American evangelical theology drives U.S. foreign policy toward Iran through apocalyptic beliefs
Source: Ryan Zickgraf. "America’s Holy War in Iran." March 7, 2026. jacobin.com
The Gist
The author argues that America's war with Iran isn't just about politics - it's being driven by evangelical Christians who believe this conflict will bring about the biblical End Times. Military commanders are reportedly telling soldiers that Trump was chosen by God to start this war as part of prophecy, showing how deeply religious beliefs have penetrated U.S. foreign policy.
Conclusion
American foreign policy toward Iran is significantly influenced by evangelical dispensationalist theology that views conflict with Iran as fulfilling biblical prophecy and hastening the End Times
Premises
- Military commanders are reportedly telling troops that the Iran war is part of God's plan and Trump was anointed by Jesus to cause Armageddon
- Dispensationalist theology, developed in the 1830s and popularized through books like 'The Late Great Planet Earth,' teaches that Iran (ancient Persia) will attack Israel in the prophetic 'War of Gog and Magog'
- This theological worldview has been embedded in American evangelical culture for decades through the Scofield Bible, Left Behind novels, and influential pastors like Mark Hitchcock
- Christian Zionist beliefs about Israel's role in End Times prophecy gained political influence through figures like Mike Pence in the first Trump administration
- The Military Religious Freedom Foundation has received dozens of complaints about commanders expressing 'unrestricted euphoria' about fulfilling biblical prophecy through the Iran war
- After the Cold War ended, evangelical prophecy interpreters shifted focus from the Soviet Union to Iran as the primary apocalyptic antagonist
- Trump, while not personally theological, understands the political value of religious symbolism and positions himself as a providential figure to evangelical supporters
Assumptions
- Religious beliefs can and do influence government policy decisions
- Military commanders' theological statements reflect broader institutional attitudes
- Evangelical political influence translates into foreign policy outcomes
- The complaints to MRFF accurately represent widespread military sentiment
- Historical patterns of evangelical political engagement predict current behavior