A REASON FOR HOPE

 Excerpted from The Kingdom: Every Square Inch by Neil Cullan McKinlay & D. Rudi Schwartz.

AReason for Hope

“Have no fear of them,nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always beingprepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hopethat is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good con science,so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christmay be put to shame” (1 Pet. 3:14b-16 ESV).

Charlie Kirk, co-founderand executive director of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was assassinated at UtahValley University on the 10th of September 2025. If “every square inch” ofcreation already belongs to Christ, then Charlie was busy with Kingdom business,reclaiming universities (and other spaces) for Christ the Lord. It would be anunderstatement to say that he died with his boots on, holding a microphone inhis hand doing what he loved best – engaging non-Christians with the Gospel ofJesus Christ.

Some might call this sortof cultural engagement, evangelism, some might call it apologetics, otherspolitical activism. All three would be correct. Charlie would set up a stallwith the words “Prove Me Wrong” written on it which invited students to come tothe mic with their challenges. He responded calmly and respectfully, even wheninsulted, always defending his position from Scripture. We would simply saythat Charlie was engaged in Kingdom work.

If the United States isconsidered “one nation under God” then Charlie demonstrated remarkablecommitment across all three of the God-ordained interconnected spheres ofauthority of Family, Church, and State. He was dedicated to his family— leavingbehind a widow and two young children. He was actively engaged with the Church,and he held a deep respect for civic responsibilities associated with theState. Charlie exemplified service to his country through his contributions inthese key areas.

Charlie’s death, to thebewilderment of even some Christians, sparked a world-wide revival wherepeople, millions of them students, bought Bibles and headed back to thechurches to find out more about Charlie’s God. After attending Sunday worshipservices these butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers, yes, including universitystudents, might go back to their daily activities, but presumably now with aBiblical worldview of Family, Church, and State, yes, their nation.

Charlie Kirk did not waitfor people to come to him. Like his Master, he sought the lost. Why? Becauseyou, your salvation, and every other square inch of creation belongs to Christ.

The Kingdom: Every SquareInch will help prepare you, the diligent reader, to give a reason for the hopethat is in you.

We trust that you willfind some valuable principles as you “put your hand to the plough” and labourwith the sure hope of the coming of the Kingdom.

Go to your local Amazon for a copy. Here's a link to Amazon Australia: The Kingdom: Every Square Inch : McKinlay, Neil Cullan, Schwartz, D. Rudi: Amazon.com.au: Books