A MOST DANGEROUS THEOLOGY

As of February 28, 2026 we have been in a jointly coordinated war with Iran. In that I once believed in the Eschatological interpretation of “End Times” that is now driving political and military agendas and actions being carried out by Sec. of Defense, Pete Hegseth and U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, I understand the how and the why such interpretations of scripture can overtake all reason and logic. For a very brief period in my early days as a Christian, I found myself being drawn into views that could easily justify the necessity for Christian militancy and the actions presently being taken in the middle east.

History Repeating Itself or Christian Narcissistic Personality Disorder?

In 2007, an author I had greatly come to admire, Michael Oren, published the book, “Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East, 1776 to the Present.” Oren has been described as “a multifaceted writer, best characterized as a prolific, scholarly, and politically engaged author who bridges the worlds of rigorous non-fiction history, memoir, and fictional narrative. He is an American-born Israeli historian, diplomat, and former Knesset member who uses his writing to explore themes of identity, liberty, and the complex relationship between Israel and the United States,”

In this book, which I have read multiple times and studied over the years, provides a comprehensive history of the United States' involvement in the region from the Revolutionary War era to the early 21st century. In his book he argues that America's relationship with the Middle East is not a modern phenomenon but is deeply rooted in the nation's founding principles and early conflicts. 

Core Themes

Oren organizes the 230-year narrative around three primary drivers of American foreign policy and cultural engagement: 

• Power: Represents America's military, diplomatic, and financial efforts to protect its interests. This includes the creation of the U.S. Navy to combat Barbary pirates in the late 1700s and the later quest for oil security after World War II.

• Faith: Explores the influence of religion on American attitudes. Oren highlights the role of 19th-century missionaries and the long-standing "Restorationist" movement, which supported the return of Jews to Palestine centuries before modern Zionism.

• Fantasy: Examines the American cultural perception of the "Orient" as a place of exoticism and mystery. This theme traces how literature (such as works by Mark Twain and Herman Melville) and later Hollywood movies shaped a romanticized yet often distorted image of the region. 

Key Historical Figures and Events

The book provides detailed accounts of various individuals and milestones that defined the relationship:

• Early Leaders: Describes George Washington's and Thomas Jefferson's struggles with the North African Barbary States, which Jefferson considered a top international priority.

• Civil War Era: Mentions the unusual involvement of former Union and Confederate officers who were hired to modernize the Egyptian army in the 1870s.

• Modern Diplomacy: Covers the evolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the impact of the Holocaust, and the policies of presidents from Harry S. Truman (who famously compared himself to King Cyrus) to George W. Bush. 

Professor George Bush (ancestor of both Bush American Presidents)

 (1796–1859), a prominent 19th-century biblical scholar and a distant relative (specifically a cousin of the great-great-grandfather) of President George H.W. Bush. 

In his 1844 book, The Valley of Vision; or, The Dry Bones of Israel Revived, he used the prophecies of Ezekiel to argue for the physical restoration of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland. 

Key Quotes from Professor George Bush

In The Valley of Vision and other writings, Bush argued that the return of the Jewish people to Palestine was a literal prophetic event that would connect humanity with God. 

• He described this movement as a vital "link of communication between humanity and God".

• He emphasized that physical restoration would precede spiritual conversion, writing that the Spirit enters only after "bone to his bone" (Ezekiel's vision).

• He asserted that Jewish people hold a "moral and religious right" to the land of Palestine. 

Historical Significance

Michael Oren, in Power, Faith, and Fantasy, identifies Bush as a key proponent of 19th-century Christian Restorationism. Bush’s advocacy demonstrates that religious support for a Jewish state in America existed decades before modern political Zionism.

Professor George Bush, according to Michael Oren's Power, Faith, and Fantasy, the tactics used to re-establish Israel were primarily intellectual, religious, and diplomatic rather than military. 

1. Influential Literature and Mass Media

Professor George Bush utilized his academic and religious standing to sway public opinion through widespread publication: 

• Best-selling Books: His 1844 work, 

The Valley of Vision, sold over 1 million copies, a massive number for that era. It transformed the idea of Jewish restoration from a fringe theological niche into a mainstream American conversation.

• Prophetic Periodicals: He published the monthly magazine Hierophant, which was dedicated to interpreting scriptural prophecies to prove that the "dry bones" of Israel were destined to be physically revived in their own land. 

2. Scholarly Legitimatization

As a professor of Hebrew and Oriental Literature at New York University, Bush provided a linguistic analysis of the Bible to argue that prophecies regarding Israel's return were literal, not just allegorical, which challenged the prevailing "Replacement Theology" of the time. 

3. Shaping Political and Cultural Consciousness

The "tactics" of this era were about setting a long-term cultural foundation that would later influence U.S. policy:

• Informing Future Leaders: His writings directly influenced the worldviews of key figures who would later hold power, including: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

• Creating a "Moral Obligation": By framing the restoration as a way to repay a "moral debt" to the Jewish people, these early Restorationists built a sense of American duty that persisted into the 20th century. 

4. Early Missionary and Diplomatic Infrastructure

While Professor Bush focused on the "Faith" and "Fantasy" (intellectual) side, other contemporary tactics included:

• Establishing a Presence: British and American Restorationists worked to establish an Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem in 1841 to provide a formal Christian infrastructure to welcome returning Jews.

• Advocacy for Land Rights: Restorationists began asserting that Jewish people held a "moral and religious right" to purchase and settle land in Ottoman-controlled Palestine. 

The Shift from Conversion to "Civilization"

• The Conversion Failure: Early missionaries arrived with "Great Commission" zeal but found almost no success in converting Muslims (due to Ottoman apostasy laws) or Jews.

• The Pivot: To maintain a presence and justify their funding from donors back home, they redefined their mission as "civilizing" and "modernizing" the region.

• Tactical Change: They traded short-term evangelical goals for long-term "enlightenment" by establishing infrastructure that the local population actually wanted: modern education and Western medicine. 

Key Results of this Strategy

• Educational Landmarks: This pivot led to the founding of some of the Middle East's most prestigious institutions, including the American University of Beirut (originally the Syrian Protestant College) and the American University in Cairo.

• Medical Diplomacy: Mission hospitals, such as the one established in Gaza in 1881, became vital hubs where missionaries won local trust through service rather than preaching.

• Political Shield: By the time of World War I, these institutions were so significant that President Woodrow Wilson (himself the son of a minister) avoided declaring war on the Ottoman Empire specifically to protect the American missionary schools and hospitals from being seized or destroyed. 

Intellectual Impact

Oren argues that while they failed to create a "Christian Middle East," they succeeded in creating a Western-educated elite. The schools meant to convert students instead became incubators for Arab Nationalism and modern intellectual movements, fundamentally reshaping the political landscape of the 20th century. 

Contrasting this, Now, with Present Day U.S. Political and Military Strategies and Their Intended Outcomes

The contrast between the 19th-century strategy and the current approach of figures like

Pete Hegseth and Mike Huckabee represents a shift from soft power humanitarianism to hard power millenarianism.

While the 19th-century missionaries pivoted to building "Good Works" (schools and hospitals) after failing to convert populations, current figures in the Trump administration integrate their religious views directly into military and diplomatic policy.

Strategic Contrast: Then vs. Now

Era	Primary Strategy	Goal of Presence	Theological Driver
19th Century	Humanitarian Infrastructure	Cultural "civilization" and gradual influence through education and health [Oren, Power, Faith, and Fantasy].	Post-millennialism: Improving the world to prepare for Christ’s return.
Today	Military & Diplomatic Might	Absolute sovereignty of Israel and the removal of regional "existential threats".	Christian Zionism: Expediting biblical prophecy through physical and military acts.

Christian Extremism Unleashed

Pete Hegseth: Military as a "Covenant" Weapon 

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth views the U.S.-Israel alliance as a "true force multiplier" driven by shared faith. 

Tactical Abandonment of "Rules": Hegseth has criticized "politically correct wars" and restrictive rules of engagement. He advocates for "finishing" missions with iron determination, specifically supporting the total destruction of groups like Hamas.

• Third Temple Reestablishment: Hegseth has publicly stated there is "no reason" why the miracle of rebuilding the Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount (the site of Al-Aqsa Mosque) is not possible.

• Biblical Military Models: He draws inspiration from the biblical story of Gideon, viewing a military of "hardcore believers" as a way to maintain a divine covenant. 

Mike Huckabee: Diplomatic Annexation 

As U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee’s strategy is rooted in a total rejection of the "two-state solution" in favor of biblical land claims. 

Rejection of Palestinian Identity: Huckabee has historically claimed "there's really no such thing as a Palestinian" and refers to the West Bank by its biblical names, Judea and Samaria.

• Theological Mandate: His support for Israeli annexation is based on the belief that God made a permanent covenant with the Jews. He views the modern state of Israel as a "prerequisite" for the Second Coming of Jesus.

• End of "Fantasy" Diplomacy: Whereas 19th-century missionaries used schools as a "soft" bridge, Huckabee has dismissed the idea of a Palestinian state as a "fantasy," pushing instead for absolute Israeli sovereignty as the path to regional "peace". 

  
  

The Core Difference

The 19th-century "tactic" was patience—accepting a lack of immediate prophetic fulfillment and instead building institutions to influence generations. The modern "Hegseth-Huckabee" tactic is immediacy—utilizing the world's most powerful military and diplomatic engines to actively remove obstacles to what they perceive as biblical destiny. 

Eschatological Interpretation Driven (End Times)

Premillennial Dispensationalism. Here is the breakdown of how this interpretation drives current political strategies.

1. The Theological Foundation: Dispensationalism

This view, popularized in the 19th century by John Nelson Darby and the Scofield Reference Bible, interprets history as a series of "dispensations" or eras.

• Literalism: They believe biblical prophecies regarding Israel must be fulfilled literally and physically, not metaphorically.

• The "Clock" of Prophecy: They view the nation of Israel as "God’s prophetic clock." The 1948 establishment of the state and the 1967 capture of Jerusalem are seen as the primary signals that the "End Times" are imminent.

2. Who Ascribes to This View?

• Overall: This is the dominant view among American Evangelicals (specifically Southern Baptists and independent Pentecostal/Charismatic churches). Organizations like Christians United for Israel (CUFI) represent millions who believe supporting Israel is a biblical mandate (Genesis 12:3).

• The Extreme: The "extreme" proponents are often called Christian Zionists or "Dominionists." They believe Christians must take control of societal and governmental "mountains" (including the military) to prepare the earth for Christ. This is where figures like Pete Hegseth (via his focus on "Crusader" imagery) and Mike Huckabee align.

3. The Goal: "Forcing" the Return and Mass Conversion

End Times" Roadmap:

• The Prerequisites: To trigger the Second Coming, they believe specific events must occur: the "In-gathering" of Jews to Israel, the Jewish control of all biblical lands (Judea and Samaria), and the rebuilding of the Third Temple in Jerusalem.

• The Conversion: A core (and controversial) part of this doctrine is that during the "Great Tribulation," a "remnant" of the Jewish people (often cited as 144,000) will realize Jesus is the Messiah and convert to Christianity.

• The "Force" Factor: While most would say they are "hastening" rather than "forcing" God, their policy decisions (moving embassies, supporting annexation) are intended to remove any diplomatic obstacles to these prophetic requirements.

4. 1,000-Year Reign of Jesus vs. Total Destruction

They believe in both, but in a specific sequence:

• The Destruction (The Tribulation): They believe the current world system must be judged and largely destroyed through a series of global catastrophes and wars (Armageddon). This is why some are less concerned about climate change or traditional diplomacy; they view global upheaval as a necessary "birth pang."

• The 1,000-Year Reign (The Millennium): After the destruction and the return of Jesus, they believe Christ will rule the earth from a throne in Jerusalem for 1,000 years of perfect peace.

The Contrast: Unlike the 19th-century "Post-millennial" missionaries who thought they could "build" the kingdom through hospitals and schools, today's Premillennialists believe the world must get worse and be militarily conquered by God before it can get better.

Third Temple in Israel Belief: 

This is the belief that specifically impacts current U.S. policy toward the Temple Mount in Jerusalem? The belief in a Third Temple acts as a powerful ideological driver for current U.S. policy shifts, moving from the historical "Status Quo"—which restricted non-Muslim prayer on the Temple Mount—toward active support for Israeli sovereignty and Jewish religious access. 

Shift in Diplomatic Strategy

Recent U.S. policy reflects a transition from managing regional stability to validating biblical land claims and prophetic milestones:

• Affirming Sovereignty: Congressional resolutions introduced in late 2025 specifically affirm Israel's sovereignty over the Temple Mount, referring to it as the holiest site in Judaism and calling for equal access and religious freedom for all faiths.

• Challenging the "Status Quo": The traditional international consensus focused on maintaining the Al-Aqsa Mosque's Islamic administration. Current U.S. figures, including Pete Hegseth, have publicly stated there is "no reason" why the miracle of rebuilding the Temple on the site is not possible.

• Jerusalem as the "Undivided Capital": Policy now emphasizes Jerusalem as Israel's "undivided" capital, a stance that effectively supports Israeli control over the Temple Mount and rejects the Palestinian claim to East Jerusalem as their future capital. 

Impact of Key Personnel

The appointment of figures with Christian Zionist views has integrated these eschatological beliefs into the highest levels of U.S. government: Pete Hegseth, as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth has linked the reestablishment of the Temple to a sequence of "miracles" (including 1948 and 1967) and has toured the site with leaders of the Temple Movement, who seek to replace Islamic structures with a Jewish temple.

Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel, his strategy centers on the "biblical right" of Israel to the land, recently suggesting that Israel has a claim to vast tracts of the Middle East based on Genesis 15. He views the current war and regional shifts as steps toward fulfilling scripture rather than just secular strategy. 

Tactical Support for Prophetic "Facts on the Ground"

Rather than directly funding a building project, U.S. policy supports the logistical and political conditions necessary for a future Temple: 

• Legal & Political Legitimacy: By framing Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount as a "Civil Rights" or "Religious Freedom" issue, U.S. supporters provide a modern human rights justification for a move that is theologically motivated.

Support for Annexation: 

Hegseth and others have endorsed extending Israeli sovereignty to Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), viewing it as a critical next step in securing the land for its "original purpose".

• White House Stance: While official White House statements sometimes dismiss immediate plans to rebuild the Temple as "not on the agenda," the underlying policy support for absolute Israeli control of the site removes the primary diplomatic barriers to such a project. 

Red Heifer Ritual 

That this agenda for the Third Temple is already being prepared in Israel and is connected to U.S. political and religious movements is the crucial provision of a qualifying all-Red Heifer.

The Red Heifer Ritual

Red Heifer (Parah Adumah) is a critical, albeit obscure, biblical requirement that has become a flashpoint in modern geopolitics and U.S. policy toward the Middle East. 

1. The Theological Requirement

According to Numbers 19, the ashes of a perfectly red heifer, mixed with "living water," are the only scriptural means to purify those who have come into contact with a corpse. 

• The Problem: Without these ashes, all Jewish priests are considered ritually impure and are strictly forbidden by Jewish law from performing services or even entering the most sacred areas of the Temple Mount.

• The Rarity: Historically, only nine such heifers have ever been sacrificed; the tenth is prophesied to be sacrificed by the Messiah to inaugurate the Third Temple. 

2. Modern Tactical Moves

In recent years, the search for a qualifying heifer has moved from theological speculation to active logistics:

• The Texas-Israel Pipeline: In September 2022, five Red Angus heifers were flown from a ranch in Texas to Israel with the help of Christian Zionists like Byron Stinson.

• Current Status (March 2026): While rumors of a 2025 sacrifice circulated, the Temple Institute clarified that any such event was a "simulation" for educational purposes. As of March 2026, viable candidates continue to be raised and monitored at a secure site in the West Bank.

• Age Qualification: A heifer must be in its third year to be sacrificed; the Texas heifers reached this window starting in late 2023. 

3. Impact on U.S. Policy and Regional Stability

The existence of these heifers is not just a religious curiosity; it directly shapes U.S. diplomatic and military engagement: 

• Removal of the "Religious Veto": Historically, the U.S. relied on the fact that most Orthodox Jews would not ascend the Temple Mount due to impurity. The Red Heifer ritual would remove this "internal" barrier, potentially leading to a mass Jewish movement to reclaim the site, which currently houses the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

• Catalyst for Conflict: Hamas spokespersons cited the "bringing of red cows" as a key motivation for the October 7 attacks, viewing the heifers as a direct threat to the Islamic status of Al-Aqsa.

• Policy toward Sovereignty: U.S. leaders who support unrestricted religious access to the Temple Mount are effectively providing the political cover needed for the Temple Institute to move forward with their plans once a heifer is ready. 

4. Convergence of Interests

This ritual has created a unique "prophetic alliance":

• Jewish Activists: See the heifer as the "missing ingredient" to restore national purity and build the Temple.

• Christian Zionists: View the sacrifice as the "trigger" for the Antichrist’s rise and the subsequent Second Coming of Christ.

• U.S. Political Figures: Like Mike Huckabee and Pete Hegseth, their support for Israeli sovereignty over the Temple Mount aligns with the practical requirements of this ritual, whether or not they publicly advocate for the sacrifice itself. 

To visualize the strategy and the territorial claims mentioned, it is helpful to look at the three distinct geographic frameworks that figures like Mike Huckabee and Pete Hegseth use to define Israel's "title deed" and prophetic future.

• The Claim: Huckabee and other Christian Zionists reject the term "West Bank" (a Jordanian administrative term) in favor of the biblical names Judea and Samaria..

• Policy Goal: Full Israeli sovereignty over this region, which they view as the heartland of ancient Israel and a necessary step for prophetic fulfillment. 

2. The "Greater Israel" (Genesis 15:18) Vision

This is a more expansive, eschatological map used to define the ultimate boundaries of the Land of Israel. 

• The Boundaries: Based on God’s covenant with Abraham, this map spans from the "River of Egypt" (the Nile) to the "Great River" (the Euphrates).

• Strategic Use: While not a current policy for immediate annexation, it informs the belief that Israel's "biblical destiny" involves regional dominance far beyond its 1948 or 1967 borders. 

3. The Third Temple Architectural Blueprint

• The Objective: The Temple Institute and similar groups have created detailed architectural plans for a structure that would replace or stand alongside the current Al-Aqsa Mosque.

• Political Shield: U.S. leaders provide political support by treating Jewish access to this specific site as a non-negotiable "religious freedom" right.

Galatians 5:9, “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”

In a recent published article in the Guardian (a British Publication), by independent journalist, Jonathan Larsen, he reported, that according to reports documented by “The Guardian”, U.S. service members have complained that military commanders are framing the conflict with Iran as a biblically sanctioned war to initiate the return of Jesus Christ. These allegations suggest that some leaders are utilizing apocalyptic rhetoric, including references to Armageddon, to describe the military operation (Read the full story at The Guardian).

“US Military Commanders have been invoking extremist Christian rhetoric about biblical “end times” to justify involvement in the Iran war to troops, according to complaints made to a watchdog group.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) says it has received more than 200 complaints from service members across all branches of the armed forces, including the Marines, Air Force, and Space Force.

One complainant, identified as a noncommissioned officer (NCO) in a unit that could be deployed “at any moment to join” operations against Iran, told MRFF in a complaint viewed by the Guardian that their commander had “urged us to tell our troops that this was ‘all part of God’s divine plan’ and he specifically referenced numerous citations out of the Book of Revelation referring to Armageddon and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.”

He said that ‘President Trump has been anointed by Jesus to light the signal fire in Iran to cause Armageddon and mark his return to Earth’”, the NCO added.

The NCO’s Complaint was filed on behalf of 15 troops, including 11 Christians, one Muslim person and one Jewish person. The complaint was first shared by MRFF with Jonathan Larsen, an independent journalist.

Jesus’s Warning

Mark 13:1-14 “As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”  Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.” As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

In Matthew 24:15-28 this account is repeated almost exactly, but in Luke 21:20, Jesus places a time frame on when this will happen. Instead of telling them it will happen “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong,” He says instead, “When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near.”

In 70 AD (CE), what Jesus said in the Luke 21:20 account was actually fulfilled. The occupying Roman army laid siege to Jerusalem and ultimately destroyed the entire Temple and a third of Jerusalem. In the “Seven Woes” account recorded in Matthew 23:38, Jesus had already said to the religious leaders, “Look, your house is left to you desolate. In the OT the word for widow, means “desolate”, and similarly, in the NT, the word for widow means, “bereft.” Jesus is literally telling the religious leaders that God has left the building and the religious leaders don’t even realize it, because outwardly nothing appears to have changed (they, like Jesus’ disciples in Mark 13:1 above, and us today, assess God’s favor based on outwardly appearing physical and material possessions).

The idea of the “abomination that causes desolation standing where it should not,” is directly tied to Mat. 23:38 as the cause of “their house left unto them desolate.” Abomination means idolatry/adultery, and desolation, implies becoming like the condition of “the widow.” In other words, Israel had lost her husband. Why? Not because she was worshiping idols, but because of her unfaithfulness in carrying out “true justice on behalf of those like the widows, the fatherless, the foreigners and the poor,” which, at the time should have all been understood in the context of worship. Because their worship had become that for worshiping the institution as a representation of their faith and not through

acts of compassion and mercy, beginning with and being modeled by the religious leaders, God considered them to be living in an adulterous relationship with the world.

Which, in large part, has become the mirror image of much of the church today in that the James 1:27exact same accusation that Jesus pointed out to his disciples about the religious leaders (recorded in two of the Synoptic Gospels, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:46-47), “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” Something that Jesus might well say about the church, and her leadership, in America today  

The only place in the entirety of scripture that is characterized as “Pure and undefiled worship” is found in James 1:27 where he tells us that “Pure and undefiled religion (means worship) is to visit the widows and the fatherless in their distress (in order) to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world.”  In other words, to keep us from living in an unfaithful and adulterous relationship with the world.

And we don’t have to look beyond our own households, either as incorporated institutionalized bodies or our own personal family, to be able to assess what side of idolatry/adultery we are considered by God to be living on.

Just in the last year alone, how many widows and fatherless have been harmed as a result of the policies and unjust and inhumane actions being carried out by this present government? And how many professing Christians continue to support these actions for being justly and righteously carried out? And finally, how many professing Christians who do not support such actions, but remain silent because of fear?

Loving God, Without Exception, Means loving Our Neighbors

I John 4:15-21 “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”