Podcast Summary

I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

Episode: You Have a Decision To Make – Full Speech at #AmFest2025

Host: Dr. Frank Turek

Guest: Charlie Kirk (co-narrator and subject)

Date: January 14, 2026

Main Theme & Purpose

In this powerful speech recorded live at America Fest 2025, Dr. Frank Turek delivers a moving and deeply personal message about the significance of the resurrection of Jesus, the nature of truth and faith, the fragility and purpose of life, and the enduring legacy of the late Charlie Kirk. Speaking to a somber audience just months after Kirk’s tragic death, Turek draws from the pain of loss to underscore Christianity’s promise of eternal life and the pressing need to stand firm for truth in a world of cultural confusion and moral relativism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Truth Versus Cultural Relativism (00:30)

• Turek begins by rejecting cultural relativism, emphasizing the existence of objective truth:

  • “There’s no such thing as my truth or your truth. There’s just the truth.” (00:35 – Dr. Frank Turek)

2. The Centrality of the Resurrection (00:47)

• Turek stresses that Christianity is grounded not in a book, but in an event: Jesus’ resurrection. Without it, life is ultimately meaningless.

  • “Everyone you love will die. Everything you build will crumble. Everything you say will be forgotten...Your life is meaningless.” (01:31 – Dr. Frank Turek)
  • Interjection by Kirk points to the resurrection as the turning point:
    “Unless the resurrection is true.” (01:49 – Charlie Kirk)

3. Origins of Christian Belief — It Started with an Event (02:24)

• Turek shares his personal mentoring relationship with Charlie Kirk, including their deep discussions about evidence for Christianity and the resurrection.

  • “There’s only two facts you need to establish to show that Christianity is true. Number one, God exists. And number two, Jesus rose from the dead.” (03:24 – Dr. Frank Turek)

4. Evidence for God and the Resurrection (03:50)

• Presents cosmological evidence: the universe exploded into being from nothing, requiring a cause outside space, time, and matter.

• If Genesis 1:1 (“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”) is true, miracles—including the resurrection—are possible (04:19).

• Discusses the credibility of New Testament accounts:

  • “None of the sources in the New Testament are Christian sources. They're all Jewish sources... Why would they invent a resurrected Jesus...that got them kicked out of the synagogue and then beaten, tortured, and killed if it wasn't true?” (04:43 – Charlie Kirk & Dr. Frank Turek)

5. Personal and Historical “Impact Events” (05:15)

• Turek explains by analogy to remembered tragedies (Kennedy assassination, Challenger explosion) that the resurrection was the ultimate “impact event.”

• Kirk shares his proximity and witness during Charlie's murder, linking this to the powerful memory of the resurrection’s eyewitnesses.

  • “I was 25ft to his right, off his right elbow, and...when we got him in the car, his eyes were fixed....He was looking right past me into eternity.” (06:25 – Charlie Kirk)

6. Life After Death — Near-Death and Deathbed Testimonies (08:07)

• Turek and Kirk recount “veridical near-death experiences” and “deathbed visions,” arguing for the existence of the soul and an afterlife.

• 88% of hospice patients reportedly see deceased relatives before dying (09:26).

  • “You're not just a molecular machine. You're not just a moist robot. You're a mind and a soul...you have a decision to make.” (10:44 – Dr. Frank Turek)

7. Charlie Kirk’s Legacy and the Need to Persevere (11:36)

• Emotional tribute to Charlie’s widow, Erica, who was handpicked by Charlie as his successor.

• Praises her grace, resilience, and public act of forgiveness:

  • “She comes out and she says, I forgive his killer....That’s the fruit of the spirit rather than the fruit of Satan. And that doesn’t mean that Erica has good feelings, because forgiveness doesn’t require feelings. It requires a choice.” (13:12 – Dr. Frank Turek)

8. Building Up Versus Tearing Down (14:09)

• Turek points out that evil is “anti-creation,” and encourages continued building of Charlie’s legacy in the face of tragedy.

  • “Charlie built not only an amazing organization, he built a team that I think is the best team I've ever seen.” (14:41 – Dr. Frank Turek)
  • “Over 1.2 billion people have seen it online—all because of Charlie Stevenson team and the fact that God can bring good from evil.” (15:19 – Dr. Frank Turek)

9. The Importance of Political Engagement for the Gospel (16:40)

• Stresses that preaching the Gospel freely depends on political liberty.
• “Politics is not our first duty, but it helps us do our first duty...to make disciples of all nations.” (17:36 – Dr. Frank Turek / Charlie Kirk)

10. Call To Action — Personal Decision and Perseverance (17:38)

• Squarely challenges listeners: What will you do now that a leader has departed?

• Repeats the urgency of making a personal decision regarding faith:

  • “Everyone you love will die, including yourself. But everyone’s going to live forever after that. The only question is, where are you going to live?...God is not going to force you into heaven against your will.” (18:59 – Dr. Frank Turek / Charlie Kirk)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Christianity did not start with a book. Christianity started with an event. The Resurrection.” (00:40 – Dr. Frank Turek)
• “Love is a decision to do what's right for the other person according to the will of God.” (13:34 – Dr. Frank Turek)
• “It's easy to tear down. It's hard to build up. In fact, if you want to know what evil is, evil is anti-creation.” (14:10 – Dr. Frank Turek)
• “Charlie accomplished more than any 10,000 people I know accomplish in 80 years.” (16:19 – Dr. Frank Turek)
• “What are you going to do now that our leader of TPUSA has gone to be with Jesus? You're not just going to pack up and say, we're defeated, are you?” (17:38 – Dr. Frank Turek)

Important Timestamps for Segments

• 00:30 – Truth vs. relativism; origins of Christianity
• 03:24 – The two central facts for Christianity’s truth
• 04:19 – Cosmological evidence and possibility of miracles
• 04:43 – New Testament as Jewish eyewitness testimony
• 05:15 – Impact events and the power of memory
• 06:25 – Firsthand account of Charlie’s death
• 08:07 – Near-death and deathbed experiences
• 11:36 – Honoring Erica and legacy leadership
• 13:12 – Forgiveness as a Christian imperative
• 14:09 – The nature of evil and building legacy
• 16:40 – Political engagement for Gospel freedom
• 17:38 – Call to action: what now?
• 18:59 – The great decision: eternal destiny

Tone and Style

Dr. Turek balances sober reflection, personal anecdotes, and apologetic teaching—moving fluidly from philosophical argument to personal tribute. The somber, urgent tone reflects the gravity of recent loss while imbuing hope through the resurrection and the enduring call to faith and action.

For anyone seeking hope, evidence for faith, or a charge to persevere in times of suffering, this special episode serves as both memorial and rallying call.