Don’t Dismiss Doug Wilson’s Extremism — Al Mohler’s Rise Shows Fringe Can Rule

If you think Doug Wilson is just some isolated extremist shouting from the Idaho wilderness, think again. His recent Pentagon sermon and growing ties to influential Christian nationalist circles show he’s far from irrelevant. Wilson’s ultra-Calvinist, patriarchal, and openly racist views—like defending slavery and advocating household voting that disenfranchises women—are not just fringe oddities. They are warning signs of a creeping theocratic agenda aiming to reshape American politics and society.

Wilson’s brand of Christian nationalism is extreme even by conservative evangelical standards. He calls for America to become a Christian theocracy ruled by his harsh interpretation of biblical law, bans abortion and LGBTQ rights, and blames women for their own sexual abuse. Many dismiss him because he pastors a small Idaho church and looks like a lumberjack, but appearances deceive. History shows figures like Wilson can rise from obscurity to wield outsized power.

Look no further than Al Mohler’s trajectory within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Elected seminary president at just 32, Mohler was initially seen as an inexperienced outsider. His Calvinist theology was at odds with the SBC’s traditional focus on missions and evangelism. Yet over 33 years, Mohler reshaped the SBC’s theology and politics, mentoring hundreds of leaders and making Calvinism a dominant force. He became the face of the conservative resurgence, outlasting and outmaneuvering rivals who fell from grace amid scandal.

Mohler’s rise from the margins to the pinnacle of evangelical power is a cautionary tale. If he could do it, so could Wilson. The same theological rigor and uncompromising vision that propelled Mohler can fuel Wilson’s influence. The difference is Wilson’s views are far darker and more openly hostile to democratic values and civil rights.

This matters because Wilson’s network—the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches—includes about 170 congregations, and his connections reach into the Pentagon and political circles. His invitation to preach at a Pentagon worship service, arranged by a Defense Department official linked to Wilson’s group, signals growing access to power.

We must not underestimate how quickly radical ideas can move from the fringes into mainstream political influence. Wilson’s vision of a Christian theocracy threatens democracy, women’s rights, racial justice, and basic human dignity. His rise echoes the dangerous path Mohler took, but with even more alarming implications.

Doug Wilson is not just a fringe pastor. He’s a warning. If we ignore him now, we risk letting a theocratic far-right ideology take root at the highest levels of American power. The story of Al Mohler’s ascent should make us vigilant, not complacent.