Greetings Friends,
Many of you may have seen the CNN interview making the rounds this past week featuring Doug Wilson, pastor and co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) based in Idaho. While their name may sound similar to our Evangelical and Reformed roots in the UCC, their theology could not be further from ours.
In the interview, Wilson and other CREC leaders proudly affirm Christian patriarchy — arguing, for example, that women should not be allowed to vote — and advocate for Christian nationalism: the belief that every city, state, and nation should be governed by so-called “biblical” law. Unfortunately, these views are not just theoretical. They are gaining real traction and have even found their way into political power, as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly praises Wilson’s teachings and attends a CREC church near Washington, D.C.
While these ideas may seem extreme or fringe, they represent a growing movement with real political ambition. That’s why it’s important for us to name this ideology clearly: Christian nationalism is not the gospel. It twists Scripture to justify control rather than love, domination rather than service, fear rather than hope.
So what can we do?
We can continue to boldly live out a different vision of Christian faith. One grounded in humility, justice, and compassion rather than hubris, favoritism, and cruelty. We can speak up when the gospel is misused for power, and we can continue to build a church that truly looks like Jesus: welcoming the stranger, empowering the marginalized, and seeking the common good.
Let us not be discouraged. Let us be faithful. Let us stand firm in the transformative power of the Gospel. Blessed are the peacemakers.
Grace and peace,
Delaney
