A Call for Peace Through War?
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” —Matthew 5:9
On Saturday night, the United States dropped “bunker-busting” bombs on three suspected nuclear sites in Iran—strikes authorized by President Trump without international consensus, and with no confirmed evidence from U.S. intelligence agencies that such weapons exist. The decision comes amid a rising crescendo of tension across the globe, a deepening entrenchment of violence as first response, and a chilling silence around the human cost of yet another escalation.
In a stunning act of rhetorical distortion, Trump followed the bombing with a call for peace.
This is a pattern we know too well: unleashing death while invoking divine favor. Waging war in the name of peace. Justifying destruction with prophecy.
To fully grasp the spiritual implications of this moment, we must understand the theology beneath it. For many Christian Nationalists and End Times Zionists, Trump is not just a politician—he is a vessel, chosen by God to usher in the final battle outlined in the Book of Revelation. For this faction of his base, violence in the Middle East is not a tragedy—it is a necessary fulfillment of prophecy. Iran, in their view, is not a sovereign nation of 88 million people—it is a chess piece in an apocalyptic script.
This is not fringe ideology. It is shaping U.S. foreign policy.
It is not just bad governance. It is deadly theology.
Like all theologies of separability, it is rooted in fear: fear of the other, fear of interdependence, fear of a God who might not share our politics. It’s fear masked as certainty, and certainty licensed as supremacy.
The Spirit we follow calls us to a different path.
Ours is not a gospel of domination, but of liberation. Not a theology of spectacle, but of solidarity. True peace is not a treaty written in blood, but a field made fertile through repair, through justice, through mutual dignity.
We must be honest: the bombs dropped Saturday night are part of a long, violent lineage—of empires who claim peace through force, righteousness through conquest. But we do not have to inherit this logic. We can refuse it.
We can be the ones who unlearn war.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
What emotions surface when you hear the word “peace” used by those who authorize violence?
Where do you see theology being used to justify power, rather than to call us into deeper relationship?
What does peacemaking look like in your life—not as avoidance, but as courageous presence?
A Prayer for the Day
For the Peace We Haven’t Yet Dared to Imagine
God of all nations and no nation, We grieve the bombs that fall in your name. We grieve theologies that make you a weapon. We grieve every life caught in the fire of false prophecy. Turn us from the road of war. Unclench our fists and our certainties. Disarm our gods of conquest. Give us the courage to build a peace not born of victory, but of mutual recognition, sacred restraint, and shared humanity. May we not look away. May we become a people worthy of the word “shalom.” Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Disarming the Script
Take a few minutes today in silence. Place your hand on your chest and breathe deeply. Notice any place in your body where fear, defensiveness, or anger lives.
Now imagine disarming not another, but yourself.
Ask gently:
What am I defending?
What fear am I serving?
What peace am I avoiding because it would require too much truth?
Write down one action you can take this week to disarm your own participation in systems of violence—be it relational, theological, or political. Let that action be your liturgy.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
SOLD OUT!!! July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more in case you want to come next year!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
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Thank you, deep thanks for this. You're putting into words (here and in your last many posts) a spirit and presence that is so important to be shared, to be shareable. I cannot be the only one who needs to hear this different kind of community, communion, and way of engaging articulated, and so simply said, so clearly heartfelt. None of us can do this alone, and you give us a way to know we have company, good company on this long journey.
This entire "war: or made-up conflict is brought about, I believe, by T wanting to look good to his backers, to be th4 Holy Crusader into Iran or elsewhere, Israel being q handy companion.