Prominent conservative evangelical leaders, including figures linked to John Piper’s Bethlehem Seminary, are under fire for endorsing violent immigration enforcement. Supporters like Andy Naselli and William Wolfe have openly praised Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, even after the recent death of Renee Good during a Minneapolis raid. This public support for forceful state power is part of a broader campaign that some critics now call an “American Crusade.”
Prayers for Violence Fuel Political Extremism
Two weeks prior to Good’s killing, Pastor Andy Naselli prayed that ICE would become God’s “righteous avengers” against Minneapolis’ “wicked.” His prayer included violent imagery from Psalm 58 and was widely shared by far-right religious organizations like the Center for Baptist Leadership. The week following the prayer, Naselli appeared on a podcast with Joe Rigney and William Wolfe, praising ICE agents as “heroes” and denying high-profile cases of police brutality, including George Floyd’s death.
Christian Nationalist Networks Tie Church to State Power
These theological leaders, all connected through Doug Wilson’s controversial Christ Church movement, are tightly linked to law enforcement and political figures. David Easterwood, an elder at Cities Church, also serves as ICE’s field director in Minneapolis. Pete Hegseth, former Fox News host and Trump’s Secretary of War, preaches at Wilson’s D.C. church plant. Critics argue this network merges church authority with violent state enforcement.
Public Backlash Grows, But Defenders Dig In
After the killing, William Wolfe posted that he “didn’t care” about the death. When criticized, he doubled down, calling ICE’s actions righteous and labeling protestors “Klansmen.” Worship leader Sean Feucht dismissed concerns, telling followers not to resist ICE. Supporters defend these statements as truthful, but critics see them as dehumanizing and dangerous.
Critics Warn of a “Crusade,” Not Just Policy
Opponents claim this is no longer about immigration policy but about ideological warfare. With talk of invoking the Insurrection Act and building monuments to ICE agents, many fear a slide into civil conflict. Critics blame evangelical institutions, including Piper’s Desiring God and Keller’s Gospel Coalition, for platforming extremist voices. They say the goal is not safety but domination.
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The TheoBros are getting the war they want in Minnesota
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