OPINION:
Charlie Kirk’s assassination has forced millions of Americans to rethink their postures and perspectives, pondering everything from eternity to their social and political views.
In recent days, social media has been filled with messages from people turning back to faith, trying out church for the first time and recommitting themselves to free speech and open debate.
Some have admitted their previously rampant apathy and fear evaporated after seeing the conservative activist gunned down. His signature boldness, reverberating through a litany of viral posts shared after his death, has, thus, simultaneously convicted and inspired many.
Meanwhile, well-known names such as actors Chris Pratt and Kristin Chenoweth have publicly mourned and called for prayer. While some of Mr. Kirk’s frigid-hearted ideological opponents spewed hatred, other detractors, such as actress Jamie Lee Curtis, sobbed over his killing.
“I believe he was a man of faith, and I hope in that moment when he died that he felt connected to his faith,” she said. “Even though I find what his ideas were abhorrent to me, I still believe he’s a father and a husband and a man of faith, and I hope whatever ’connection to God’ means, that he felt it.”
Some public figures took their reactions even further, with Christian singer Forrest Frank assuming a truly heroic posture.
After Mr. Kirk’s death, Mr. Frank took to Instagram to share a video of Mr. Kirk positively reflecting on his music. Mr. Frank then spoke about the heaviness Americans were feeling in the wake of Mr. Kirk’s murder and the importance of turning to faith.
“Pretty much every one of us … yesterday and today are just feeling this heaviness,” Mr. Frank said, going on to proclaim that, “Charlie was so bold with his message.”
From there, he went on to share the importance of the Gospel and his belief that “Jesus Christ is the only way.” In light of the assassination, the singer encouraged people to repent and get their lives in order. He also motivated them to be bold.
This positive message was apparently too much for some fans to handle, as Mr. Frank later revealed in a second video that his tearful appeal to get right with God lost him a stunning 30,000 followers.
“Thirty thousand people unfollowed me because I posted about Charlie Kirk and I said that Jesus Christ is Lord,” Mr. Frank said.
Then he followed that up with a shocking addition: “Good.”
It quickly became clear Mr. Frank wasn’t going to cower, back down — or apologize. In fact, he did quite the opposite, using the moment to appeal to people to think more deeply about their hearts and eternal destinies.
“I don’t want you to follow me. I don’t want you to track my music,” he said. “I don’t want you to come to my shows. I don’t want you to do any of that if you don’t do this one thing, and that is, follow Jesus Christ, the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords, the one who is, the one who is to come.”
Rather than cling to listeners, fame and attention, Mr. Frank adhered to what matters most: the Almighty. He again encouraged his followers to get on their knees and repent to the Lord, warning that the time is short and that heaven should be their primary objective.
Acknowledging that “something shifted” after Mr. Kirk’s death, he said he simply doesn’t care about people unfollowing and is focused on sharing biblical truth.
“I just want you to know that Jesus Christ is here and He loves you,” he said.
Mr. Frank added other context in the description of his video, repenting for the ways he “allowed” his platform to be a “lukewarm highlight reel” and pledging to use his energy to share “about the only thing that matters.”
In an era when politics tends to terrify people into silence — and when many artists and celebrities do everything they can to avoid commenting on anything flammable, Mr. Frank chose not only to speak out, but also to double down.
Ultimately, he elevated the truth and his faith above all else, even at the cost of losing tens of thousands of fans.
This is what true boldness looks like in an age of confusion, lukewarm responses — and evil. Mr. Frank’s posture is one that we should all strive to emulate. Not only should we be courageous in calling out evil and reflecting on good, but we also must focus on what really matters.
This life matters, but eternity is of the greatest import. Our call to “love God and love others” is a biblical mandate from Jesus and one we must take seriously. Mr. Frank’s decision to do so in such a public manner with no fear of retribution is deeply inspiring and a blueprint for us all.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is the author of four books.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.