Podcast Summary: The Charlie Kirk Show
Episode: Open the Church! In Depth with Jack Hibbs
Date: August 2, 2020
Host: Charlie Kirk
Guest: Pastor Jack Hibbs
Episode Overview
This episode of The Charlie Kirk Show features a deep and passionate conversation between Charlie Kirk and Pastor Jack Hibbs, leader of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, California. They discuss the importance of keeping churches open during the COVID-19 pandemic, address criticisms from both government and within the Christian community, explore the intersection of faith, freedom, and civic duty, and critique secular trends in American society. The episode blends theological arguments with cultural and political analysis, emphasizing the unique centrality of church to American life and spiritual health.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening Churches During COVID-19
[01:16-03:37]
- Jack Hibbs describes his church remaining open despite California state mandates, welcoming up to 14,000 congregants weekly via multiple formats: in-person, socially distanced outdoors, car-based FM transmission, and online.
- Hibbs' conviction: “Jesus said, I’ve set before you an open door, not a closed one. So I don’t have the authority to close the doors to the church. Only Jesus has that.” [02:55]
- Safety options: Attendees can choose their comfort level—inside, outside, in cars, or online.
- Plan B if forced to close: Move services to streets or parks.
Quote:
“If we are shut down, Charlie, they’re going to honestly have to chain the door shut… Our plan B is to actually take it out on the streets or in the parks and do services.” — Jack Hibbs [02:51]
2. Spiritual and Emotional Impact on Congregants
[01:49-04:03]
- Emotional response: People are “walking into the building, smiles, huge tears flowing down their face. The need to worship gathered together again, quite frankly, shocked me.” — Jack Hibbs [01:49]
- Transformative stories: Newcomers, including a former Jehovah’s Witness, have found profound spiritual change by attending open services.
Quote:
“She saw Bible, she saw teaching and preaching from the scriptures… She was out in the foyer last Sunday bawling because she said, I see Jesus now for who he is.” — Jack Hibbs [04:31]
3. Criticism from Fellow Christians & Romans 13
[05:17-09:01]
- Responding to claims of politicization: Some accuse Hibbs and others of making church about politics; Hibbs insists his is a “Christ-first church.”
- Obedience to government (‘Romans 13’ argument): Hibbs outlines obeying government orders initially, but says, “when it became evident to us that we had a governor that was going to keep the churches closed...it’s time to obey God rather than man, we respectfully parted ways with that restriction.” — Jack Hibbs [07:46]
- Supreme Court decision: Both Charlie and Jack reject the ruling that churches are ‘non-essential’.
Quote:
“The Supreme Court just said that church is not essential. Should we listen to that? — ‘No, absolutely not.’” — Charlie Kirk and Jack Hibbs [09:17]
4. Church’s Role in Social Order & Community
[10:17-14:53]
- Spiritual and societal necessity: The church provides “stability, comfort and frankly logic to the illogic of what we’re living through right now.” — Jack Hibbs [07:19]
- Connection to unrest: Kirk suggests, “there’s a direct connection between social unrest and churches being closed.” [13:17]
Hibbs: After reopening, “we have been seeing 100, 200 people a week giving their hearts to Christ.” [15:25]
- Unique experiences: Asserts that the physical gathering is irreplaceable; digital church is “not church.”
Quote:
“There is something called koinonia. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit among brothers and sisters in Christ. …That’s why church will never be replaced.” — Jack Hibbs [19:12]
5. Church, Liberty, and Government Authority
[22:51-26:48]
- Liberty as love: Kirk argues, “part of love is liberty too. In order to trust, you must make choices, therefore you must have liberty.” [10:39]
- Church as a counter to confusion: Hibbs says, “people have been completely disabled because of fear. …That confusion should tell people something’s up.” [17:09]
6. Cultural Critique: Secularism vs. Biblical Worldview
[21:47-23:01]
- Critiques of secular ‘replacement religions’: “You guys recite all of BLM’s nonsense…you put white fragility like it’s First Peter.” — Charlie Kirk [22:24]
- “The scripture says that God has put eternity in our hearts. …If you’re a follower of God or not, you’re following something because you’ve got that hole.” — Jack Hibbs [22:42]
7. Support for President Trump and Political Engagement
[23:02-31:41]
- Hibbs’ endorsement: “Pro life. I start right there. …The man’s policies are pro life.” [26:49]
- Character matters less than outcomes: “The Messiah is not arriving on Air Force One…The answer is not in the State House or in the White House. It’s in God’s house.” — Jack Hibbs [28:51]
- Advice to pastors: Hibbs calls out “weak” pastors for avoiding controversy and failing to lead flocks in turbulent times.
Quote:
“You’re a pastor. Jesus made it very, very clear. If you really stand with me, you’re going to be hated.” — Jack Hibbs [29:27]
8. America’s Biblical Foundation & Patriotism
[34:11-41:02]
- Natural law and the Founders: Discussion of Locke, Jefferson, Franklin, and the biblical roots of American liberty and governance.
- Refuting Christian nationalism: Hibbs says, “The Bible ultimately tells us in the end…he will gather together every kindred tribe, tongue and nation.” [36:10]
9. Church’s Social Influence: Private Property, Responsibility, and Socialism
[41:02-41:52]
- Private property rooted in the Bible
- Critique of socialism in the modern church: “Oh no, no. The Bible is socialistic. No, it’s not. Not even a stretch.” [41:02]
10. Moral Guidance, Truth, and Clarity
[46:28-51:56]
- Christians’ responsibility: “We need to take what God has given us…It’s called righteousness. By the way, Christians are mandated to do the right thing. That means you must vote for the pro-life individual.” — Jack Hibbs [47:28]
- On “not voting”: “The not doing is an act.” — Charlie Kirk [50:32]
- Allusion to Holocaust survivor pleas to speak up before it’s too late.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“They may have a board breathing down their neck or what, I do not know. But the bottom line is this: those pastors need to open up now because it is the church. Yes, Gavin Newsom is not the head of the church. It’s Jesus.” — Jack Hibbs [05:45]
-
“If you actually think about it, a true loving relationship is a trustworthy relationship. …Part of love is liberty too. In order to trust, you must make choices, therefore you must have liberty.” — Charlie Kirk [10:39]
-
“We have fooled ourselves. …Very simple. There are 25 million people that are not going to church every single week. It’s not that hard.” — Charlie Kirk [14:53]
-
“There is something called koinonia. …You can stream and some people live somewhere they need to. …But that’s not church.” — Jack Hibbs [19:12]
-
“The Bible does say that if you put him first and seek him, that God will favor your life. That doesn’t mean you’re going to get rich, but it means that your life’s going to have the favor of God.” — Jack Hibbs [42:01]
-
“Where did Jesus say not to shine your light? Well, I don’t vote. Well, you need to repent and start voting for this reason… Christians are mandated to do the right thing. That means you must vote for the pro-life individual.” — Jack Hibbs [46:36, 47:28]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [01:16-03:37]: The decision to open Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, different modes of attending, defiance of California mandates.
- [04:20-05:17]: Testimonies from changed lives by coming to an open church.
- [05:17-07:18]: Addressing claims of politicizing church, biblical versus governmental authority.
- [09:17-10:39]: Supreme Court ruling on non-essential status, morality, and ‘loving your neighbor’.
- [13:17-15:25]: Societal consequences of closed churches—rise in unrest, lost conversions.
- [19:12-20:37]: Why physical church cannot be replaced by digital.
- [23:02-28:51]: Hibbs’ endorsement of Trump and distinctions between faith, politics, and civic responsibility.
- [41:02-41:52]: Biblical arguments against socialism, importance of private property.
- [46:36-48:31]: Direct exhortation to Christians about political engagement and clarity.
- [50:31-51:38]: Silence as an act, referencing Holocaust history, challenge to the “silent majority”.
Final Thoughts
Charlie Kirk and Jack Hibbs passionately defend the necessity of open churches for the spiritual, emotional, and civic health of America. They challenge both secular and Christian leaders who have accepted church closures or remained politically neutral in the face of moral and social crises. The episode is a call for clarity, courage, and the unapologetic proclamation and application of biblical truth in the public square.
For further information:
Listeners can email questions or feedback to: freedom@charliekirk.com