Christ, Courage, and Charlie Kirk w/ Pastor Rich Lusk

Sep 17, 2025

Pastor Rich Lusk, a Reformed pastor and theologian, joins to discuss the legacy of Charlie Kirk, a bold Christian martyr. They tackle the crisis of cowardice in today's culture, contrasting biblical courage with modern vulnerabilities. Lusk emphasizes the need for Christians to engage courageously in cultural and political spaces, particularly on university campuses. The conversation delves into the consequences of 'safetyism,' the importance of fulfilling the Great Commission beyond evangelism, and how fearing God can lead to true fearlessness.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ADVICE

Widen The Great Commission’s Scope

Fulfill the Great Commission by baptizing and teaching people to obey all Christ commanded, not only evangelizing.
Pursue covenantal obedience to apply Christ's lordship across nations and culture.

INSIGHT

Faithful Preaching Will Offend

Preaching that requires courage will provoke opposition; timidity signals pastoral failure.
Lusk argues faithful preaching often sparks riots or strong pushback because it confronts cultural norms.

ADVICE

Fear God To Overcome Fear Of Man

Fear God more than people so other fears lose power and you act faithfully under pressure.
Use the fear of God to master anxieties and prioritize pleasing God above public opinion.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

In this powerful episode of 1819 News: The Podcast, host Bryan Dawson, CEO of 1819 News, sits down with Pastor Rich Lusk of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Ala., to honor the life and martyrdom of Charlie Kirk, the bold Christian leader and Turning Point USA founder tragically assassinated for his unapologetic defense of the gospel, Christian civilization, marriage, life, and biblical masculinity/femininity.

The conversation kicks off with heartfelt tributes to Kirk's integrated faith—seamlessly weaving evangelism with cultural and political engagement on hostile university campuses, the epicenter of leftist indoctrination. Kirk's mantra, "Prove me wrong," invited debate as a peaceful alternative to violence, but ultimately, his faithfulness made him a target. As Lusk reflects, Kirk exemplified the full Great Commission: not just baptizing souls, but teaching nations to obey all of Christ's commands, building a God-glorifying civilization under Jesus' lordship over every sphere of life—from marriage to politics.

Dawson and Lusk unpack the crisis of cowardice plaguing our culture, drawing from Scripture and history. They contrast biblical courage—rooted in fearing God above man—with modern failings: the emasculation of men, turning them into "beta males" ashamed of God-given aggression needed to guard the garden (Genesis 3); an idolatrous "safetyism" exposed during COVID that sacrifices liberty for security; and a therapeutic church culture that glorifies brokenness over repentance and strength.

They critique how this infiltrates pulpits, counseling, and criminal justice—excusing sin as "trauma" and releasing criminals without retribution. The litmus test? If your pastor hasn't declared war on progressivism, feminism, transgenderism, and Marxism, it's time for a new church. Amid a "vibe shift," they celebrate rising Christian influence: leftists now face consequences for mocking Kirk's death, signaling power wielded for good, not neutrality.
Lusk praises Dawson's gift for applying Scripture to all of life, urging listeners to reclaim courage for a free, flourishing Alabama. In the overtime, the two discuss the biblical case for capital punishment and wielding the sword.

Tune in for an exhortation to strength, repentance, and bold faithfulness.