Church I grew up in even frowned on smiling in church. My church in Texas is exploding in attendance of young people and young families. We’re at four services and expanding.
I'm curious -- what denomination? I've been reading/hearing about young people returning to church, but not seeing it in blue state catholic parishes. I realize what I'm seeing is likely a blue state phenomenon, which is why I ask.
"old school". can't tell if that's a compliment or a slight. :-)
My church is non denominational but Baptist based since this is the south. No hymns but great praise music the younger troops like. Old school is an organ and hymns like we grew up with. Some would rather have hymns with great lyrics and I get that. I can enjoy both but I don't think the younger generation does.
We're in one of the largest red cities, our downtown parish is standing room only with all the young families. Local college's campus ministry is getting huge numbers of converts every year. "Blue" parishes are aging out though.
Democrat fear is well founded. Their single, only goal, the will to power, may well be wrested from their claws by Charlie's angels.
The establishment churches better get in line as to their place in society. It's about Family, God and country. The people are ready and willing. Are the churches?
Reps need to be hired as professors. Colleges fail at being non-partisan. Those with less than 30% Reps should lose tax exemptions they fail to earn.
Freedom to be an atheist does not mean entitled to govt cash.
Onward Christian Soldiers.
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!fZY3!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F97c1f7d2-68f6-4830-adb8-e426e5e77547_1180x184.png
Adm. Yamamoto Never said that. It comes from the Movie Tora Tora Tora (A Really Great Film!)
Thank you for a thoughtful article.
Great post
The selected quotes pinned the major points and expanded the reach of your own writing magnificently. I especially like the Yamamoto quote, which I have been repeating to liberal acquaintances since Kirk's assassination. None of them have liked it, so, I regularly continue to use it when the opportunity presents.
Bravo! Well written, concise and thorough: You hit it all in this piece, Professor.
https://stephenkenny.substack.com/ The Great Awakening
FULL: Charlie Kirk memorial remarks from Pastor Rob McCoy | FOX 5 NY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8jAodtDcs4