Unashamed with the Robertson Family

Episode 1166 | The Robertsons Honor Charlie Kirk
Release Date: September 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this poignant episode, the Robertson family gathers to honor the life and faith of Charlie Kirk following the tragic event of his shooting. With Phil absent but Al, Jase, and Zach leading the conversation, the Robertsons reflect on Kirk’s commitment to the Gospel, the darkness exposed by his murder, and the Christian calling to remain steadfast in the truth, no matter the cost. They draw biblical parallels from the Gospel of John to current events, explore the response of the Christian community, and challenge listeners to live courageously unashamed of their faith.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Processing the Shock and Spiritual Impact

• Personal Connection & Initial Reactions:

  • Jase narrates how his family almost attended a Charlie Kirk event and how he had just begun researching Kirk's faith-driven activism the day before the tragedy.
    • "So the day before Charlie Kirk got shot, my son had reached out to me and said, dad, you need to get on this Charlie Kirk podcast." — Jase [04:22]
  • Al and Jase discuss their own feelings of devastation, confusion, and mourning.

• Immediate Reactions Within the Faith Community:

  • Zach notes the widespread prayer gatherings and worship services following the news.
    • "Our first response was to come into a posture of prayer... Like somebody turned. God turned the lights on and you're seeing evil for what it really is." — Zach [18:04]

Charlie Kirk’s Mission and Approach

• Gospel-Focused Activism:

  • Jase discovers Kirk’s self-stated priorities:
    • "My number one goal quoting him is to get the Gospel of Jesus out to the world. And my number two goal is to pursue the freedom to do number one." — Jase [05:00]
  • Kirk's signature approach: engaging in tough conversations on college campuses, modeling after Jesus’ methods of asking questions and speaking truth to power.

• Biblical Roots of Civil Debate:

  • Jase draws direct parallels between Kirk's method and Jesus’s ministry:
    • "He asked questions, he had conversations, he spoke truth to Powers, and those three things is what came out of that." — Jase [06:42]
  • Importance of holding civil debates rather than resorting to violence.
    • "The bedrock of that is, was Jesus's ministry... The members of the kingdom are peacemakers." — Jase [15:12]

The Public and Cultural Response

• Celebration vs. Mourning:

  • The family notes the disturbing trend of some people on social media celebrating the murder, calling it a “powerful delusion.”
    • "A delusion came out when people started cheering that he was killed. And I'm using the word delusion on purpose because that's a biblical word." — Jase [13:45]

• Biblical Reflections on Martyrdom and Evil:

  • Zach reads John 8, explaining the connection between lies, murder, and the devil.
    • “There is an ultimate liar, that when he lies, he speaks his native tongue and ... that is directly connected to him being a murderer.” — Zach [18:04]
  • Al and Jase discuss parallels to the crucifixion, with crowds cheering a wrongful death due to spiritual deception.
    • "I thought you talk about a delusion, and I just see similarities in that." — Jase [15:12]

Faith in the Face of Persecution

• Resilience of the Christian Witness:

  • Al recounts the strength of Charlie Kirk’s widow, inspired by her public stand and resolve to continue her husband’s work.
    • "You took my husband. But the idea was, but you will not stamp out who we are and what we stand for." — Al [07:29]
  • The Robertsons affirm that murder will not stamp out truth or the spread of the Gospel.

• Living Unashamed & Courageously:

  • The episode encourages listeners to honor Kirk’s witness by continuing to share the Gospel boldly.
    • "Going public for Jesus is dangerous. And I basically just ended it with one of his posts that said, share Jesus with somebody this weekend. I mean, this is what we're called to do." — Jase [25:00]

• Martyrdom as Biblical Reality:

  • Jase reflects on the biblical expectation of suffering:
    • References to 1 Peter 3:15 and Revelation’s many martyrs.
    • “There is this sense of Jesus gave his life and then poured out his spirit so that could be multiplied.” — Jase [27:11]

Broader Spiritual Lessons

• Light Revealing Darkness:

  • Zach explains that evil’s exposure often precedes spiritual awakening:
    • "I think this is a moment. I think this is going to be. We are in a major cultural moment that I think that is going to fundamentally shift Western culture." — Zach [19:54]

• Eternal Perspective on Death:

  • Jase encourages an eternal view, citing Luke 20:38:
    • "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. For to him all are alive." — Jase [36:45]
  • Death is not defeat for believers; it is the ultimate witness to Christ.

• Questions from Jesus:

  • Jase shares several impactful questions posed by Jesus (see Timestamps below), highlighting their resonance after the tragedy.
    • "Will you really lay down your life for me?" — (John 13:38) [49:13]
    • "Don't you know me, Philip?" — (John 14:9)
    • "Why do you question me?" — (John 18:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kirk’s Priorities:
  "My number one goal is to get the gospel of Jesus out to the world. My number two goal is to pursue the freedom to do number one." — Charlie Kirk, cited by Jase [05:00]

• On the Evil of Cheering Death:
  "A delusion came out when people started cheering that he was killed. ... Because you think, now why in the world would somebody be cheering the murder of a guy whose whole platform pretty much represents the American way?" — Jase [13:45]

• On Christian Response:
  "Our first response was to come into a posture of prayer... it does seem like the lights got turned on this last week." — Zach [18:04]

• On Martyrdom and Legacy:
  "Some lives lived when martyred as he was for something he believed in have a huge impact, even though they didn't have long on this earth. I mean, Jesus was only 33." — Al [31:10]

• On Answering Evil with Truth:
  "You don't get killed for saying something that doesn't matter. ... God has equipped us with the power to demolish the strongholds that set themselves up against the knowledge of God." — Zach [40:10]

• On Hope in Grief:
  "Don't be crying with tears of grief like we're not going to see Charlie Kirk again. ... He's like, who are you looking for? I'm raised." — Jase [54:50]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:04] — Opening reflections on the "Charlie Kirk situation"
• [02:30] — Discussing John 15–16 and prophetic warnings from Jesus
• [04:22] — Jase’s personal connection: almost attending Charlie Kirk’s event
• [05:00] — Kirk’s stated priorities and faith mission
• [07:29] — Al describes the courage of Kirk’s widow post-tragedy
• [13:45] — Social media reactions and the concept of “delusion”
• [18:04] — Scriptural context: murder, lies, and the devil (John 8); community response
• [19:54] — Zach’s “cultural moment” and awakening within the Church
• [25:00] — Jase’s social media reaction and encouragement to share Jesus
• [27:11] — The martyr’s legacy and biblical purpose of suffering
• [31:10] — Al’s reflections on age, impact, and Jesus’s own shortened life
• [40:10] — Zach on spiritual warfare and the power of the Gospel to demolish strongholds
• [49:13] — Jase’s list of Jesus’s questions and their relevance after Kirk’s death
• [54:50] — Grieving with hope; resurrection and the promise of new life

Conclusion: Living Unashamed

The episode closes with a call to action: live boldly and unashamed, modeling both Kirk’s and Jesus’s example of standing for the truth, even in the face of hatred or violence. The Robertsons urge listeners to embrace their calling, recognizing that suffering and even martyrdom are part of the Christian story—but so is victory and eternal life in Christ.