Military Leader Pete Hegseth is member of a conservative religious organization. Here's essential information to consider.
In the nation's capital, a new church has opened its doors, attracting a high-profile member – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), the network behind this church, is not an ecclesiastical lobbying effort, but an opportunity for government officials to connect with their faith.
Founded in 1998, CREC is a global network of over 130 churches adhering to a strict version of Reformed theology, rooted in the tradition of 16th-century Protestant reformer John Calvin. The church practices complementarianism, a patriarchal idea that men and women have different God-given roles. This means that women within CREC churches cannot hold church leadership positions or vote in church elections.
CREC's latest outpost in Washington D.C., Christ Church DC, was established to serve church members who relocated to work in the Trump administration. Hegseth, among President Trump's most controversial Cabinet picks, attended its first Sunday service. Hegseth is a member of Pilgrim Hill Reformed Fellowship, a CREC member church in a suburb outside Nashville, Tennessee.
Pastor Doug Wilson, a CREC co-founder and leader, believes that women should not hold authority in the home, society, or church. He contends that certain roles are inherent to a person's nature, a viewpoint that some consider controversial and transphobic. Wilson, a Navy veteran, also questions women serving in some military roles, echoing Hegseth's stance on the matter.
Wilson's ministry includes the Association of Christian Classical Schools and New Saint Andrew's College in Moscow, Idaho. He is the author of books like "The Case for Christian Nationalism" and "It's Good to Be a Man: A Handbook for Godly Masculinity," published by CREC's media arm, Canon Press.
Wilson wants the United States to be a Christian nation and does not mind being called a Christian nationalist. He argues that early America was not necessarily Christian, a notion historians dispute. Wilson contends that if they succeed, this will be Christian America 2.0.
Julie Ingersoll, a religion professor at the University of North Florida, wrote about CREC and Doug Wilson in her 2015 book "Building God's Kingdom." Wilson has faced criticism for his views, particularly his stance on women's rights and roles. Recently, Hegseth shared a CNN video on social media about CREC, featuring its pastors arguing against women's right to vote.
Despite the controversies surrounding CREC and its beliefs, Hegseth's attendance at Christ Church DC's inaugural service has sparked discussions about the role of religion in politics and the impact of personal beliefs on public service.
[1] It's important to note that the term "transphobic" was not used in the original bullet points, but it is a common term used to describe views that are perceived as discriminatory towards transgender individuals.
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