Charles Brammall
Yes, Charlie Kirk’s assassin can be forgiven. The Gospel trumpets that no rebellion against God or rejection of His authority over us is beyond the reach of God’s grace through Jesus’ death. Not even murder.
Paul (once a persecutor and accessory to the killing of Christians) called himself the “chief of sinners”. But the NT makes a radical claim: the apostle was forgiven and transformed by Christ (1 Tim. 1:15).
Forgiveness does not erase the consequences of my sin. I and my family might be affected by them for the rest of our lives. Robinson still faces the justice of the state, and the grief he has caused. But before God, we know that forgiveness is possible if he turns away from his sin, confesses, and depends on Jesus.
And Charlie’s wife Erica’s public statement of forgiving him mirrors Jesus’ words as He was executed: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Her act shows how Christian forgiveness is not about EXCUSING evil, but about releasing justice, judgement, into God’s hands.
But could Tyler James have been a Christian at the time he killed Kirk?
Yes and no. It’s complicated. If by “Christian” I mean baptised, raised in a Christian household, affiliated with a church – then yes, he did have that background [but in his case, Mormon rather than Christian, althogh Mormons often self identify as Christian].
Press coverage suggested that he was raised in a Mormon family, though as an adult he seems to have distanced himself.
But if by “Christian” I mean actively following Jesus in reliance and obedience, then it’s hard to square that identity with carrying out a premeditated political assassination. But not impossible. The Bible clearly says that murder is a direct violation of Jesus’ command to love even one’s enemies (Matt. 5:44).
But the paradox is that children of God are obviously not sinless; we fail. We can even plot evil on our beds for the next day, Psm 36:4 “Even on his bed he makes malicious plans; he sets himself on a path that is not good and does not reject evil”.
Micah 2:1– “Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds!”. The Bible consistently encourages us to guard our thoughts and reject what is wrong, rather than meditating on sin in the quiet of the night. I’m ashamed to admit I have been tempted to do this at times.
So even serious sins don’t necessarily mean someone was never a Christian, or is not presently a Christian. David, “a man after God’s own heart” was an adulterer, schemer and killer, as well as lazy.
But… if I persist in hatred and murder without repentance, I am bearing fruit inconsistent with true faith (1 Jn 3:15).
So to answer the question we must think and speak theologically- to “Think God’s thoughts after Him” (C17 German astronomer Johannes Kepler).
Because to do so is ultimately the ONLY way to think and speak, as genuine theology will ALWAYS be accompanied by love for God, obedience, action.
So it is possible for me to identify as Christian, and kill. And I believe it is possible for me to BE a Christian and kill. During my Chaplaincy work in prison I got to know several chaps I am utterly convinced were well and truly saved. But had killed WHILE they were believers. There but the grace of God…
I must never think naively and arrogantly that there are some sins so heinous that I couldn’t commit them. No, I am capable of anything. In fact, I have ALREADY committed the worst sin possible…
… I HAVEN’T loved the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. And this is the greatest commandment. So to break it, even at one point, and at one time, is to commit the worst possible sin.
So often I don’t live faithfully as a Christian. And if Robinson was a Christian, he obviously wasn’t living faithfully as one at that moment. But he can be forgiven. As can (and am) I.
There is no sin so awful that it can foil the mighty salvific power of Jesus’ death-resurrection event. No sin can trump His punitive, substitutionary, reuniting of me with God.
So yes, forgiveness IS possible. Possible even after robbing a Godly, forgiving young family of their beloved husband and dad; His parents of their beloved son; and his siblings of their beloved brother.
My neighbour as I was grew up was perhaps alcoholic. Neglectful of his Christian wife and kids, and abusive of them, verbally and emotionally. Unpredictable, sometimes lost it, and reclusive, he spent most of his polishing his golf sticks, drinking beer, and watching TV in his man cave.
I was scared of him as a child- I misinterpreted his dry jabs at me as cruel, which they weren’t. His faithful wife was one of the people who led me (and scores of other children) to Christ. She prayed for him every day for the 33 years of their marriage.
Finally Chuck Colson, Nixon’s “hatchet man”, who was imprisoned for his part in Watergate, came to Australia with Prison Fellowship. Some chaps at this fellow’s wife’s church invited him to an evangelistic evening. At that event he surrender to Christ, a miraculous answer to his wife’s 33 years of faithful daily prayer.
For years afterwards he could tell you the date Christ saved him, where he was when if happened, who he was with, and the words he prayed. He had full assurance of his salvation, based solely on Jesus’ death in his behalf.
I went to see him as he lay dying from bone Cancer in a hospice. And even then he was a voracious evangelist. With his dying breath he was still introducing staff, visitors, his own extended family, and fellow patients to Jesus.
But here’s the rub: until the day he died, his relationship with his family changed little. He was still sharp, unpredictable, blew up, neglectful, and verbally and emotionally abusive.
Was he a Christian? Was he saved? Was his assurance of faith justified? What do you think? How would you have counselled him? Treat him like a Christian brother, and beg him to repent?…
… Or relate to as an unbeliever, and beg him to repent? What is the pastoral (theological) response, to avoid making this a merely speculative “number of angels on the head of a pin” issue? What do you think? You are an under-shepherd (pastor) of every other Christian.
* * *
Do any of Tyler’s possible motives shed light on whether it is possible to be a murderous Christian (apart from the fact we all are, viz Jesus in Mat 5:21-2):
“You have heard that it was said… Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
That is, murder in the heart and mind IS murder. I AM a murderer, to my shame. I have murdered. I am no better than Tyler James Robinson. Seriously. And if you are anything like me, neither are you. Do you believe that about me?
Do you believe it about you?
(I believe this is one of the great unheeded teachings of Jesus. See Rev David Cook’s remarkable sermon series from Sydney Missionary and Bible College’s ‘Principal’s Hour’, “The Unheeded Jesus”. available as a book from Reformers, Koorong, etc on special order)
Tyler hasn’t spoken directly about his motives, but what investigators believe, (and what Tyler has allegedly said this publicly, and to his roommate and family) suggest possible answers:
His motives may have been ideological or political grievances. In a text to his roommate, he allegedly said he “had enough of his hatred. Some hate can’t be negotiated out.”
He reportedly disliked Kirk’s political views and rhetoric. Family members and Robinson himself (in messages) reportedly expressed frustration with what they saw as hatred in Kirk’s public persona, and the way in which he “spreads hate”.
There are messages indicating premeditation: planning over a period (“a bit over a week,” per some reports) and preparing (e.g. wrapping the rifle and hiding evidence) ahead of the event.
Was he part of any formal political group or extremist organisation? This is as yet unconfirmed, and still under investigation. But no publicly confirmed link has been discovered to groups beyond his individual beliefs as of now.
Were his political leanings “radicalised” in any established sense, or more informal and personal? Some officials (including Utah’s governor) have used words like “indoctrinated”, but these are not evidence of formal indoctrination.
To what extent did his personal situation (family background, relationships, etc), contribute to his decision? Some reports suggest his roommate is also his partner, who is transitioning gender…
… And that Tyler’s views had shifted in recent years toward being more supportive of trans and LGBTQAI+ issues. It is still unclear how central this is to his motive/s.
Did he have any other motives beyond ideology (eg revenge, mental health, personal grievance, etc)? The documents released so far greatly suggest an ideological or political motive, but courts often need more solid confirmation in trial.
* * *
Cue Port Arthur historic gaol site Tasmania, Apr 28 ‘96, and Hobart boy Martin Bryant went to town. Sweet looking and sounding, young, and long blonde haired, and fair skinned. Soft and high voiced, and indescribably hellish.
Martin mowed down 35 people in Tassie’s SE, and injured multiple others with semi-automatic weapons. He demonically hunted them from cafe table to table, around and under tour buses, picking them off like hares, then going behind the cafe servery to finish off.
The vast majority of the deceased were men, youth, and boys. Even toddlers. Grandfathers. Who took a running leap and landed headlong on top of their wives, girlfriends, and female friends. Even their abusive or abused wives. To shield them from the bullets and take the wrap for them. It’s a man thing, I think. The way God’s made us. And rightly so.
Bryant’s spray spurred sweeping reform of Australia’s gun laws through the National Firearms Agreement, urged by PM John Howard, and passed shortly afterwards. It included broad bans on several semi automatic and automatic weapons. Also tighter licensing, mandatory waiting periods, safe-storage requirements, and a large gun-buyback scheme.
Sadly and gladly I was obliged to surrender Dad’s dear little old rust bucket of a 22 calibre bunny shooting pop gun, which could never fire, to Kogarah Police. I miss it sentimentally.
Consequently Australian gun and rifle slayings and suicides plummeted drastically. We became a new, safe nation. The legislation gained strong bipartisan support. Praise God for the sunburnt country✝️.
Australia’s View vs Kirk/Trump
| Port arthur | (Reaction) | Charlie Kirk / U.S. Conservative View |
| Trigger Event | Mass shooting → national tragedy, public outcry. | Recurring mass shootings; activism often in anticipation of regulation. |
| Legislative Response | Sweeping gun regulation was enacted quickly; strong gun control laws. | Generally opposes new restrictions that conflict with gun rights; supports maintaining broad access and resisting certain regulation. |
| Faith + Politics | Australia’s reforms are less framed in “faith-political” rhetoric; more cross-partisan public safety concern. | Strong mixing of faith, identity, politics. Some critics argue his faith rhetoric amplifies political polarization |
Prayers:
Our gracious God and loving Heavenly Father,
Praise You that Charlie Kirk’s assassin Tyler can be forgiven. Thank You that the Gospel trumpets that no rebellion against God or rejection of His authority over us is beyond the reach of His grace through Jesus’ death. Not even murder.
By this may Jesus’ name be exalted on high,
Amen.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Praise You that Paul (once a persecutor and accessory to the killing of Christians) called himself the “chief of sinners”. But thank You for the NT’s radical claim: that the apostle was forgiven and transformed by Christ (1 Tim. 1:15).
Like Paul, please prevent us from dragging Jesus splendid name through the mud,
Amen
Dear God,
Praise You that Australia’s gun and rifle slayings and suicides plummeted drastically through the gun buy back. Thank You that we have became a new, safe nation. Praise You that the legislation gained strong bipartisan support. Praise You for our beautiful sunburnt country.
We ask this that Jesus’ eternal name might be held high,
Amen
Image: Charlie Kirk asassin, Tyler James Robinson. Image Credit: Utah Governor’s Office