Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

How do we rebuild our faith after it feels like everything we believed has fallen apart? That's the core question behind this rich and vulnerable conversation between Mike Erre and long-time Vox supporter Kevin #1, live from Lake Tahoe. In response to passionate listener feedback regarding Christian political alignment and the perceived imbalance of criticism toward the Right, this episode unpacks how personal faith can become tangled with political identity—and what must be deconstructed and reconstructed in response. Mike also responds thoughtfully to critiques about how frequently the podcast calls out evangelicals who support Trump, highlighting that Voxology has always sought to challenge the fusion of Christianity and partisan politics wherever it occurs. Then, the conversation pivots toward a truly resonant topic: faith reconstruction. Is it possible to rebuild without just creating a new formula? What practices reorient us without turning into legalisms? How do we move through doubt into something dee

Exploring the critical intersection of politics, worship, and the role of the church, Mike Erre reunites with longtime friend and Vox co-founder Andy Lara for a powerful episode in the ongoing Faith & Politics series. With heart, humor, and serious theological reflection, they examine how Christianity in America has been co-opted by partisan allegiance—sacrificing the holistic, worship-driven vision of community that scripture outlines. What begins as a joyful update featuring special guest Seth Eery—sharing family vacation antics and Mighty Ducks anthems—turns into a candid conversation about the dangers of political idolatry and the temptation to separate church identity from civic engagement. Mike and Andy critique the views of influential figures like Pastor Robert Jeffress, discussing how defending policies at the expense of character reflects a broken understanding of kingdom citizenship. Together, they challenge believers to imagine what it actually means to be the church in a politically diseased

How the early church's radical social practices revealed an alternative political imagination rooted in the lordship of Jesus—and how those practices challenge today's believers to embody a cross-shaped way of engaging with power, community, and culture. Mike Erre continues the Exile Series by diving deep into Paul's subversive, kingdom-centered vision of church and politics. Drawing from Paul's life before and after encountering Jesus, and through reflections on apocalyptic literature like Revelation, Mike outlines how the church was and still is called to be a deeply political community—not in alignment with worldly partisanship, but through radical embodiment of the reign of Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Jesus Is Lord as a Political Claim – Declaring the kingship of Jesus was a direct confrontation of Rome's imperial power, and today it reorients our loyalties away from partisan identities. • Worship as Subversion – Early Christian worship mimicked and mocked the imperial praise of Caesar, inviting us to conside

How the apostle Paul's encounter with the risen Jesus radically reshaped his political vision, identity, and understanding of salvation—and what that means for the church today. This third installment of the Exile Series dives into how Paul's pre- and post-conversion worldview about kingdom, nation, power, and mission underwent a massive transformation, ultimately redefining faith as political allegiance to a crucified and risen king. Mike unpacks the deeply political nature of Paul's conversion, reframing salvation not as a personal escape to heaven but as entrance into a cross-shaped community—"the new creation polis of Jesus." The episode explores the robust implications of Jesus' resurrection and lordship on how Christians engage politics, identity, and vocation in the world. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Salvation as Political Allegiance – Why Paul shifted from viewing Jesus as a failed insurrectionist to proclaiming him as Lord over all creation, a move that reframes salvation within a deeply political

How the practice of Sabbath offers spiritual resistance, emotional healing, and economic justice in a world ruled by hustle, exhaustion, and constant noise. Mike Erre is joined by theologian, pastor, and author A.J. Swoboda for a deep and deeply personal conversation about faith, burnout, restless modernity, spiritual deconstruction, and Swoboda's transformative journey through doubt and reconstruction. Drawing from his latest book, "Subversive Sabbath," A.J. unpacks the liberating power behind God's invitation to rest—not just as self-care, but as a spiritual act of radical resistance and renewal. Key Takeaways: • Deconstruction with a Return Path – A.J. shares his personal story of theological deconstruction, why he nearly lost his faith, and what helped him reconstruct a deeper, more rooted relationship with Jesus. • Sabbath as Resistance – Reframing Sabbath not as a legalistic obligation or one-day vacation, but as sacred resistance to burnout culture, constant productivity, and digital overwhelm. • Pract

How the future of the church lies in relational community, decentralized discipleship, and a bold yet humble witness. In this timely and thought-provoking conversation, Mike Erre welcomes back friend and author Skye Jethani to explore what the rapidly evolving digital landscape means for the structure, mission, and theology of the modern church. From rethinking the traditional Sunday service model to navigating deeply divisive political and cultural debates—including a deep dive into the Supreme Court's ruling on the Colorado baker's religious liberty case—Mike and Skye unpack how to follow Jesus faithfully without buying into fear or outrage. They also examine the growing podcast space as a refuge for thoughtful Christian engagement, the tension between deconstructing and reconstructing faith, and the crucial role of conscience, community, and context in addressing LGBTQ+ issues in Christian spaces. Key Takeaways: • The Evolving Church Model – Why the traditional "Sunday morning lecture" format is rooted in

How misinterpreting Romans 13 distorts Christian witness and enables injustice. In a special midweek commentary episode, Mike Erre breaks down Attorney General Jeff Sessions' and Sarah Huckabee Sanders' use of Romans 13 to justify controversial immigration policies—specifically, the separation of families at the border. Mike dives deep into scripture, unpacking why proof-texting Romans 13 is both theologically inaccurate and spiritually dangerous. This episode is part of our ongoing Paul and Politics series. Key Takeaways: • Quoting Scripture Out of Context — Mike critiques how Romans 13 has been misused historically to justify slavery, apartheid, and now immigration policies. • Biblical Foundation for Immigrant Care — The Bible overwhelmingly supports the care of the foreigner, stranger, and refugee, from Leviticus to the teachings of Jesus. • The Context of Romans 13 — Mike explains how Romans 12 and 13 are a single thought, revealing Paul's deeper message about vengeance, government, and Christian witness.

Before Saul became the Apostle Paul, he was a Pharisee passionately devoted to reshaping Israel into a holy and politically restored nation. In the second installment of our Faith & Politics trilogy, Mike Erre continues unpacking the rich political imagination of Saul prior to his dramatic encounter with Jesus. By examining how salvation, politics, and national identity were deeply intertwined in Saul's worldview, we gain insight not only into first-century Judaism but into today's Christian nationalism and the church's entanglement with political power. Mike walks us through the grand biblical narrative from Israel's vocation as a light to the nations, through the trauma of exile, to the zealous response of the Pharisees—including Saul's coercive efforts to purify the nation. As he draws striking parallels between the political fervor of the Pharisees and the evangelical pursuit of a "return to national greatness," listeners are invited to examine how political hopes shape our understanding of salvation,

How the Voxology Podcast exists to legitimize spiritual deconstruction while centering the beauty and authority of Jesus—and why that journey compels us to address politics. In this kickoff to the new Politics series, Mike Erre (joined briefly by a surprise guest, Seth Erre!) reflects on the origin and mission of Voxology, explains why preaching is inherently political, and sets the stage for a rich dive into how the apostle Paul's transformation offers a model for engaging politics without being partisan. Drawing on the work of scholars like N.T. Wright and Tim Gombis, Mike begins laying a theological case for why the gospel is intrinsically political—not in the corrupt, binary way we often see politics today, but in how we order society under the lordship of Jesus. Through a Biblical lens, politics becomes about the entire ordering of life together under a different kind of king, and the church becomes a countercultural "polis" reflecting God's justice, compassion, and mercy. Key Takeaways: • Politics Beyon

How Genesis 1 redefines the intersection of faith and science, challenging traditional assumptions, and offering a new framework for interpreting the Bible's creation story. Mike Erre kicks off a Bible Geek episode exploring Old Testament scholar John Sailhamer's groundbreaking take on Genesis 1:1–2—a perspective that profoundly impacts the way Christians engage with science, cosmology, and our understanding of the world's origins. Whether you're a science-minded believer wrestling with evolution debates, or someone who's always felt tension between scripture and science, this deep but accessible dive offers a liberating way forward. Key Takeaways: • Reconciling Genesis and Science – Genesis 1 may not be an ancient science textbook, but rather a theological narrative focused on God's intent, design, and presence—not the mechanics of cosmology. • Two Creation Events – Sailhamer argues Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 describe separate acts: the creation of the universe, and then the shaping of a specific land—possi

How a long-overdue conversation with Andy Lara, co-founder of Vox Podcast and community architect, reveals lessons in innovation, faith, and storytelling. In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, Mike honors Andy's departure by reflecting on the profound impact he's made in launching both the Vox Podcast and the Vox community. Along the way, they field listener questions that explore singleness in the Christian life, the theology of marriage, how creatives can partner with God's image, and what it means to follow Jesus in non-violent ways. Plus, Andy spotlight's his wife's groundbreaking work with the Lucky Few Podcast and Dear Mom Conference—two community-building ventures serving families impacted by Down syndrome. Key Takeaways: • Can You Have a Good Marriage Without Jesus? – Exploring theological frameworks of marriage as covenant vs. cultural partnership, and why many marriages reflect God's image even without naming it. • The Value of Singleness – Reframing individual seasons of life as formative, no

How do church decline and societal disconnection go hand in hand? In this thought-provoking conversation, Mike Erre is joined by longtime friend (and former Ohio State quarterback) Steve Geller to talk football, faith, and the unraveling of American communal life. After reliving an unforgettable moment of gridiron glory and fumble-induced infamy, the duo digs into a sobering sociology-rooted critique of modern American church decline—based on recent writing from Scott McKnight's blog, "The Death of the Church." They explore why church attendance is declining, not just from spiritual apathy, but from broader cultural forces like suburban sprawl, screen saturation, and radical individualism. Mike and Steve unpack how churches have often mirrored these anti-community forces instead of countering them, and share candid stories about technology, parenting, and spiritual hunger in our hyper-fragmented age. Key Takeaways: • Why church decline may reflect the breakdown of American community—not just bad preaching or

How a controversial GQ list, an outdated quote on spousal abuse, and Beth Moore's powerful letter converge to expose the cultural misunderstandings—and misuses—of the Bible both inside and outside the church. Mike Erre and guest Kevin #2 (of Crimson Cup Coffee fame) unpack three hot-button moments that captured headlines and Twitter feeds, offering insights into how Christians can respond with truth, humility, and action in a culture often skeptical of faith. Key Takeaways: • The Bible and Cultural Critique – Why GQ's dismissal of the Bible ironically reveals a widespread Christian failure to engage with Scripture beyond surface-level devotion. • Misusing Scripture in the Name of Authority – Addressing the toxic theology behind a pastor's advice to an abused woman to stay and submit, and the broader dangers of spiritualizing harm. • Beth Moore's Profound Witness – Reflecting on her open letter confronting sexism in the evangelical world, and what it means for church leadership, theology, and gender equality m

What happens when faithful listeners bring their best questions to the table? You get a rich, multidimensional conversation exploring everything from advocacy for people with developmental disabilities to the theological case for women in ministry leadership. On this Vox Mailbag episode, Mike Erre reflects on listener feedback, critiques, and thoughtful questions with his trademark honesty and theological depth. He touches on listener experiences championing dignity and person-centered care for individuals with developmental disabilities, while also diving into serious ecclesiological considerations: Do the priestly limits placed on Levites in the Old Testament apply analogously to gender and church leadership? How should we view Paul's female co-laborers like Phoebe, Junia, and Priscilla? Could the "chosen lady" of 2 John be a female house church pastor? And why respond so often to teachings from Desiring God and The Gospel Coalition? This episode is an open, generous model of how Christians can push back, q

Exploring the deep wounds of narcissism and the toxic environments that foster it, Mike takes us on a vulnerable and illuminating journey of self-reflection, healing, and spiritual formation in this raw follow-up to his recent conversations on narcissism in the church. Drawing from personal experiences, scriptural insights, and therapeutic practices, this episode equips listeners with practical tools for identifying narcissistic tendencies within themselves and their communities—while offering a hopeful pathway toward authentic Christian leadership and humble, grace-filled community. Key Takeaways: • Deconstructing Narcissistic Church Culture – Understanding how the "evangelical industrial complex" encourages celebrity pastors, platform building, and ego-based leadership models. • Red Flags in Church Leadership – Practical signs to look for when evaluating whether a church is operating under narcissistic influence and how to respond wisely. • Healing the False Self – Tracing the root of narcissism to childhoo

How the culture of modern church leadership, platform-building, and celebrity status can unknowingly attract narcissists—and what that reveals about our definitions of church, spiritual maturity, and humility. Mike Erre continues last week's conversation on narcissism, deepening the discussion by exploring how certain church structures, American evangelical ideals, and personality-driven ministry models may unintentionally foster and enable narcissistic tendencies in both leaders and followers. Mike reflects vulnerably on his own journey with narcissism, engages listener feedback—including a psychologist's affirmation and thoughtful community questions—and examines the broader theological implications of humility, self-denial, and leadership through scriptural lenses like Philippians 2, 1 Corinthians, and 3 John. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Spiritual Narcissism – Why ministry roles can attract narcissists and how church platforms can be used to reinforce the false self. • Church as an Applause Machine – Ex

How the pursuit of significance, platform-building, and personal image intertwines with the culture of American evangelicalism—and the deeply personal cost of hiding behind a false self. In this opening episode of a vulnerable new series, Mike Erre reflects on his own lifelong entanglement with narcissism: where it comes from, how it forms, how it thrives in church leadership, and the healing power of confession. Drawing from therapeutic frameworks, Greek mythology, and personal stories—including parenting, pastoral ministry, and depression—Mike begins a raw dissection of the inner dynamics that often shape evangelical leaders. He explores why narcissists are often rewarded with influence, how they form through wounded self-images, and how easy it is to confuse acclaim for calling. This isn't just commentary—it's confession. And it sets the stage for deeper exploration of why church structures seem to perpetuate narcissistic leadership and what it looks like to become free from false personas in pursuit of Je

How do we engage faithfully with long-held beliefs around gender, authority, and theology in the church? Mike Erre critiques a recent article and podcast by influential Christian leader John Piper that argues for inherent male leadership based on "God-given maleness." Drawing on scripture, historical context, and theological reflection, Mike challenges complementarian views and offers an egalitarian reading of Genesis, Paul's household codes, and the teachings of Jesus. This episode invites listeners to consider a more empowering and biblical vision of mutuality between men and women in leadership, marriage, and the church. Key Takeaways: • Complementarian vs. Egalitarian Theology – A breakdown of the differences between these two frameworks and why Mike now embraces egalitarianism. • Rethinking Genesis 1–3 – Why hierarchical readings of Adam and Eve are built more on theology than exegesis, and how mutuality better reflects God's original intent. • Jesus as the Model – How Jesus' treatment of women subverts

Exploring how the Christian vision of the end shapes our response to today's most pressing socio-political issues, this episode of Voxology offers a deeply reflective take on cultural violence, the sanctity of life, and the church's role in embodying God's promised future. Mike Erre challenges listeners to confront gun culture, advocate for those often marginalized in society, and evaluate public theology through an eschatological lens. With World Down Syndrome Day and March for Our Lives as a cultural backdrop, Mike shares powerful stories and scathing observations that challenge partisan thinking and point listeners toward a peacemaking ethic grounded in the gospel. Key Takeaways: • Down Syndrome and the Value of Life – Reflecting on World Down Syndrome Day, Mike shares a moving quote by Charlotte Fien at the UN and articulates the Christian moral imperative to affirm the dignity of every life, especially the vulnerable. • Guns, Violence, and the Christian Ethic – A provocative look at how America's obsessi

Explore the profound mystery of the Trinity and why it continues to define the Christian faith. In this Theology Geek Series kickoff episode, Mike Erre walks through the biblical foundations for understanding God as one essence in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Highlighting key Old and New Testament passages, this deep dive clarifies why this view sets Christianity apart from other monotheistic faiths, how the Trinity is more than just doctrinal complexity, and why its implications shape not only our theology but also how we live in community. Key Takeaways: • The Biblical Basis for the Trinity – How the Hebrew word Elohim, the Shema's "echad," and New Testament texts begin painting a picture of divine plurality within unity. • One God, Three Persons – Understanding the scriptural classes that affirm both singularity and diversity in God's nature. • Jesus and the Trinity – Why Jesus' relationship to the Father and the Holy Spirit reveals the trinitarian mystery and reframes our Christology. • Why