ANALYSIS This week, our nation has again witnessed tragedies on live television. A political activist was murdered while speaking in front of a college crowd while his family watched. A state away, another school shooting took place. Hundreds more—adults and children alike—now bear the scars of fearing for their lives as they witnessed the violence and heard gunshots ring out. As the news spreads, it delivers another emotional blow to a nation already wrestling with troubled times. Along with many others, I found myself asking, "How did we get here?" Our reactions to this set of events–anger, anxiety, frustration, helplessness–are natural human responses to shock and grief. We instinctively seek answers to make sense of senseless tragedies, often searching for someone to blame. Yet, this search for culpability does not ultimately satisfy. Only God can bring us true peace and empower us to bring peace to others. Engaging with God's Word helps us understand this peace more deeply. Engaging with God's Word enables us to reflect Christ to the world. As Luke 6:45 states, "A good person brings good out of the treasure of good things in his heart...For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" (GNT). We cannot expect godly words and deeds to flow outwardly if we have not first embedded them within.  At American Bible Society, we believe God uses Scripture to powerfully transform our hearts, enabling us to put into practice what we preach. Research shows that as people engage with Scripture, they experience higher levels hope than their neighbors: God's Word affects an inward transformation that changes our external response to hardship.  Not only do we see this inward transformation in those who are engaged in the Word of God, but we've also seen that Americans of every Christian tradition who deeply engage with the Bible are more forgiving and service-oriented than their less-biblically-engaged neighbors. Americans who consistently interact with the Bible are 30% more likely than average to express an ability to forgive others when they have been wronged. Even those who read the Bible as little as 2-3 times per year are 14% more forgiving than those who are disengaged. As Bible engagement deepens, forgiveness grows with it.     Forgiveness does not require shared politics, similar religious traditions or common cultural backgrounds, and it occurs with or without reconciliation. Forgiveness commits us to helping rather than hurting, to praying and acting for reconciliation rather than vilifying.    Engaging with Scripture helps us to better understand forgiveness and, in turn, extend it to others. As Christ loved us through His work on the cross, we are called to love others. This love begets forgiveness, and this love comes through an understanding of Scripture. Believers have a responsibility to bring our experience of reconciliation with God to others so that they, too, can experience peace and friendship with God. 2 Corinthians 5:18 expresses, "All this is done by God, who through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also" (GNT). Christ has done the work of reconciliation. Now, we must act as God's messengers to share this good news so that others can know that reconciliation for themselves. We learn how to go about this work by following the example of the apostles who came before us as we engage with their story through Scripture. They, too, carried the message of Christ in turbulent times. We must dwell in Scripture's pages so that we can extend the good news of grace given through Christ. Then, we will be prepared to point our hurting neighbors to the peace freely available to them. The world is closely watching those who profess the name of Jesus Christ. Through our meditation on and knowledge of God's Word, we must uphold His name for all to see and be drawn to His light. Dr. Jennifer Holloran serves as president and CEO of the American Bible Society

Tens of thousands of Americans have gathered in recent days in cities from coast to coast to honor the life of Charlie Kirk after his unthinkable assassination last week.  Attendees pay their respects during a vigil for Charlie Kirk on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Over the weekend, even apolitical sporting events took a moment to pause for remembrance, illustrating a civility that has been largely lost in today's divided political climate.  It started almost immediately last Wednesday night when Major League Baseball teams like the New York Yankees held a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk before their game. The Chicago Cubs also held a moment of reflection on Friday, recognizing Kirk as a lifelong fan.  It spread to NASCAR and then to the NFL over the weekend as most of the pro football teams took a simple step to bring healing to millions of Americans still in shock from the devastating public murder. And while the Detroit Lions, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts, and Minnesota Vikings reportedly did not choose to step into the fray, most other NFL teams did find a way to offer a display of common courtesy. Here are a few images: The scoreboard displays the likeness of Charlie Kirk prior to an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) Charlie Kirk is remembered prior to an NFL football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis) A moment of silence is observed as an image of Charlie Kirk is shown on the large video board inside AT&T Stadium before an NFL football game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron) The high-profile tributes and remembrances weren't the only ones. From coast to coast, thousands of supporters peacefully demonstrated, celebrating the life and impact of Charlie Kirk. Here are a few highlights:  A picture of Charlie Kirk is placed at the "Hands of Love" art installation in Beverly Hills on Sept. 14, 2025. (Ringo Chiu via AP) TPUSA posted a video of one vigil for Charlie Kirk held in Huntington Beach, California. "The outpouring of people across the world gathering in faith and prayer to honor Charlie's life and legacy has been remarkable." Tonight’s vigil for Charlie Kirk in Huntington Beach, California. The outpouring of people across the world gathering in faith and prayer to honor Charlie’s life and legacy has been remarkable. If you’ve held or attended a vigil, please reply with your photos or videos. pic.twitter.com/EUA3elOdhM — Turning Point USA (@TPUSA) September 15, 2025 Massive crowds chanted "USA! USA!" in Huntington, California: Huntington Beach, CA pic.twitter.com/ITmbjicysV — decoy (@decoyposts) September 15, 2025 A somber ceremony at a church in Clovis, California, where attendees sang "God Bless America." Clovis, California The Church was standing room only. This was the overflow outside. pic.twitter.com/2uEl61V9zK — CA Betrayal Project USA (@BetrayalProjCA) September 15, 2025 Thousands gathered at the San Clemente Outlets in Southern California, led by Pastor John Randall: Thousands gathered together to honor Charlie Kirk at the San Clemente Outlets in Southern California led by Pastor John Randall. Amazing. pic.twitter.com/PPGkplBwgQ — rooted.wings (@BrittRooted) September 15, 2025 In Eugene, Oregon, "The Star Spangled Banner" was sung: Eugene, OR, Hayward Field, University of Oregon. pic.twitter.com/nZ0xvrwV0o — C.K. Bouferrache aka Honeybadgermom (@hunnybadgermom) September 15, 2025 Patriots in Plano, Texas lined the streets with American flags chanting "we are Charlie" and holding signs that read, "This is our turning point." WOW. Patriots in Plano, Texas lined the streets with American flags chanting "we are Charlie" and holding signs that read, "This is our turning point." pic.twitter.com/t6zXk6j9a1 — Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) September 15, 2025 Several thousand gathered in Celina, Texas: Celina, Texas. Looked like there were a couple thousand in attendance. pic.twitter.com/xLs8fR2uR5 — Ken Walls (@RealKenWalls) September 15, 2025 In Thompson Station, Tennessee, hymns were sung: Thompson Station, Tennessee pic.twitter.com/8HedWFO3Pi — Pete Parada (@PeteParada) September 15, 2025 In Franklin, TN, a chorus of the modern worship song, "How Great Is Our God": Franklin, TN pic.twitter.com/3GuPdLcd9w — Michael Lotfi (@MichaelLotfi) September 15, 2025 A bagpipe played in Jersey City, NJ, with the NYC skyline in the background: Jersey City, NJ pic.twitter.com/KPWsqJGOYv — JohnLikes (@Johnlikes_) September 15, 2025 The Christian Perspective: Pray that God would take what the devil meant for evil and use it for something good, that every American would turn to Jesus in repentance and find eternal life in the God of all hope, so that the hatred and violence can end, that righteousness and peace can prevail, that unity and civility can be restored. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you receive the latest alerts from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

He said, "To a senior pastor who has served the same church for over 30 years, faithfully ministering to his congregation and the community, the court's claim of flight risk makes no sense. I believe this is clearly political retaliation and religious oppression targeting Korean churches."   Pastor Son first drew government scrutiny during the COVID-19 pandemic, when his church defied restrictions limiting gatherings to just five people. The church was fined and at one time, shut down.    Last year, Pastor Son organized a rally, mobilizing two million people onsite and online, to oppose the proposed Comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Law—which critics say would criminalize preaching against homosexuality and restrict religious speech.  Political analyst, Dr. Daniel Cho, said, "I think this is a targeted arrest. The government is trying to send a message against the nation against all Christians in Korea to be quiet and to comply with the government's aggression against conservatives in Korea." ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you receive the latest alerts from a distinctly Christian perspective.*** With 150 years of Christian history in Korea, Pastor Son's arrest is seen by many as a wake-up call, not just to defend religious freedom but to remind the Church of its role to protect democracy. Pastor Son's legal counsel, Dong Sub Sim, believes the Korean church bears responsibility. "I believe this is a form of divine discipline. Our spiritual ancestors endured great trials for the faith, but we have taken that legacy for granted. Let's pray that the Church regains its faith and influence," Attorney Sim said. Church historian Prof. Myung Soo Park shared that South Korea's economic success has historically paralleled the vitality of its church, but he now warns that such religious freedom is gradually diminishing. "Just recently, prayer and Christian activities in Christian schools are being suppressed to avoid discrimination against their non-Christian students," Park said. "The government has put restrictions in sharing our Christian beliefs in public. Books about homosexuality are used in some schools even if the anti-discrimination law has not been passed. We are on a crossroads of upholding Christian values or giving them up to follow progressive secular values that the current government is promoting," Park said. He believes that a united voice from both American and Korean evangelical communities can create a stronger, more impactful call for Pastor Son's release and broader religious freedom.   According to Pastor Son's legal team, the charges against him are minor and could be dropped although legal delays could detain him for six months to a year or longer. In the meantime, rallies demanding his release while defending religious freedom and democracy are currently taking place and are expected to continue in the coming days.