Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

How the American Church's focus on right beliefs and institutional preservation has neglected the transformative power of love, justice, and community as revealed through Jesus. In this deeply reflective and wide-ranging conversation, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Hannah Erie (Mike's daughter) explore the frustrations young people have with modern Christianity, especially its entanglements with politics, legalism, and exclusion. Hannah shares her "horrendous happenings" as a 16-year-old navigating faith in a world where Christian identity often feels synonymous with judgment rather than love. As the discussion deepens, Mike and Tim move into a profound examination of how churches often claim doctrinal orthodoxy while embodying behavioral heresy—failing to reflect the communal justice, humility, and reconciliation commanded by Scripture. With insights from Ephesians and the work of theologians like Tim Gombis and Richard Hays, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider what faithful biblical

Tim and Dr. Tim Gombis conclude their mini-series on U2 and theology by diving deep into how we can coexist and carry each other in divisive times. Drawing inspiration from U2's song "One" and other tracks, they explore the importance of embracing differences within community, the role of the church in fostering true connection, and how music can serve as a bridge in times of division. Key Takeaways: Embracing Differences in Community – How U2's "One" teaches us to carry each other despite our differences and the privilege of supporting one another. Building True Community in Divisive Times – Practical ways to foster coexistence and unity within the church and society, reflecting on God's intentions for community. The Role of Worship and Music – Reflecting on the function of worship in church and how U2's music acts as a modern hymnal, wrestling with themes of humanity and spirituality. Processing Grief and Unity through Music – Analyzing U2's 2002 Super Bowl performance post-9/11 and how music can help us p

Understanding how genre shapes our reading of Scripture is one of the most foundational—and often overlooked—keys to interpreting the Bible faithfully. In this 10th installment of the ongoing Bible Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford deep-dive into the importance of reading Scripture on its own literary terms rather than applying a flat, literalistic lens. Using the book of Revelation as a case study, they dismantle sensationalist and futurist interpretations and explore how genre—apocalyptic, prophetic, and epistolary—provides clarity rather than confusion when rightly understood. This conversation re-centers the idea that faithfulness begins with relational engagement, not theological rigidity, and highlights how communal reading of Scripture transforms our approach to modern Western misreadings. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Revelation Through Genre Cues – How Revelation explicitly tells us it is an apocalypse, a prophecy, and a letter—and why that matters. • Deconstructing the Flat Reading of the Bible –

Explore how U2's music unveils the paradoxes of the gospel, as Tim Stafford and Dr. Tim Gombis delve into themes of grief, grace, and the grotesque in Part 2 of The Wanderer Series. Unpacking the "grammar of the gospel," they discuss how songs like "California (There is No End to Love)" and "Grace" capture the complex relationship between suffering and redemption, challenging us to see beauty in brokenness and embrace the full spectrum of the human experience. Key Takeaways: Understanding the Grammar of the Gospel – How U2's lyrics reveal the counterintuitive logic of grace working in unexpected ways. Embracing Grief and Love – Discussing the intertwining of grief and love in songs like "California (There is No End to Love)" and how this reflects the relentless cycle of grace following grief. Beauty in the Grotesque – Exploring the concept of the grotesque and how finding beauty in what is often considered ugly can deepen our understanding of humanity and God's investment in it. Lament and Hope Without Senti

Discover how embracing the cultural, historical, and contextual 'strangeness' of the Bible can transform your understanding of scripture. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the complexities of interpreting scripture by acknowledging the hermeneutical distance created by time, culture, language, customs, geography, and value systems. They explore the contrasts between honor-shame and guilt-innocence cultures, discuss the importance of reading the Bible in community, and emphasize producing Jesus-shaped fruit over clinging to rigid doctrines. Key Takeaways: Understanding Hermeneutical Distance – Recognizing and bridging the gaps that impact our interpretation of biblical texts. Honor-Shame vs. Guilt-Innocence Cultures – How cultural value systems influence our understanding of scripture and community. Prioritizing Love and Community – Emphasizing that faithful reading leads to love and Jesus-shaped living rather than mere correct doctrine. Resources Mentioned: Tim Gombis's Podcast on Romans – [Link] Scott

Join Tim Stafford and Dr. Timothy Gombis as they launch 'The Wanderer Series', a deep dive into the intersections of U2's music, theology, and personal journeys. Explore how the band's evolving sound and poetic lyrics have profoundly influenced their perspectives on faith, art, and humanity. Key Takeaways: • The Transformative Power of Music and Poetry – Discussing how U2's artistry exemplifies the impact of language and metaphor on personal and spiritual growth. • U2's Evolution and Influence – Exploring the band's transition from earnest piety in the 1980s to the complex, mature themes in albums like 'Achtung Baby' and 'Zooropa', and how this mirrors personal growth. • Personal Narratives and Faith Journeys – Tim and Tim share how U2's music has been a companion through various stages of life, reflecting shifts in faith, worldview, and understanding of the divine. • Theological Depth in U2's Lyrics – Analyzing songs such as 'The Wanderer' and 'Wake Up Dead Man' to uncover deep theological insights, confessi

Discover how understanding cultural context and embracing interpretive humility can transform your reading of the Bible. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the importance of situating ourselves before the text, recognizing our individualistic lenses, and moving towards a communal approach to Scripture. Key Takeaways: • Interpretive Humility – The necessity of approaching the Bible with humility, acknowledging our biases and the limitations of our perspectives. • Individualism vs. Collectivism – How Western individualism affects our interpretation of Scripture and the value of embracing the Bible's communal context. • Situating Ourselves Before the Text – Practices for self-assessment to recognize how our culture, experiences, and assumptions influence our understanding. • Cultural Context and Hermeneutical Distance – Exploring the historical, cultural, and linguistic gaps between us and the biblical texts, and strategies to bridge them. • Reading the Bible in Community – The benefits of studying Scripture

Discover how understanding God's accommodation can transform the way we read and interpret Scripture. Mike and Tim delve into the complexities of the Bible's divine and human aspects, exploring how the messiness of Scripture reveals God's character and His relationship with humanity. Key Takeaways: God's Accommodation in Scripture – Understanding how God meets humanity where they are, working within cultural contexts and human limitations to reveal His divine will. The Real vs. The Ideal – Exploring the tension between God's ideal intentions and the real situations depicted in the Bible, such as polygamy, divorce, and violence. Jesus as the Fulfillment – Discussing how Jesus embodies the ideal human and fulfills the Scriptures by revealing God's true intentions. Embracing the Messiness – Encouraging listeners to accept the complexities of Scripture as a means to deepen their faith and understanding of God's character. Guest Highlights: Greg Boyd – Mentioned for his insightful work on the concept of accommod

Discover how understanding God's accommodation to human culture can transform your reading of the Bible. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the complexities of interpreting scripture amidst cultural lenses and veils, exploring how the divine-human partnership in the Bible's creation impacts our grasp of truth and God's character. Key Takeaways: God's Partnership with Humanity – Unpacking how the Bible is both divinely inspired and a product of human agency, and what that means for how we read it. Accommodation and Cultural Context – Understanding how God accommodates human cultural contexts, allowing ancient worldviews to shape the way divine truths are communicated. Embracing the Bible's Complexity – Exploring why the Bible's messy and complex nature is valuable and how it provokes us into deeper engagement and relationship with God. Approaching Scripture with Humility – Learning the importance of unlearning preconceived notions, recognizing our own cultural lenses, and approaching the Bible with humilit

Unlock a deeper understanding of the Bible by exploring the human and divine collaboration in Scripture. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off the Bible Series by challenging conventional beliefs about biblical inspiration, revealing how recognizing the Bible's human elements can enrich your faith and engagement with God's Word. Key Takeaways: • The Bible's Self-Portrait – Discover how Scripture describes its own origins as both a divine and human product. • Challenging Traditional Views of Inspiration – Questioning the idea of the Bible as a flawless, dictation-style document and recognizing the role of human agency. • Divine-Human Partnership in Action – Exploring examples of how God works through human authors, accommodating their contexts and cultures. • Implications for Modern Readers – Learn how embracing the Bible's human and divine elements enhances interpretation, application, and trust in Scripture. Resources Mentioned: • Tim Mackie and The Bible Project – https://bibleproject.com/ • Scott McKnight's

How reading scripture through the lens of Jesus can transform your understanding of God, justice, and salvation. In part four of Voxology's Bible Series, Mike and Tim are joined by returning guest and theologian Bradley Jersak to explore ideas from his new book, A More Christlike Word. From questioning literalist readings of the Old Testament to redefining the meaning and necessity of Jesus' death, this rich and heartfelt conversation digs into how the Bible can be both faithfully read and lovingly reinterpreted in light of Christ. Key Takeaways: • The "Emmaus Way" of Reading Scripture – Discover how Jesus modeled a way of interpreting the Old Testament through his death, resurrection, and teachings. • Reframing Atonement – Understanding Jesus' death not as divine punishment but as self-giving love that confronts and overcomes the powers of darkness, dread, and death. • The Bible's Progressive Unveiling – How scripture gradually removes cultural and theological "veils" to more clearly reveal God's nature thro

Uncover new ways to engage with the Bible by embracing its complexities and ambiguities. Dr. Amy-Jill Levine joins Tim Stafford to explore how wrestling with scripture can deepen our relationship with God. They delve into feminist biblical interpretation, the role of the Old Testament in informing New Testament teachings, and the importance of viewing the Bible as an anthology of voices in dialogue. Key Takeaways: Understanding the Bible as an Anthology – Viewing scripture as a collection of diverse voices that invites us to interpret and wrestle with its messages. Feminist Perspectives in Biblical Interpretation – Highlighting the significant roles of women in the Bible and challenging traditional gender norms within scripture. The Relevance of the Old Testament – Recognizing how the Old Testament informs the New Testament and its ongoing importance for modern readers. Wrestling as Relationship – Embracing argument and discussion with God through scripture as vital aspects of our faith journey. Guest Highl

Explore how understanding context, genre, and cultural background can transform our reading of difficult Bible passages, particularly Old Testament violence. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by pastor and author Joshua Ryan Butler, who sheds light on approaching challenging scriptures without compromising the goodness of God. Together, they discuss the importance of wrestling with these texts, recognizing our own biases, and reading the Bible in community to gain deeper insight into God's character. Key Takeaways: Viewing the Bible as a Library – Understanding the Bible as a collection of books written over thousands of years and cultures, and how that influences interpretation. Context is Crucial – The importance of historical, cultural, and literary context when reading difficult passages, especially those involving Old Testament violence. Ancient War Rhetoric and Hyperbole – How recognizing ancient Near Eastern literary devices can reshape our perception of violent scriptures. God's Unchanging Goodne

How the Bible's diversity of genres, cultural contexts, and ancient languages shape our spiritual understanding—and how to rediscover scripture as a life-giving, imaginative world. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off a brand new series on the Bible with special guest Dr. Tim Gombis, diving deep into how the Bible can move from confusing and discouraging to enlightening and liberating. This episode is the beginning of a multi-part exploration aiming to help listeners reapproach the Bible with fresh eyes and renewed confidence. Key Takeaways: • Breaking Free from "The Bible Says It, That Settles It" – Why simplistic readings fall short and how to embrace a more meaningful engagement with scripture. • Understanding the Bible as a Library, Not a Manual – Dr. Gombis outlines the major literary genres of the Bible and why each must be approached differently. • Replacing Certainty with Curiosity – How making the Bible "strange" again opens the door to deeper faith, richer theology, and a more beautiful gospel. • Rea

Discover how to identify and address spiritual abuse within church communities as Mike Erre and Tim Stafford engage with researcher Dan Koch. Delving into Dan's extensive study on the seven underlying factors that contribute to spiritual abuse, they discuss practical steps toward creating healthier, more nurturing religious environments. This insightful conversation sheds light on the importance of compassionate leadership, the impact of harmful practices, and offers hope and healing to those affected. Key Takeaways: Authoritarian Leadership – Understanding how control and hierarchy can foster spiritual abuse in church settings. Manipulative Fear Tactics – Exploring the use of fear, violence, and punishment to influence congregations, including end-times scare tactics. Discrimination in the Church – Discussing how gender, racial, and sexual orientation discrimination can create abusive environments. Discouraging Medical and Mental Health Care – Highlighting the dangers of dissuading individuals from seeking

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the experience of feeling exiled within one's own church community. Drawing from biblical narratives of exile, they explore how to foster dynamic countercultural communities that embody Jesus's teachings while remaining committed to the well-being of the broader church. They discuss practical steps for navigating discontent without falling into pride or division, emphasizing the importance of loving the church even amidst frustration. Key Takeaways: Understanding Biblical Exile – Exploring the concept of exile from the Old Testament to the New Testament and how it applies to modern feelings of spiritual homelessness. Fostering Dynamic Counterculture – Discussing how to create communities that are distinctively Jesus-focused, wrestling with accommodation and distinction, inclusion and exclusion. Seeking the Good of the Church – Examining ways to remain committed to the larger church, loving and serving it even when feeling disillusioned. Avoiding Pride and Self-Righteousn

How does the church respond to LGBTQ+ individuals in ways that reflect new creation rather than tired, old creation dynamics of exclusion, shame, and silence? In this profoundly moving episode, Mike and Tim respond compassionately to a deeply honest and heartbreaking letter from a closeted gay church leader wrestling with belonging, identity, and faith in the modern church. This dialogue touches on some of the most pressing tensions within American Christianity today—how can the church be a place of authentic community for LGBTQ+ believers? What does it mean to be a welcoming and mutually transforming space? How can we embrace new creation practices without compromising on grace, truth, or relationship? Mike and Tim confront the church's failures, hypocrisies, and misplaced obsessions with sexuality, while also outlining what true hospitality, humility, and justice must look like within Christ-centered communities. If you're asking hard questions about faith, sexuality, and the mission of the church in a divi

How can mistranslations, manipulated theology, and cultural biases distort how we see Jesus, worship, and community? This episode of the Exile Series is a timely journey into the tangled landscape of modern Christianity, questioning the language we use, the powers that shape our spirituality, and what it truly means to be "in Christ." Through a raw, winding conversation, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford reflect on the communal nature of scripture, the emotional weight of worship, and the cosmic battle Paul describes between divine wisdom and worldly power. From 1980s pop nostalgia to the deep complexities of biblical translation, this episode challenges sentimental theology and digs into questions from listeners about trusting scripture, spiritual authority, and how emotion and manipulation can intertwine in Christian culture. With references ranging from Duran Duran to Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Mike and Tim unravel what it means to follow Jesus in a world overrun by deception and distraction. Key Takeaways:

How the voices of lament, deconstruction, and justice led to a renewed vision of the church and the launch of Voxology. In this monumental 300th (and now Voxology's first!) episode, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford pause to reflect on six years of podcasting and the journey that brought about the transformation from The Vox Podcast to Voxology. This episode is a heartfelt collection of gratitude, vision-casting, and a look ahead. Joined by special guests Bonnie Lewis, Shane Claiborne, and Tim Gombis, the conversation dives deep into themes of church trauma, nationalistic Christianity, systemic brokenness, and the audacious hope we still cling to for the future of the church. Key Takeaways: • From Vox to Voxology – The story behind the name change and what the new name represents for the podcast's future mission and identity. • Lament & Trauma in Church Spaces – Bonnie Lewis shares her transition to being "post-church," detailing how EMDR therapy and her experiences with patriarchal systems realigned her vision

A behind-the-scenes bonus episode full of joy, jokes, and Jesus as Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and the beloved Seth Erre drop in to tease the much-anticipated rebrand of the Vox Podcast. With Episode 300 on the horizon, this midweek moment is both a celebration of the past and a hilarious reflection on potential (and rejected) new names for the show. Packed with wild brainstorming, dad-joke-worthy Christian slogans, and Seth's unforgettable antics, this episode sets the tone for the next chapter of Voxology. Key Takeaways: • Creative Process Unplugged – How Mike, Tim, and friends explored hilarious and heartfelt rebranding ideas, from "Get Right or Get Left" to "God Grades on the Cross, Not the Curve." • Looking Back and Moving Forward – Reflections on the journey to 300 episodes and what makes this community so unique. • Countdown Hype – Episode 300 drops Monday with a new name and vision, inviting listeners to be part of the ongoing transformation. Guest Highlights: • Seth Erre – Fan favorite and comedic catal