Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford challenge the rising trend of toxic "alpha male" Christianity, unpacking how the pursuit of power and dominance contradicts the biblical understanding of masculinity. Diving deep into Genesis, they explore how true biblical manhood embraces weakness, interdependence, and community, rejecting cultural idols of power and control. Through personal stories and scriptural analysis, they reveal how enshrining the curse of dominance from the Fall distorts the Gospel and harms both men and women. Key Takeaways: • Rejecting Toxic Masculinity Narratives – Understanding how modern "alpha male" movements conflict with biblical teachings on humility and dependence on God. • Biblical Masculinity Redefined – Exploring Genesis to uncover God's original design for men and women as equal image-bearers needing community and partnership. • Embracing Weakness and Dependency – Recognizing that acknowledging our limitations leads to deeper intimacy with God and others, and is central to living fully in Hi

How the morality police in Iran became a symbol of oppressive theocracy, and why Christians in the West must pay attention. In this special edition of Voxology, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Susie Lind (an elder, pastor, and Iranian-American) dive into the recent wave of women-led protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini. The conversation explores the historical context of Iran's revolution, the internal trauma of displacement, and the deeply personal ties Susie holds to the current uprising. They draw unsettling parallels between Iran's morality police and Western theocratic impulses taking shape in America. The team is later joined by theology professor and podcaster Tim Gombis for a broader conversation on the seductive pull of ideological tribalism, the myth of Christian cultural dominion, and the revolutionary call to be good neighbors rather than spiritual conquerors. Key Takeaways: • Iran's Current Uprising – How Mahsa Amini's death sparked a generational resistance movement led

How the gospel disrupts political ideologies and cultural polarization—Mike and Tim sit down with pastor and author Chris Nye to explore how our faith can break free from the mental strongholds of ideology, certainty, and tribalism. Centered around themes from Nye's new book, "A Captive Mind," the conversation navigates the emotional allure of simplistic labels, the danger of reducing Christianity to hot takes, and why the foolishness of the cross matters more than ever in today's ideological landscape. Key Takeaways: •   Christianity as an Event, Not an Idea – Why the death and resurrection of Jesus transcend philosophy and political platforms, and how this should shape how we engage the culture. •   Hot Takes vs. Pastoral Wisdom – How the pressure for pastors to respond to every news cycle with polished opinions harms authentic shepherding and thoughtful discipleship. •   The Emotional Appeal of Ideologies – Understanding why modern Christians gravitate toward prepackaged worldviews that feel good, and how

Embrace a transformative approach to faith by exploring how love can reconstruct your spiritual journey. Dive into a profound conversation as Mike Erre and Tim Stafford engage with Matt Tebbe and Ben Sternke of Gravity Leadership to discuss their new book, "Having the Mind of Christ." Discover practical ways to embody love in your community, navigate deconstruction, and cultivate a faith that truly reflects the teachings of Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Reconstructing Faith Through Love – Understanding how centering love can guide you through deconstruction into a more authentic faith. • Making Love Concrete in Community – Learning practical disciplines and practices to embody love within church leadership and communal life. • Embodying the Mind of Christ – Exploring what it means to have the mind of Christ and how it transforms our perspectives and actions. • Navigating Power Dynamics – Recognizing and addressing the misuse of power in spiritual communities and embracing humility and shared leadership. Guest Highl

Discover how Jesus' approach of sharing meals with sinners challenges traditional notions of purity and separation, and what it means for us today. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the significance of Jesus being called a "glutton and a drunkard," exploring how his radical hospitality invites us to rethink our own practices of inclusion, neighbor love, and the mission of the church. Key Takeaways: The Pharisees' Pursuit of Purity and Resurrection – Understanding how the Pharisees aimed to bring about God's kingdom through strict adherence to the Law and separation from sinners. Meals as Cultural Expressions of Social Status – How meals were a reflection of social boundaries, and why Jesus' willingness to eat with tax collectors and sinners was revolutionary. The Deep Meaning Behind "Glutton and Drunkard" – Exploring the accusation rooted in Deuteronomy and its implications on how Jesus was perceived by religious leaders. Jesus' Radical Invitation to Repentance through Kindness – How Jesus' inclusion and

Discover how to maintain a Christ-like posture amid political extremes by embracing a cruciform life. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford conclude their Culture War Series by exploring how to resist the temptation to engage in cultural battles through old creation dynamics and instead create beautiful alternatives that reflect Jesus' way. Key Takeaways: Staying Cruciform – Understanding the significance of living a life shaped by the cross and how it informs our response to political polarization. Resisting Political Idolatry – Discussing the dangers of fusing Christian identity with partisan politics and how to stay faithful to Jesus above all. Creating Beautiful Alternatives – How to channel frustration and anger into building communities that embody the love, hospitality, and reconciliation of Jesus. Embracing the Kingdom Imagination – Encouraging a shift from the divisive narratives of our culture to a Kingdom-centered perspective that transcends political boundaries. Resources Mentioned: "Scandalous Witness" b

Delving into how Jesus' response to political power challenges Christian nationalism and guides us in embracing a cruciform life amidst the culture war, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and guest pastor Susie Lind discuss the role of the church in today's polarized society. They explore what it means to stay on the cross, embody a cruciform life, and resist the temptations of power and political idolatry. Key Takeaways: Jesus' Response to Political Power – Insights from John 18 on how Jesus confronted authority and refrained from worldly power struggles. Embracing the Cruciform Life – Understanding the call to live a life of self-sacrificial love and how it applies to modern-day culture wars. Resisting Christian Nationalism – Examining the dangers of merging faith with national identity and political agendas. Faithfulness over Effectiveness – Discussing why living faithfully according to Jesus' teachings is more crucial than pursuing worldly effectiveness. Kingdom of God vs. Kingdoms of the World – Differentiating b

Unveiling how the culture war mentality undermines authentic Christian living, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive into listener feedback to explore the tension between being faithful and being effective in today's polarized society. They discuss the challenges of engaging the world without adopting a combative stance and how embracing new creation dynamics can transform our approach to cultural conflicts. Key Takeaways: Reimagining Christian Engagement – Understanding how the pursuit of effectiveness can lead us away from the cruciform way of Jesus. The Culture War Trap – Analyzing how viewing the world through a culture war lens harms the church's witness and fosters division. Embracing New Creation Dynamics – Exploring practical ways to live out Jesus' teachings by adopting a posture of humility, generosity, and love. The Role of Discernment – Recognizing the need for ongoing discernment and community in navigating complex social issues. Resources Mentioned: American Evangelicalism: Embattled and Thriving b

Explore how Christians can navigate the tension between engaging in societal issues and staying faithful to Jesus's teachings without becoming entangled in culture wars. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the challenges of resisting political power grabs, addressing injustice, and embodying a Jesus-like response in a polarized world. Key Takeaways: Resisting Political Idolatry – Understanding the dangers of conflating faith with political power and how it can compromise Christian principles. Engaging Without Culture Wars – Discussing ways Christians can be involved in societal issues without adopting divisive tactics or losing their cruciform posture. Faithful over Effective – Emphasizing the importance of being faithful to Jesus's teachings rather than seeking worldly success or power. Reimagining Christian Community – Encouraging local communities to repair shalom, embody the difference, and offer creative, Jesus-shaped solutions to societal problems. Embodying Jesus's Way – Reflecting on how to stay on

Explore how the accusations of blasphemy against Jesus reveal profound insights into His divine identity and challenge our understanding of faith today. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into biblical narratives and theological discussions, unpacking the significance of Jesus's claims to divinity and how they confront both ancient and contemporary perceptions. Key Takeaways: Understanding Blasphemy in Jesus's Time – Discover the historical context of blasphemy and why Jesus's actions and statements were considered scandalous by religious authorities. Jesus's Divine Claims – Examine the instances where Jesus asserted divine prerogatives, such as forgiving sins and identifying Himself with God's presence. Communal Faith vs. Individualism – Discuss the importance of communal aspects of faith as highlighted in Jesus's teachings and contrast this with modern individualistic approaches. The Trinity and Divine Identity – Explore the complexities of the Trinity as inferred from Jesus's interactions and the implicatio

Explore how accusations of illegitimacy surrounding Jesus' birth reveal deeper insights into his identity and mission. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the societal implications of Jesus being referred to as Mary's son, the cultural significance of bloodlines in Jewish culture, and how these early scandals shaped his approach to the marginalized and outcasts. Key Takeaways: The Scandalous Circumstances of Jesus' Birth – Understanding how the questionable circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth led to lifelong accusations and impacted his ministry. Cultural Importance of Bloodlines – Examining the significance of lineage and legitimacy in Jewish culture and how Jesus' birth challenged these norms. Jesus' Solidarity with the Marginalized – Discussing how Jesus' own experiences with shame and outsider status informed his compassion and ministry toward those on the fringes of society. Navigating Truth in Today's World – Reflecting on the nature of truth, objectivity, and how a relational understanding of tru

Explore how recognizing God's presence in everyday moments can transform your spiritual journey. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the stories of Jacob's dream and Moses's burning bush to uncover how God often shows up in unexpected places. They discuss practical ways to awaken from spiritual sleepwalking and become more attuned to the divine in daily life. Key Takeaways: God in the Ordinary – Understanding that God is present in the mundane, not just in special times or places. Lessons from Jacob and Moses – Insights from biblical stories that highlight God's unexpected appearances and what they mean for us today. Breaking Routine to Find the Sacred – Practical tips on disrupting autopilot living to notice the "burning bushes" around us. Reimagining Worship and Faith Sharing – Rethinking traditional views on worship and evangelism to encompass all aspects of life. Cultivating Awareness – Implementing small changes to become more attentive to God's work in and around us. Resources Mentioned: Genesis 28

Explore how embracing cruciformity—living in the shape of the cross—transforms our understanding of Christian identity and practice. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve deep into what it means to follow Jesus's example of self-sacrificial love in a culture obsessed with power and privilege. They unpack the true meaning of "truthing in love" from Ephesians 4, challenging the common misconception of "speaking the truth in love," and examine how fear often leads us to abandon cruciform living. Key Takeaways: Understanding Cruciformity – Discover how living in the shape of the cross means pouring ourselves out for others rather than exploiting privileges for personal gain. Reframing 'Speaking the Truth in Love' – Learn how the original Greek text emphasizes embodying truth through actions ("truthing in love") instead of using words as weapons. Overcoming Fear – Analyze how fear tempts us to set aside cruciformity, leading us to grasp for power instead of practicing self-sacrificial love. The Politics of the Cross –

Exploring how rethinking evangelism transforms our invitation to others, focusing on relationship and community rather than just words or the sinner's prayer. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford tackle listener questions about the true nature of evangelism, the role of the church, and what it means to invite people into the Kingdom of God. Key Takeaways: • Beyond Niceness: Do We Need Words? – Addressing whether being kind is enough or if evangelism requires vocal witnessing. • Women as Image Bearers of God – Discussing how women fully reflect God's image and the importance of gender inclusivity in Christianity. • The Church's Role in Society – Differentiating between questing for power and using power on behalf of others, and how the church should embody justice. • Inviting into Relationship and Community – Exploring what we are truly inviting non-believers into if not just the sinner's prayer, emphasizing genuine relationships and participation in God's Kingdom. Resources Mentioned: • 2 Corinthians 5:20 – Understandi

Mike and Tim delve into the complexities of masculinity in the modern church, critiquing popular messages like Jordan Peterson's "Message to the Christian Churches." They explore how the New Testament's emphasis on the "one another" commands challenges the myths of self-sufficiency and individualism, highlighting the church's true mission as internal transformation and mutual support rather than exerting power over others. Key Takeaways: Critiquing Modern Masculinity Messages – Analyzing Jordan Peterson's appeal to young men and its implications for the church's approach to masculinity. The Myth of Self-Sufficiency – Discussing how the New Testament challenges individualism through the "one another" commands, emphasizing interdependence. Mutuality and Reciprocity in Community – Exploring the importance of reciprocal relationships and mutual support as foundational to the church. The Church's True Mission – Emphasizing that the church's role is to be transformed by Christ, not to transform others through powe

Discover how embracing self-sacrificial love over the need for power can transform your faith journey and impact how you reflect Jesus to others. In part two of the Bearing the Name series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve deep into what it truly means to bear the name of Jesus in everyday life, moving beyond traditional evangelism to embody the beauty of Christ through actions and relationships. Key Takeaways: • Immersing in Jesus to Reflect His Image – Understanding the importance of internalizing your view of God and how immersing yourself in Jesus shapes the way you reflect His image to others. • Self-Sacrificial Love vs. Power Over People – Exploring the choice between embodying self-sacrificial love and exercising power over others, and how this impacts every area of life. • Moving Beyond Traditional Evangelism – Discussing the limitations of argument-based evangelism and the importance of embodying Jesus' characteristics through actions rather than just words. • Creating Rather Than Critiquing – Highli

Dive into a heartfelt conversation as Pastor Bethany Nass Cseh shares her personal journey through adoption and infertility, challenging the church to rethink its approach to abortion and women's health in a post-Roe v Wade world. Discover how creating safe, supportive spaces within faith communities can transform lives and embody the true mission of Jesus. Key Takeaways: Creating Safe Spaces for Women – How the church can become a trustworthy place for women to discuss issues like abortion, miscarriages, and reproductive health without fear of shame or judgment. Adoption as a Contingency Plan – Bethany shares her personal experiences with adoption, asserting that while adoption is meaningful, it is a contingency plan and not God's original intent, highlighting the need for supporting families to stay together. Moving Beyond Culture Wars – Discussing the importance of the church moving away from a culture war mindset and instead focusing on compassionate, bottom-up approaches that reflect Jesus's teachings.

How rethinking "evangelism" through the lens of bearing God's name can free us from performance-driven faith and deepen our witness as everyday expressions of the kingdom. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off a new series on evangelism and what it really means to invite people into the story of Jesus. Joined by a very special co-host, Seth, this episode weaves deeply theological reflections with everyday joys (like Jacuzzis and Chick-fil-A) to introduce a profound shift in how we live out and share our faith. Key Takeaways: • Bearing the Name of God – In Scripture, names aren't just labels—they reveal character, presence, and purpose. God's name, revealed as "I Am," is sacred and powerful, and followers of Jesus are called to bear that name in their daily lives. • More Than a Swear Word – Taking the Lord's name in vain isn't about cussing; it's about misrepresenting God's character by attaching His name to empty or harmful ways of living. • Evangelism as Everyday Witness – You are never not witnessing. Sharing

Exploring how Christians can navigate their conflicted feelings about the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford discuss the complexities of power, politics, and the church's mission. They offer insights on responding thoughtfully and faithfully in divisive times, emphasizing the importance of discernment, compassion, and understanding. Key Takeaways: Christian Responses to Roe v. Wade – Wrestling with conflicting emotions and moral considerations following the Supreme Court's decision. Power and Politics in the Church – Reflecting on how the church engages with political power and the implications of wielding influence in society. Jesus's Approach to Power – Examining how Jesus modeled the use of power and what that means for Christians today. The Need for Discernment – Emphasizing the importance of wisdom, nuance, and discernment in addressing complex moral and societal issues. Loving Our Neighbors – Understanding practical ways to embody Christ's love in times of pola

How Jesus' healing encounters with corpses, hemorrhages, and skin conditions aren't abolishing purity laws—but revealing His divine power over death itself. In this fascinating conversation, Mike, Tim, Susie, and guest scholar Matthew Thiessen reshape our understanding of ritual impurity in first-century Judaism and offer fresh insight into Jesus' ministry as a radical confrontation with death, not a rejection of Jewish tradition. Thiessen—Professor at McMaster University and author of Jesus and the Forces of Death—walks us through what ritual impurity really is (and isn't), how Gospels misread it today, and why Jesus's purification miracles were revolutionary within Judaism, not against it. Using examples from stories like the healing of the hemorrhaging woman, lepers, and the demoniac, this episode challenges the way many Christians have interpreted Jesus' actions—and suggests a deeper, more Jewish-honoring way to read His life, purpose, and kingdom mission. Key Takeaways: • Ritual vs. Moral Impurity – Unde