The recent “little incursion” by the United States and Israel into Iran has brought into focus the sharp contrast between the might-makes-right approach to international relations and the hope that peace will reign in the world.  This is a war by any definition.  However, President Trump and his minions are reluctant to use that word as only the United States Congress has the right to declare war – which it has not done in this case.

In his approach to the “little incursion”, Trump has waffled on what his objective or objectives are in launching the American attack on Iran.  It seems to me that the bottom line for Trump developed into a “kill them all and let God sort it out” approach to the Iranian people.  This developed as Trump became more and more frustrated with the stubbornness of the Iranian regime to admit defeat and continue to resist despite the defeat of the Iranian military.   Surprizingly, Trump was not prepared for Iran to take control of the Strait of Hormuz and block the shipment of oil which has led to sharp increases in the world price of oil and the price of gas at the pumps.  In his frustration, Trump declared that if the Strait was not opened within one of his many deadlines, “the whole (Iranian) civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”  This statement amounts to an intention to commit genocide and has been condemned generally as such, even though, thank God, he did not carry through with his threat.

This should be condemned by every civilized person.  However, what brings this into a Christian focus is that Trump and his band of not so merry minions have put this “little conflict” into a Christian perspective as shown in Trump’s social media post:

“Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them. Glory be to GOD!” - President DONALD J. TRUMP pic.twitter.com/cVb7leFmAv

Similarly, Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense who accurately renamed himself the Secretary of War, at a Pentagon church service held weeks after the Iran war began, prayed a prayer that called for violence against military enemies:

"Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation. Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”

Apparently, both Trump and Hegseth, who call themselves Christians, have missed the principle commandment of the founder of Christianity, to love your neighbour even if your neighbour is your enemy. 

In opposition to this approach to Christianity, Pope Leo XIV clarifies where Trump, Hegseth et al have gone astray:

"God does not bless any conflict.  Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs.”

In considering the conflict, it is problematic as the Iranian government does not deserve any consideration.  It is a regime that should be replaced as it is a supporter and instigator of terrorism and is responsible for much of the conflict in that region of the world.  However, the Iranian people deserve to be treated with Christian compassion and concern.  In this time of increasing international conflict and threats, how are we Christians to approach the increasing militarization of international relations?  Can we support and approve of recent move by the Carney Government to meet the elusive target of 2% GPD spending on our military?  I must confess that I support this move and am not ready to turn the other cheek if Russian or Chinese forces were to land on our northern shores or anywhere else in the true north strong and free.   

In clarifying a Chirstian position in all this, it might be helpful to turn to the Just War Doctrine.  Here is a summary of this from Wikipedia:

The just war doctrine of the Catholic Church found in the 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraph 2309, lists four strict conditions for "legitimate defense by military force:"[65][66]

  • The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave and certain.
  • All other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective.
  • There must be serious prospects of success.
  • The use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated.

Above all, we can pray for peace in the world and do whatever we can to work for peace in our time and in the time to come.