Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

How should followers of Jesus navigate boundaries in relationships across gender lines, especially in leadership and workplace settings? Mike Erre and Andy discuss the ethics and implications of the "Billy Graham Rule" after a listener question sparks thoughtful reflection on Vice President Mike Pence's commitment never to dine alone with a woman other than his wife. Drawing from biblical principles, personal experience, and cultural critique, they unpack the tension between honoring marital fidelity while also recognizing the unintended consequences of such personal convictions—especially for women in leadership. This wide-ranging conversation explores not only the historical origins of the Billy Graham Rule but also what it reveals about power, temptation, gender dynamics, and spiritual formation. At the heart is the challenge to move beyond compliance to external boundaries and instead become the kind of person who naturally chooses integrity, trust, and love. Key Takeaways: • Understanding the "Billy Grah

How adopting a biblical view of aging reshapes our identity, deepens community, and reveals the unexpected vitality of growing older. Mike Erre and Andy unpack the difference between two Greek words for "new" — neos and kainos — to explore how scripture invites us to reimagine aging not as a decline, but as a spiritual renewal. From pop culture's idolization of youth to the church's neglect of its elders, they challenge our assumptions and offer a fresh, hopeful perspective on what it means to age in God's kingdom. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Neos vs. Kainos – Mike breaks down the difference between neos (new in time) and kainos (new in kind), revealing how the Bible values a deeper kind of renewal not bound to physical age. • Reframing Aging as a Gift – Learn why the scriptures celebrate old age as a sign of wisdom, responsibility, and fruitfulness, not decline or irrelevance. • Confronting Cultural Ageism – The modern obsession with youth leads us to discard the value of elders. Mike and Andy advocate fo

How can Christians wrestle faithfully with some of the toughest and most personal questions of faith? In this deeply vulnerable and wide-ranging episode, Mike and Andy tackle real questions from listeners, offering theological insight and pastoral care on topics often avoided in church discussions. From suicide and salvation to masturbation, from hearing God's voice to discerning deception, the conversation is raw, compassionate, and refreshingly honest. If you've ever carried questions you were afraid to ask—about sexuality, divine guidance, or grief—this thought-provoking episode opens space for both truth and grace. Mike and Andy emphasize a Jesus-centered understanding of God's character and encourage spiritual maturity rooted in wisdom, community, and honest reflection. Key Takeaways: • Suicide and Salvation – God's judgment is not simplistic or transactional. Mike emphasizes that suicide is not the unpardonable sin and that the character of Jesus gives us reason to trust in a compassionate and redemptiv

How can someone become a wise, compelling teaching pastor without going to seminary? What does it really mean to follow Jesus—and are you truly a disciple if you're not living out his teachings? In this special Facebook Live Q+A episode, Mike Erre and Andy tackle raw, honest questions from the Voxology community. This is the first part of an ongoing series responding to listener-submitted spiritual, theological, and cultural questions. Mike and Andy reflect on church leadership development, biblical literacy, spiritual authority, and what true discipleship looks like in practice. They also explore how the church should rightly approach sin and judgment within its own community. Key Takeaways: • Becoming the Kind of Person Who Has Something to Say – Instead of chasing credentials, immerse yourself deeply in Scripture, pursue spiritual maturity, and find mentors whose voices resonate with Christ-centered integrity. • Following Jesus Means Actually Following – A verbal commitment to Christ is not enough without

How do we reconcile the compassionate nature of Jesus with the seemingly angry and wrathful God of the Old Testament? In this deep-dive conversation, Mike Erre sits down with pastor and author John Mark Comer to unpack the complexities of God's character as revealed in Exodus 34:6–7—an often overlooked but deeply foundational passage in Scripture. As Comer's book "God Has a Name" launches, the two friends explore how God's mercy, justice, jealousy, and slowness to anger paint a fuller picture of who Yahweh really is. This episode tackles some of the toughest theological questions listeners frequently ask, offering a fresh lens to engage Scripture and dismantle the harmful caricatures of God many carry. Highlighting God's personal name, Yahweh, and the relational nature of that revelation, Mike and John Mark invite us into an understanding of God that's deeply biblical, profoundly human, and ultimately hopeful. Key Takeaways: • God's Name Matters – Seeing God as "Yahweh," not just a generic "Lord," opens the d

How proximity, storytelling, community, and embracing complexity help transform cultural narratives about disability and reshape the Church's witness to those the world often overlooks. Mike and Andy welcome back Heather Avis—author, mother, advocate, and founder of the Lucky Few—for a powerful conversation in recognition of World Down Syndrome Day. Through candid storytelling, laughter, and raw honesty, Heather, Mike, and Andy reflect on their shared journeys as parents of children with Down syndrome. They explore what it means to celebrate their kids joyfully and unapologetically in a world that still often sees disability through the lens of sorrow or burden. This episode goes far beyond advocacy—it is a reflection on God's invitation for all of us to enter into spaces of discomfort, risk, and deep love for the sake of others. It's about the beauty found in the "yes" to raising children with Down syndrome, the brokenness of systemic ableism, and the everyday wonder these kids bring into the world. Key Take

How power dynamics shape the church, politics, and our personal witness sits at the heart of this thought-provoking live podcast episode in our Way of Resistance series. Recorded at the Monkey Business Café in Fullerton, California, Mike and Andy take a deep dive into the teachings of Jesus on power—contrasting "power over" (coercion, control, and dominance) versus "power under" (self-sacrificial love, service, and nonviolent resistance). Through Scripture, cultural analysis, audience interaction, and a healthy dose of humor, they confront how the American church has often lost its way by pursuing the wrong kind of power—political, institutional, and authoritative—at the expense of the cross. Listeners will walk away challenged and inspired to reclaim a Jesus-like influence rooted not in dominance but in subversive servanthood, prophetic humility, and a commitment to love even the enemy, including how this shapes voting, protesting, and everyday personal relationships. Key Takeaways: • The Danger of Power Ove

How reframing hell through the lens of heaven and earth can lead us to a more restorative understanding of God's judgment and radical love. In a deeply personal and theologically rich episode, Mike Erre and Andy dive into the ongoing "Exile Series" with an intense focus on how hell is misrepresented in Christian thought, why judgment is essential to the biblical story, and how eternal consequences don't have to mean eternal torment. Blending pastoral vulnerability with scriptural insight, Mike shares his own experience with anxiety and uncertainty while simultaneously inviting listeners to rethink the nature of God's justice, redemption, and future restoration. Key Takeaways: • Heaven and Earth, Not Heaven and Hell – The Bible tells the story of the rupture and eventual restoration of heaven and earth, instead of a dichotomy between heaven and hell. • Why Judgment Matters – God's judgment is not about arbitrary punishment, but about restoring shalom by confronting evil, telling the truth about history, and pu

How a biblical vision of sex—rooted in wholeness, beauty, and fundamental human goodness—offers hope for those struggling with pornography in a world of shame, silence, and secondhand smoke. Mike Erre and Andy unpack a deeply personal, raw, and candid discussion on pornography addiction within modern Christian culture. This is not your typical "don't do it" sermon. Instead, the episode seeks to unmask the complex emotional, neurological, relational, and spiritual realities of living in what Mike calls a "pornified culture." Drawing from emotional honesty and extensive biblical teaching, Mike shares his lifelong struggle, the impact on his family, and the road toward healing, reformation, and freedom. Key Takeaways: • The Pandemic of Porn and the Power of Shame – Why secrecy gives porn addiction its lasting power and how confession and truth-telling begin the path forward. • Secondhand Smoke of Lust Culture – How porn affects not just users, but society at large—objectification, shame, altered relationships, a

How unpretending can open the door to real healing, radical grace, and renewed purpose for the misfits among us. Mike and Andy sit down with speaker and founder of Freedom Movement, Carrie Garcia, for a raw and powerful conversation about faith, addiction, ministry, mental health, and the cost of pretending in church culture. Carrie shares her heart-wrenching and hope-filled journey—from growing up as a pastor's kid in dysfunction, surviving years of drug use, trauma, and church shame, to rediscovering herself and creating a movement where authenticity and healing take center stage. This episode boldly disrupts the narrative of performance-based faith and invites listeners into something deeper, messier, and more beautiful. Key Takeaways: • Freedom in Unpretending – How transparency and truth-telling are vital spiritual disciplines for a church obsessed with appearances. • Church Culture & Shame – Discussing the damaging effects of performative Christianity and how the pressure to "keep it together" contr

How the church can redefine its role in a divided political climate by reclaiming allegiance to Jesus and resisting partisan captivity. Mike Erre and Andy reflect on what it means to be ambassadors of God's kingdom in an age of polarization, tribal politics, and cultural confusion. Drawing from early church history, scriptural insights, and challenging contemporary examples, this episode is an urgent call back to courage, clarity, and compassion. Key Takeaways: • Support, Challenge, and Create – Followers of Jesus are called to support what they can, challenge what they must, and create a prophetic alternative to the prevailing culture, no matter who's in power. • Christianity Is Not Partisan – How political allegiance has distorted faith communities and why true allegiance belongs only to Jesus the King. • From Hostility to Hospitality – Exploring the radical call to love neighbors, opponents, and even enemies with compassion, listening, and presence. • Giving Up the Culture War – Why American Christians nee

How does prayer work in a world marked by injustice, trauma, and unanswered cries? Mike Erre and Andy tackle one of the hardest and most personal questions the Voxology community has ever wrestled with: Why do some prayers seem to be answered while others—especially those for safety and healing—go unanswered? Using an honest question from a listener as the foundation, this episode takes a deep dive into the complexities of prayer, God's sovereignty, the problem of evil, and what "answered prayer" truly means when held up against global suffering like Aleppo or the death of a child. This isn't about quick solutions or spiritual platitudes. Mike and Andy explore why drawing straight lines between outcome and God's will often leads to distorted theology and wounded hearts. Instead, they argue for a richer, more biblically grounded approach that embraces mystery, laments with hope, and chooses trust even in the silence. Key Takeaways: • The Role of Prayer in Partnership with God – Prayer isn't about control but i

How the raw honesty of the Psalms offers a roadmap for navigating spiritual maturity, emotional turmoil, and the disruptive journey of faith. Mike Erre and Andy dive into Walter Brueggemann's framework for categorizing Psalms—orientation, disorientation, and reorientation—and explore how this mirrors the spiritual stages articulated by M. Scott Peck. This episode is a heartfelt journey through belief, suffering, and the surprising grace found in facing doubt and darkness head-on. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Brueggemann's Psalm Categories – Orientation celebrates settled, clear faith; disorientation confronts chaos, lament, and abandonment; reorientation emerges through surprise, hope, and restored relationship. • From Stage 2 to Stage 4 – Mapping Peck's spiritual stages onto the Psalms highlights the often messy, nonlinear progression of maturing in faith. • The Power of Lament – Why the church must rediscover the lost tradition of lament in a culture that idolizes positivity and avoids pain. • Reframing W

How the Four Stages of Faith, as outlined by M. Scott Peck, can help you better understand your own spiritual journey and engage more graciously with people at all stages of Christian development. Mike and Andy take a deep dive into Peck's psychological and spiritual framework—introducing the stages of Chaotic/Antisocial, Formal/Institutional, Skeptic/Individual, and Mystic/Communal—and reflect on how these stages intersect with church life, leadership, and what it means to follow Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Peck's Four Stages of Faith – A journey from chaotic self-interest to mystic communion, and how these psychological insights mirror major spiritual milestones. • Stage-Specific Challenges and Temptations – Why each stage brings unique struggles, comforts, and moments of crisis that often catalyze deeper growth. • The Painful Beauty of Transition – How breakdowns in belief systems, routines, or institutions can lead to more authentic spiritual engagement when embraced with humility. • Why Forms A

Gain theological insight into one of Christianity's most complex and debated doctrines as Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by theologian, author, and scholar Dr. Preston Sprinkle for an honest, in-depth conversation about the biblical views of hell. Drawing from his extensive study and his role as editor of the book "Four Views on Hell," Preston breaks down how Scripture has been interpreted through church history, discusses the implications of eternal conscious torment, annihilation, and universal reconciliation, and explains how these views reflect (or conflict with) the character of God. This episode challenges traditional assumptions and invites Christ followers—and seekers alike—to reconsider the meaning of "perish" in John 3:16, how justice and love work together, and why Jesus's own teachings on hell deserve contextual and thoughtful engagement. Key Takeaways: • The Three Christian Views of Hell – Eternal conscious torment, conditional immortality (annihilationism), and universal reconciliation ar

What happens when church culture rewards appearance over transformation and silence over honesty? In this brutally honest and deeply reflective episode, Mike Erre and Andy Bear tackle a listener's request to unpack the issue of infidelity among church leaders and why it may be more common—or at least more hidden—than we'd like to admit. Reflecting on personal experience, witness to spiritual leaders who have fallen publicly, and a dysfunctional worship team dress code, the conversation explores how Western models of church and pastoring create systems where personal brokenness is ignored rather than exposed and healed. Mike shares vulnerably from his own struggles to reveal how unchecked ego needs and church culture's preference for polish can lead to spiritual rot. This episode is a crucial call to shift from sin management to discipleship, from platform addiction to communal honesty, and from isolation to transformation. If you're a church leader, serve on a ministry team, or care about the health of your f

A heartfelt wrap-up to a remarkable year of the Voxology Podcast, as Mike Erre shares gratitude for the incredible support, growing community, and the conversations that have shaped the last twelve months. On this special solo episode, Mike records an intimate update on what's ahead for Voxology in 2023, including new series exploring tough questions about prayer, suffering, and being "embarrassed by the Bible." And as a bonus, he offers a humorous and moving original year-end Christmas poem, reflecting on the joys and heartbreaks of 2016 while celebrating the hope found in Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Gratitude for Community Growth – From 430,000+ total downloads to 57 generous Patreon supporters, the show's growth has exceeded expectations, with listeners from California to Texas and beyond. • Upcoming Series Sneak Peek – Mike outlines plans for new series, including: A prayer series exploring theological tensions and unanswered questions. Topics of suffering and God's sovereignty. "Embarrassed by the Bible" se

How specific feedback, honest critique, and cultural engagement can help reimagine the Church's role in a changing world. In this open and deeply introspective episode, Mike Erre and Andy unbox some recent listener feedback with striking vulnerability—addressing head-on the accusations of church-bashing, ambiguity around biblical truth, and the challenge of speaking tough topics in a way that honors both grace and truth. Using a listener email as a springboard, the conversation unfolds around topics like how Jesus critiqued the religious elite, why the Church can be both deeply flawed and deeply beloved, and how Vox embodies hospitality and lifelong learning through the value of feedback. Through stories about Apple's internal culture to training for a Spartan Race (yes, seriously), the episode opens conversation about past hurt, responsibility, and the tension between evangelism and truth-telling. Key Takeaways: • How and why Vox separates the podcast from the church—legally and missiologically—to allow spac

What if the path to knowing God is wider, richer, and more mysterious than we've assumed? This episode of Voxology takes a deep dive into the controversial question: is Jesus really the only way to God? Prompted by a listener email and a candid conversation between two brothers, Mike Erre and Andy dismantle simplistic formulas of salvation and exclusivism—offering a vision of God's redemptive work that is bigger than Christian categories. Drawing from Scripture, theology, and real-life stories, this thoughtful reflection explores religious pluralism, God's relationship to the nations, how salvation may extend beyond formal religion, and the surprising way Jesus includes outsiders in the Kingdom. From Paul's teachings in Acts and Romans to Jesus's healing of the Roman centurion, the episode offers a deeply biblical, hopeful, and theologically generous framework for understanding who gets "in." Key Takeaways: • Reimagining Religious Exclusivism – Understanding how truth claims and pluralism can coexist without

How can the church navigate LGBTQ conversations without reducing them to binary stances? Mike and Andy break down one of Voxology's most foundational and pressing topics—what it means to be a faith community that is welcoming, inclusive, and mutually transformative. Drawing from years of wrestling in both the podcast and the local Vox community, they respond to a prominent article that challenges the idea of "agreeing to disagree" on homosexuality within the church. Mike shares personal insights from leading a church that makes space for affirming and non-affirming people to walk alongside each other with empathy, honesty, and grace. This vulnerable and unfiltered episode confronts the complexities of LGBTQ affirmation, biblical authority, spiritual leadership, and the dangers of boiling nuanced conversations into political or doctrinal litmus tests. Whether you're well into your spiritual journey or still discerning what you believe about LGBTQ issues in the church, this episode invites deeper reflection on