The Scout Law: Reflecting on Charlie Kirk's Legacy

September 15, 2025

I am going to take a break from our series on the Scout Law to reflect on the recent tragic loss of Charlie Kirk, a prominent voice in American conservatism. I was a big fan of Charlie Kirk. When I found out he was an Eagle scout I knew I wanted to share some thoughts about his life.

Charlie Kirk earned the rank of Eagle Scout during his time in the Boy Scouts of America, a milestone that reflects dedication, leadership, and moral fortitude. Growing up in Wheeling, Illinois, he was involved in scouting alongside school activities like basketball and football. Achieving Eagle Scout status requires completing a significant service project, demonstrating skills, and living by the Scout Law, As the founder of Turning Point USA, Charlie turned his youthful energy into a movement encouraging young people to engage in conservative principles. His scouting background likely fueled his resilience, much like the scouts I’ve led who learn to persevere through challenges.

The first thing I want to make clear, is that everyone in our country is hurt when attempts are made on the lives of our leaders, whether we agree with them or not. The assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy are still raw wounds for many Americans, and those deaths occurred in the 1960’s. Charlie was a special leader in America, especially for our youth and young adults. Our representative republic is a fragile form of government that our citizens must renew their commitment to every generation.

The next thing I want to lift up, is the importance for us as individuals, to know what we stand for, and what principles helped to shape who we are. I know the twelve points of the Scout Law had an impact on Charlie Kirk’s life because I saw him embody them in his life. When Americans find values to live by, like the Scout Law, it makes our country better, because strong values are necessary for a country to be great. I have followed Charlie’s career enough to give great examples of his life that illustrate each point of the Scout Law. Today, I want to focus on two points: Trustworthy and Reverent

The Scout book defines being trustworthy this way, “A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.” To tell the truth, one needs to know what truth is. I found Charlie to have a deep and abiding desire to know what is true. When difficult issues were being discussed in our country, I wanted to know what Charlie thought to help me form my own thoughts on those issues.

In an era of misinformation and polarized debates, he consistently sought facts, hosting events and podcasts where he challenged ideas openly. For instance, at college campuses nationwide, Charlie engaged students in discussions on free speech, economics, and culture, often facing opposition but standing by his convictions. His trustworthiness shone in how he backed claims with research, earning respect even from critics.

As Proverbs 12:17 states, “An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.” Charlie’s pursuit of honest dialogue encouraged others to seek truth, He once said, “What God wants from me is a life fighting for truth.” His murder highlights the cost of such bravery, but his legacy urges us to trust in open, truthful conversations to heal our divided nation.

Charlie’s faith and ability to defend Christianity illustrate “A Scout is Reverent.” A devout Christian, he often wove biblical principles into his advocacy, debating secularism and promoting religious freedom. Charlie articulated Christianity’s relevance to modern issues. His reverence for God was evident in how he encouraged young believers to stand firm, reflecting the scout’s duty to respect God and others’ beliefs.

I thought Charlie’s defense of the Gospel was a modern-day representation of the challenge in I Peter 3:15, where Peter writes, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” He once was asked how he would like to be remembered, and he responded, “I want to be remembered for courage for my faith. That would be the most important thing.”

Who has shaped your pursuit of truth? Is knowing what is true important to you? How do you know? Who has shaped your faith the most? Do you live what you believe? Share some examples why this is true with someone else. Let us pray for Charlie’s family, our hurting nation, and let’s challenge our families to discuss these values. Praise be to God, whose truth and reverence guide us through sorrow! (To learn more about Al Earley or read previous articles, see www.lagrangepres.org. You can purchase my book, My Faith Journal, at Amazon.com, a compilation of 366 articles as a daily devotional. Check out my podcast on YouTube, called “My Faith Journey”).