In the passage of Peter’s Confession, found in Matthew 16:13-20, in response to Jesus’ question “who do you say that I am,” Peter acknowledges Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus responds affirmatively, proclaiming that upon this rock—this profound truth of His divine identity—He will build His Church. He then assures the Apostles that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, a declaration of Christ’s authority and protection of His Church against all forms of evil and opposition.

This passage, which is central to biblical Christian doctrine, speaks unequivocally about the Church’s foundation and its victory in Christ. It is a profound assertion of spiritual truth, not a tool for political endorsement or personal elevation. Yet, there is an idolatrous sect that is growing in the political realm around politicians—particularly, Donald Trump.

This past weekend, a group of hundreds of pastors from Iowa gathered around Donald Trump to pray for him. And they didn’t just pray for him, but they prayed in a way that nearly deified him. In the prayer, at least one of the pastors could be heard inserting Trump into the passage of Peter’s Confession, praying that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against him” about Trump.

I don’t care what you think about Trump or whether or not you will vote for him. That’s not what this article is about. But this should serve as an example of what happens when pastors lose their heads and begin to practice idolatry around a political figure. To compare Donald Trump or any political figure for that matter to be on par with the Bride of Christ is to commit idolatry of the highest order.