March 18, 2026

I am grieved by the war against Iran. My grief is compounded by the complexity of all that is going on and how my own beliefs fit in with current events. My Christian faith leads me to pacifism. And, I recognize that there is evil in the world which must be faced in some manner or another. On the other hand, I am aware of the recent unsuccessful attempts at nation-building in the Middle East by my country and despair that we are once again going down that path. I am also most keenly aware of and understand that people will die in this war.

What I do not understand, and what terrifies me, are the calls by some Christians for our nation to begin the end times in attacking Iran; to start what is known in some circles as “Armageddon.” It is a horrifying thought to think that some people believe the Prince of Peace will be involved in any sort of fashion with the violent end of the world. All of this to bring about God’s eternal reign?

I cannot and will not read scripture to promote such thinking. We pray for God’s will on earth to be done as it is in heaven. The end of Revelation has God coming down to earth to dwell with humans. If all is destroyed, what of God’s will can be done on earth? How can God then dwell here on earth? The hubris of such a belief is astounding, as is the belief that our will is somehow God’s will. In my mind, this is idolatrous thinking.

I can’t help but hold in my mind the countless innocent people who have been in and will be in harm’s way. My sense is that God cares more for the innocent and the horror visited upon them than God cares about the craziness of some end-time plan.

Rev. Eric