Charlie Kirk Confronts Pastors Who Refuse to Talk About Politics from the Pulpit

The Gospel Is Divisive

When pastors say they don't want to talk about politics because it's divisive, Charlie Kirk has a direct response: the gospel itself is divisive. Jesus did not come to unite the world but to divide it. This fundamental truth challenges the notion that pastors should avoid controversial topics to keep the peace.

Defining Politics

Kirk employs a simple yet powerful strategy when confronting pastors on this issue: he asks them to define politics. One of his favorite tactics is to define terms that people think they don't like. When asked what politics is, many pastors struggle to provide an accurate answer. The truth is that politics is simply "the business of the city."

With that definition in mind, Kirk poses a challenging question: if pastors don't want to talk about politics, do they want to get rid of Jeremiah 29:7? This verse commands believers to "demand the welfare of the nation that you are in because your welfare is tied to your nation's welfare." The implications are clear—caring about the well-being of one's nation is a biblical mandate, not an optional political stance.

Biblical Political Figures

The Bible is filled with political figures whose stories demonstrate that faith and civic engagement are inseparable. Kirk highlights several key examples:

• Joseph served as a counselor to the Pharaoh in Egypt, using his political position to end a devastating famine
• Esther used her political influence as queen to save the Jewish people from genocide
• Mordecai worked within the political system to protect his people
• Daniel served in government positions under multiple empires while maintaining his faith
• Nehemiah held a political office and led the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls

These figures weren't merely religious leaders who happened to interact with government—they were intentionally placed in positions of political power to accomplish God's purposes.

The Political Nature of Scripture

Kirk then asks a fundamental question: does the Bible say anything about politics? The answer is resounding yes. The Book of Deuteronomy stands as an extraordinarily political text that shaped the very foundation of American government.

The founding fathers of the United States quoted Deuteronomy more than any other author, secular or religious. They referenced it more frequently than John Locke, more than Montesquieu, more than Rousseau, more than Machiavelli, and more than Aristotle. This wasn't accidental—out of Deuteronomy comes civil law, the concept of separation of powers, and the idea of an independent judiciary.

These principles that form the bedrock of American constitutional government were drawn directly from biblical text. To claim that the Bible has nothing to say about politics is to ignore the historical record and the text itself.

A Call to Courage

Kirk concludes with a blunt assessment: when a pastor says they don't want to talk about politics, they're either not very smart or they're deciding to be a coward. His hope is that they change their ways. This isn't merely about encouraging pastors to be more politically engaged—it's about calling them back to the full counsel of Scripture and the examples set by biblical figures who didn't separate their faith from their civic duties.