Militant Masculinity and Christian Power: Sam Perry on the CREC

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: [email protected] happens when a religious sect rooted in patriarchy and Christian nationalism gains influence over America’s largest government agency?Dr. Samuel P. Perry, a scholar of race, religion, and rhetoric at Baylor University, joins Will to unpack the rise of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC)—a small but strategically influential network founded by Doug Wilson in Moscow, Idaho. Perry explains how the CREC uses media, schools, and publishing arms like Canon Press to shape a hyper-patriarchal, theocratic vision of society. He also explores the implications of Pete Hegseth—Trump’s Secretary of Defense—being a member of a CREC church.The conversation covers Christian reconstructionism, the erosion of church-state separation, militant rhetoric, and the creeping normalization of extreme ideology through polished media ecologies. Perry also warns how these theological fringes have real-world implications, from women in combat to anti-LGBTQ policies in the military.If you've never heard of the CREC, now is the time to pay attention.Subscribe, share, and join the conversation.👤 Guest Bio:Samuel P. Perry is a scholar of rhetoric and public discourse at Baylor University, specializing in the intersection of race, religion, and politics. He is the author of Rhetorics of Race and Religion on the Christian Right, and his research has appeared in leading journals and outlets like Salon and The Conversation.🔗 Resource Links:CREC Overview: https://crechurches.orgDoug Wilson’s Canon Press: https://canonpress.comHeath Druzin’s Podcast Extremely American: https://www.extremelyamerican.comSam Perry’s Article in Salon: https://www.salon.com/2025/06/23/what-is-crec-the-christian-nationalist-group-has-a-vision-for-america-and-pete-hegseths-backing_partner/ Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: [email protected] Wright, Political Host: [email protected] Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast