Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

How understanding the heart behind biblical generosity can reshape your relationship with money, discipleship, and community. In this fourth episode of the Voxology Q&A Series, Mike, Tim, and Bonnie dive deep into the topic of tithing—addressing how it was practiced in the Old Testament, its evolution through the early church, and what generosity looks like in the life of a Jesus follower today. Mike and Bonnie reflect on personal stories, spiritual disciplines, and scriptural insights to challenge the legalistic approach to giving and recenter it around the person and teachings of Jesus. They draw a clear line between the Levitical tithe and New Testament generosity, offering a liberating reframing of tithing as a joy-filled practice of trust, stewardship, and kingdom participation. Key Takeaways: • The Purpose of Tithing in the Old Testament – Exploring tithes as temple support, social justice, and a tool for cultivating generosity. • New Testament Giving – Why Paul doesn't teach a 10% mandate, and how

A thought-provoking conversation that unpacks the foundations, expressions, and challenges of Reformed Theology from a pastoral and personal lens. Responding to listener Sarah's question, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie dive deep into the theology behind Calvinism, discussing both its fruit and its fallout. They explore how theological systems can sometimes shrink our view of Jesus and grapple with the implications of sovereignty, election, grace, and salvation. Whether you're wrestling with doctrines like tulip, questioning predestination, or struggling with your place in a church culture that feels too rigid, this episode invites you into a gracious, nuanced, and honest conversation about where God's love and mystery intersect with theological systems. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Reformed Theology – A clear breakdown of the five solas and the tulip acronym that define Calvinist thought. • The Trouble with Tight Systems – Why neatly packaged theology sometimes fails to leave room for mystery, grace, a

Unpacking one of the most debated practices within Christianity, Mike, Bonnie, and Tim tackle the tension between infant baptism and believer baptism in this heartfelt installment of the Voxology Q & A Series. Rooted in the question, "Does baptism mark the beginning of our faith journey—or respond to it?", the conversation explores the theological, historical, and pastoral dimensions of baptizing children, especially in situations involving cognitive impairments or uncertainty about later personal belief. With humor, vulnerability, and depth, the team navigates the meaning of baptism, the radical inclusivity of Jesus' posture toward the marginalized and children, and the dangers of fear-based spirituality. As stories unfold—including a powerful moment from Bonnie's childhood—they reaffirm that salvation is never transactional or performance-based, but a generous invitation rooted in God's grace. Key Takeaways: • The Historical Debate – Overview of baptism's origins in Jewish practice, John the Baptist's m

What books have most influenced your faith, theology, and spiritual growth? In this first installment of a new Listener Q&A mini-series, Mike, Tim, and Bonnie answer a listener question about the books that have made the biggest impact on their spiritual formation. From classics like C.S. Lewis to modern voices like Rachel Held Evans and Tim Keller, you'll walk away with a fresh stack of reading recommendations—plus a few laughs about tattoos, Harry Potter, and the occasional theological rabbit trail. This quick-hit episode packs deep insight and personal storytelling into just 20 minutes, reflecting on the kinds of books that changed how the hosts pray, think, and follow Jesus—and why some books just keep speaking across seasons. Key Takeaways: • The top spiritual books that shaped Mike, Tim, and Bonnie's faith journeys—including both popular and more scholarly reads. • How Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy and Foster's Celebration of Discipline redefined discipleship and spiritual practice. • Why C

How reading the Bible alongside survivors of sexual abuse can transform our understanding of Scripture, the church, and the mission of Jesus. Mike Erre sits down with theologian, pastor, and former Duke Divinity School dean Dr. Elaine Heath to discuss her powerful new book, Healing the Wounds of Sexual Abuse: Reading the Bible with Survivors. Digging into themes of trauma, patriarchal theology, the misuse of scripture, and the redemptive potential of re-reading scripture through a different lens, this episode invites listeners into a conversation that is both deeply challenging and profoundly hopeful. Dr. Heath shares her personal experience as a survivor and her journey into ministry—a path shaped by hardship, passion for Christ, and the call to reimagine theological education through the Neighborhood Seminary. Together, she and Mike explore how survivors offer wisdom the church desperately needs and how honest conversations around abuse, power, redemption, and scripture can lead to individual and communal h

How the enemy-making machine has wormed its way into our churches—and how to dismantle it with spiritual discernment, humility, and a commitment to personal and communal reformation. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by theologian and author David Fitch to explore themes from his book "The Church of Us vs. Them: Freedom from a Faith That Feeds on Making Enemies." Fitch presents a powerful critique of how evangelical churches have aligned with power, created ideological purity tests, and become known more for their enemies than for their love. Through wit, insight, and a bit of holy mischief, Fitch confronts how distinctives like inerrancy, eschatology, and gender roles evolve into antagonistic banners that suppress healthy dialogue. Instead, he advocates for a model of shared discernment, rooted in embodied theology, intentional community, and enemy-love in the spirit of Jesus. They deep-dive into complex, often polarized church conversations—particularly surrounding sexuality and biblical authority—and m

How stepping away from evangelical subculture doesn't always mean walking away from Jesus. Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, Bonnie, and special guest Andy Laura reunite for a raw and candid discussion on the rising wave of public deconstruction stories, including those of Josh Harris and Marty Sampson. They explore how rigid Christian systems often leave no space for doubt, grief, or change—and what a healthier path could look like for those questioning their faith. Highlighting how the evangelical church's rigidity, celebrity culture, and systematic certainty can actually fuel disillusionment, they call for a broader, more compassionate view of how faith evolves—and how to be people who hold pain well in others' journeys. Key Takeaways: • Leaving Evangelicalism ≠ Leaving Jesus – Many people stepping away from evangelical structures are still pursuing truth, peace, and meaning—and some are finding Jesus more clearly outside those systems. • Deconstruction in the Spotlight – Reflections on Josh Harris and Marty Sampso

How Paul's vision of the cross calls the church to resist domineering power structures and create a radically different community rooted in the kingdom of God. In this fifth installment of the Exile Series, Mike Erre and special guest Dr. Timothy Gombis unpack a deeply political and countercultural lens for following Jesus, grounding the conversation in Paul's letters and the gospel of Mark. Hear how our identity as the church reorients our political posture—not toward partisan divides, but toward the radical surrender, hospitality, and justice modeled by the crucified Christ. This wide-ranging conversation tackles nationalism, immigration, abortion, the misuse of Romans 13, the myth of a "Christian nation," and the idolatry of power in both American culture and the evangelical church. Key Takeaways: • Politics as the Expression of Discipleship – Why Paul's gospel is entirely political—but not in the way we think. The church is a political body under the lordship of Jesus. • The Cross as Political Suicide and

How can Jesus-followers respond to tragedies like the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton in faithful, transformative ways? In this raw and reflective episode, Mike Erre, Bonnie, and Tim wrestle honestly with their grief, anger, and frustration in the wake of yet another national tragedy. They push back on empty Christian clichés, challenge politically entrenched responses, and instead offer a vision for lament, action, and reconciliation that reflects the way of Jesus—not American partisanship. This critical conversation touches on how the church must reject passivity and empty platitudes, and instead embrace deep repentance, courageous lament, and a prophetic presence in the world. Drawing from Scripture, painful personal experiences, and the Sermon on the Mount, the episode explores how to be light in the darkness without becoming a mirror of the world's rage and polarization. Key Takeaways: • Reclaiming Lament – Why biblical lament is not passive grief, but honest truth-telling rooted in the character of

A deep dive into how interpreting scripture through a 21st-century lens can distort its original context and nuance, using the story of the Syrophoenician woman in Matthew 15 as a prime example. Mike, Bonnie, and Tim engage in a thoughtful and expansive conversation about what happens when modern theological frameworks—particularly around gender, power, and sexuality—are retroactively applied to ancient texts, and what that means for affirming theology, biblical authority, and faithful improvisation in today's culture wars. In this powerful episode, the team wrestles with the tension between empathy-fueled transformation and faithful biblical interpretation, and what it means to navigate political outrage, the collapse of evangelical purity culture, and the ongoing conversation around affirming LGBTQ+ theology. Key Takeaways: • Accurate Exegesis Matters – Why using the Syrophoenician woman as a text to depict Jesus as prejudiced misses the literary, historical, and rabbinical context of the passage. • Formati

How seeing the book of Romans through the lens of justice, grief, and empire can radically reshape our faith and community. In their compelling conversation with Mike, Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat discuss their book "Romans Disarmed," a subversive and creative take on Paul's epistle that blends biblical exegesis with lament, narrative fiction, and political reflection. Through an intentional hermeneutic of sorrow, Walsh and Keesmaat challenge listeners to reimagine salvation, justice, and discipleship not as abstract theological constructs, but as embodied, communal realities shaped in resistance to empire. Drawing from their real-life experience building an intentional Christian community on a permaculture farm in Canada—and a deep-seated commitment to the marginalized—they unravel the ways Romans has been weaponized in political and theological battles, and propose a reading that centers liberation, justice, and the radical love of Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Reclaiming Romans from Empire and Individualism –

How the biblical command to love the stranger challenges political assumptions, reshapes our view of immigration, and offers a new path forward. Mike, Tim, and Bonnie launch the Immigration Series by welcoming Matthew Soerens, author of "Welcoming the Stranger" and U.S. Director of Church Mobilization with World Relief, for a thoughtful, honest, and compassionate discussion at the intersection of faith, politics, and immigration. Matthew breaks down decades of policy confusion and popular misconceptions while calling Christians back to foundational biblical truths. Drawing from Scripture and real-life examples, this episode explores what it means to love our neighbors—especially when they come from different places—and why it's essential for the church to lead in conversations around immigration, justice, and national policy. Key Takeaways: • Biblical Foundations for Immigration – Scripture is filled with stories of migration and commands to protect and care for the foreigner, which must shape Christian attit

Want to know how to interpret the Bible with humility and maturity in a fractured and polarized culture? This deep-dive conversation between Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, Bonnie, and returning guest Tim Gombis continues the "Misunderstanding the Bible" series by peeling back the layers on hermeneutics, historical assumptions, interpretive power dynamics, and the posture Christians bring to Scripture. The episode kicks off with an honest reflection on listener feedback about tone and disdain when critiquing political and theological stances—offering a real-time example of the humility and self-critique Tim Gombis later emphasizes as vital to responsible interpretation. They then unfold a richer vision of reading the Bible—not as a storehouse of propositional truth or ammunition for proving others wrong, but as an invitation to be mastered by the text, to date it (i.e., live with it over time), and to discern its logic through community, cross, and new creation lenses. Key Takeaways: • Rethinking Hermeneutics – Why

How embracing spiritual homelessness can lead to deeper maturity, richer community, and a more authentic vision of Jesus. In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie dive into the emails and reflections flowing from their recent "Spiritually Homeless" and "Future of the Church" conversations. Together, they unpack tough theological questions, critiques about the direction of the show, challenges in church culture, and moments of clarity about why spiritual tension may actually be a gift. This isn't just a mailbag—it's a soul-searching conversation about making space at the table for spiritual wanderers, the marginalized, and those disillusioned by religious systems that fail to reflect Jesus. From deconstruction fatigue to gender roles in ministry, from megachurch questions to forgiveness journeys, this episode is a snapshot of a diverse and longing community seeking to build something new—together. Key Takeaways: • Spiritual Homelessness as Growth – Why question

Recovering Paul's radical gospel for today's church, Mike Erre sits down with Pauline scholar Dr. Timothy Gombis for an honest and theologically rich conversation that peels back cultural assumptions and reexamines the complexities—and power—of Paul's letters. From ancient household codes to modern questions about gender, race, power, and sexuality, Mike and Dr. Gombis explore how Paul's vision of Christ-shaped community invites us into a radically inclusive, justice-seeking, cruciform way of life. Key Takeaways: • Reframing Paul's Letters – How misreadings shaped by evangelical subcultures distort Paul's intent on topics like women, sex, slavery, and sin. • Household Codes as Subversion – Understanding how Paul uses Roman structures not to uphold, but to radically counter, systems of power and honor through a Jesus-centered ethic. • Cross-Shaped Discipleship – How Philippians 2 models a life of relinquishing privilege and embracing others in humility, community, and solidarity. • White Privilege and Christli

How do we rediscover the bold, persistent faith that moves God to act? In this special bonus episode, Mike Erre shares a powerful message on prayer originally delivered as a sermon—highlighting Jesus' teaching in Luke 11 about "shameless audacity" and its role in how we approach God. With encouragement from Tim Stafford, this episode revisits Mike's prior work as a teaching pastor to dive deeper into how chutzpah—or bold, shameless persistence—is validated and encouraged by Jesus himself. This thoughtful exploration challenges the idea that prayer is merely a religious exercise. Instead, Mike argues it is a powerful invitation to partner with God in shaping the world. By walking through Luke's gospel and highlighting five remarkable stories of radical faith, he shows how outrageous persistence and unfiltered honesty in prayer are not just acceptable—they're expected. Whether you're feeling lost in prayer or longing to re-engage with God more authentically, this episode is a genuine call back to honest, transf

How does the church navigate a shifting cultural and theological landscape in the next 20 years? In this landmark 200th episode—affectionately dubbed "Bruce"—Mike and Tim are joined by longtime friend and thought leader Skye Jethani (Holy Post, With God Daily) to explore the future of Christianity in America. With Skye's background in pastoral ministry, publishing, and theological reflection, this conversation dives deep into how the church is evolving amidst political polarization, disillusionment with institutions, and the rise of digital influence. Mike and Skye unpack where traditional evangelicalism is heading, the resurgence of both progressive theology and fundamentalist reactions, and how the church might reclaim its relevance outside institutional structures. They also reflect on parenting, discipleship, political entanglement, and fostering wisdom over certainty in an era of endless foreground decisions. Key Takeaways: • Evangelicalism Is Shifting – Despite the outward success of conservative evange

How can the American church evolve to be more courageous, inclusive, and authentic in the decades to come? In the second installment of our Future Church Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford talk with longtime friends Kristen Howerton and Andy Lara about the current state of the church in America and what needs to change for it to thrive in the future. Kristen—a clinical psychologist, writer, and founder of "Rage Against the Minivan"—shares how motherhood, mental health, and social justice shaped her faith journey and her critique of modern evangelicalism. She opens up about the limits of aesthetic Christianity, the damage caused by politicized faith, and why she started Orange County's wildly popular Beer and Hymns gatherings as an inclusive alternative to traditional church. Andy, co-founder of the Vox Podcast and an experienced podcast and media producer, reflects on the rapidly evolving landscape of church communities born from decentralized platforms like podcasting, and how church models need to abandon i

How the American church can face a rapidly changing culture by reclaiming its missionary identity, simplifying institutional models, and empowering the next generation of leaders. In this special edition kicking off a three-part mini-series for the 200th episode of the Voxology Podcast, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford revisit some of their favorite past guests to explore one timely question: What is the future of Christianity and the church in America? This episode features thought-provoking conversations with pastor and author Rick McKinley and biblical scholar Bonnie Lewis, offering contrasting perspectives from Portland to the greater deconstructed margins. Key Takeaways: • The Church as a Missionary Movement – Why American churches must stop existing for self-preservation and start embodying the mission of Jesus in a post-Christian culture. • Permission & Imagination – Gen X leaders must give way to innovative younger voices and support new forms of church that don't rely on traditional models of buildings

Peeling back layers of modern Christianity's most pressing questions, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie journey into a spirited and vulnerable mailbag episode that challenges traditional assumptions around social justice, obedience, desire, and discipleship. Through listener questions and current events, the team engages in an honest—and often humorous—debate about what it really means to deny oneself, how cultural experience shapes theology, and why "just quoting a Bible verse" isn't often sufficient in addressing global and personal stories of oppression or pain. This episode particularly dives deep into the tension between desire and surrender, how systems of theology can unintentionally cause harm, and whether the church is meant to care solely for its own—or extend justice and mercy beyond its walls. Using voices from early Christian history to current church controversies, the Voxology crew explores messy, complicated—but vitally important—themes of love, privilege, repentance, justice, and formation.