Part of the Archbishop of Hegses Church Network of the Pentagon

Washington (AP) – Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses He says he is proud to be part of the Holy Communion of the Reformed Evangelical Church, an archbishop’s network of Christian congregations.

Heggs recently I made a headline When he shared a CNN video on social media about CREC, it shows a pastor who argues that women should not have the right to vote.

Rev. Doug Wilson, co-founder of CREC, leads Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, the network’s flagship location. Cheerful and media-friendly Wilson is not one to not know that he will shake up the controversy between his church’s strict line theology and patriarchal and Christian nationalism embraces.

Wilson told the Associated Press on Monday that he appreciated Hegses sharing the video. He said that Hegses’ posts are labelled as the Church of Christ motto.

“He effectively reposted it and on some level he said ‘Amen’,” Wilson said.

Hegses amid President Donald Trump Controversial Cabinet Picksattends the Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, a CREC member church in the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee. His pastor, Brooks Pottiger, prayed at Hegustes, hosted at the Pentagon.

Crec recently opened a new front post in Christ Church DC, the country’s capital, and Hegseth attended its first Sunday service.

Pentagon chief spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed Hegseth’s Kleck affiliation and told Hegs he “is extremely grateful for many of Mr. Wilson’s writings and teachings.”

Here’s what you need to know about the church network:

What does Wilson Church say about women?

Wilson’s Church and the broader sect’s practice complementarism, the patriarchal idea that men and women have different God-given roles. Women within the CREC Church are unable to hold church leadership positions, and married women are to submit to their husbands.

Wilson told the Associated Press that he believes the 19th Amendment recognizes women as “a bad idea” of voting. Still, he said his wife and daughter would vote.

He would like the United States to follow the example of his church. An unmarried woman is eligible to be a voting member of his church.

“We are usually patriarchal and not egalitarian, so the votes are thrown by our husbands and fathers, the head of our family,” Wilson said. He added that repealing the 19th amendment is not high on his list of priorities.

Hegses’ views on women are in the spotlight, especially after he’s faced. Sexual assault allegationswhich is why I was not charged. Hegses had asked before his appointment to lead the Department of Defense. Women serving in battle The role of the military.

Wilson, a naval veteran who worked for submarines, also questioned women who play military roles.

“I think we should find the names of those who suggested placing women on those submarines and having the man committed,” Wilson said. “It’s like having 50 cats in and then having a play pen that drops the catnip in the center. What happens is ugly. And if you’re thinking of moving forward with the women’s causes and getting the sailors to start treating women, you weren’t around the block very much.”

What is the Eucharist Communion in the Reformed Evangelical Church?

Founded in 1998, CREC is a network of over 130 churches across the United States and around the world.

CREC attributes it to a strict version of reformed theology rooted in the 16th century Protestant Reformed John Calvin tradition, with an emphasis on all powerful Gods who have control over everything in society.

Wilson and CREC are heavily influenced by the 20th century reform movement called Christian Reconstructionism, according to Julie Ingersol, a religion professor who wrote about it in her 2015 book, God’s Kingdom.

She believes that Wilson’s slogan Hegses, which has been repeated on social media, reflects theology.

“When he says ‘everything about life’, he refers to the idea that it is Christian’s job to exercise control across the whole world,” Ingersol said.

Since the 1970s, Wilson’s ministry and influence have grown to include the Christian Classics School in Moscow, Idaho and the new University of St. Andrew.

The ministry has a robust media presence, including Canon Press, the publisher of books such as The Case of Christian Nationalism and Becoming a Man: A Handbook for Respectful Masculinity.

What is your connection to Christian nationalism?

Wilson wants the United States to become a Christian nation. He doesn’t mind being called a Christian nationalist.

“I’m happy to use that label because it’s a better label than what I’m always called,” Wilson said.

“If you’re called a white nationalist, a theofascist, a racist paranoid, a misogynist thug, you can’t work with them except to deny them,” he said. “I am a Christian and I am a patriot who loves my country. How do you combine these two things? How do they work together?”

American Christian nationalism is a blend of American and Christian identity, principles and symbols, and usually seeks a privileged place for Christian people and ideas. Wilson argues that early America was a Christian and concept Historians argue.

“If we succeed, this will be Christian America 2.0,” Wilson wrote in 2022.

American Christian nationalism It includes overlapping movements. It’s in it Evangelical Those who view Republican Trump as a champion are partly influenced by the ideas of Christian reconstructionists. Charismatic movement It sees politics as part of a greater spiritual war. and Catholic Freedom Movement Movement Imagine a muscular government that promotes traditional morality.

CREC currently has closer ties with the government’s upper management. This has renewed scrutiny of Wilson’s other controversial views. This includes the disregard for the horrors of the US Southern slavery, but also gives Wilson a major stage.

Hegseth and Wilson agreed to each other and spoke. Wilson said they had only met once when they spoke informally after Wilson preached at his home church in Hegses, Tennessee this year.

Wilson said CREC’s new Washington Church began as a way to serve church members who migrated to work in the Trump administration.

“This is the first time I’ve had as many people as I do now and have had national government connections,” Wilson said. “But this is not a lobbying activity for the church where we are trying to meet important people. We are trying to give some of these people the opportunity to meet God.”

___

Smith reported from Pittsburgh.

___

Associated Press Religious Reporting is supported Collaboration with AP and conversationwith funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., AP is solely responsible for this content.