Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's Iran war messaging has drawn scrutiny for echoing sermons from his openly Christian nationalist church, the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). During a 17 April press briefing, Hegseth cited a sermon on Mark 3, likening the US press to Pharisees with 'politically motivated animus' against American warriors.
Church Sermon Influences Pentagon Briefings
The sermon Hegseth referenced, delivered on 12 April at Christ Kirk DC by Dr Benjamin Merkle, called for 'biblically informed hatred' and a 'fellowship of grievance.' Merkle, a CREC leader and son-in-law of founder Douglas Wilson, told the Guardian he didn't listen to Hegseth's briefing but deemed the application 'appropriate.'
CREC's Growing Influence in the Trump Administration
CREC pastors have led Pentagon worship services, including Wilson himself on 17 February, days before US strikes on Iran. Hegseth's rhetoric increasingly uses Christian nationalist language, such as calling the US a 'Christian nation' and praying for God to 'break the teeth' of enemies.
Experts warn this blurs church-state separation. Julie Ingersoll noted CREC's view that 'no area of life is not governed by God's law,' while Heidi Beirich said Hegseth's infusion of faith into war policy risks 'fanatical holy war fantasies.'
When asked about CREC's influence, Wilson stated his worldview is 'broadly the same' as Hegseth's and identified as a Christian nationalist. The Pentagon declined to confirm Hegseth's attendance at the 12 April sermon.
