AVIZANDUM: Secretary of War

Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters Avise endum Pete Hagseth is the Secretary of War, formerly defense, in the Trump administration. In that position he has at his disposal the most powerful military force in the world. I'm not going to comment on geopolitical batters, which are not my specialty, but I do want to comment. on Hexeth's theology, which may in part be guiding his view of war.

Irrespective of whether or not we believe the bombing of Iran is justified. It's difficult for followers of Jesus Christ to To glory in the slaughter of the innocent. whether they be in Iran or any other country. Every individual is made in the image of God. And although some argue that the present war against Iran is a just war, We shouldn't glorify war.

It appears that Pete Hexeth has embraced theonomy theology. Theonomy believes that the Mosaic law of the Old Testament should be the same. should be the basis of our laws. Just as Israel was the executor of the judgment of God on the pagan nations.

So the United States is the executor of war. against the pagan nations. But we who live under the law of Christ Are commanded by Jesus to love our enemies. and not to rejoice at their slaughter. I may be justified in killing the individual who enters my home and attacks my wife.

but I would not rejoice at the killing of that individual. although under the law of self defence I may have the right to do so. One of the tenets of theonomy is that our Lord Jesus will return. through the Christianization of the world in a gradual way. That is, when the world is largely under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Our Saviour will then return. The enemy is postmillennial. That is, Jesus comes after the millennium. and seeks for the institutions of power in the world to To be controlled by Christians. Who will enforce the Mosaic law?

There are many problems with this view. not the least of which is that Christ's followers are not under the Mosaic law as a rule of law. We are under the law of Christ. Also, The kingdom of God does not come to earth in power and glory through our efforts. But through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Several times in the Psalms, we read that the Lord reigns. He rules. over his kingdom. That kingdom comes to earth In our Lord Jesus Christ. He began his public ministry by saying The time is fulfilled.

and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent. and believe in the gospel. That is, the king had come to earth.

However, at the incarnation of our Saviour, the kingdom of God, did not come to earth in its full power and glory. The kingdom came. but it was largely hidden. When confronted by the Roman judge Pilate, Jesus says, My kingdom is not of this world. if my kingdom was of this world, my servants would have been fighting.

that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world. That's John eighteen, verse thirty six. King Jesus is now ascended to heaven. We who are in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ are sons of the kingdom.

and we await the return of King Jesus to earth with power and glory. When our Saviour returns, he will set up his kingdom on earth for a period of a thousand years. That kingdom will not be instituted by the endeavours of his followers on earth. but rather by the one who comes as the rider on the white horse. On his robe, And on his thigh he went.

He has a name written. king of kings and lord of lords. That's Revelation twenty verse sixteen. After the reign of a thousand years on earth, a reign of perfect peace and righteousness. The Eternal Kingdom which endures for ever and ever.

will be the eternal home of the people of God. For all of eternity we shall worship and praise our great King. Meantime. were not to glory in the killing of her enemies, although we will defend ourselves against evil. Our Saviour commands us to go and make disciples of all the nations.

We praise God. that in a future day At the name of Jesus every knee should bow. In heaven. and on earth, and under the earth. and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Meantime. Let's not use the word of God. In an inflammatory way, to rejoice in the killing of our enemies, which inevitably includes the killing of the innocent. Love the guide. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Love your enemies. Have it. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms.

For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.