The killing of Charlie Kirk has not only created a gapping void in America’s evangelical base it has become a focal point in the ongoing struggle regarding “third-wayism,” a phrase that many had aligned with the vision of political activism of the late Tim Keller. As one of the pastors bluntly phrased it, “Charlie’s memorial service wasn’t a funeral for him; it was a funeral for third-wayism.” For politically active evangelicals, the question now is whether this “funeral” signifies an end to a bridge-building strategy or a start to something richer, wiser, and more durable.
1. What Third-Wayism Was Supposed to Be
Keller’s “third way” dismissed the hard left/right polarity of contemporary politics. He cautioned against adopting a middle position for its own sake, rather that Christians should “take positions which do justice to the Biblical teaching, whether or not the world sees you in its categories a moderate or an extremist.” His purpose was evangelistic rather than merely political to rid seekers of stumbling blocks while keeping all political positions subject to biblical examination.
2. Why Critics Believe It’s No Longer Sufficient
Changes in culture have made evangelicals question the applicability of third-wayism. James Wood contended that it was more effective in the “neutral world” of the 1990s but fails in the current polarized environment. Others caution it risks diluting moral distinctions equating vastly disparate sins as morally the same and perhaps coddling progressive sensibilities where biblical callousness is most required.
3. The Risk of Moral Equivalence
Abortion is not equal to bad parenting, and pornography is not equatable with binge-eating, critics argue. But some third-way proponents appear drawn to offset every criticism of a “liberal” vice with a “conservative” one, reducing the moral terrain. J. D. Greear presented a stark illustration from history: during Nazi Germany, calling oneself “neither Nazi nor anti-Nazi” would have constituted moral fog rather than nuance.
4. When Evangelism Confronts Cultural Reality
Third-wayism’s evangelistic impulse decentering questionable political issues is admirable. But as the cultural consensus about reality dissolves, politics and religion have become entangled. Keller himself warned that we cannot decenter obvious biblical assertions merely because they contradict someone’s politics. As one pastor told seekers: “You’ll have to surrender everything if you become a Christian.”
5. The Emergence of One-Wayism
In response, a few have succumbed to “one-wayism” unwavering, unreflective identification with one political faction. On the right, Carl Schmitt’s friend-enemy paradigm and Charles Haywood’s “No Enemies to the Right” ideology call for annihilating the left prior to criticizing friends. On the left, unbridled radicalism has called for festivities over Kirk’s murder. Both poles substitute biblical self-examination with party allegiance.
6. Lessons from the Memorial
Kirk’s funeral attracted 90,000 visitors and more than 20 million viewers with plain gospel presentations and public forgiveness by Erika Kirk of the assassin. Conservative voices such as Alisa Childers and Mike Winger commended the Christian witness of the service but cautioned against the avoidance of theological error for the sake of political solidarity. They viewed opportunists and false teachers among the crowd reminding believers that discernment needs to be the rule when making alliances.
7. Navigating Political Engagement Beyond the Funeral
The test is now to eschew both bland middle-of-the-roadism and unthinking partisanship. Religious leaders can take inspiration from such principles as set out in opting for theology over ideology and putting Christian witness above political power. That involves avoiding the temptation to have party platforms define values, being on guard against blind loyalty, and keeping in mind that our ultimate citizenship is heavenly.
8. Building Resilience in Polarized Times
Lessons from bridge-building projects such as Untying Knots and the People’s Supper indicate listening, narrative, and mutual service can moderate polarization. As McGillicuddy says, “Pulling on knots makes them worse; that is the entry point toward untying knots of polarization.” Leah Libresco Sargeant’s experience with Braver Angels demonstrates the strength of “fruitful conflict” and argumentation with curiosity abilities that can enable Christians to engage politically without sacrificing spiritual unity.
9. A Third Thing Worth Fighting For
The future is not necessarily about reviving Keller’s specific template, but about living out the essential conviction of it: that neither the major parties completely fulfills Christian values, and our involvement must be Scripture-based. This “third thing” is not compromise it’s conviction informed by Scripture, lived out boldly, and characterized by love of neighbor even in disagreement.
Under the shadow of Kirk’s passing, the urge to fall back into partisan security or generalised neutrality is great. But the higher challenge is to tread the harder path rooted in biblical reality, accessible to genuine dialogue, and not willing to exchange heavenly witness for earthly political gain.
