The Truth with Lisa Boothe: Faith Under Fire – Pastor Gary Hamrick on Charlie Kirk’s Assassination and America’s Spiritual Crisis

Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Host: Lisa Boothe
Guest: Pastor Gary Hamrick, Cornerstone Chapel
Date: September 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this deeply reflective episode, Lisa Boothe is joined by Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel to confront the grief and spiritual disquiet following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a Christian leader and activist. The conversation moves beyond politics into America’s (and the world’s) current spiritual crisis, examining grief, evil, courage, faith, and the pressing need for bold truth-telling. The episode calls listeners to consider how their beliefs shape their actions, especially in times of trial.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Processing Grief in a Fallen World

• Not Wired for Grief ([06:02])
  • Pastor Hamrick explains that humanity was not created with the capacity for grief; this emotional pain is a result of the fall and sin entering the world.
  • Quote: “When God created Adam and Eve in the garden, he didn’t really wire humanity with the capacity to grieve because we weren’t supposed to experience death...grief is not something we are supposed to really experience.” — Pastor Hamrick [06:02]
• Turning to Christ for comfort in grief, citing the biblical assurance that “God is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Wrestling with Evil and Why It Happens

• The Problem of Evil ([07:27])
  • Evil is not authored by God, but arises from free will, initially from Satan’s rebellion and then humanity’s.
  • Quote: “God has given...mankind free will because he wants us to choose him... Evil in the world began because Satan rebelled against the Lord.” — Pastor Hamrick [07:27]
• God’s remedy to evil is sending Christ; believers find refuge in faith.

The Culture’s Response: Celebrating Death & Unmasked Wickedness

• Society’s Callousness ([08:49])
  • Lisa and Pastor Hamrick grieve how some publicly celebrated Kirk’s death.
  • The evil witnessed is not new but newly visible; catastrophic events reveal the “core of humanity is wicked.”
  • Quote: “The people who didn’t like him now become very vocal in their vitriol and their animosity and their hatred, and it's so disheartening. But...not surprising because this is the condition of a fallen world.” — Pastor Hamrick [09:17]

Was Charlie Kirk a Martyr for his Faith?

• Faith as Foundation ([11:02])
  • Kirk’s politics were shaped by scripture; his outspokenness for Christ was the real reason for cultural antagonism.
  • Martyr designation is nuanced: While traditional “Christian martyr” status is debated, Kirk was undeniably a “witness” (from Greek ‘martus’) for his faith.
  • Quote: "He was a witness for Christ and all that he said and did." — Pastor Hamrick [12:45]

America’s Spiritual Battle – More Than Politics

• From Right vs. Left to Good vs. Evil ([13:08])
  • Both agree that the divide is less about party and more about spiritual confusion and deception.
  • Quote: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil… we are living in that time right now. We're living in an upside down world." — Pastor Hamrick [13:08]
• The erosion of absolute truths in issues like marriage, gender, and morality illustrate demonic deception at work.

The Transgender Issue as a Litmus Test for Truth

• Societal Manipulation ([19:26])
  • Lisa posits that embracing obvious falsehoods (e.g., gender ideology) means “truth no longer matters”—societal acceptance of lies equals social control.
  • Pastor Hamrick shares a congregant’s relief at hearing truth boldly spoken, reinforcing many Americans feel gaslit by mainstream narratives.
  • Quote: "Thank you for telling the truth so that I can know I’m not going crazy.” — Pastor Hamrick, relaying an email [20:04]

Cultural Pressure and Why Few Stand for Truth

• Fear of Being Disliked ([21:33])
  • Most people don’t publicly stand for truth due to fear of unpopularity, fostered by social media.
  • Quote: "People are more concerned about their personal popularity... than they are about the truth." — Pastor Hamrick [21:33]
  • Kirk’s unique boldness is admired; he was willing to pay the ultimate price for standing for truth.

Kirk’s Death as a Global Gut-Check

• Widespread Impact ([23:34])
  • Hamrick observes that Kirk’s assassination has “shamed” many into self-reflection: “Am I willing to give my life in defense of what I believe?”
  • His martyrdom has inspired unexpected global displays of faith and courage—even in secular or liberal regions.
  • Quote: “His assassination has kind of shamed us into realizing...am I willing to love people and love truth more than my own life?” — Pastor Hamrick [23:34]
• Both hope the groundswell for truth and faith will persist, as seen after previous national tragedies.

The Role of the Church and Speaking Truth

• Why Some Pastors Remain Silent ([26:32])
  • Many churches/pastors fear losing attendance or donations if they challenge the cultural status quo.
  • Hamrick has seen the opposite: more people are hungry for truth, and honest preaching attracts them.
  • Quote: “For every one person who leaves my church, three more come... there’s a hunger right now in America for somebody to tell people the truth.” — Pastor Hamrick [26:32]
  • Warns against “watering down” doctrine for cultural acceptance—churches turning to “social justice more than...the Bible” do a disservice to truth.

Engaging in Politics as a Pastor

• Rooted in American Tradition ([32:30])
  • Hamrick references the historic role of pastors in colonial politics and American founding; contends that faith should influence all areas of life, including politics.
  • Quote: "Everything about our faith should shape our influence in the world, culturally, socially, even politically." — Pastor Hamrick [33:30]

Personal Calling and Final Encouragement

• How Pastor Hamrick Entered Ministry ([34:38])
  • Originally pursued journalism, then shifted to ministry, founding Cornerstone Chapel 34 years ago after God’s leading.
• Final Message: Stand Courageously for Truth ([35:50])
  • Cites Charlie Kirk's own wish: to be remembered for the “courage of my faith.”
  • Quote: "If you really love people more than you love yourself, you will want to share the truth with them more than protecting your own personal popularity... Be courageous and be bold because the world needs it." — Pastor Hamrick [35:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lisa Boothe on the national response:
  “The response to this—I'm just in awe of, like, just millions of people gathering and even, like, the United Kingdom and California… the amount of videos being posted of people, like, declaring their faith and standing up for their beliefs... it’s remarkable what this has stoked.” [25:13]
• On evil and spiritual confusion:
  "It just is an indication that we've lost our minds. And the reason is because there's a spiritual battle behind it that is causing a delusion and a deception." — Pastor Hamrick [14:52]
• On church growth and truth-telling:
  “I've witnessed the fact that when you stand for what is right and you tell the truth, there’s a hunger right now in America for somebody to tell people the truth.” [27:10]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamps (MM:SS) | |------------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Introduction, Theme | 03:20-05:42 | | Grief, Coping as Christians | 05:45-07:12 | | Why Does God Allow Evil? | 07:12-08:43 | | Celebrating Evil, Cultural Crisis | 08:43-10:23 | | Was Kirk a Martyr for His Faith? | 11:02-12:45 | | Political vs. Spiritual Battle | 12:45-15:08 | | Transgender Issue as Test for Truth| 19:26-20:56 | | Courage and Standing for Truth | 21:33-24:49 | | Kirk’s Death Inspiring Faith | 24:49-26:09 | | Church’s Role, Truth vs. Popularity| 26:09-28:04 | | Pastors & Politics | 32:24-34:36 | | Hamrick’s Calling Story | 34:36-35:46 | | Final Words & Takeaway | 35:46-36:55 |

Takeaway

This episode is a call to courageous faith, honest self-examination, and public truth-telling in the face of evil and spiritual confusion. Lisa Boothe and Pastor Gary Hamrick challenge listeners to resist cultural appeasement, to stand boldly for biblical truth, and to channel their grief and frustration into revival and purposeful action—just as Charlie Kirk did in his brief but impactful life.