Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

Growing Kids God's Way? Is that a thing? WARNING, it gets a little spirited. Today, Mike and Tim discuss the theme of differentiating fruit and outcomes, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness over controlling outcomes. The conversation concludes with a question about parenting and the use of the "rod," from the book of Proverbs. Mike and Tim discuss their perspectives on parenting and discipline. They emphasize the importance of building a close relationship with their children and prioritizing connection over strict discipline, challenge the idea of labeling one way of parenting as 'biblical' and highlight the harmful effects of shame in parenting. What is the difference between outcome-focused parenting and fruit-focused parenting? How do we differentiate between fruit and outcomes in order to focus on faithfulness rather than controlling results? How do we create environments that allow for the growth of fruit, but recognize that fruit cannot be produced or controlled? 00:00 Intr

Revelation Part Thirty One: The End of the End. This is it. The final episode of our longest series ever. Today, we begin by addressing listener emails and discussing Tim Stafford's gallbladder. Mike and Tim then respond to pushback on topic of platforming younger people on social media and the potential risks and benefits. The conversation shifts to a listener's critique of the Holy Spirit episode and the our response. Then we conclude our long conversation on Revelation with one last look at New Creation and how the resurrection of Jesus serves as the launch of new creation. What is new creation and its implications for the church? What is the significance of Easter as a reminder of the victory and new life found in Jesus? Then one last listener email about the role of pastors and the importance of clarity in defining their responsibilities within the church. Is there a need for reimagining church structures and fostering a culture of lifelong learning among pastors? 00:00 - Listener Emails 06:00 -

For the Good of the Field. Two listener questions. Two in depth responses. Alter calls and platforming younger people before they're ready. Today, Mike and Tim discuss the concept of platforming people too early and the potential dangers it poses. They also explore the role of altar calls in evangelism and the early church's view of patience. The conversation highlights the importance of discernment and the need for a balanced approach to these topics. They also explore the concept of patience as a counter-cultural virtue and its application in the teachings of Jesus. The parable of the wheat and weeds is examined as an example of patient ferment, where the Kingdom of God exists alongside evil in the world. The importance of creating a culture of humanization and embodying the goodness of living under the lordship of Jesus is emphasized. The traditional practice of altar calls is questioned, and a broader understanding of evangelism is proposed. The chapter concludes with a call to be patient, resist

Gospel & Gombis: Part Five. Okokok. This is a long one. Brace yourselves. The Holy Spirit. Mike and Tim put Gombis on the spot with questions about the Spirit. What is it? What is it's role? What is Paul's understanding of Jesus as part of the triunity and his teaching on the Holy Spirit? They address misconceptions about Paul's teaching and how evangelicals often misread his views on the Spirit. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the Spirit's work in the church and individualized Spirit talk in Acts. Everyone discusses the interpretation of Ephesians 5:18 and the concept of being filled with the Spirit. They explore the idea that the church, as a community, plays a role in being filled with the Spirit and producing the fruits of the Spirit. They also discuss the understanding of spiritual gifts and how they should be viewed as gifts for the benefit of the church rather than personal abilities. Annnnnd, what about praying to the Holy Spirit and the role of spiritual disciplin

Today, Mike and Tim are joined by Author and Speaker Michael Wear, to discuss his new book, "The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life." Michael discusses the intersection of Christianity and politics, emphasizing the need to integrate political life into discipleship. He highlights the importance of understanding the role of faith in politics and the impact of Christianity on public life. Wear also addresses the disappearance of moral knowledge and the need for Christians to offer goodness to politics. He challenges the notion that voting is a God-given duty and encourages Christians to steward their influence in a way that is most loving towards their neighbors. Wear shares insights from his experience working in the White House and emphasizes the need to hold politicians and political systems accountable. In this conversation, Mike and Tim discuss the influence of politics on religious identity. They explore how partisan forces shape religious divides and

Revelation - Part Thirty: To Hell and Back. Thirty! Crazy. Today, Mike and Tim first respond to a few emails and discuss the harm and good intentions of religious movements, particularly focusing on purity culture, deconstruction etc. Was there good in those movements as well as bad? Will people just deconstruct the things talked about on this podcast in a few years? They emphasize the importance of curiosity and wonder in inviting others to explore beyond the confines of their beliefs. The conversation also touches on concerns about being labeled as universalists and the role of church in saving people. Overall, they encourage a posture of humility, hospitality, and embodying the better alternative. What is the power of labels, the focus of salvation, the concept of hell, and the church as a community? They challenge the traditional understanding of hell as a place of eternal torment and emphasize the importance of understanding the biblical context. They also discuss the role of the church in embodying fait

Revelation - Part Twenty Nine: All Things Made New. Today, Mike and Tim discuss the January blues and the concept of new creation and restoration. They explore the idea of the day of the Lord and the destruction and purification that will occur. They also delve into the building of the church and the testing of the work done by church leaders. How do the themes of renewal, purification, and the ultimate restoration of heaven and earth play out? What of the themes of the overlapping space of heaven and earth, the work of light, fire, and water, the day of the Lord, a new heaven and a new earth, the new Jerusalem, the new Eden, the reckoning and the call to holiness, the function of hell, the resurrection of Jesus, the new creation project, and the human element in the Bible? The concept of new creation and restoration is a recurring theme in the Bible. The day of the Lord involves both destruction and purification. Before the rejoining of heaven and earth, there is work to be done, symbolized by light

Happy New Year! Today, Mike and Tim discuss their holiday experiences and reflect on their therapy journeys. They then delve into the concept of 'New Creation,' starting with the creation of heaven and earth in Genesis. They explore the cosmic temple and the Garden of Eden, the rupture and separation of heaven and earth, and the manifestation of God's presence. They highlight the importance of understanding the biblical narrative and the implications it has for our lives. They explore the concept of heaven and earth in the Old Testament, highlighting instances of overlapping spaces. It discusses Jacob's dream and Moses and the burning bush as examples of heaven and earth intersecting. The tabernacle and temple are presented as spaces where heaven and earth overlap, with Jesus ultimately becoming the ultimate "heaven and earth space." The conversation also touches on Jesus' authority and the future restoration of all things. What is the church's role as the heaven and earth sp

Revelation - Part Twenty Seven: Smoke on the Water. Today, Mike and Tim discuss the concept of the lake of fire and its symbolism in the book of Revelation. Merry Christmas!!! What are the origins of this imagery in the Old Testament, particularly in the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah? Does the lake of fire represent destruction rather than eternal conscious torment? What is Hell??? Does the text really advocate for an eternity of torment and separation for "unbelievers?" - The lake of fire in Revelation represents destruction rather than eternal conscious torment. - The imagery of burning sulfur and smoke rising is borrowed from the Old Testament, particularly the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah. - Being left outside the city symbolizes exclusion from the New Jerusalem and the consequences of practicing vices associated with empire. - Understanding the symbolic nature of these images is crucial for interpreting the book of Revelation. Revelation challenges us to ask hard questions and reckon with our

Practicing the Way. Today, Mike and Tim are joined by old friend John Mark Comer, to discuss his new book and non profit, 'Practicing the Way.' Why “apprentice” instead of disciple? Are we are all being formed by someone or something? Is spiritual formation not so much a Christian thing or even a religious thing, but a human thing? How is community integral to spiritual formation? How is the practice of community far more than church attendance? How does suffering play into all of this? You can learn more about John Mark's work here: practicingtheway.org/ As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Always feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instag

Don'y skip the banter! Some important news in the front section! Revelation - Part Twenty Six: The Lake of Fire. We're coming to the end of this ridiculously long series on the book of Revelation. Today, it's the two final battles, judgments and the Lake of fire... What do the final battles represent? Is this when God comes back swingin? Is it the bloody finale so many have dreamt of and still advocate for from the pulpit? Why two? When does this happen? What is the Lake of Fire? Is it Hell? Will people burn there forever? What OT references are needed to understand? Mike and Tim also spend some time discussing the next 'Nonference' this coming summer as well as a few listener emails. Tim's new single can be heard here or on any streaming services: SPOTIFY As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda th

The God Who Hides. What happens when I don’t feel presence? Why are desert times necessary in my relationship with God – I don’t need them in my other relationships... Why does God seem absent when I need him most? Why does he seem distant? Why does God allow us to feel his absence when we know he is not absent? When you are praying, it is bouncing off the ceiling; read the bible, it is dust… The bible calls this the “hiddenness of God”... 12 different times in OT – he hid his face from his people (9 times in the Psalms) – there is the idea of a God you can’t hide in one sense, but in another sense he at times veils himself from his people: Why, LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? (Ps. 10:1) How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? (Ps. 13:1) Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? (Ps. 44:23-24) As always, we encourage and w

The Only Way Out is Through. Mike and Tim spend some time unpacking a couple listener emails that deal with hopelessness and worship. This prompts Mike to revisit Walter Bruggeman’s typology: a. Psalms can be roughly grouped this way, and the flow of human life characteristically is located either in the actual experience of one of these settings, or is in the movement from one to another. b. This is not a formula, or rigid divide of categories; some Psalms do not seem to fit and some seem to have all 3 points. - Psalms of orientation (guaranteed creation) -- life is good (Psalm 145) - Psalms of disorientation (songs of disarray) – life hurts (Psalm 13) - Psalms of reorientation (songs of surprising new life) – there is hope in the darkness (Psalm 30) As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Always feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the ⁠Voxology Podcast⁠: www.voxologypodcast.com Subscribe

The God Who Disappoints Everyone. - What's up with the resurgence of the Social Gospel in America? Article HERE - A gospel Grammy Nominee won't stop singing on a plane, because maybe the Lord wants her to? How does this correlate to Christian Nationism? What is, what Tim calls, a sense of 'Divine Entitlement?' - Lament. Disappointment. Wisdom. Everything is Meaningless. How have people throughout history dealt with a God who disappoints? How does John the Baptist play into this? As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Always feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about the ⁠Voxology Podcast⁠: www.voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on ⁠iTunes⁠ or ⁠Spotify⁠ Support the Voxology Podcast on ⁠Patreon⁠ The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: ⁠Voxology Radio⁠ Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on ⁠Facebook⁠ Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre M

Revelation Part Twenty Five: Babylon, Continued. Rome becomes Babylon. In this vision, john as blended together words and images from every single OT passage about the downfall of ancient Babylon, Tyre, and Edom. (Isa. 13, 23, 34, 47; Jer. 50-51; Eze. 26-27). John’s showing how Rome is simply the newest version of the OT archetype of humanity in rebellion against God. They come together and form nations that exalt their own economic and military security into a false God. This isn’t something limited to the past or the future. It’a a portrait of the human condition throughout history. And "Babylons" will come and go leading up the day when Jesus returns to replace Babylon with his kingdom. But how will Jesus’ kingdom come? And it's amazing!! Every single Old Testament passage from the prophets about the fall of Babylon gets quoted in those chapters of Revelation about the fall of Babylon. The questions Mike references: - Am I safe here? - Am I confident here? - Do I belong here? - Am I worth

Revelation - Part Twenty Four: Babylon. Who was Babylon? What is Babylon? What threat does it offer? What are/were the warnings against and why? How do we relate to Babylon today? How do we subvert? How do repent/reorient? What are the warning signs that we are following into Babylonian ways of life and Empire? Babylon stands as a both an ancient and modern temptation. As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Always feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Revelation - Part Twenty Three: The Beast. The Dragon. The Beast. Who are these creatures? What do they represent? What is their role in all of this? What do we learn in Daniel? What is our part to play? So much to unpack and unlearn from our wrong readings of the book. As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

VOXOLOGY Rerun. Two years ago, we had on the incomparable Kaitlyn Schiess to discuss Mike Flanagan's "Midnight Mass," streaming on Netflix. Full SPOILER WARNING, we talk about the whole series. Midnight Mass is a horror show on Netflix that deals with some heavy theological ideas and has a heavy commentary on Christianity and religion. Kaitlyn, Mike and Tim dive in and pick at themes of grace, prayer, communion and more as revealed in the show. It's a fun conversation as we enter into the Halloween season. As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Always feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" u

Revelation - Part Twenty Two: The Talking Snake. Dragons and Leviathans and snakes, oh my! Today we talk about the history and working context of the talking snake in the Garden and how it informs the Dragon in Revelation. What was the working understanding of that Garden scene? How were snakes seen? How do Seraphim and Cherubim work into it? The Stephen Colbert and Anderson Cooper conversation can be seen here: COLBERT As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Always feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Sta

You hear us calling, Abba Father. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Father, we lift up all those who have lost family and loved ones, whose lives have been upended and destroyed. We grieve and lament with them. God, might you meet them in their pain, meet them in their need. God, would you show us how to intervene, how to love in a time of hate, how to be peace makers in a time of war and death. Father, we pray for those who have been taken from their families, that they would be released. That you would meet them in their despair and bring hope and safety and restoration. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Father, we ask that you would soften the hearts of our leaders and clear their eyes, that they might advocate for humanities flourishing, not it’s destruction. Lord, give them courage and discernment to make hard decisions in the face of adversity and greed that restore humanity to those they may see as the other. Lord have mercy. Christ have mercy. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kin