President Donald Trump is using Christian language to gain support for the war with Iran, which has become increasingly unpopular among Americans, according to experts. This rhetoric is enhanced by evangelical leaders who frame the conflict as a battle between good and evil. Recently, Trump declared a two-week ceasefire but has faced challenges in gaining public backing for the war, which has led to rising energy prices and casualties among American and Iranian forces.
In his speeches, Trump has described the rescue of a U. S. airman as an “Easter miracle,” implying that the military actions have divine approval. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made strong statements, referencing scripture to advocate for “overwhelming violence” against perceived enemies. This messaging resonates with conservative Christian leaders, including influential figures close to Trump, such as Robert Jeffress, who highlight the importance of Israel in biblical prophecy.
Evangelical pastor Jackson Lahmeyer spoke to his congregation about the war as a conflict of good versus evil, asserting that failing to confront “evil people” will lead to negative consequences. White evangelicals, who represent a significant portion of Trump’s support, provided over 80% of votes in the 2024 election, and experts note that Trump’s reliance on Christian framing reflects the importance of this constituency.
The White House did not comment on Trump’s religious rhetoric directly but mentioned the need for decisive action against a terrorist threat. Historically, U. S. presidents have invoked Christian faith during wartime; however, scholars suggest that the current administration’s language is unique, likening it to the rhetoric of the Middle Ages, which characterized conflicts starkly as fights against the infidel.
Critics from the Democratic Party and liberal Christians call the administration’s religious framing a misuse of faith to justify a war that has resulted in significant loss of life. Pope Leo condemned the conflict as “atrocious” and said that Jesus’s name should not be used to promote war. Progressive pastor Doug Pagitt believes that the administration is employing a specific Christian narrative to maintain support from evangelicals and the broader MAGA coalition.
Polls indicate that a majority of Americans oppose military strikes on Iran, with a clear partisan divide—74% of Republicans support the war, compared to just 22% of Democrats. Prominent evangelical Franklin Graham has praised the strikes using biblical language, comparing Trump to Esther, a figure in the Bible who helped save her people from harm.
At a service in Tennessee, pastor Ken Peters expressed hope that the war would lead to a beneficial outcome for Israel and America, indicating a desire for the framing of the conflict to remain religiously charged. Hegseth has drawn parallels between the rescue of the airman and the resurrection of Jesus, delivering a message of gratitude to God for the pilot’s safe return.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson pointed out that wartime leaders have historically used Christian faith to encourage support, referencing Franklin D. Roosevelt’s efforts during World War II. In a recent Easter event with Trump, televangelist Paula White-Cain compared Trump to Jesus, while Jeffress declared the Iran war a spiritual struggle between good and evil.
With information from Reuters
