Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

In Your Attempt to Both Sides Everything... This episode, Mike and Tim attempt to tie up the conversation on Faithful vs. Effective. Mike brings some miserable musings on Al Mohler and his recent speech to 'pray, vote and stand' against the left and it's place amongst the marrying of the evangelical and politically right. This deepens the conversation on how we are to reimagine and think beyond the two dimensional political reality we live in. How can we usurp our 'two-sides' thinking to have a more nuanced and Christlike view of the world and our neighbors? Tim has a terrible time with the recent political stunt by Governors DeSantis and Abbott shipping immigrants to Martha's Vineyard. What do we do when human lives are used as pawns? If we don't fight, then what?? The bulk of the episode is centered on a critique Mike was given via email on both sidesing everything. Mike responds and a conversation is had about the true thesis of these last few episodes as well as most 'political' VOXOLOGY episodes. Is ther

Not Over, But Alongside. Today, Pastor Suzie Lind joins Mike and Tim to conclude a conversation that started two weeks ago about fighting back against a religious right that is looking for power in order to mandate morality. How do we approach this practically and not rhetorically? What does a cruciform life look like when we can see others in our tribe exerting power over? How do we not become that which we resist? What of the fear of Christians openly embracing and advocating violence?  Mike brings in some content on what it means to be not-of-this-world. How did Jesus speak to Israel resisting Rome? Who are we in that conversations and how do we apply Jesus's specific words then to now? How do we remain a people of hope when so many in our own tribe advocate fear??? 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 Subscribe

Masters of (Culture) War. Last week, Tim posed a question to Mike on how we respond to an Evangelical culture that seeks power over. It turned into an episode long conversation. Today, Mike and Tim read and interact with listener responses and questions on the topic. How do we avoid all the same trappings of culture warring and empty loving? Is loving your neighbor only within your community, passive? Is advocating a 3rd way just a practice of avoiding what the right and left are up to? How do we avoid rhetoric that is devoid of action, or, worse, rhetoric that removes involvement? What does it mean to turn the other cheek? Mike also brings in ideas from and discusses the book "American Evangelicalism: Embattled and Thriving," by Christian Smith (Found HERE) to further the conversation.  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

Faithful vs. Effective. Two words we possibly misunderstand or misapply to our lives, our 'calling,' and our relationships to both God and one another. Today, Tim hijacks the conversation to ask Mike about fighting back against a religious right that is looking to emulate Hungary and seize more governmental power in order to mandate morality. It is a very raw conversation. Tim is struggling with the 'focus on your community' approach and asks Mike about staying idle when people are being harmed in God's name. How far does staying on your cross extend? What is the actual cruciform posture? If we aren't meant to also seize power to help, what are we supposed to do? Do we allow people like Floridian governor Ron DeSantis to bastardize and weaponize scripture to rile up his religious base? Sean Feucht?? What was Jesus's approach? What of the early church? As Howard Zinn posited, can we not stay neutral on a moving train? The NYTimes article referenced can be read here: How the American Right Fell in Love With Hun

Insulted - Part Two: Blasphemer. We continue this week with a series that attempts to understand the human side of Jesus by way of the insults levied against Him. What is a blasphemer? How do we understand that now vs. then? What was the accusation? In what ways was Jesus accused of blaspheming, and what were the implications? How did He respond and what does His response teach us? What did it show the accusers at the time?? So much to unpack from simple Bible story verses we've all heard and likely gloss over. 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 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 Tim

Insulted - Part One: Bastard. Tim has been asking for a while about the human side of Jesus. While we celebrate and teach heavily on the deistic part of Jesus, being one with God, we know very little about the human part of Jesus. Mike and Tim begin a series today looking at part of that, through the insults and degradations hurled at Jesus in the gospels, and what they meant at that time. What do they show us? How was Jesus's lineage in question? What did His birth say about him, culturally? What was in question? Why did Jesus's birth play out the way it did? What are the cultural implications? First, Mike and Tim read a couple of emails responding to the topic of being cruciform as Nurse Practitioners, etc. and prescription addiction, from two listeners who work in similar situations. And another that offers a different perspective to the Jordan Peterson/masculinity conversation, from a listener who has been made to feel unwelcome in church communities.  As always, we encourage and would love discussio

Light - Part Five: Radar Love. JK! Last week wasn't the final installment of our 'Light' series. Today we (might) wrap it up, looking at our inherited understanding of evangelism, a play on ‘This Little Light of Mine…’ Where does God exist? Is it He that arrives or us? Why do we use terminology like’Bringing Jesus to people,’ or inviting God? Are there certain areas or times God is present? Also: Is Cracker Barrel ‘woke?’ How can or should a brother speak into a seemingly toxic relationship his sister is in? How can that be done in a cruciform way? How, too, can a Physician’s Assistant navigate patients who are in pain and want prescriptions that could be harmful? How can that conversation be had in a Christ like way?? These are real world, real time circumstances… 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 Subscribe on i

Light - Part Four: Truthing in Love. Today we wrap up our series ‘Light’ on understanding evangelism, a play on ‘This Little Light of Mine…’ What does a cruciform life actually mean and look like? What does it mean to take up your cross? What does it mean to come down from your cross? How have we distorted the scripture on ‘Speaking Truth in Love?’ What is the full context of that chapter and book? As we see the message of the gospel; as we come to understand good and bad krinó (judgment); as we come to realize what a cruciform life looks like as a community, how do these all reform our understanding of evangelism?? How do they change our view of Sunday morning?? We also respond to a few emails pushing back on our criticism of Jordan Peterson and his video on masculinity. 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 Subscri

When Necessary, Use Words. Mike and Tim dive in on listener emails asking questions and clarifications about the current series on evangelism (there are so many great, provoking questions!). If Jesus is the full representation of God, where do women fit into the image of God? How is evangelism more than kind words? As the version of ‘American Christianity’ festers over seas, how can we ‘one another’ our brothers and sisters, not only in the world, but within the church? What does Paul mean by ‘ambassador’ in 2 Corinthians and how are we to think about and relate to his meaning? There is so much more… 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 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

Light - Part Three: Jordan Peterson, Masculinity & ‘One Another.’ Yowza. Today, we continue our conversation on 'evangelism.' First, Mike and Tim discuss Sean Feucht's not surprising enormous pay day from his 'let us worship' shenanigans. How do people like Sean hide in plain sight and why do some gravitate to it? Also, Mike and Tim react to a new video from Jordan Peterson on the need to save masculinity and how it's dying out. Why aren't men coming to church as much anymore? What is healthy masculinity? What is it that needs to be saved or do we need to let it die? Is evangelism imposing our understanding of righteousness on others? Or is it something else? Is it the Church's job to influence society, or is it our job to be influenced by Christ?!? Mike gives us 59 (!) 'one another' statements from the New Testament and then he and Tim discuss what those mean for us as Christians and how they speak to our place in the world. As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Always feel free

Light - Part Two: Fullness of the Fullness. Today we continue the series on the idea of Evangelism called ‘Light,’ a play on ‘This Little Light of Mine…’ Jesus was the fullness of God. How did people in the 1st century witness as Jesus followers? How do we reflect Jesus? How do we reflect the fullness of God? What postures and attitudes do we embody in this world? How do we image the beauty of Jesus? And how does all that play into “evangelism?” If it isn’t arguing people in or convincing someone to pray a prayer, how does it actually look? 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 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/mi

Abortion, Adoption & Accommodation. Rated PG-13 (Some topics in this episode may be too adult for young ears). Mike and Tim invite their good friend, Pastor Bethany Nass Cseh back to the podcast to offer her thoughts and wisdom on the topics of 'Abortion & Adoption.' Bethany shares part of her journey as well as responds with Mike and Tim to emailed in listener stories and questions/push back. How can the Church become the safe place for women to wrestle with these decisions? How can men be held more accountable in the abortion conversation? How can men be encouraged to take more responsibility? How can we better love all women, no matter their choices? Can the Church be effective trying to cause change from the top? How did Jesus approach effective change? You can see and hear Bethany preach online for Catalyst Church: HERE 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

Light: Bearers of the Name. Today we are starting a new series on the idea of Evangelism called ‘Light,’ a play on ‘This Little Light of Mine…’ We begin with what a name is. How were names used in the ancient world? How does it differ from now? How does God refer to Himself when asked? What does taking the name ‘Christian’ really mean? How does His name differ from how our names are used today? What of the name Jesus? How do we can bear His name individually; how can it rest over a place; how do we can walk in a way that can bear His name? What does ‘Hallowed be Thy name’ mean in this? How doe we profane His name? How does this set up the idea of Evangelism??? 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 Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxolog

Mike and I sat down to record the podcast for next Monday but couldn’t escape the news today. What’s not lost on us, first of all, is that we are two white, middle aged men adding our voices to the conversation. So we attempt to do so humbly. This is very raw and in the moment. As we all try to navigate the spiritual, social and moral implications of today’s decision, we invite everyone to take a moment with us to listen and make room for lament and grief. How do we strive and really seek to love our neighbors in all areas of our lives? What does it really mean to emulate a God who serves and invests in the long term aspects of human daily life? 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 Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow

Jesus and the Forces of Death. Today Mike and Tim are joined by Suzie P. Lind and Dr. Matthew Thiessen, who is an associate professor of religious studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, to discuss ritual impurity. Heyo! What is ritual impurity? How do ritual impurity and moral impurity differ, or do they? Can we fully appreciate how the Gospel writers communicate Jesus’s significance apart from an accurate understanding of the ways in which first-century Jews constructed their world? Do we often misunderstand the Gospel writers’ depictions of Jesus because we naturally force what we read through our modern lenses and definitions?  How do we translate what we read into what we can understand currently? Was Jesus Jewish, but not that Jewish? Do we pick and choose as readers what Jewish aspects we want Jesus to have to support our narrative? Where do corpses and blood fit in?? This one is a wild ride into theologically nerdy territory. As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pu

The Jewishness of the Gospel. Today, Mike and Tim sit down with Dr. Jen Rosner, to discus her new book “Finding Messiah: A Journey into the Jewishness of the Gospel.” Jen, who was born Jewish and later became a Christian, walks us through her own Journey and what she found in study as she reconciled the two traditions and bridges the ancient rift between Jewish identity and Christian faith. How do we so often forget that Jesus was Jewish? How did his Jewish identity inform his work, words, and witness? “When we begin to understand Christianity’s indelible relationship to Judaism, key aspects of the Christian faith come alive and the wonder of the gospel becomes clear in new and powerful ways. Rediscover the Jewish Jesus, and in so doing, experience a deeper and richer faith than ever before.” Dr. Rosner is an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. You can connect with Jen and purchase her book HERE. As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. A

Image - Part Nine: Works - with Dr. Timothy Gombis. Gombis joins us again to offer his wisdom on the topic of ‘works,’ as we close out the Image series. What is the difference between works and deeds? How does that play out in day to day actions? How does ‘works’ play into ‘faith,’ ‘grace’ and ‘saved?’ We’re continuing our series on Imaging, focusing on the words of Ephesians 2:8-10: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Mike and Tim also spend some time responding to a few listener emails: What are we saying when we speak of having grace for ourselves? Is that an accurate use of that word? Should Christians avoid public office or do we need to have “godly” people in government? What does a posture of learning look like when you’re an older parent and have held one posture of unde

Uvalde, the SBC & Prayers of the People. Mike and Tim are joined by Executive Pastor and Elder of Journey Church Suzie Lind to discuss the events of the past week, including the sexual abuse report from the Southern Baptist Convention and the mass shooting in Uvalde Texas. It is a very raw conversation as everyone tries to sort out postures and directions forward. At the end of the conversation, Suzie, Mike and Tim engage in another 'Prayers of the People.'  Lord, we pray for the people and children who have been subjugated and abused by institutions or those in power, but specifically within your church. Lord that you would bring healing and peace and freedom to those who have been hurt and who have been hiding or have been made to feel shameful by their abusers. Father, we pray that there would be Justice and a complete dismantling of the church that hides and protects those that prey on others, that marginalizes and exerts power over. Lord have mercy. Father God, we pray for the families of Uziyah

Culture War Refugees. Today, Tim Gombis beams in from his porch to discuss a theological understanding of the culture wars and how we're supposed to posture ourselves in these times. How nuanced is the conversation? What is the history of these topics and where do we enter them? Why does the Church need to have enemies? How does that define us? If it isn't prudent or productive to engage in these "wars," how do we respond? Where is Jesus in this conversation?  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 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: @Go

Image - Part Eight: What is Grace? Today, we talk about different understandings and interpretations of ‘grace,’ and how they’re to be understood biblically. Grace as God’s favor; as a gift or benefaction; as generosity. The American Understanding of Grace as free from prior conditions; without regard to worth or deserving. What is the OT understanding and how does it differ? What does Paul say? How does Santa fit into all of this? We’re continuing our series on Imaging, focusing on the words of Ephesians 2:8-10: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Mike and Tim also spend some time reading listener e, ails regarding the abortion conversation. And stay tuned for Voxology Radio this week. Mike and Tim take up new roles as DJ’s to soundtrack your day. As always, we encourage and wo