Yet I am not without hope.

Tearfund Ireland is not a political organisation, so we don't often address political matters but when it comes to current social or societal events, it is sometimes essential. Much of our humanitarian work is necessary because of the impact of geopolitical activities.

There are so many crises and conflicts around the world that we cannot directly address each of them. But Lebanon is different. We have committed, long term relationships with our partners in Lebanon, and having invested more than 13 years there, we feel it would be remiss to not address what is taking place in Lebanon and across the Middle East.

Firstly, I am pleased that high level talks have taken place between Israel and Lebanese officials. And I earnestly pray these talks will swiftly facilitate a substantive resolution to the armed conflict between Hezbollah and Israel within Lebanon.

It must be stated that we do not support the Hezbollah organisation or its continued firing of rockets into northern Israel. We condemn any act that would perpetuate violence and/or cause injury or death to anyone.

But what has been happening in Lebanon is wrong.

Coercive, or forced, displacement is a term to describe the act of forcing civilians to vacate their homes against their will.

As of this writing, more than 1.2 million people within Lebanon have been forced from their homes. In southern Lebanon, more than 600,000 people received evacuation orders and were told their homes would be destroyed. The Israeli Defence Forces have followed through and, so far, more than 40,000 homes have been destroyed. Critical infrastructure, roads, and bridges have also been destroyed, which will prevent people from returning to their property.

All of this has been widely reported by reputable news agencies. What has not been widely reported is the release of white phosphorous over the fields across southern Lebanon. When this material settles, it causes severe long-term damage to the soil, negatively impacting future crop growth. If the military objective is to root out Hezbollah combatants, why would this substance be used across civilian-owned farmlands of southern Lebanon?

International humanitarian law requires a distinction between combatants and civilians during times of conflict. Which means precautions are required to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Proportionality of response is also a requirement of the law. From the evidence on the ground, it seems clear the principles of precaution and proportionality are not being followed on the civilian population of Lebanon.

The Israeli Defence Minister is on record stating their forces would take control of the southern region of Lebanon up to the Litani river. He went on to state that all homes and villages “would be destroyed, according to the model of Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza… to permanently remove threats near the border.” [i] Such a statement should cause outrage and a forceful response by the international community, but it was made on a day when the news headlines focused on other items.

The international community’s current reactions to observed military incursions has been very different in comparison to the 2022 Russian invasion of the sovereign territory of Ukraine.

Tearfund Ireland has consistently condemned the barbarous attack by Hamas on 7^th October 2023, and we condemn the ongoing attacks by Hezbollah on the people of Israel. We have also condemned the killing of innocents in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the senseless atrocities occurring in Sudan, and Yemen, as well as in Gaza and the West Bank. We now call for an end to the displacement of people, occupation of sovereign Lebanese territory, and airstrikes in civilian neighbourhoods within Lebanon.

Our partners in Lebanon have told us that this crisis feels different. They said it “feels darker” than previous crises.

I am a firm believer in God’s active presence in our lives. I am also intentionally seeking to become a man of love, who walks in deep faith, with a resilient hope. Therein lies the tension. I, too, sense a disturbing darkness about the current crisis.

I am disturbed by how normalised all the militarised activity is becoming.

I am not naïve. I understand that there has rarely been a period where combat is not taking place somewhere in the world. But the level of militarised activity has become so commonplace we seem to have lost our shock of its occurrence. Lord have mercy on us.

I am disturbed by the amount of money spent on military campaigns.

The money spent by the USA in its war on Iran is staggering. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies has estimated that by day 12, the costs were estimated to be $16.5 billion.[ii] And, while this is a researched, educated estimate, it only covers American expenditure.

As of this writing, the campaign is at day 49. More than four times the duration, how many more billions have been spent? Whatever the amount may eventually become, what will be the consequential costs of this war? How many people in Iran will be killed? How many lives irreparably damaged?

I can imagine many ways these funds could have been used to improve lives of people, rather than destroy them.

I am most disturbed by how God and His Scriptures are being invoked to justify actions of war.

I fully appreciate that we live in Ireland, but our societal landscape is informed by what happens in other countries, particularly the geopolitical decisions. When we see senior officials within the US administration speaking of God and using bible verses to justify or validate their war actions, it can raise questions for Christians around the world.

Is the current US military action a righteous activity? Does the Word of God validate the war effort?

The use of Scripture to justify war is not new. For centuries people have claimed biblical justification for killing ‘the other’, and Jesus warned about those who do so (see Jn 16:2-3). But the recent and very public use of the Psalms to justify the US war effort is disturbing.

I am not a theologian, but in my biblical studies [iii] I learned the Old Testament contains different types of literature and each is to be understood, interpreted, and applied according to the type of literature it is; namely narrative, poetic, or wisdom literature. These writings are Scripture, but we understand them differently than if we are reading the words of Jesus in the New Testament. The Psalms are poetic writings. Some of the Psalms, those quoting vengeance and judgement, are called imprecatory Psalms. Orthodox Christianity has long held the view that these Psalms should be interpreted through the life of Jesus as part of God’s overall redemptive history. Augustine held this view, Calvin held this view, NT Wright holds this view.[iv] Applying these Psalms as a literal prayer against those with whom we are in conflict goes against the story of redemptive history and against the teachings of Jesus (see Lk 23:34; Mt 5:39, 18:21-22).

Since becoming a Christian I have endeavoured to pursue the renewing of my mind (Rom 12:1-2), to grow in my knowledge of and love for God (Jn 6:29), learn to love my neighbour (Lk 10:27), and to the best of my ability, those who would despise or persecute me (Mt 5:44).

In these priority areas, I have found myself in agreement with the comments of Pope Leo, in which he recently stated he does not think the message of “Gospel should be abused as some are doing”. He said he will continue to “speak strongly against war, seeking to promote peace.” And went on to say, “Too many people are suffering today, too many innocent lives have been lost, and I believe someone must stand up and say there is a better way.“ [v]

I am disturbed by what I see. Yet I am not without hope.

I see the results of the work of the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Yet, I pray that we will see examples of the abundant life about which Jesus spoke (Jn 10:10).

I pray that all those who know and love God will have the compassion, courage, and confidence to speak of his goodness, mercy, and truth, while demonstrating his character and nature to others.

I pray for peace across the world and, particularly, across the Middle East.

[i] Perry, Tom. ‘Israel to Destroy ‘All Houses’ Near Lebanon Border, Defence Minister Says. Reuters; https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-destroy-all-houses-near-lebanon-border-defence-minister-says-2026-03-31/ Published 31 March 2026. (accessed 1 April 2026)

[ii] Cancian, Mark F. and Park, Chris H. Iran War Cost Estimate Update: $11.3 Billion at Day 6, $16.5 Billion at Day 12. (https://www.csis.org/analysis/iran-war-cost-estimate-update-113-billion-day-6-165-billion-day-12) Published 13 March 2026. (accessed 1 April 2026).

[iii] For the curious, I graduated from Taylor University, Upland, Indiana, USA in 1991 with degree in Christian Education and minors (diplomas) in Biblical Languages and Philosophy. I then received a Masters of Religious Education from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerefield, Illinois, USA in 1993.

[iv] A helpful perspective on this can be read at the following link: St. Augustine is key to the difference between Pete Hegseth and Pope Leo | National Catholic Reporter

[v] Vatican News. Pope on Board Plane to Algeria: ‘I am not a politician, I speak of the Gospel’. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-04/pope-on-board-plane-to-algeria-i-am-not-a-politician.html ) Published 13 April 2026. (accessed 14 April 2026).