In this special edition episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Jim Denison to discuss the somber implications of recent violent events, including the assassination of political activist Charlie Kirk. Together they wrestle with hard questions—where is Jesus when tragedy strikes, and how should Christians respond in times of grief and fear? 

They talk about the rise of violence, the role of media, and the ways our culture is losing its ability to grieve well. Dr. Denison shares how Scripture anchors us in the reality of spiritual warfare while pointing us to the hope we have in Christ. 

Mark and Jim close with Isaiah 61, urging believers to step forward with compassion, truth, and prayer, living as light-bearers in the midst of deep darkness.

• (00:00): Introduction and somber reflections on 9/11
• (00:56): Discussing recent acts of violence
• (02:19): The role of media and technology in the perception of violence
• (04:10): Grieving with the heart of Christ
• (06:05): Secularization and its impact on grief
• (08:30): Remembering Charlie Kirk
• (14:01): The importance of speaking the truth in love
• (19:00): Speculating on the motives behind the assassination
• (24:59): The age of violence and darkness
• (27:21): Spiritual awakening and Satan's response
• (30:21): Balancing sovereignty and free will
• (35:02): Living in light of eternity
• (39:04): Praying and serving in times of crisis
• (43:46): Closing reflections and prayer

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• Charlie Kirk fatally shot at speaking event in Utah
• “If not forgotten, they are not gone”

Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening.

Mark Turman, DMin, serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for 35 years, including 25 years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas.

Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, the Faith & Clarity podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.