Turning Point USA Leadership

"Oh give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people" (Proverbs 16:24)

I was asked yesterday “Dr. Smith, do you think that Ben Shapiro should be considered by Turning Point USA to pick up the mantle of Charlie Kirk?” No point in mincing words, as my answer was/is “HELL NO!” But why? Ben Shapiro, from a biblical/moral/spiritual perspective, is the antithesis of Charlie Kirk, and the foundational/functional purpose of why Turning Point USA exists – for the proclamation of the Gospel. Public figures like Shapiro, who is blatantly pro-Zionist, are “Jews” in name only, in the expired sense (as the Old Covenant is passed away), and are not Jews in the true biblical sense. How so? Because, as the Apostle Paul affirmed, with the authority of the Holy Spirit:

“For there is no respect of persons with God. ¹² For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; ¹³ (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. ¹⁴ For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: ¹⁵ Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) ¹⁶ In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel. ¹⁷ Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, ¹⁸ And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; ¹⁹ And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, ²⁰ An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. ²¹ Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? ²² Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? ²³ Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? ²⁴ For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. ²⁵ For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. ²⁶ Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? ²⁷ And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? ²⁸ For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: ²⁹ But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Romans 2:11-29)

I am convinced that Charlie began to realize this biblical truth with greater discernment in the months leading up to his assassination, and Zionistic Jews, which is to say, carnal Jews, or Jews in name only, were not happy about it. Other names that come to mind, who could be pointed at as examples of Zionistic worldly Jews, include names like Rabbi Shmuley Boteach who, in my view, is a grifter who should be ascribed the moniker of the Al Sharpton of Zionism and the epitome of shameless secularism under a cloak of orthodoxy. The Lord Jesus’ message about such undermining snakes is: “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie” (Revelation 3:9).

Now, Ben Shapiro wasted no time, not unlike Boteach, to attempt to capitalize on Charlie’s murder by publicly stepping into the light by offering to pick up the blood-soaked microphone of Charlie to continue speaking on college campuses throughout the nation. I don’t think it was based on a noble cause, but on a self-exalting agenda. I trust that someone as close to Charlie, such as Candace Owens, could testify to my accurate assessment of Shapiro, Shmuley and others who have an agenda – just not the one Charlie founded Turning Point USA for – which is, again, the propagation of the Gospel. This fact MUST be front and center when it comes to the legacy of Charlie Kirk and the future of Turning Point USA.

Brethren in Christ, there is so much deception in our day, especially when it comes to those who refer to any/all professing “Jews” as “God’s chosen people,” which is not only unscriptural, but an affront to Christ and hinderance to the Gospel. This also is something I believe that Charlie Kirk began to understand, and I’m equally convinced that there are demonic forces that wanted him to remain silent about it – considering the potential impact it could make by exposing the Zionistic motives of modern day Jews who hate the Gospel, who hate the Lord Jesus, and are of the same spirit as those who blasphemed Jesus by saying “this fellow doth not cast out devils but by Beelzebub the prince of devils” (Matthew 12:24). What spirit leads such wicked and deceitful hearts? The “spirit of antichrist,” which can always be cloaked with the garb of religion, tradition, orthodoxy, ritual acts and words, but inwardly is, as the Word of God warns, “deceitful,” Satanic “seduction,” “not of God,” and destined for “the lake of fire.” (Mark 13:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7;; Revelation 19:20).

Brethren in Christ, God is speaking directly from His Holy Word. The question is, can you hear Him? . . . “ I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. ²² Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. ²³ Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. ²⁴ Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. ²⁵ And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. ²⁶ These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. ²⁷ But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. ²⁸ And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.²⁹ If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him”

Some have suggested that “well, don’t the Jews just worship God “the Father,” and Christians worship God ‘the Son?” The answer is NO, and I share this in the context of that question so that bible-believing (and obeying) Christians can have their spiritual eyes, ears, and hearts opened up to understand the truth. What this means is that Ben Shapiro, for example, who “denieth that Jesus is the Christ,” is, according to the Word of God, “antichrist.” That means every professing “Jew” today, like Ben, Boteach, Netanyahu, with those in organizations like the IFJ/International Fellowship of Christians & others are, in fact, “antichrist.” And yet, sadly, you can hear some professing Christians in America, like Ted Cruz (during his embarrassing interview with Tucker Carlson) refer to them, cart blanche, as “god’s people.” Either the Word of God is correct by the NT interpreting the OT clarifying the Abrahamic Covenant or those like Ted Cruz are correct by interpreting the Abrahamic Covenant through the apostate lens of Dispensationalism. I’d suggest you stick with the Word of God which affirms: “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3), “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy Seed, which is Christ” (Galatians 3:16).

The Apostle Paul’s teaching on the relationship of the law to saving faith in Galatians chapter 3 reveals Abraham as a paradigm of saving faith and of inclusion in the promises of God. As such, the New Testament interprets the Old Testament promises that we refer to as the Abrahamic Covenant as follows:

1.“Those who believe are children of Abraham” (Gal. 3:7).

2.“The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you'” (Gal. 3:8).

3.“Those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham” (Gal. 3:9).

4.“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ” (Gal. 3:14).

5."The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “˜and to seeds,’ meaning many people, but “˜and to your Seed,’ meaning one person, who is Christ” (Gal. 3:16).

6.“But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe” (Gal. 3:22).

Taken in context with the spiritual nature of God’s kingdom, the Scripture is clear – and even Paul goes on to refer to this kingdom consisting of believers from many different people groups. He does so by referring to this nation, this kingdom, as the “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16). This nation consists of all who, like Abraham, believe on the Lord Jesus. It is not a replacement of any other people, but a right-on-time expansion of the same promise based ONLY on faith, and never on ethnicity.

This is what was so embarrassingly about Senator Ted Cruz’ statements that were parroted during the Tucker Carlson interview. It’s a clear example of how Zionism can deceive – even in/through those who profess to be “Christian.” I love Ted Cruz, and believe he loves Jesus, but I also believe that he has not rightly interpreted the clear teaching of Scripture when it comes to WHO the Abrahamic covenant is about. It’s about Jesus, not Jews. It’s about Jesus, not an ethnic group of people. It’s about Jesus, Who is the Seed of Abraham, not many seeds, people or a group of seeds who refer to themselves as “Jews.”

As for Benjamin Netanyahu, while at least acknowledging the contributions of Christians for their support of the political/national state of Israel, he still remains in darkness by his denial of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is, along with Shapiro and Boteach, representative as a microcosm of Zionistic Judaism while suggesting that they worship God the Father, suggesting that they are the children of Abraham, and suggesting that they are special above all other people groups. They do not. They are not. And so, Brethren, their lies, and those who help to propagate them, must be “exposed.” (Ephesians 5:11).

How do we speak to Zionism? We must do so like we speak to any other ‘ism’ that is a work of Satan and enemy of the Gospel of Christ. We must do so boldly, and yes, it will offend many, but let it be known that our motive is love – love for Jesus and for sinners. We must acknowledge in/of ourselves, that like all who are lost and outside of Christ, we too were once headed for hell as unclean and unholy. But in Christ now, I say to you Brethren, “for such as ye were (past tense, praise God), some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). If anything, this should reinvigorate your soul and heart’s desire to be aligned with the truth of God’s Word and with the same love for sinners as the Apostle Paul exemplified: “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. ² For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. ³ For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. ⁴ For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. ⁵ For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. ⁶ But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) ⁷ Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) ⁸ But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; ⁹ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:1-9)

Oh, how I would love to see Ben Shapiro, Shmuley Boteach, Netanyahu, and other Jewish people come to know the Lord Jesus as He is – God come in the flesh, the Messiah, the Saviour, Son of God & man, the Holy One, the great I AM, the King of kings and Lord of lords! This is Who Jesus is to Charlie Kirk and in Whose presence Charlie now stands (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Unless/until that day comes, as harsh as it may sound to carnal ears, their message must be exposed as an enemy to the message of the Gospel. Specific to Turning Point USA and Ben Sharpiro’s involvement; it is not possible for him to lead unless/until he publicly repents of his sin and confesses Jesus as Lord – lest Turning Point USA betray both Christ Himself and the faithful legacy of his servant, our brother Charlie Kirk.

In closing, and in line with the subject for today’s blog, the legacy Charlie Kirk has left behind is in following the lead of the Lord Jesus. I have no way of knowing what counsel, if any, he offered to the leader of our nation, President Trump, but I’m hopeful it was a Christ-centered message. For myself, if I were given time to visit with President Trump to discuss any Israel/Jewish matter; my counsel to him would be this: Mr. President, if you truly want to make a difference in regards to the nation of Israel, if you truly want to be a friend to Netanyahu and those he governs, then the best thing you can do is to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with him. If Jesus has truly transformed your heart Mr. President, and you truly have put your trust in Him, then far above any/all act of diplomacy or foreign policy initiatives, the gift of the bible, God’s Word, with the warning to “repent and believe the Gospel,” would be the single greatest message that any US President could offer to another national leader at any time throughout human history. But . . . Mr. President, you must first, in/of yourself, be certain to “examine yourself to see whether you are, in fact, in the faith,” and not rely on those around you to confirm whether that’s the case or not. (2 Corinthians 13:5).   That advice goes to Turning Point USA with equal soberness of mind and heart as it prayerfully, I trust, faces critical decisions for who serves in leadership roles going forward as the voice(s) and face(s) of the organization. Will politics and culture be the driving fuel to fire up the engine or what matters most – the Gospel? I pray it will be the latter, and if so, Turning Point USA must unapologetically insist that its leadership voices are those that exemplify what has proven to be Charlie’s single greatest gift to this generation . . . the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Amen.