Recently, Pete Hegseth instituted a Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs. The foundation of this act is his belief that the world, with America in the middle of it, is experiencing the end times described in the Book of Revelation. He said, “While we wage physical war, we all know the real battle is spiritual.” For him, and those who have his religious perspective, this war is against Islam; it is also against secularism and any religious group that disagrees with his worldview. That includes Mainline and Progressive Christians, and it includes Jews. He supports the existence of Israel, but only as a vehicle for the return of Jesus and His army of angels and Archangels. He cares nothing for Jewish people – they are collateral damage. This is nothing new; this pining for the violent end of the world has been in motion for 150 years in this country and has been championed by people from all walks of life, including politicians, laypeople, and clergy.
Mr. Hegseth is correct, though; we are in a spiritual war, just not the one he believes in. We have seen it going on in America for 250 years; a pseudo-Christianity that has always accepted lip-service rather than real commitment. A form of Christianity that has very few expectations for fear of insulting its members. Followers of Jesus have been far more committed to the god of war that Hegseth worships than the Messiah who is the Prince of Peace. This kind of religion rejects “God, then Country” for a Christian Nationalism that promotes “God AND Country” as equals. And again – I love this country, but it will always come after my love of God. The preaching of Jesus about the coming Kingdom of God is what got Him murdered by the Roman Empire. Give to Caesar what belongs to Caeser, He said; the rest belongs to God.
This spiritual war will not lead to the death and destruction depicted in the last book of the Bible, and if it does, it will not be God’s doing. If this spiritual war becomes one of bombs and mass murder, it will be our fault for allowing heretics and psychopaths to manipulate us. The Apostle Paul wrote again and again that Christians should live in peace with their neighbors, and Jesus told His disciples that the person we think we dislike – disagree with – worship differently than – is our neighbor. This spiritual war is between those who use God as a tool of hate and those who allow the love of God to be their guide. Those who would use terrorism never do their evil with God’s approval, and that includes some in our own government, some churches, and some in ICE. I believe that there is no in between – we either side with good/love, or we side with bad/evil. I know which side I choose.
Prayer – Holy God, guide us back to You and away from our warring madness. Amen.
Today’s art is “Spiritual Warfare” by Jessica Shilling. Most of the art I found on this subject was very violent and disturbing.