(LifeSiteNews) — Evangelical Protestant pastors are continuing to side with the Trump administration’s decision to initiate war with Iran.
Last weekend, Pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, told Fox News that while he recognizes Pope Leo XIV’s faith as sincere, he questions his understanding of the Bible.
“The Pope is a good man. He is sincere in his faith. But he is sincerely wrong when it comes to Iran,” said Jeffress.
Jeffress then commented on the purpose of government and how it is supposedly separated from the Christian faith.
“God created both the church and government for two distinct purposes. The role of the church is to point people to faith in Jesus Christ, but the role of government is to protect citizens from evil doers, according to Romans 13.”
While the Catholic Church affirms that one role of government is to protect its citizens, Catechism 2237 also states that political authorities are bound to strive for the “common good.”
“Political authorities are obliged to respect the fundamental rights of the human person,” reads the Catechism.
“They will dispense justice humanely by respecting the rights of everyone, especially of families and the disadvantaged. … Political rights are meant to be exercised for the common good of the nation and the human community.”
Jeffress explained how President Trump warned several Protestant pastors that Iran was “within weeks” from developing a nuclear weapon.
“He told us that Iran was within weeks of getting a powerful weapon that would destroy Israel, much of the Middle East, and could bring great harm to America, and he had no choice but to act.”
The pastor then said he thanked Trump for “protecting our nation” by initiating an attack on Iran.
“The great irony is it looks like President Trump has a better understanding of what the Bible teaches about the role of government than the Pope has,” said Jeffress.
Trump has been rather candid on his spirituality as of late. The president has repeatedly said how he doesn’t believe anything could “get me in heaven.”
“I’m being a little cute – I don’t think there’s anything going to get me in heaven, okay? I really don’t,” noted Trump. “I think I’m not maybe heaven bound.”