Thread by @jlawrencenc

1/ Russell Moore (@DrMoore) is a “public theologian,” whose views on the Iraq War are not widely known, particularly by the elite audiences he writes to.

In a 2003 interview on the War’s eve, @DrMoore laid out his support for invading Iraq, invoking Romans 13 in the process.

2/ In the interview, @DrMoore defended George W. Bush, referencing the “agonizing process” the Bush Administration engaged in at the @UN.

“Some of us turn on the television and see one more Security Council meeting and say ‘when is this ever going to end’,” Moore said.

3/ According to @DrMoore, President Bush had been “so careful” in making the Administration’s case while “matching that with the resolve” to face criticism.

Pushing Bush’s case, @DrMoore said “we don’t care if the rest of the world condemns this” in order to protect Americans.

4/ @DrMoore invoked Romans 13 for Bush’s “responsibilities,” and argued that turning a “blind eye” to the “the threat to my nation” would be “in disobedience to God.”

@DrMoore did not elaborate on what a “blind eye” would mean in that situation—i.e., action short of war.

5/ A caller later told @DrMoore that she supported invading Iraq, and backed Bush with her “whole heart, soul, mind, and body.”

@DrMoore did not suggest the caller was idolizing the 43rd president, as the theologian has regarding evangelical supporters of Trump.

6/ @DrMoore noted the persecution of Christians in Iraq and the potential the War would cause hostility in the region, but also expressed optimism about religious freedom in post-War Iraq.

Just the opposite happened, as the War displaced ancient Christian communities.

7/ One would think there would be some accountability for getting major questions of war and peace like this wrong, but @DrMoore gets to keep elite audiences enraptured with his criticisms of Trump-supporting evangelicals regardless.

The full interview:

repository.sbts.edu/handle/10392/4…