I have been amazed—and deeply troubled—by the number of professing Christians who casually say, “Just nuke Iran and get it over with.”
Those words may be spoken in anger or frustration, but nuclear war is not something that would simply “get it over with.” It would begin a new chapter of death, suffering and destruction whose consequences could last for generations.
We must remember that Iran’s government is not the same as the Iranian people. Iran is filled with ordinary men and women trying to raise their families. There are children who have no voice in their government’s decisions. There are elderly people who remember other wars and hardships. There are also Iranian Christians—our brothers and sisters in Christ—who already face persecution for their faith.
When someone says, “Nuke Iran,” he is not merely talking about destroying military bases or government buildings. He is talking about killing human beings—many of whom have never carried a weapon or harmed an American.
Nuclear War Cannot Be Contained
Some people speak about using a “tactical nuclear weapon,” as if adding the word tactical makes it safe or manageable. It does not.
A nuclear explosion near the ground can carry radioactive soil and debris high into the atmosphere. Winds can then carry that fallout far beyond the intended target. Radiation does not recognize national borders. It does not stop at a military checkpoint and ask whether the person standing there is an enemy or an ally.
Fallout could drift into Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan or the Persian Gulf countries. It could expose American military personnel and citizens of nations friendly to the United States. Depending upon the location, weather and winds, contamination could spread much farther than military planners expected.
Oil wells, pipelines, refineries, ports and desalination facilities could be damaged or made unsafe. Workers might be unable to enter contaminated areas. The Strait of Hormuz could be closed more completely, interrupting the movement of oil upon which much of the world depends.
The resulting economic shock would not remain in the Middle East. Americans would feel it at the gas pump, in the grocery store and through higher transportation and heating costs. Farmers, truck drivers, small businesses and working families would all pay the price.
The consequences would be far-reaching and long-lasting.
Who Would Win?
If Iranian cities were destroyed, millions suffered, neighboring countries were contaminated, oil supplies were disrupted and the world moved closer to a larger nuclear war, who would win?
Iran would suffer terrible destruction, but Israel would not become safer. America would not become more secure. The surrounding Arab nations would not escape the consequences. The world would inherit greater instability, deeper hatred and another generation seeking revenge.
Destroying buildings cannot destroy knowledge. Bombing nuclear facilities cannot erase what Iranian scientists have learned. Killing civilians cannot eliminate an idea. Instead, a nuclear attack could unite the Iranian people around a government they might otherwise oppose.
It could also convince other nations that the only way to protect themselves from America or Israel is to build nuclear weapons of their own. Rather than ending nuclear proliferation, such an attack could accelerate it.
Nuclear weapons might destroy a city, but they cannot conquer the human heart. They cannot create peace, reconciliation or goodwill. They can only produce death, fear and bitterness.
Dangerous Words Can Become Dangerous Actions
Some nuclear threats are undoubtedly intended as scare tactics. Leaders sometimes use extreme language to frighten an enemy into surrendering or accepting unfavorable terms.
But threatening nuclear war is a dangerous game. A leader may draw a line and then feel compelled to act because he fears appearing weak. Miscalculations can occur. Military alerts can be misunderstood. One nation may mistake a warning for preparations to attack and decide to strike first.
Words matter. Proverbs 18:21 declares:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
When political leaders repeatedly talk about annihilation, they make the unthinkable appear possible. When Christians repeat that language, we help make mass killing seem acceptable.
We should never become comfortable with words that treat millions of people as though their lives have no value.
The Iranian Government Is Not the Iranian People
I do not support the Iranian government. I oppose its persecution of Christians, its threats, its repression and its support of violence. But opposing a government does not give us the right to desire the destruction of an entire people.
We must make the same distinction with every nation. The policies of Israel’s leadership do not represent every Jewish person. The decisions of Washington do not represent every American. The actions of Tehran do not represent every Iranian.
The Bible teaches that every human being bears the image of God. Paul told the people of Athens that God:
“Hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.”
—Acts 17:26
Iranians are not a different kind of humanity. Their children feel pain just as our children do. Their mothers grieve as American mothers grieve. Their elderly become frightened when bombs fall. Their souls are just as eternal as ours.
Furthermore, there are believers in Iran who quietly gather, pray, witness and suffer for the name of Christ. When Christians call for Iran to be destroyed, are they remembering these brothers and sisters?
Paul wrote:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
—Galatians 6:10
We should be praying for Iranian Christians, not casually accepting their deaths as collateral damage.
What Spirit Are We Demonstrating?
When the Samaritans refused to receive Jesus, James and John wanted to call fire down from heaven:
“And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?”
—Luke 9:54
Jesus did not praise their zeal. He rebuked them:
“But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.”
—Luke 9:55–56
That passage ought to stop every Christian before saying, “Just nuke them.”
We must ask ourselves: What manner of spirit produces pleasure at the thought of an entire nation burning? Is that the Spirit of Christ, or is it the spirit of anger, vengeance and fear?
Jesus said:
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
—Matthew 5:44
Loving our enemies does not mean approving evil. It does not mean abandoning national defense or refusing to protect innocent people. It means that even while resisting evil, we do not stop seeing our enemies as human beings for whom Christ died.
Our Battle Is Not Against Flesh and Blood
Christians must remember the spiritual nature of the conflict confronting this world:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
—Ephesians 6:12
The Iranian people are not our spiritual enemy. Neither are the Jewish people, the Arab people or the American people. The enemy works through hatred, pride, deception, bloodshed and the desire for revenge.
When Christians begin speaking the language of indiscriminate destruction, we are not overcoming darkness with light. We are allowing darkness to shape our thinking.
Paul wrote:
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
—Romans 12:17–18
And again:
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
—Romans 12:21
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
I understand the anger people feel. I understand the fear created by war, terrorism, nuclear programs and threats against other nations. Governments have a responsibility to protect their citizens. But there is a vast difference between defending innocent life and calling for the destruction of millions of innocent people.
Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the warmakers.” He said:
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
—Matthew 5:9
Peacemaking is not weakness. It takes courage to step back from the edge. It takes wisdom to negotiate with an enemy. It takes strength to refuse the intoxicating call for revenge.
Nuclear war would not solve the Iranian crisis. It would multiply it. It would not eliminate hatred; it would plant hatred that could grow for generations. It would not defeat evil; it would expose the world to even greater evil.
Before saying, “Just nuke Iran,” Christians should picture the frightened children, grieving parents, persecuted believers and innocent families beneath those mushroom clouds. Then we should remember the words of our Lord:
“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them.”
Iran needs repentance. Israel needs repentance. America needs repentance. The whole world needs the mercy of God.
Our prayer should not be, “Lord, destroy them.”
Our prayer should be, “Lord, turn the hearts of their leaders, protect the innocent, strengthen Thy persecuted Church, restrain the forces of destruction, and bring this terrible war to an end.”
That is not surrender. That is the way of Christ.
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