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For years I’ve dug into the lives of the Founding Fathers. Nearly two decades ago I set out to read a biography of every U.S. president—in order—and I’ve kept at it. Three men keep drawing me back: George Washington, John Adams, and Benjamin Rush. The more I study them, especially Washington, the more convinced I am that God guided their work.
They accomplished things beyond natural ability: Washington, an untested commander, led a volunteer army to defeat the world’s foremost military; Adams was arguably our most principled president, standing his ground on hard questions and moving the nation to his convictions; and Rush was a steady spiritual anchor whose faith never wavered.
These weren’t merely “great men.” They were what I call Founding-Father Great.
This past week—since the murder of Charlie Kirk—I’ve been asking what truly makes a man great. Why do Washington, Adams, and Rush stand out? And why did Charlie Kirk stand out in our time?
History gives us plenty of notable men—Franklin, Lincoln, Kennedy, and more. But some, like Charlie Kirk, carry an edge of exceptionalism others don’t. Why? How? Is that kind of greatness reserved for a chosen few, or can anyone reach it?
Julie and I have been talking about this. What is greatness? Here’s my working definition: Founding-Father Greatness is the quality that propels a man beyond his natural ability. Elon Musk may be the smartest man alive and he’s achieved plenty, but I’m not sure that’s the same thing. Natural ability can take you far. Greatness—this kind—goes further than talent.
So is it reserved for a special class, or is it available to everyone? The uncomfortable answer that keeps me up at night: it’s available to all of us—including me. The problem isn’t access. It’s obedience and discipline.
Charlie Kirk actually answered this better than I can. In a campus Q&A, a middle-schooler told Charlie he’d just been saved and asked, what he should do next? Charlie’s answer was simple:
Read the Bible every day.
Do what the Bible tells you.
Tell others what the Bible says.
It’s so simple it makes us uncomfortable. I wanted some complicated formula for greatness—something conveniently out of reach so I’d have an excuse. But pastors and elders have been saying the same thing for years. The answer is not a secret technique. The answer is the Holy Spirit—God at work in us through Jesus Christ.
For me, Charlie’s second point is the hardest, though I rarely get past number one. “Do what the Bible tells you” sounds simple until you remember the rich young ruler who was told to sell everything and follow Jesus, or Saul—who hunted Christians—being called to become the Apostle Paul, or Peter leaving the security of a fisherman’s life to walk behind the Savior. God’s commands can be straightforward but look terrifying.
That’s what separates men like Washington, Adams, Rush—and, yes, Charlie Kirk. They didn’t just listen for God’s direction; they did it. Conviction plus self-discipline. Hearing plus obeying.
Charlie accomplished things a college drop-out “shouldn’t” accomplish. In his twenties he built and led an organization that shaped a generation and shifted a national conversation. That kind of impact doesn’t run on raw IQ or hustle alone. That’s the fruit of a man who listened to the Lord and acted when the Spirit said move.
Whoever steps up now—whoever carries the work forward—must be the same kind of man (or woman): filled with the Holy Spirit, reading the Word daily, doing what God says, and unafraid to speak truth. Without following Jesus, no one will reach Founding-Father Greatness.
With Him, ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

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