Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has publicly expressed pride in his affiliation with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), a fundamentalist network of Christian congregations.
This revelation gained traction when Hegseth recently shared a CNN video on social media highlighting the network’s pastors advocating against women’s voting rights.
Pastor Doug Wilson, a co-founder of CREC, leads Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, which is considered the flagship location of this network.
Known for his engaging media presence, Wilson has long been a polarizing figure, characterized by his rigid theological stance and endorsement of patriarchal and nationalistic ideologies.
In an interview, Wilson expressed gratitude towards Hegseth for sharing the video, noting that it included Christ Church’s motto: “All of Christ for All of Life.”
This statement signified Hegseth’s tacit approval of the video’s content.
Hegseth, who was among President Donald Trump’s more controversial Cabinet selections, regularly attends the Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, a CREC member church located in a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee.
His pastor, Brooks Potteiger, has previously prayed at events hosted by Hegseth at the Pentagon.
The Pentagon’s chief spokesman, Sean Parnell, confirmed Hegseth’s association with CREC, emphasizing that Hegseth values many of Wilson’s teachings and writings.
To understand the implications of this connection, it is essential to explore the beliefs held by Wilson and his church regarding women’s rights.
Wilson’s church adheres to a doctrine known as complementarianism, which espouses the view that men and women possess distinct, divinely ordained roles.
As a result, women in CREC congregations are prohibited from holding leadership positions, and married women are expected to submit to their husbands.
Although Wilson believes the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, was a misguided decision, he clarified that his wife and daughters are allowed to vote.
He prefers a system where only heads of households vote in church elections, a reflection of his church’s patriarchal stance.
In his view, unmarried women are eligible to participate in church elections as voting members, but the general norm is that the husband, as the head of the household, casts the vote.
Hegseth has also faced scrutiny for his opinions on women in the military, notably questioning their roles in combat.
Similar sentiments have been echoed by Wilson, who is a Navy veteran himself.
Wilson expressed concern regarding women assigned to submarines, likening it to putting cats in a playpen with catnip, suggesting that the outcome would be chaotic.
He believes that introducing women into such settings does not enhance respect for women but rather objectifies them further.
The Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, established in 1998, encompasses over 130 churches both within the U.S. and internationally.
The network is predicated on a staunch interpretation of Reformed theology, which draws heavily from the teachings of 16th-century Protestant reformer John Calvin, emphasizing the omnipotence of God in all aspects of life.
Wilson and CREC have also been heavily guided by the principles of Christian Reconstructionism, a 20th-century movement that seeks to apply biblical principles to all areas of life, according to Julie Ingersoll, a religion professor at the University of North Florida.
Ingersoll suggests that Wilson’s motto, echoed in Hegseth’s social media, reflects an ideology promoting the dominion of Christians over every aspect of society.
Wilson’s ministry gained traction since the 1970s, expanding to include educational initiatives like the Association of Christian Classical Schools and New Saint Andrew’s College in Idaho.
Furthermore, Wilson has established a significant media presence through Canon Press, a publishing house known for titles advocating Christian nationalism and traditional masculinity.
Helped by this media presence, Wilson advocates for the United States as a Christian nation, willingly embracing the label of Christian nationalism.
He argues that it is more constructive than the negative epithets often thrown his way, such as racist or misogynist.
Wilson identifies himself as a Christian and patriot, believing that these two identities can coexist harmoniously.
In his view, early American society was inherently Christian, a stance that has faced historical criticism from scholars.
Reflecting on his vision, Wilson stated in 2022, “If we succeed, this will be Christian America 2.0.”
Christian nationalism in the U.S. often intertwines various movements, including evangelicals who view Trump as an ally, those inspired by notions of spiritual warfare, and a Catholic postliberal vision advocating for a government that promotes traditional values.
CREC has experienced an increasing relationship with government officials, leading to heightened scrutiny of Wilson’s controversial views, including his comments on slavery in America.
Despite this, Wilson now enjoys a more substantial platform thanks to his association with Hegseth.
The two have often exchanged favorable remarks about one another, although their in-person interactions have been limited.
Wilson admits they met only once, during a conversation that occurred after he preached at Hegseth’s church in Tennessee this year.
The new CREC church in Washington, D.C., was established to cater to members who relocated for roles in the Trump administration.
Wilson articulated that this marks a pivotal moment in CREC’s outreach to national government figures, although he insists their intention is not to engage in lobbying but to provide spiritual support.
Overall, the intersection of Hegseth’s military leadership and his involvement with a church advocating for controversial beliefs raises questions about the implications for both U.S. governance and societal norms.
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