Episode 129 - New Zealand Christians Respond to Charlie Kirk's M*rder

Hey Outsiders, this week’s episode is a little different. Laura and I are taking time to reflect on the shocking m*rder of Charlie Kirk and the way it’s impacted Christians here in New Zealand and around the world. We’re also joined by the hosts of The Conservative Pentecostal, Phil Me In, and Whispers of Grace podcasts, who share their own thoughts and encouragement.

Something has shifted. For many of us, Charlie’s death has raised big questions about fear, courage, and what it really means to stand firm in our faith as the opposing culture grows louder. Together, we talk honestly about grief, forgiveness, responsibility, and the hope we have in Christ.

My prayer is that this conversation reminds you that we’re not alone in this - we are outsiders, yes, but we’re outsiders together. The stakes for being a public Christian, for holding a different opinion, for being an outsider in this world, have been raised. But more than ever, we must love those who hate us, so that the kindness of God might lead them to repentance, that they might know the love of God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.

Click here to watch this episode on YouTube.

0:00 – Coming up: Reflections on Charlie Kirk’s death
0:59 – Welcome and Christa's thoughts
8:12 – Laura's response
9:40 – Looking at Charlie’s controversial comments in full context
11:30 – Practicing discernment on the internet
12:11 – How Christa and Laura first learned of Charlie being shot
14:03 – God already using Charlie’s death for His glory
15:00 – Reaction from Janneke (The Conservative Pentecostal Podcast)
16:53 – Why Charlie’s m*rder has had such a strong impact
20:45 – Showing Christ when attacked for faith and values
22:50 – Learning to expect hatred as Christians
24:06 – The impact of Charlie’s courageous faith
25:13 – Janneke’s encouragement for the Christian community
26:54 – Building each other up as believers while we can
28:15 – Death is not the end for the Christian
30:06 – Why Charlie’s death feels so impactful for believers
34:12 – Reaction from Philip Brown (Phil Me In Podcast)
36:15 – Why New Zealand has reacted so strongly - positively and negatively
40:08 – Processing life, death, and cognitive dissonance
40:30 – Worldview of the oppressed vs. oppressor
41:44 – The negative reaction in New Zealand
43:40 – Reflecting on death and eternity
45:35 – A challenge to New Zealand Christians
48:37 – Phil’s call for NZ pastors to repent
51:20 – Raising standards of biblical understanding
53:44 – Stewarding an online platform well
55:25 – Identity rhetoric as part of the problem
57:09 – Why the NZ church avoids controversial issues
58:37 – Having faith conversations with gentleness and respect
59:43 – Recommended resource: Stand to Reason
1:01:48 – Julie (Whispers of Grace Podcast) shares as an American in NZ
1:03:53 – Why Charlie’s death is being felt around the world
1:08:15 – Why Christians should mourn Charlie’s death
1:10:06 – Hope and encouragement in persecution
1:13:00 – Lessons from Jonah to guide our response
1:15:03 – Grieving a brother and forgiving his killer
1:20:40 – An outpouring of love and forgiveness
1:24:03 – Psalm 61 shared
1:24:57 – Remembering we were once lost
1:27:16 – Call to pray for the lost
1:29:35 – The safest place to be is in the will of God
1:28:53 – Final thoughts from Christa