SojoMail - Pete Hegseth’s high testosterone holy war

View this email in your browser By Betsy Shirley Editor in Chief, Sojourners Yesterday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced his “Department of War” would begin testing troops for low testosterone. In a video posted on X, Hegseth quoted dubious science to claim this would ensure troops had the “biological foundation required to sustain the fight” and remain on the “leading edge of lethality.” This weird move isn’t even the most alarming news out of the Pentagon lately. In our latest issue, religion scholar Carmen Celestini traces how Hegseth’s “Christian Crusade mentality” has turbocharged long-present Christian nationalist influence in the military. The result? Troops who report they’ve been told the Iran war is “part of God’s divine plan” or that Trump is anointed by God to cause Armageddon. And if you’re thinking this “holy war” language feels exaggerated, consider that Hegseth has not one, but two tattoos evoking the 11th-century Crusades. Speaking of political figures with bad tattoos: Graham Platner has dropped out of the Maine senate race following credible allegations of sexual assault—and forgiving him isn’t our business, argues Tyler Huckabee. Elsewhere this week, we’re thinking about why some Christians use the word “empire,” the theological implications of Trump’s “might makes right” approach to foreign policy, and how two Christian rappers approach their music (and the wild messages they get in their DMs) with grace and humor. How Christian Nationalists Took Control of the U.S. Military (by Carmen Celestini) The conflation of God, war, and country did not begin with Pete Hegseth. Read the full article Advertisement Our Latest Stories Empire Is More Than a Political System. It’s a Spiritual Reality (by Yanan Melo) When Christians talk about “empire,” we are not just describing a structure of domination but contrasting the politics of empire with the true meaning of the kingdom of God. Read more Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed Are Having the Most Fun in Christian Hip-Hop (by Mitchell Atencio) After releasing a second collaborative album, the rap duo known as “Magic & Bird” talk comedy, interior design, and misogyny in CHH. Read more Forgiving Graham Platner Isn’t Our Business (by Tyler Huckabee) Platner’s downfall is a case study in what forgiveness isn’t. Read more Trump’s Foreign Policy Is a Rejection of Jesus' Teaching (by Adam Russell Taylor) A "might makes right" approach contradicts what Jesus taught. Read more Advertisements Rest that Your Soul Has Been Craving The new book Light for the Way brings together 50 years of wisdom from Sojourners magazine on how contemplation, rest, and community fuel justice work. With voices like Julia Alvarez, Walter Brueggemann, and Richard Rohr, this is your guide to sustaining prophetic resistance. Action Alert: No War With Iran! Contact Congress now to demand peace and an end to the war with Iran. As Christians, we know that each and every life is precious and every step must be taken to avoid bloodshed. Instead of recklessly pursuing a policy of escalation, we demand an end to violence and vigorous oversight from Congress in pursuit of peace. Donate Subscribe Unsubscribe or update email preferences Copyright © 2026 Sojourners. All rights reserved. 611 Pennsylvania Ave SE #342, Washington, DC 20003 Email: sojourners@sojo.net | Tel.: 202.328.8842