Highest Power: Church + State Ep33: Bombing Iran, Violent Men, & Why Women are Leaving the Church, with Liz Cooledge Jenkins
Jun 23, 2025
Liz Cooledge Jenkins, author of 'Nice Churchy Patriarchy' and Substack writer, dives deep into why women are leaving the church. She highlights the link between Christian Zionism and U.S. military actions, critiquing how evangelical beliefs shape foreign policy. Jenkins discusses the liberation from toxic faith, emphasizing the struggles women face in patriarchal environments. She advocates for new narratives recognizing individual worth and the importance of supportive spiritual communities that promote equality and reflection.
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Evangelical Theology Drives Iran Bombing
- The Trump administration's bombing of Iran's nuclear facilities is influenced by white evangelical end-times theology.
- This theological perspective drives foreign policy actions masked as national security measures.
Toxic Masculinity in Evangelicalism
- White evangelical churches promote toxic masculinity, focusing on power and violence.
- This culture fuels spiritual warfare rhetoric that harms many and alienates women.
Women's Perspectives on Leaving Church
- Liz Cooledge Jenkins shares her journey leaving evangelical spaces for authentic faith.
- She emphasizes the importance of understanding women's perspectives behind church departure.