A recent CNN article has drawn sharp criticism from Christian leaders for its portrayal of prophecy-believing Christians and their potential influence on U.S. foreign policy, particularly in relation to the Middle East and Iran.
Author and prophecy expert Todd Hampson, in a conversation with journalist Billy Hallowell, called the article “a hit piece on Christianity,” citing its lack of journalistic balance and failure to fairly represent the views it critiques.
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The article reportedly paints a caricature of Christians who believe in the rapture and end-times prophecy, suggesting that their theology is shaping American policy in dangerous ways. “It really is just a hit piece on Christianity,” Hampson said, “trying to paint all Christians as 100% behind Donald Trump, seeing him as the chosen one and seeing biblical Christianity as the problem, not the solution.”
Both Hampson and Hallowell noted that the article did not include any voices from the evangelical or prophetic community, only critics. This one-sided approach, they argued, fails the basic test of fair journalism. “It felt like an article that only consulted one side,” Hallowell said, “and it would be a more progressive side, or a side that rejects the rapture and certain elements of end-times theology.”
A central claim of the article is that the word “rapture” does not appear in the Bible. Hampson acknowledged the technicality but explained its theological grounding. “Yes, technically the word ‘rapture’ is not in the original Greek language, but the word harpazo is,” he said, noting it means a sudden snatching away. “That word in Latin is rapturo, from which we get ‘rapture.’ So the concept is there.”
The article reportedly connects rapture theology to real-world events in the Middle East, insinuating that U.S. support for Israel is being shaped more by prophetic expectations than strategic interests. Hampson dismissed this claim as a “straw man argument,” pointing out that while Christians do see prophetic significance in Israel’s existence, support for the nation is also grounded in pragmatic and historical alliances. “From a geopolitical standpoint,” he said, “it makes sense for us to protect Israel when they are being attacked. That has nothing to do with eschatology.”
Hallowell and Hampson note that the piece also took aim at dispensationalism and cited John Nelson Darby as the originator of the theology. But Hampson argued that dispensationalist thinking, particularly a literal interpretation of prophecy, goes back to early church fathers like Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp who was taught by the apostle John himself. “Darby didn’t invent anything new,” Hampson said. “He simply systematized what had already been believed in early Christianity.”
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In the end, the growing tension between mainstream media narratives and biblical Christianity reveals a deeper cultural and spiritual divide. The clash isn’t just about theology, it’s about truth, worldview and the battle over who gets to define reality.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
