Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share The Power and Threat of Moral Policing: From Iran's Revolution to Western Christian Nationalism - w/ Pastor Suzie Lind and Dr. Timothy Gombis
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
The Power and Threat of Moral Policing: From Iran's Revolution to Western Christian Nationalism - w/ Pastor Suzie Lind and Dr. Timothy Gombis
How the morality police in Iran became a symbol of oppressive theocracy, and why Christians in the West must pay attention. In this special edition of Voxology, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Susie Lind (an elder, pastor, and Iranian-American) dive into the recent wave of women-led protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini. The conversation explores the historical context of Iran’s revolution, the internal trauma of displacement, and the deeply personal ties Susie holds to the current uprising. They draw unsettling parallels between Iran’s morality police and Western theocratic impulses taking shape in America.
The team is later joined by theology professor and podcaster Tim Gombis for a broader conversation on the seductive pull of ideological tribalism, the myth of Christian cultural dominion, and the revolutionary call to be good neighbors rather than spiritual conquerors.
Key Takeaways: • Iran’s Current Uprising – How Mahsa Amini’s death sparked a generational resistance movement led by Iranian women, and why this moment feels different than past protests. • The Legacy of the Iranian Revolution – Susie Lind shares her personal story of fleeing Iran during the 1979 revolution, highlighting the deep historical wounds and the dangers of theocratic governance. • Moral Policing in the West – How contemporary Christian laws in the U.S. reflect elements of Iran's morality enforcement, including citizen-based reporting and forced moral conformity. • Christian Nationalism and Power – Tim Gombis tackles the origins of culture war theology, tracing it back to colonialism and capitalism’s grip on Christianity. • Redefining “Loving Your Neighbor” – Why telling others the “truth” isn’t biblical love unless grounded in self-sacrificial relationship and humility.
Guest Highlights: Susie Lind – Iranian-American pastor and elder at Vox Church, shares from a profoundly personal lens what the Iranian protests mean for her family and heritage. Dr. Tim Gombis – Professor, host of the Faith Improvised podcast, and author of “Power in Weakness” and “The Drama of Ephesians,” offers incisive commentary on how ideologies twist the gospel and trap the church in culture wars.
Resources Mentioned: • Faith Improvised Podcast – Subscribe here • “Power in Weakness” by Tim Gombis – Buy the book • Shirin Sadeghi and Global Iranian Voices – Recommended accounts for following on-the-ground reporting • History of the Iranian Revolution – Detailed Overview • Voxology Episodes on Revelation Series – Reframing biblical themes around power, exile, and ideology
Join the conversation as we stand in solidarity with those seeking justice, freedom, and dignity. Share this episode, spread awareness, and consider what it means to resist coercive ideologies—wherever they appear.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social media.
As always, we encourage and welcome your questions and reflections. Email us at [email protected], and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
We're on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV
Get Vox Merch: ETSY Store
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast: Patreon
Follow us on Instagram @voxologypodcast and Facebook Voxology Podcast
Music by Timothy John Stafford | Instagram/Twitter: @GoneTimothy
As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.
Our Merch Store! ETSY
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon
The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook
Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy
View all episodes
By Mike Erre and Tim Stafford
4.8
10571,057 ratings
How the morality police in Iran became a symbol of oppressive theocracy, and why Christians in the West must pay attention. In this special edition of Voxology, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Susie Lind (an elder, pastor, and Iranian-American) dive into the recent wave of women-led protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini. The conversation explores the historical context of Iran’s revolution, the internal trauma of displacement, and the deeply personal ties Susie holds to the current uprising. They draw unsettling parallels between Iran’s morality police and Western theocratic impulses taking shape in America.
The team is later joined by theology professor and podcaster Tim Gombis for a broader conversation on the seductive pull of ideological tribalism, the myth of Christian cultural dominion, and the revolutionary call to be good neighbors rather than spiritual conquerors.
Key Takeaways: • Iran’s Current Uprising – How Mahsa Amini’s death sparked a generational resistance movement led by Iranian women, and why this moment feels different than past protests. • The Legacy of the Iranian Revolution – Susie Lind shares her personal story of fleeing Iran during the 1979 revolution, highlighting the deep historical wounds and the dangers of theocratic governance. • Moral Policing in the West – How contemporary Christian laws in the U.S. reflect elements of Iran's morality enforcement, including citizen-based reporting and forced moral conformity. • Christian Nationalism and Power – Tim Gombis tackles the origins of culture war theology, tracing it back to colonialism and capitalism’s grip on Christianity. • Redefining “Loving Your Neighbor” – Why telling others the “truth” isn’t biblical love unless grounded in self-sacrificial relationship and humility.
Guest Highlights: Susie Lind – Iranian-American pastor and elder at Vox Church, shares from a profoundly personal lens what the Iranian protests mean for her family and heritage. Dr. Tim Gombis – Professor, host of the Faith Improvised podcast, and author of “Power in Weakness” and “The Drama of Ephesians,” offers incisive commentary on how ideologies twist the gospel and trap the church in culture wars.
Resources Mentioned: • Faith Improvised Podcast – Subscribe here • “Power in Weakness” by Tim Gombis – Buy the book • Shirin Sadeghi and Global Iranian Voices – Recommended accounts for following on-the-ground reporting • History of the Iranian Revolution – Detailed Overview • Voxology Episodes on Revelation Series – Reframing biblical themes around power, exile, and ideology
Join the conversation as we stand in solidarity with those seeking justice, freedom, and dignity. Share this episode, spread awareness, and consider what it means to resist coercive ideologies—wherever they appear.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social media.
As always, we encourage and welcome your questions and reflections. Email us at [email protected], and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
We're on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV
Get Vox Merch: ETSY Store
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast: Patreon
Follow us on Instagram @voxologypodcast and Facebook Voxology Podcast
Music by Timothy John Stafford | Instagram/Twitter: @GoneTimothy
As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.
We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.
Our Merch Store! ETSY
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon
The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook
Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre
Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy
More shows like Voxology
View all
The Holy Post
4,291 Listeners
Theology in the Raw
1,413 Listeners
The Russell Moore Show
999 Listeners
Truce - History of the Christian Church
289 Listeners
Ask NT Wright Anything
1,965 Listeners
No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp
483 Listeners
Faith Improvised
218 Listeners
Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times
257 Listeners
Truth Over Tribe: Christian Takes on Culture, News & Politics
870 Listeners
Good Faith
1,883 Listeners
The Bulletin
444 Listeners
Curiously Kaitlyn
803 Listeners
The SkyePod
115 Listeners
The Esau McCaulley Podcast
501 Listeners
Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
631 Listeners