Evangelist Franklin Graham drew swift attention this week after delivering remarks at a Pentagon “Christmas Worship Service” in which he emphasized that the God described in the Bible is not only loving, but also capable of hatred and war. (Mediaite)
The service—described by the Defense Department’s news site as an afternoon event hosted in the Pentagon courtyard—featured Christian music performances and drew an audience of military and civilian personnel. According to the Pentagon write-up, the program included appearances by Christian artists Matthew West and Anne Wilson, alongside Graham, who leads Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. (U.S. Department of War)
“Many people don’t want to think about that”
Video and reporting from the event show Graham pivoting from familiar holiday themes to a more confrontational theological point: that scripture portrays God as both merciful and judgmental. In one widely circulated portion of his message, he told the crowd that while people know God as loving, they should also recognize that “God also hates,” and that God is “a God of war.” (AOL)
Graham then connected those claims to biblical narratives of warfare and divine judgment, arguing that modern audiences often resist or minimize those passages. In an extended section discussed by multiple outlets, he referenced Old Testament accounts to underscore his view that God’s character includes punishment and the use of force. (Word&Way)
Supporters who attended or shared clips online framed the remarks as a straightforward reminder that the Bible contains both comfort and warning—especially, they argued, for an audience drawn from the military. Critics, meanwhile, reacted sharply to the “God also hates” line, saying it sounded like a sermon more suited to a partisan rally than a government workplace event. (Mediaite)
A first-of-its-kind event at the Pentagon
Stars and Stripes reported the gathering as the Pentagon’s first Christmas worship service, noting it took place outdoors and included a substantial amount of musical programming before Graham’s remarks. (Stars and Stripes)
The Pentagon’s own coverage portrayed the service as part of a broader effort to hold regular faith-related programming, including recurring prayer services. In remarks quoted by the Defense Department outlet, Pete Hegseth spoke about continuing monthly prayer services and tied the idea to American history and personal faith. (U.S. Department of War)
Why it’s controversial
Religious services in the U.S. military are not new—chaplaincy programs exist to ensure service members can practice their faith, and attendance at worship is generally voluntary. But the Pentagon event immediately revived a long-running debate: where the line falls between accommodation of religious exercise and perceived government endorsement of a particular religion, especially when senior leadership is prominently involved. (AOL)
Graham’s appearance also carried historical baggage. Word&Way’s reporting noted that he has previously been associated with controversy involving Pentagon events, including earlier invitations and objections tied to past remarks about Islam. (publicwitness.wordandway.org)
The message Graham said he wanted to deliver
Coverage sympathetic to the event emphasized that Graham’s broader theme was repentance and the Christian gospel message—not just the provocative lines that spread online. CBN, for example, highlighted portions of Graham’s sermon focused on Jesus’ death and resurrection and described the service as a celebratory worship gathering. (CBN)
Even so, the sound bite that traveled furthest—“God also hates” and “a God of war”—has become the defining takeaway for many observers, fueling criticism from those who argue that government-hosted events should avoid language that can be heard as endorsing violence or demonizing out-groups. (Mediaite)
If you want, tell me the tone you prefer (neutral news, more analytical, or more opinionated), and I’ll rewrite this article in that exact style.
