The social acceptability of Christianity has always been under contention, never finding resonance in the realm of political acceptability. Its beginning is marked by numerous attempts to inhibit its propagation, all starting from the attempts to suppress its very Founder. As often remarked, when one disagrees with the message, one may target the messenger himself. Yet, since the inception of Christianity, every attempt at suppression has led to an unexpected resurgence.
The tragic death of Charlie Kirk a week ago serves as a grim instance of Christian martyrdom. This appalling incident may potentially mark a significant turning point in American history. The narrative of martyrdom has perpetuated throughout the two millennia of the Christian faith’s existence.
Possibly the most poignant tale involves the near-300 A.D. Roman Emperor, Diocletian. This ruler had a notorious hatred of Christianity, and he committed his efforts to eradicate the religion. Countless lives of devout followers were cruelly stripped away, and the holy scriptures faced fiery destruction at the hands of this strong antagonist.
The fear and suspicion that Diocletian stirred up against Christians were potent enough to expel them from even the Roman Army, under the orders of his primary general. However, the fanatical anti-Christian campaign led by Diocletian was ephemeral. Ill-health led to his resignation, marking the end of his harsh regime.
His departure paved the way for the rise of Constantine, the first pleasure who openly professed his faith in Christianity. For the first time in the long history of the Roman Empire, Christians were allowed complete religious freedom, unencumbered by political pressures.
Ironically, Diocletian, who essentially declared he would allow Christian worship only over his dead body, ended up having his tomb converted into a cornerstone for a church. The construction exists to this day in the former Yugoslavia. Many visitors often lay under the mistaken belief that Diocletian may have actually been a revered saint of old.
The Christian scriptures present a vital insight: ‘There is no wisdom,no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.’ (Proverbs 21:30, NIV). This phrase resonates deeply within the hearts of believers praying fervently for a spiritual revival in America.
As the revival began gaining momentum at Asbury College in February 2023, I was prompted to give my insights. I shared my thoughts through my Providence Forum film, ‘The Road to Independence,’ which portrays America’s conception as a result of a Christian revival – the First Great Awakening.
Within my commentary, a guest insightfully picks on the outstanding role of Rev. George Whitefield, the influential British revival preacher, and how his influence in America was instrumental. He mentioned how the Awakening was essentially the start of the path leading to the freedom acquired during the Revolution, making Whitefield’s contribution of paramount importance.
The argument was made that liberty was not an invention of mankind, but a divine concept. It posits that God’s intention was for humanity to enjoy freedom, a view not shared by modern ‘Woke’ ideologues who would rather see society restrained and navigated by fear.
He highlighted the display of courage as the primary weapon against fear, with the ‘Woke’ culture exploiting fear through derogatory labels. His emphatic statement suggested the need for Christians to show steadfastness and courage, disregarding the inflammatory labels bestowed by critics.
The poignant reminder was then provided that the extreme form of ‘cancel culture’ manifests as the deliberate taking of life, a fate met unfortunately by Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025. The tragedy occurred merely because Kirk proclaimed the values of Faith, Family, and Freedom.
However, with remarkable tenacity, Kirk held onto his faith in Jesus, maintaining an optimistic view of the future of America. He firmly believed that he was allied with the prevailing side. His convictions remain echoed in Martin Luther’s hymn, ‘A Mighty Fortress:’ ‘The body they may kill. God’s truth abideth still. His kingdom is forever.’
The post The Impact of Martyrdom on the Christian Faith: A Reflection appeared first on Real News Now.
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