A recent NPR interview with controversial pastor Doug Wilson has highlighted the growing influence of Christian nationalism in American political and cultural life, alarming experts and survivors who know this movement well. Wilson, co-founder of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), told journalist Leila Fadel that repealing the 19th Amendment is “a good idea” and advocated for “household voting,” effectively limiting the right to male heads of household.
Wilson's Controversial Views Extend Beyond Suffrage
Wilson has faced sustained criticism for his writings on slavery, statements on homosexuality, use of derogatory slurs, and his church's handling of sexual abuse allegations. He is not a fringe figure; he has a documented relationship with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who invited Wilson to preach at the Pentagon.
Cait West, author of “Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy,” grew up influenced by Wilson. “He spoke at my church. We subscribed to his magazine. We read his books and listened to his sermons on tape,” she told HuffPost. “During congregational meetings, ballot slips were passed to the head of each household, typically the father.”
Ideological Roots in Christian Reconstructionism
Wilson's ideology stems from the Christian Reconstructionist movement, derived from theologian R.J. Rushdoony in the 1970s and 1980s. Matthew Bowman, professor at Claremont Graduate University, explained: “Rushdoony believed various social organizations should be organized according to explicitly Christian principles—his version of Christianity.”
Tia Levings, author of “A Well-Trained Wife,” noted Wilson's selective use of scripture: “Wilson's theonomy cherry-picks from the Old Testament and Paul's letters. They skip Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount.”
Biblical Basis Under Scrutiny
Wilson frames his views as “biblical,” but experts challenge that. Bowman said, “The Bible is an extremely complicated text. When Wilson says it's 'biblical' for men to hold headship, he's really saying Christian Reconstructionists believe it. Many Christians argue the Bible teaches gender equality.”
April Ajoy, author of “Star-Spangled Jesus,” stated: “Christian nationalism is the antithesis of Jesus' teachings. Verses used to justify misogyny, like Ephesians 5:22-23, ignore the preceding verse: 'Submit yourselves to one another.'”
What Wilson's Vision Means for Women
Wilson frames household voting as family unity, but critics disagree. Cara Meredith, theologian and writer, said: “To Doug Wilson, household voting is a good idea because it further silences women.” West recalled her experience: “As a stay-at-home daughter, I was not allowed to work, go to college, or make decisions about relationships.”
Levings added: “Women are the breeding labor force of patriarchy. When a woman loses her rights, she becomes second class without agency.” Wilson stated only about 7% of his congregants voting in church elections are women. He also invoked a “Christian Constitution” excluding single Muslim women. Levings noted: “If someone doesn't exist in his church, they won't exist in his vision for government.”
Mainstreaming of Extremist Ideas
The CREC started with three churches in 1998, grew to nearly 130 by 2020, and expanded 150% after the pandemic. Meredith said: “His beliefs are infiltrating Washington at exceeding rates.” Ajoy cautioned: “Trump would not have a first or second term without the white evangelical voting bloc. Most don't think of themselves as Christian nationalists; they believe they're being good Christians and voting red.”
Levings drew a parallel to the overturning of Roe v. Wade: “Changing laws is hard; influencing cultural trends is easier. Wilson normalizes conversations once considered intolerant.” At Turning Point USA's Women's Leadership Summit, attendees advocated for household voting. “The fact that Doug Wilson is not more widely condemned by evangelicals is alarming,” Ajoy said.
Urgent Concerns and Resistance
West emphasized: “It is important to understand the risk of men like Wilson influencing our government. But they only have the power we hand over. Women are unsafe in a Christian theocracy, as are queer, trans, and non-white people.” She refuses fatalism: “I look to past civil rights leaders. We must not obey in advance. Channel anger toward practical work to help the marginalized.”
