The religious convictions of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a member of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), have become a subject of scrutiny for their potential influence on national security policy. His rhetoric, particularly during the ongoing conflict in Iran, employs a militant theological framework that scholars trace directly to CREC doctrine.
At a prayer service in March 2026, Hegseth implored, "Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation." He further prayed for "overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy," language that aligns with the CREC's view of a spiritual war against secular society.
The CREC Network and Its Founder
The theological core of Hegseth's public statements is the CREC, a global network of churches founded in 1993 and most closely associated with Pastor Doug Wilson of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. Wilson's institution serves as a hub for Logos Schools, Canon Press, and New Saint Andrews College, creating an integrated ecosystem promoting a worldview that positions Christianity in direct opposition to modern secular culture.
Wilson, while not Hegseth's personal pastor, is the denomination's most influential voice. The two have publicly praised each other, and Hegseth invited Wilson to lead a prayer at the Pentagon in February 2026. There, Wilson told military personnel, "If you bear the name of Jesus Christ, there is no armor greater than that... all the devil's R&D teams have not come up with armor-piercing anything," explicitly casting military endeavors in a cosmic struggle.
The CREC's stated goal is transformative, seeking to reshape society according to its interpretation of biblical law. Wilson has openly stated a desire to make his hometown of Moscow "a Christian town," a microcosm of a broader ambition. The church's doctrine rejects religious pluralism and advocates for a patriarchal social order, with Wilson teaching that in sexual relationships, "A woman receives, surrenders, accepts."
Doctrine and Political Vision
Central to the CREC's political theology is a rejection of the conventional American interpretation of the separation of church and state. Scholars like Julie Ingersoll note that within this community, there is "no distinction between religious issues and political ones." The CREC broadly asserts that civil government should be explicitly Christian, with Wilson arguing that only Christians are qualified to hold political office in the United States.
This vision is advanced through aggressive "church planting," a strategy for decentralized growth that has established CREC congregations across the United States and internationally, including in Asia. As religion scholar Matthew Taylor explains, "They believe the church is supposed to be militant in the world, is supposed to be reforming the world, and in some ways conquering the world."
The network's growth has been accompanied by significant controversy. Wilson authored a 1996 book that offered a positive depiction of slavery. Furthermore, investigations by outlets like Vice Media have detailed allegations of a culture within some CREC communities where sexual abuse and assault were reportedly mishandled, leading to survivor-focused podcasts and national news coverage.
The fusion of this specific theological perspective with the immense power of the US Defense Secretary's office presents profound questions. Hegseth's language and his platforming of Wilson suggest a worldview where geopolitical conflicts are not merely political or strategic, but manifestations of a spiritual war. This has direct implications for US alliances and strategic posture, particularly in a region as complex and religiously diverse as the Indo-Pacific. For nations like India, with its secular democracy, or Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, such a framing from a key US official could complicate diplomatic and security cooperation.
This context makes the ongoing debate over US defense policy, including a proposed major budget increase, particularly salient. The philosophical underpinnings of leadership can shape procurement, alliance building, and conflict escalation. Furthermore, as allies like Japan navigate their own strategic evolution and partners like Taiwan develop asymmetric defense capabilities, clarity on the driving principles of US security strategy is essential. The CREC's influence on a sitting Defense Secretary introduces a distinct and potentially disruptive variable into these critical regional calculations.
