Episode 355: The Blood Avenger

Scott Hunt, a Reformed Presbyterian ruling elder and prosecuting attorney in Grant County, Indiana, reveals how he views his role as a 'blood avenger'—a biblical metaphor for a public servant entrusted with upholding justice. Far from a mere legal function, Scott sees his work as a sacred calling shaped by Romans 13, where the state is God’s instrument to restrain evil and protect the vulnerable. He candidly shares the emotional toll of repeatedly confronting crime, trauma, and repeat offenders, admitting to moments of despair where he feels like 'shoveling water on the Titanic.' Yet, he finds deep fulfillment in rare moments when former offenders come to thank him for giving them a second chance or when victims express gratitude for being heard. These encounters, though infrequent, outweigh the burden of daily cynicism. Scott emphasizes that his identity is not in the office but in Christ—'Scott Hunt, the Christian who happens to be a prosecutor'—and that his mission is not success, but faithfulness. His theological framework centers on Micah 6:8: doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. As he campaigns for re-election in a deeply conservative county, he remains grounded in prayer, humility, and the belief that God ultimately directs his path.