Christians Divided on Iran War Cite Alarm, Prophecy

The Trump administration’s decision to launch an attack on Iran on Saturday has met with division among prominent Christian voices. Some evangelicals shaped by premillennial dispensationalism view the war through a lens of Revelation’s apocalyptic prophecy about the final day of judgment, while others support or oppose the attack for varying reasons.

Christians preaching end-times rhetoric include Harvest Christian Fellowship Senior Pastor Greg Laurie and televangelist John Hagee. Laurie connected modern day Russia to “Magog,” from the book of Ezekiel chapter 38 which prophesies that Magog will attack Israel and be destroyed by God in recompense.

“One of the allies of Magog is Persia,” Laurie determined, “now known as Iran.” Although he does not believe Magog has yet attacked Israel, he calls for Christians to be prepared for the Rapture to come after.

Hagee, founder and chairman of the Christian Zionist organization Christians United for Israel, furthers this connection between Russia and Magog. In his Sunday, March 1 sermon, titled “God’s Coming…Operation ‘Epic Fury,’” Hagee claimed that Russia would invade Israel with “what’s left of” Iran, Turkey, and other “Islamic groups.” God would then destroy a third of these forces, as detailed in Ezekiel.

Among other Christian voices supportive of the war are Babylon Bee satirist Seth Dillon and conservative radio show host and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins. Dillon posted on X saying, “God bless President Trump and the United States of America.” Perkins described himself as “grateful” for Trump’s actions, declaring the attack “necessary and justified,” and called for believers to take care of the spiritual battle.

Christians including Trump spiritual advisor Paula White-Cain and New York Times bestselling author Allie Beth Stuckey declined to make political or theological statements on the war, instead asking for prayers.

However, the war also has its fair share of Christian detractors, both conservative and liberal. Right-wing commentator Matt Walsh vehemently opposes the war, stating that “the freedom of Iranians is not our responsibility” and describing the administration’s messaging on the issue as “confused.” Catholic pro-life activist Lila Rose reposted a statement by Pope Leo XIV expressing concern over the diplomatic breakdown and has since posted about the missile strike on a school that Iranian sources claim killed over 150 people. In another post, Rose declared, “Children and civilians must NEVER be targeted in war.”

The New York Times columnist and religion writer David French, who identifies as Christian, opposes the war on the grounds of Congressional war powers. To an X clip of Secretary of State Marco Rubio explaining why the administration attacked Iran, French replied, “This was the case that should have been taken to Congress. There was zero reason not to take [it] to Congress.”

American Catholic philosopher and Pasadena City College Professor Edward Feser argued against the war based on just war doctrine, claiming that “No Catholic can support” a war without a “concrete and realistic plan to make sure what follows is not even worse.” Doing so would be just as bad as supporting abortion or euthanasia, he stated.

Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe authored a letter to church members expressing concern over the attack. He admitted to watching the “escalating response of the U.S. government” with “alarm” and called on Christ as the Prince of Peace. Similarly, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry was “distressed” that “congressional authorization did not occur prior to…this war.”

The unfolding war in Iran shows American Christians divided not only politically, but philosophically and theologically as well. While some premillennial dispensationalist Christians interpret the war as a sign of apocalyptic prophecy, others make no theological claim, only grief for the suffering and the dead. Some argue for or against the war on the basis of just war doctrine, while others cite isolationism or Zionism.

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Post-Dispensationalist America

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