Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

How do we navigate the tension between honoring God's calling for women and deconstructing the cultural baggage often attached to "biblical womanhood"? This Q&A mini episode tackles that question head-on, as Mike, Tim, and Bonnie gather around the mic to unpack the true scriptural and theological meaning behind what it means to be a Christian woman. Using wisdom literature and gospel narratives, the crew explores whether the church's traditional gender roles hold up under biblical scrutiny — especially when it comes to misunderstood passages like Proverbs 31 and Mary and Martha. Bonnie speaks candidly about growing up under narrow gender expectations and offers powerful insights into reclaiming these texts in a Christ-centered way. Key Takeaways: • Reframing Proverbs 31 – How the chapter is better understood as a poetic metaphor for wisdom, not a prescriptive checklist for womanhood. • The Mary and Martha Moment – Why Mary's action of sitting at Jesus' feet was a radical, subversive act and what it tells

Kicking off a special December series of mini Q&A episodes, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie dive into thoughtful listener feedback addressing critiques of their political commentary, the limits of deconstruction, and the broader mission of Voxology. Recorded in-person at Gold Pacific Studios, this episode also announces the launch of Voxology TV on YouTube, feeding both audio and video content into the growing community conversation. This episode peels back layers of evangelical culture and reflects on how orthodoxy has been obscured by modern political alliances, doctrinal gatekeeping, and a conflation of American cultural values with the teachings of Jesus. With humility and sincerity, the team responds to pointed critiques—clarifying their stance on orthodoxy, political idolatry, and the difference between faith and cultural packaging. Key takeaways: • Why criticizing evangelical political alliances isn't the same as attacking conservative theology. • Distinguishing historic orthodoxy from the evan

Does a shift in language signal a shift in theology? In this intimate and challenging episode of our new YouTube Q&A Series, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and guest Bonnie Lewis respond to a listener's thoughtful concern about Mike's theological trajectory and the rise of "progressive" terms like privilege, oppression, and intersectionality on the podcast. What unfolds is a rich, nuanced, and vulnerable conversation about language, biblical faithfulness, and how diverse voices shape how we express the gospel. Mike clarifies that while his core beliefs haven't changed, his expression of faith has evolved to be more compassionate and inclusive—a shift he argues is distinctly biblical, not political. Bonnie offers a powerful reflection on being a woman in theology and pushes back on long-standing assumptions about women's roles in the church. Together, the team explores how using cultural language within a gospel framework can help reach those on the margins without compromising the mission of Jesus. Key Takeaway

How centering communion over preaching can reshape Christian community and church life. In this launch of a brand-new YouTube mini-series collaboration, Mike Erre, Bonnie Lewis, and Tim Stafford dive into listener-submitted questions about the heart of Vox's alternative church structure—focusing on Eucharist, inclusion, and grassroots community rather than institutional models. Broadcasting from Gold Pacific Studios in Newport Beach, this visual/audio crossover marks a new chapter for Voxology. Key Takeaways: • The Table Over the Stage Model – Why the Vox team chose to center their church around the Eucharist instead of the sermon, and what kind of community that creates. • Open Communion and the Way of Jesus – Unpacking why offering the Lord's Table to everyone, believer or not, reflects the radical inclusivity of Jesus' ministry. • Communion as a Model for Justice and Presence – How table fellowship can transform community into a space of healing, participation, and kingdom embodiment. • Church Without a St

How the Voxology vision of micro communities is providing spiritually curious and deconstructed Christians a new path forward. Hosts Bonnie Lewis, Tim Stafford, and Mike Erre respond to listener emails and dive into what it takes to start a local micro community—spaces for meaningful conversation, vulnerability, spiritual practice, and radical inclusion without the pressure or performance of a traditional church model. Tim shares his real-world experience launching a micro community in Auburn, California, offering both inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone asking, "Is church still necessary?" Key Takeaways: • Creating Micro Communities for the Spiritually Homeless – Explore what it means to build safe, open, and inclusive spaces for faith beyond traditional church gatherings. • Community Over Institution – Why centering conversations around Jesus, mutual care, and open dialogue is often more life-giving than Sunday services. • Simple but Intentional Gatherings – Hear how Tim started with friends, built

Can a complementarian and an egalitarian co-lead a church without compromising their convictions or church polity? That's the central question driving this special mini-episode of Voxology. Mike, Tim, and Bonnie revisit a recent conversation sparked by their dialogue with Allan Frow, unpacking listener questions about unity in leadership, theological diversity, and the positive biblical basis for women in ministry. With real-life scenarios, pastoral insight, and honest evaluation of both complementarian and egalitarian frameworks, this episode offers valuable guidance for anyone discerning their place in church leadership—or working to build a faith community rooted in inclusion and conviction. Key Takeaways: • Unity in Diversity? – The complexities of co-leading a church when leaders hold opposing beliefs on women in ministry roles, and the challenges it raises for church governance and decision-making. • Honoring Women's Gifting – Why flexibility matters, and how lack of clarity in theology and modeling can

Why didn't Jesus spell it all out? Why are we left wondering, searching, and often disagreeing when it comes to theology, salvation, and what it means to follow him? In this mini episode of Voxology, Mike, Bonnie, and Tim respond to an incredible listener question from Newport Beach: if God wanted to save everyone, why wouldn't he just make things super clear? In a raw and heartfelt conversation, the team explores the beauty and challenge of ambiguity in the Christian faith. They unpack how God's invitations to join his work are rooted in relationship, trust, and participation—not in following rigid instructions. This episode delves into why mystery, community, and the presence of the Holy Spirit might actually be features, not bugs, of the divine design. Key Takeaways: • Divine Ambiguity as Invitation – How God's choice not to give us exhaustive clarity invites deeper participation and relationship. • Living by the Spirit, Not Just the Scriptures – The team reflects on the importance of the Holy Spirit guidi

How wrestling with Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and personal experience led Mike Erre and Bonnie Lewis to change their theological stance on women in church leadership. In this special live episode, part of the Heated Live Event Series, Mike and Bonnie vulnerably share their stories—including painful moments of rejection, spiritual awakening, and biblical reexamination. They address common objections to women in leadership, unpack 1 Timothy 2 and other controversial passages, and challenge patriarchal norms hijacking the church's witness in the world. This is the first in a new series of live conversations that confront "heated" theological topics with honesty, humility, and scripture-centered discussion. Get your Bible, your questions, and join the conversation. Key Takeaways: • Women in Ministry Comes with a Cost — Bonnie shares how her calling came with personal losses, including being shunned by close friends and excluded from church opportunities. • Rethinking 1 Timothy 2 — Mike and Bonnie walk through th

How the ruthless elimination of hurry isn't just about slowing down—it's about rediscovering the way of Jesus in every aspect of your life, from spiritual formation to parenting. In this episode of the Exile Series, Mike Erre is joined by pastor, author, and longtime friend John Mark Comer to explore the profound connection between the pace of our lives and our capacity to love well. They dive deep into John Mark's journey from megachurch burnout to spiritual renewal and offer practical wisdom on how to embody love, joy, and peace through intentional living. Along the way, they talk about the limitations of hustle culture, the impact of spiritual formation on community and parenting, and the challenge of truly becoming "like Christ" amid cultural and religious noise. Key Takeaways: • The Cost of Hurry – How John Mark's burnout in ministry revealed the soul-killing nature of hustle culture and led him to rebuild his life around rhythms of rest, reflection, and formation. • Spiritual Formation as the Path to Ch

How does the modern church get the theology of judgment wrong—and what does the Bible actually say about it? Mike, Tim, and Bonnie unpack the fear-driven narratives many Christians inherit, contrasting them with a richer, more relational and kingdom-centered understanding of judgment, eternal life, and salvation. Using John 3 and Jesus's dialogue with Nicodemus as a launchpad, the team explores how concepts like heaven, hell, and accountability have been weaponized in much of Christian teaching—often to the detriment of genuine spiritual formation. Drawing contrasts between judicial and relational frameworks of judgment, this episode wrestles with the crucial questions: What are we judged for? Who is judged most harshly—and why? And most importantly, how do we become the kind of people fit for the coming kingdom today? Key Takeaways: • Judgment Is Now and Not Yet – Heaven and hell are both future realities and present choices. How we align with the kingdom today matters. • Sin as Self-Inflicted Judgment – Muc

How can complementarian theology be both faithful to Scripture and deeply honoring toward women? Mike Erre sits down with Pastor Alan Frow from Southlands Church in Brea, California, for a respectful and thought-provoking conversation about women in ministry, complementarian leadership, and the infamous John MacArthur-Beth Moore controversy. Alan, a self-avowed complementarian, pushes back against harmful caricatures and offers a more nuanced model—one anchored in mutuality, Scripture, and genuine partnership between men and women. Together, Mike and Alan reflect on what it means to hold strong convictions without straying into rigidity, and how churches can recover a theology of gender that mirrors both the Trinity and the self-giving love of Jesus. They also tackle the nature of authority, the role of women in leadership, and what the modern church can learn from biblical models like Priscilla, Deborah, and Phoebe. This episode features rich theological back-and-forth as the hosts and their guest model resp

A heartfelt message for those who no longer feel at home in the American evangelical church, Mike Erre delivers an unfiltered and compassionate reading of his letter titled "An Open Letter to the Spiritually Homeless," originally written for Q Commons in Costa Mesa. Speaking directly to spiritual exiles—those disillusioned yet still drawn to Jesus—Mike offers solidarity, honesty, and hope in the midst of uncertainty and reconstruction. This episode is a sacred pause for anyone wrestling with deconstruction but unwilling to abandon their faith entirely. It's an invitation to embrace life in the in-between, to encounter a God not confined by temples or traditions, and to recognize your wandering as sacred space full of purpose. Key Takeaways: • Spiritual Homelessness Defined – More than church-switching or faith doubts, this homelessness is the ache of those disillusioned by what American evangelicalism has become but still captivated by the beauty of Jesus. • Naming the Grief and the Longing – Mike voices the

How can the church faithfully navigate cultural change without compromising the gospel? Mike Erre, Bonnie Lewis, and Tim Stafford tackle the fallout from John MacArthur's public rebuke of Beth Moore, dissecting its implications for women in ministry, biblical interpretation, and the misuse of spiritual authority. Using sobering personal stories and sharp theological insights, the trio wrestle with the deeper issues behind why conversations about gender, race, and power provoke such intense responses within evangelical culture. From Paul's teachings on women to the role of cultural interpretation in faithful exegesis, this episode challenges long-held assumptions about who's allowed to lead in the name of Jesus—and how that leadership should reflect Christ. Key Takeaways: • Beyond "Go Home" – Why the real issue behind the MacArthur-Beth Moore controversy isn't just complementarianism, but how power is protected and wielded in the church. • When Culture Drives Gospel Reflection – Understanding Paul's missionary

How the biblical concept of identity, rooted in Paul's letters to the Ephesians and Colossians, can radically transform our daily lives and free us from the shame and lies of our inherited identity. In this exclusive Voxology solo episode, Tim Stafford introduces a powerful past sermon from Mike Erre that explores what it means to be "in Christ" and how our God-given identity is foundational to becoming who we were created to be. Despite being recorded several years ago, Mike's reflection is more relevant than ever, challenging us to move from performance-based faith into a grace-driven reality of fullness. Key Takeaways: • Inherited Identity vs. In-Christ Identity – Unpacking the difference between the scripts the world writes for us and the indestructible identity we receive through Jesus. • Becoming Who You Already Are – How Paul's order of indicative (what Christ has done) before imperative (what we should do) is essential to a healthy understanding of growth and obedience. • Identity in Ephesians and Col

Creating a safe and welcoming space for those who feel spiritually disoriented, disillusioned, or homeless has always been at the heart of Voxology. On this special four-year anniversary episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and producer Bonnie reflect on the journey so far: what's worked, what's shifted, and what's ahead for the Vox community. They share how the podcast was born from a desire to ask bold questions about faith, the church, culture, and Jesus without fear or shame. Now, with over 2 million listens, the team is more committed than ever to being a landing place for anyone feeling out of place in modern church expressions or wrestling with their beliefs. This episode outlines a bold vision for the future—through resourcing interpreters, forming micro communities, and developing new content streams specifically for those seeking to reconstruct their faith in light of Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Creating a Home for the Spiritually Homeless – Why so many believers feel dislocated from traditional church spa

How sermon-centric church models are limiting spiritual formation—and what we should consider doing instead. In this episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie Lewis serve up laughter, listener mail, and meaningful critique as they unpack everything from naming conventions to how churches center around teaching rather than transformation. Plus, Mike sits down with Skye Jethani (Holy Post podcast, With God Daily, author of "With") to tackle his recent article challenging the long-held assumption that preaching should be the church's primary method of disciple formation. From mental health feedback to listener encouragements, free events, and a rich discussion about ecclesiology in the digital age, this conversation will challenge you to seriously reconsider what church is for and what participation actually looks like for Jesus followers today. Key Takeaways: • The Problem with Sermon-Centric Models – Why dedicating 50–80% of church resources on a single weekly teaching moment may no longer serve the mission

How the Apostle Paul's cosmic vision of salvation reshapes everything we thought we knew. Mike, Bonnie, and Tim sit down with Pauline scholar Dr. Tim Gombis to talk about one massive question: why did Jesus have to die? What begins as a conversation about atonement turns into an hour-plus deep-dive into how Paul viewed salvation, sin, and the church—not as individual concerns, but as cosmic realities. Gombis pulls back the curtain on distorted gospel narratives common in modern Christianity and reframes salvation not as ledger-clearing, but as the liberation of all creation from enslaving cosmic powers. From understanding wrath as a pervasive force within the present evil age to rethinking what Paul meant by "forgiveness of sins," this episode challenges individualistic soteriology and calls us to see gospel, sanctification, and mission as profoundly communal. Oh, and yes, Romans 3 and the "sinner's prayer" don't go unchallenged here either. Key Takeaways: • The Cosmic Purpose of Christ's Death – Jesus didn't

How should followers of Jesus approach mental health in a way that's faithful, honest, and deeply human? In this vulnerable and theology-rich conversation, Mike Erre, Bonnie Lewis, and Tim Stafford unpack the complexities of mental illness through a biblical lens. Building a positive theology of mental health, they respond to a viral Christian post that stigmatized mental illness among pastors—particularly surrounding suicide and leadership in the church. Together, the hosts challenge damaging narratives and explore how the church can become a redemptive, healing community for those navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and spiritual struggle. Key Takeaways: • Theological Missteps on Mental Health – Addressing the harmful assumption that mental illness is incompatible with Christian leadership and exploring the flawed linkage between mental illness, apostasy, and doctrinal doubt. • A Biblical Theology of Mental Health – How scripture offers robust categories for mental illness through the lenses of the imag

How a wider vision of God, a richer gospel, and a reenchanted faith can help restore your wonder and reignite your purpose. This special episode of Voxology, featuring Mike Erre's conversation with Alan Hirsch and Mark Nelson, kicks off the Reframation Series with a deeply challenging and encouraging blueprint for recovering the beauty of Jesus and the mission of the Church. Borrowing from Hirsch and Nelson's new book, "Reframation," the episode explores how the evangelical church in the West has lost its way—not because of too little doctrine but because of reductionism. By shrinking God to a manageable size, theology becomes heresy, and the gospel becomes a formula instead of a life-altering mystery. It's time for something bigger. Key Takeaways: • Reframing vs. Reforming – Why the Church doesn't just need new formatting, but a complete reframing of its views of God, gospel, people, and mission. • The Problem of Reductionism – How minimizing God to a set of doctrines results in distorted theology, bad commu

Unpacking how Jesus is the clearest revelation of God and the essential key to interpreting the Old Testament with clarity, compassion, and consistency, Mike, Tim, and Bonnie wrap up their "BONNIE Strikes Back" series with a thoughtful and humor-filled reflection on scripture. This episode explores how reading the Bible as a unified narrative centered on Jesus reframes how we engage with the more difficult and confusing aspects of the Old Testament. The hosts highlight how understanding recapitulation, divine accommodation, and cross-centered hermeneutics can illuminate the character of God and bring life to ancient texts. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Jesus as the Lens – Why Jesus is the interpretive center of the Bible and how this affects the way we read the Old Testament. • Recapitulation Explained – Learning how Jesus re-enacts Israel's and humanity's story in a redemptive, faithful way that reveals God's character. • Embracing the Messiness – Why it's important not to sanitize or skip over difficult te