Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

How can the Church respond faithfully to modern political chaos without getting entangled in the power structures of empire? In a powerful, raw reflection following the January 6 insurrection, Mike and Tim welcome Pauline theologian Dr. Tim Gombis to unpack how the Apostle Paul might interpret and respond to the events that unfolded in the U.S. Capitol. This episode invites listeners into a deep, sobering conversation about Christian nationalism, fear-fueled political movements, and how the Church can—and must—rediscover its identity as a cruciform, counter-cultural kingdom community. With an urgent call to reject ideological captivity, reclaim gospel-centered political imagination, and embody the radical love and hospitality of Jesus, this episode offers pastoral wisdom, prophetic challenge, and real hope for the future of the Church. Key Takeaways: • Reframing January 6 as Symptom, Not Shock – Why the events at the Capitol are part of a long historical arc of systemic injustice and white supremacy, rather t

How Christian nationalism has infiltrated the American church and why it's vital for believers to name, reject, and repent from this deceptive ideology. Pulling back the curtain on how political allegiance has replaced spiritual formation, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford tackle tough listener questions about navigating nationalism in local churches, whether to stay or leave, and how the church lost the way of Jesus by embracing cultural dominance over radical love. Key Takeaways: • Christian Nationalism as a False Gospel – Drawing a clear line between the kingdom of God and political ideologies, this episode names Christian nationalism for what it is: a distortion of the gospel that demands unwavering loyalty to a nation rather than to Jesus. • Discipleship Failure in the American Church – Unpacking how decades of culture war theology, poor end-times teaching, and a lack of kingdom-centric discipleship have led to the current crisis. • When to Leave Your Church – Navigating the hard question of whether and when it

How the events of the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021—and the troubling use of Christian symbols within it—highlight a critical need for the Church to return to the Jesus of the Gospels. Mike and Tim process these pivotal moments in real time, connecting the cultural crisis to the deeply subversive messages within the Sermon on the Mount. Through honest reflection and spiritual clarity, they examine how political idolatry has hijacked the Christian witness—and why reclaiming the cross-shaped way of Jesus has never been more urgent. Key Takeaways: • The Capitol Insurrection and Epiphany – Why the events of January 6 strikingly mirrored Herod's fear of Jesus and the wise men's rejection of political power in Matthew's Gospel. • Recognizing Political Idolatry – How attaching Jesus's name to political slogans like "Jesus is my Savior, Trump is my President" violates the sacred and embodies taking the Lord's name in vain. • Two Christs, Two Christianities – The distinction between the Jesus of the Sermon on the Mo

How a controversial worship leader's pandemic events, a deeper understanding of Christian discipleship, and Jesus' teachings on money collide in this engaging and raw episode of Voxology. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off 2021 with a candid, convicted conversation on the damaging witness of anti-lockdown worship gatherings, the real meaning of persecution, and why our cultural interpretations of worship and possessions fall short of Jesus' call to discipleship. Starting with an impassioned take on Sean Feucht's pandemic evangelism concerts and culminating in a rich, challenging study of Matthew 6 and Luke 14, this episode grapples with what it truly means to surrender everything and follow Jesus. Whether you're wrestling with cultural Christianity, the church's public image, or personal attachment to material things, this episode offers a thought-provoking roadmap back to the heart of the gospel—one shaped by neighborly love, spiritual sobriety, and radical generosity. Key Takeaways: • A Compromised Witness

How can we rediscover the purpose and subversive beauty of Jesus through the chaos of a pandemic-filled year? In this heartfelt and hilariously honest "Voxmas" episode, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford bring Christmas Eve energy to the mic while reflecting on the tumultuous and revealing events of 2020. From pandemic politics, cultural unraveling, and spiritual deconstruction to the wild backstory of "O Holy Night" as an abolitionist anthem, this episode swings from silly to sobering in classic Voxology style. The conversation dives into how this difficult year has become a strange gift — exposing religious hypocrisy, broken institutions, systemic injustice, and idolatry in American Christianity. Far from despairing, Mike and Tim argue that moments of cultural and personal unraveling might actually be the fertile soil where Jesus shows up to bring something new and beautiful out of our collective rubble. Key Takeaways: • The Subversive Power of Christmas – Rediscovering Christ's upside-down kingdom in a story often

How Jewish and Christian communities read the same scripture differently, and how embracing these distinct interpretations can deepen both scholarship and spiritual formation. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford sit down with renowned Jewish New Testament scholar Dr. Amy-Jill Levine to discuss themes from her book, "The Bible With and Without Jesus," co-authored with Marc Brettler. AJ brings warmth, brilliant storytelling, and scholarly insight as they dive into how texts like Genesis, Isaiah 53, and Jonah have been interpreted historically and theologically by Jews and Christians alike. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Contextual Lenses – How the way we read scripture is shaped by the "glasses" we wear—our religious traditions, cultural assumptions, and theological expectations. • The Bible as a Multi-layered Text – Why the Bible supports multiple interpretations and how that opens doors to richer understanding, not confusion. • Reframing Original Sin – Exploring the Jewish view of Genesis 3 as an "original opportunity

A powerful and candid conversation exploring the intersection of sexuality, faith, purity culture, and theological growth in the modern church. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by Tyler Cherneski, a Cincinnati-based church planter, and Bridget Eileen Rivera, author, researcher, and LGBTQ+ Christian advocate, to unpack the lingering harm of purity culture and how the church can move toward a more grace-filled, Gospel-centered sexual ethic. This episode dives deep into what it means to extend authentic grace to all, the damaging legacy of purity culture, and how to create space for LGBTQ+ Christians to belong, wrestle with theology, and follow Jesus without fear of exclusion or judgment. Together, they examine the double standards often imposed on queer Christians, and call for a more consistent, Christ-like approach to discipleship and sexual ethics. Key Takeaways: • Purity Culture's Lingering Harm – How the idolization of sex as both ultimate good and worst sin continues to distort the church's teaching

How the radical intertwining of critical race theory, biblical economics, and systemic sin challenges modern Christian assumptions around capitalism, race, and justice. Continuing their Exile Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford welcome back theologian Timothy Gombis to explore how the teachings of Jesus, Paul, and the Old Testament offer a countercultural vision for economic and social life rooted in repentance, restoration, and community. From the Lord's Prayer's plea to "forgive debts" to Paul's vision of a just and unified humanity under Christ, this episode uncovers how deeply Christianity has been co-opted by capitalist ideology, individualism, and white supremacy—and what it might look like to reclaim the Jesus way in the public, economic, and racial spheres of our society. Key Takeaways: • Critical Race Theory and the Gospel – Understanding CRT as a biblical tool to help Christians identify and dismantle racism baked into culture, law, and power—not as a political threat, but as an opportunity for justi

How the structure and theology of the Lord's Prayer reveal the core of Jesus's ministry, reshape the way we engage with God, and invite us to embody the kingdom of heaven here and now. Mike and Tim dive deep into Matthew 6 in this Sermon on the Mount series entry, revealing the prayer not as a script to memorize, but as a revolutionary way of aligning our lives with God's transformative mission in the world. From reimagining what "Our Father in Heaven" means to understanding God's will "on earth as it is in heaven," this conversation offers a rich, practical guide to prayer that pushes beyond cliché into responsive, active discipleship. Key Takeaways: • The Lord's Prayer as an Outline for Life – Jesus provides more than a liturgical formula; it's a framework for participation in the renewal of all things. • Heaven and Earth Reunited – Reframing heaven not as a distant place but as the realm of God's will, overlapping and reuniting with earth through our daily obedience. • Praying as a Revolutionary Act – Decl

How reframing prayer as a relationship between a child and a parent opens the door to deeper faith, vulnerability, and trust. In this powerful installment of the Exile Series, Mike and Tim explore Jesus' teachings from Matthew 6 and 7 and how his use of the word "Father" (Abba) radically redefines what it means to talk with God in a world driven by performance, control, and religious cliches. They unpack the difference between performative and formulaic prayers versus the genuine, raw posture Jesus invites us into—a relationship rooted in trust, not fear or manipulation. Through personal stories (including shirtless podcasting), cultural context, and lived wrestling with unanswered prayer, this episode helps listeners reconsider what it means to ask, seek, knock—and be heard. Key Takeaways: • The Dangers of Performative and Voodoo Prayer – Why Jesus critiques religious prayer done to impress and anxious prayer done to manipulate outcomes. • God as Abba, Not a Cosmic Vending Machine – How understanding God as

Unpacking how the distorted gospel we've inherited may be enabling spiritual hypocrisy rather than cultivating Christlike transformation, Mike and Tim continue the Sermon on the Mount Series by diving into Jesus' sobering words in Luke 12. From confronting religious duplicity to reframing what it means to be "saved," this episode explores how the yeast of hypocrisy infects individuals and institutions—and what living in true covenant with Jesus actually looks like. This conversation invites us to move beyond the consumerized, transactional gospel toward a kingdom-centered vision of discipleship grounded in relational covenant, daily participation, and communal transformation. Through analogies like marriage and authentic faith as action, the episode offers a deeply challenging yet hopeful vision of the Jesus way. Key Takeaways: • The Infectious Nature of Hypocrisy – Why Jesus warns it spreads subtly and pervasively like yeast in dough, impacting both our inner lives and public witness. • Judgment as the Revel

How the early church's proclamation that "Jesus is Lord" became a radical act of resistance—and how today, it's at risk of becoming a hollow cliché. Mike and Tim push back against spiritual bypassing, toxic positivity, and performative righteousness in this honest conversation about political polarization, theological language, and what it really means to live the Sermon on the Mount in modern America. They dive into the origins of hypocrisy, the performative nature of modern faith, and invite listeners to deconstruct and reclaim authentic discipleship rooted in vulnerability, justice, and community. Key Takeaways: • Jesus Is Lord as a Cry of Resistance – Why this phrase was never meant to promote passivity and how it originated with the marginalized as a declaration against oppressive systems. • The Danger of Toxic Positivity – How common Christian phrases like "God is in control" can be weaponized to silence grief and shield privilege. • Virtue Signaling and Public Piety – Unpacking the Sermon on the Mount'

Could the way we've been taught to vote "pro-life" actually undermine the outcomes we most desire? Continuing the Exile Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by Holy Post co-host and author Skye Jethani for a challenging and eye-opening conversation around abortion, presidential politics, and Christian ethics. Together, they examine whether single-issue voting on abortion—particularly in presidential elections—actually aligns with a holistic pro-life ethic and Kingdom values. Skye brings research, historical context, and biblical wisdom to bear on the complex reality of abortion in the U.S., questioning whether appointing pro-life justices truly impacts abortion rates. Rather than advocating for a partisan stance, this episode encourages Christians to pursue informed, faithful, and compassionate engagement in how and why they vote. Key Takeaways: •  Voting Beyond the Presidency – Why focusing solely on the presidential vote to overturn Roe v Wade may not be the most effective pro-life strategy. •  The

How the rhythms of modern political culture are shaping Christians more deeply than we realize—and how faithful discipleship calls for a radical reimagining of our political engagement. In this special election-season conversation, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by author and theologian Kaitlyn Schiess to explore the core ideas from her provocative book, "The Liturgy of Politics." They dive into how media habits, partisan narratives, and cultural assumptions form us daily—and why spiritual formation must be political without becoming partisan. From the seductive promises of security and prosperity to the damaging marriage of Christian identity with political party platforms, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider what faithful kingdom engagement really looks like in our polarized society. Get ready for an unflinchingly honest reflection on how the church has been shaped by modern political liturgies—and how Christian communities can recover a holistic witness rooted in Jesus's own upside-down

What does it look like to engage politically in a way rooted in the cross and not coercion? In this special bonus episode from the archives, Mike Erre continues the "Faith & Politics" series by diving deep into the transformative implications of Paul's conversion—for both the early church and our modern political landscape. Drawing from Paul's radical encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Mike explores how the Apostle's understanding of politics, salvation, nationalism, and power underwent a complete overhaul. Listeners are invited to reimagine civic engagement not through partisanship but through the cruciform vision of the Kingdom of God, where allegiance to Jesus as Lord reshapes all identities, systems, and priorities. Key Takeaways: • Paul's Political Awakening – How meeting the crucified and risen Jesus reoriented Paul's theology from zealotry to sacrificial love and non-coercive kingdom living. • Resurrection as Political Symbol – Seeing resurrection not as escapism but as God's holistic pl

How the "deeper righteousness" of the kingdom defies religious performance, upends cultural norms, and reveals a radical vision for the Church's role today. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford return to their series on the Sermon on the Mount, offering a deep-dive reflection into Matthew 5 and setting the stage for chapter 6. Reframing righteousness as something more than performative piety, this episode highlights how Jesus redefines power, purity, and politics in his upside-down kingdom. Along the way, Mike opens up about a significant personal transition—his unexpected return to pastoring—and what it reveals about healing, trust, and embodying authenticity in church life. Key Takeaways: • The Kingdom as a Political Reality – Jesus lays out not a doctrine for personal beliefs, but a reordering of community life in light of God's rule. • Righteousness Beyond Legalism – From anger to lust, retaliation to loving enemies, Jesus expands righteousness to address the heart, not just actions. • Reclaiming the Role of the Ch

How can Christians engage in politics without becoming partisans? In this double-feature episode—an encore from two years ago—Mike Erre revisits the roots of faith, power, and politics with new context for our current cultural moment. Drawing from Tim Gombis, Michael Goheen, and N.T. Wright, Mike reframes Paul's theology as inherently political, uncovering how early church teachings speak directly into the chaos of today's polarized political climate. This is the first two parts of the Faith and Politics Series—republished to provide grounding and clarity during a fraught election season. Mike explores Paul's journey from Saul the Pharisee to Apostle of Jesus, highlighting a dramatic political reorientation—one from coercion and judgment to service, humility, and subversive citizenship in the Kingdom of God. Key Takeaways: • Understanding "Politics" Biblically – Redefining politics not as partisanship, but as the communal ordering of social life under the reign of Jesus. • Paul's Political Imagination – How S

How to reshape your spiritual and relational life through the revolutionary ethic of enemy love, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In this installment of the Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore Jesus' transformative call to love our enemies—a command that challenges deeply embedded cultural and religious narratives, and redefines what it truly means to embody the character of God. Key Takeaways: • Beyond Sentimentality – Why biblical love isn't about feelings or liking others, but about willing and acting for the good of even those who oppose us. • Enemy Love as the Essence of God – Understanding how Jesus frames love for enemies not just as an ethic, but as the very nature of God's perfection and a requirement to reflect God's character. • Reframing Perfection – What Jesus really meant when he said "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect"—and why it's about completeness in love, not moral flawlessness. • The Politics of the Kingdom – How Jesus' teaching uproots

How a deeper understanding of American history, systemic injustice, and evangelical complicity can help Christians live out the gospel in today's racially charged culture. Mike and Tim sit down with Phil Vischer—creator of VeggieTales, co-host of The Holy Post Podcast, and cultural commentator—to walk through the historical realities that shaped our current racial divide and the church's role in both perpetuating and healing those wounds. This episode is a powerful call for Christians—especially white evangelicals—to listen, reflect, and act with humility and courage. Key Takeaways: • The Legacy of Inequity – Phil unpacks the data behind racial disparities in household wealth, systemic exclusion from housing and economic opportunity, and how the church must reckon with its part in that history. • Evangelicalism and Segregation – A shocking look into how the religious right was politically mobilized not by abortion, but by the defense of segregated schools—and how the abortion issue was strategically adopted l

Discover how Jesus dismantles the ancient law of revenge and invites us into a countercultural way of living rooted in honor, humility, and creative nonviolence. In the seventh installment of the Exile Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5:38–42, diving deep into the cultural context of "eye for an eye," unpacking how the Kingdom of God turns the law of reciprocity upside down. Using vivid biblical examples—from Samson and the endless cycles of vengeance in Judges to Roman occupation and public humiliation—Mike and Tim reveal how Jesus wasn't calling us to passivity, but to a bold, subversive love that exposes evil without perpetuating it. Whether it's turning the other cheek, giving your cloak, or going the extra mile, each of Jesus's examples ignites dignity, disrupts cycles of retaliation, and models how we can live out a new kind of justice in the here and now. Key Takeaways: • Resisting Evil Without Retaliation – How Jesus redefines resistance by refusing to escalate ha