Thousands of church services are currently being held across New Zealand this Easter, embodying the faith's emphasis on compassion and peace. However, many Christians are expressing dismay at the U.S. administration's use of the Bible to justify military actions in Iran. This sentiment has sparked a backlash from various church leaders and scholars.
At a service at St Peter’s in Christchurch, Reverend Peg Riley described Jesus as a “loving” and “humble” leader. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth quoted Psalm 144 during a press conference, stating, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.” This rhetoric has horrified many, including Pope Leo XIV, who emphasized that “God always rejects violence” and does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.
Reverend Riley and other New Zealand Christian leaders view the use of scripture for justifying warfare as a betrayal of Christianity's core message. “He’s taking it out of context,” she lamented, highlighting that the Easter narrative is fundamentally about sacrifice and love, contrasting sharply with the concept of war.
The backlash reached a scholarly level with religious historian Peter Lineham criticizing the associated theology, likening it to the misinterpretations during the Crusades. He urged that such interpretations of scripture need to be held under scrutiny, termed as “deliberate twisting” of biblical meanings.
Despite the backlash, the Trump administration has defended its stance. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that drawing upon “Judeo-Christian values” is essential for American military leaders and the nation itself, framing it as a noble endeavor.
In the context of Easter, many believers see this misuse of scripture as a direct attack on the message of peace that defines the holiday. As church leaders encourage reflection on Jesus' teachings, the juxtaposition of military action with religious conviction within the political sphere continues to evoke intense emotional responses from the faithful in New Zealand and beyond.