On September 18, 2025, the Central States Conference of Seventh-day Adventists issued a public statement in response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Yet the words expressed no sorrow for his death, offered no condolences to his family, and gave no prayers for the grieving. Nowhere was there an acknowledgment that a human life had been unjustly cut short, nor did the statement call the act what it truly was—an unjust, cold-blooded assassination.
The Central States Conference leadership published the following:
• “On Friday, September 12, 2025, Cryston Josiah, President of the Central States Conference of Seventh-day Adventist posted via social media, ‘As a Christian leader, I unequivocally condemn murder, hate speech, racism, sexism, and all other forms of discrimination. I promote unity, love, justice, and humility.’ As a Conference leadership team we fully support and agree with that statement because it is both biblical and spiritual. ‘He has shown you, O man what is good; And what does the Lord require of you. But to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.’ Micah 6:8.” [1]
• “The statement is biblical because Paul declares, ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ Any person or entity that does not teach or practice this principle, and intentionally seeks to divide God’s children instead of uniting God’s children, are not true representatives of what it means to be a Christian.” [1]
• “The statement is also spiritual because Paul emphatically says, ‘Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.’ Consequently, if Christian and public leaders are sowing seeds of discord, division, discrimination, and dismissiveness to destructive vices, including gun violence, then based on this scriptural reference, we as a people and a nation will indeed reap what we have been sowing. Unfortunately, and sadly, the evidence is speaking for itself.” [1]
• “In addition, we are very disappointed and disturbed that there are Christian leaders within our own denomination who have fully embraced public figures that hold Christian nationalistic, racist, xenophobic, sexist, and other discriminatory ideologies. Our Conference leadership will study this current phenomenon and reach out to the leaders of specifically Amazing Facts and 3ABN, to ascertain our future official relationships with these organizations. To remain silent after what we have recently seen and read, we strongly believe will make us complicit to sentiments that do not reflect who we are as Central States Conference, and more importantly as bible-believing and practicing Christians.” [1]
At first glance, the statement seems to condemn the murderer, but in reality it does not. Instead, it shifts the focus onto Christian and public leaders—a reference to Charlie Kirk—and redirects condemnation away from the perpetrator and toward the victim himself. The Central States Conference’s statement then pivots to a laundry list of social discriminations—racism, sexism, and xenophobia—as though the greater problem were not the killer’s violence but the victim’s beliefs and statements.
The Conference’s statement then quoted Galatians 6:7: “God is not mocked, whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap,” essentially blaming Kirk’s assassination as the result of his own actions. This interpretation shifts condemnation onto Kirk rather than the killer, implying that his death was the inevitable consequence of his views. Yet Ezekiel 18 makes one of the most basic moral principles unmistakably clear: responsibility for a crime rests with the one who commits it. To transfer that responsibility onto the victim is not only unjust but also profoundly immoral, for it excuses evil and compounds suffering.
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Ezekiel 18:20.
When a person becomes the target of violence, their dignity has already been violated. To then turn and blame the one who has suffered is to add insult to injury. In this way, the leaders of the Central States Conference are punishing Charlie Kirk twice—first by the crime itself, and second by the moral condemnation that follows. When Cain killed his brother, God did not rebuke Abel for provoking his brother; He held Cain personally responsible and marked him with judgment. To excuse Cain by blaming Abel would have been to corrupt the justice of God.
The statement also attacks Seventh-day Adventist ministries that uphold many of Kirk’s positions on the twin institutions established in Genesis—the Sabbath and the family, defined as one man and one woman united in holy matrimony—specifically by naming ministries such as Amazing Facts and 3ABN. Rather than denounce the twisted, deluded mindset of the assassin, who clearly opposed these divine institutions, the statement directs its rebuke towards fellow Seventh-day Adventists. Instead of defending the sanctity of life, the Sabbath, and God’s will for the family, the Conference chose to attack the character of those who share some of Kirk’s views. In doing so, the Central States Conference leadership effectively puts the victim on trial while allowing the assassin to fade from scrutiny.
Religious leaders are called to defend the sanctity of life and to call sin by its right name. Tragically, the statement reveals political bias, aligning more with secular liberal talking points than with biblical truth. Murder is sin—without qualification and regardless of the circumstances. Yet in this case, Adventist leadership devoted more energy to attacking ideological opponents than to condemning the actual act of violence. Whenever violence is excused or minimized, it opens the door for the powerful to prey upon the weak. The gospel does not vindicate oppressors; it comforts the afflicted and calls sinners to repentance.
Sources
[1] https://central-states.org/news/charlie-kirk/
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“16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. ”
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 KJV
“The Lord desires all who bear the message for these last days to understand that there is a great difference between professors of religion who are not doers of the Word, and the children of God, who are sanctified through the truth, who have that faith that works by love and purifies the soul. The Lord speaks of those who claim to believe the truth for this time, yet see nothing inconsistent in their taking part in politics, mingling with the contending elements of these last days, as the circumcised who mingle with the uncircumcised, and He declares that He will destroy both classes together without distinction. They are doing a work that God has not set them to do. They dishonor God by their party spirit and contention, and He will condemn both alike.
The question may be asked, Are we to have no union whatever with the world? The Word of the Lord is to be our guide. Any connection with infidels and unbelievers which would identify us with them is forbidden by the Word. We are to come out from them and be separate. In no case are we to link ourselves with them in their plans or work. But we are not to live reclusive lives. We are to do worldlings all the good we possibly can. Christ has given us an example of this. When invited to eat with publicans and sinners, He did not refuse, for in no other way than by mingling with them could He reach this class. But on every occasion He gave them talents of words and influence. He opened up themes of conversation which brought things of eternal interest to their minds. 14LtMs, Lt 95, 1899, par. 23 – 14LtMs, Lt 95, 1899, par. 24
Why does any office of the SDA church think it wise to make political statements? Unless the goal is to divide and alienate.
The Bible, particularly prophecy, Is jampacked with politics. Politics are everywhere in the Bible.
This is quite clear:
“On the temperance question, take your position without wavering. Be as firm as a rock. Be not partakers of other men’s sins….
There is a large vineyard to be cultivated; but while Christians are to work among unbelievers, they are not to appear like worldlings. They are not to spend their time talking politics or acting politics; for by so doing they give the enemy opportunity to come in and cause variance and discord. Those in the ministry who desire to stand as politicians, should have their credentials taken from them; for this work God has not given to high or low among His people.
God calls upon all who minister in word and doctrine to give the trumpet a certain sound. All who have received Christ, ministers and lay members, are to arise and shine; for great peril is right upon us. Satan is stirring up the powers of earth. Everything in this world is in confusion. God calls upon His people to hold aloft the banner bearing the message of the third angel….
God’s children are to separate themselves from politics, from any alliance with unbelievers. They are not to link their interests with the interests of the world. “Give proof of your allegiance to Me,” He says, “by standing as My chosen heritage, as a people zealous of good works.” Do not take part in political strife. Separate from the world, and refrain from bringing into the church or school ideas that will lead to contention and disorder. Dissension is the moral poison taken into the system by human beings who are selfish. God wants His servants to have clear perceptions, true and noble dignity, that their influence may demonstrate the power of truth.
The Christian life is not to be a haphazard, emotional life. True Christian influence, exerted for the accomplishment of the work God has appointed, is a precious agency, and it must not be united with politics, or bound up in a confederacy with unbelievers. God is to be the center of attraction. Every mind that is worked by the Holy Spirit will be satisfied with Him.”— GW 394.3 – GW 395.4
To accuse Kirk of “racism, sexism, and xenophobia” is bearing FALSE WITNESS. They are repeating TALKING POINTS from far left outlets that they apparently imbibe on.
I guess the only commandment they think matters is the 4th. I guess these men of the cloth don’t care about the 9th.
The Bible, particularly prophecy, Is jampacked with politics. Politics are everywhere in the Bible.
The SDA church condemns itself for its lack of outcry against Cryston Josiah.
There should be a universal demand that this politically motivated hater be removed from his lofty perch, so that he never speaks for any SDA collective again.
What about the TALKING POINTS of TURNING POINT USA… and its platform funded by political million/billionaires? Is that not “mixing with the worldly”? I ask in sincere desire seeking understanding. This is not meant to be a flashpoint or dividing question. Thank you for your time.
Andy, thanks for addressing this issue. It was very clear that those involved in writing that statement had no idea what Charlie Kirk stood for and have never listened to anything that he said. Their only impressions or take aways about him they gleaned from the mainstream media and did no research worthy of a Berean. He was a deeply spiritual man who encouraged thought, dialogue and debate and encouraged the youth and others to critically think and stop following the crowd. The vitriol of this conference sounded more like the Pharisees of Jesus’s day who condemned lepers as guilty of God’s judgement. “He got what he had coming to him.” Their statement was filled with self-righteousness and blinded by their own prejudice against a man they concerned and didn’t seek any truth in the matter.
CSC is siding with synagogue of Satan in their worldly views . Yet they attack Amazing Facts and 3ABN who are in the WILL of GOD. That’s why they need Jeremiah 1:9 “ I WILL put MY WORDS. In your mouth “. Prayerfully,
Laurie
The statement is exposing the hypocrisy of Adventist leaders who turn a blind eye to the other things that Kirk has advocated. We are called to do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. As much as Kirk may have exposed Sabbath and family, a person like me he would never loved. That is what Central States is calling out our so called Adventist leaders on.
To say that the statement is siding with a murderer it to completely be blinded to the opening sentence of the statement. Central States clearly condemns murder. To not see that is to intentionally do exactly what they are calling out in the statement.
The woke idol worship is strong with this one.
Brother, I pray you, too, will snap out of the psyop.
Leaders of God’s remnant church decrying one of the greatest reformers of this generation. And pretending he is racist and xenophobic. What has happened to this church
Google Charlie Kirk and the great replacement theory. He believed that immigration was wrong primarily because it is being used ans a tool to make America and other primarily white nations “less white” which he believed was inherently wrong. That is absolutely xenophobic and racist.
“The American Democrat party hates this country. They wanna see it collapse. They love it when America becomes less white.”
“The great replacement strategy… is a strategy to replace white rural America with something different.”
Let us not add to the confusion. We have no right to tell anyone how they should feel or not feel.
We cannot use our selfish desires no matter how righteous they may appear, to solve problems. It will only create more problems. Why? Because we are only thinking about what we want. What about what everyone else wants? This will result in more fighting and confusion because everyone will be fighting for what they want.
This is why Christ Jesus is called the Saviour. Only He can fix this sin problem. He has already given us counsels on these issues, but yet we are not being sanctified by these truths through obedience to them.
What someone might feel or not feel about something isn’t the problem. The question we have to ask is: are they pitting Gods Word first? Or, are they doing God’s will? If not, then we should reprove them.
“5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ”
Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV
“Do not let your feelings control you, but let the principles of pure religion shine forth in words and acts and deeds.” 3LtMs, Lt 41, 1876, par. 5
“If you would know the mystery of godliness, you must follow the plain word of truth–feeling or no feeling, emotion or no emotion.” [To Be Like Jesus, p. 129.2]
“An impulse, an emotional exercise, is not faith or sanctification. Sanctification is the doing of all the commandments of God. Some of you have failed to do this, because you have taken your eyes away from Jesus, and have looked to yourselves.” ST March 24, 1890, par. 3
We need to ask ourselves what are they fighting for?
As SDA Christians we need not get involved in this battle for Christ said:
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight…. ”
John 18:36 KJV