Voxology

Latest Episodes:

Four Years of Voxology: Building a Home for the Spiritually Homeless and What Comes Next Oct 14, 2019

Show notes

Creating a safe and welcoming space for those who feel spiritually disoriented, disillusioned, or homeless has always been at the heart of Voxology. On this special four-year anniversary episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and producer Bonnie reflect on the journey so far: what's worked, what's shifted, and what's ahead for the Vox community.

They share how the podcast was born from a desire to ask bold questions about faith, the church, culture, and Jesus without fear or shame. Now, with over 2 million listens, the team is more committed than ever to being a landing place for anyone feeling out of place in modern church expressions or wrestling with their beliefs. This episode outlines a bold vision for the future—through resourcing interpreters, forming micro communities, and developing new content streams specifically for those seeking to reconstruct their faith in light of Jesus.

Key Takeaways: • Creating a Home for the Spiritually Homeless – Why so many believers feel dislocated from traditional church spaces and how Voxology offers community through spiritual disruption. • Deconstructing, Then Reconstructing – The necessity of deconstruction within a revealed faith and how to rebuild with Jesus at the center. • Vision for Future Growth – Voxology announces new initiatives: a podcast stream for interpreters, regional micro communities like the one forming in Columbus, Ohio, and expanded resources for people leading their own groups. • Investing in Interpreters – Defining the "interpreter" as someone bridging the foundational truths of Christian faith with the questions and culture of today. • From Content to Community – How the show is evolving from content delivery to nurturing meaningful spiritual relationships offline.

Guest Highlights: No special guests this week—but plenty of beloved "family banter" from Mike, Tim, and Bonnie as they celebrate the podcast's journey.

Resources Mentioned: • Join or Start a Micro Community – Email hello@voxpodcast.com • Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/voxology • Make One-Time or Recurring Donations via Tithe.ly – https://voxologypodcast.com • Vox Podcast Facebook Page – Livestreams and Community: https://www.facebook.com/voxologypodcast • Resource Page (Books, Tools, Teaching) – https://voxologypodcast.com

Want to help this movement grow? Join the conversation, share this episode, support Voxology financially, or even start something yourself! Subscribe, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay connected.

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As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email questions to hello@voxpodcast.com or engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon or Tithely

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Rethinking Preaching, Mental Health, and What Church Is For- w/ Skye Jethani Oct 07, 2019

Show notes

How sermon-centric church models are limiting spiritual formation—and what we should consider doing instead. In this episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie Lewis serve up laughter, listener mail, and meaningful critique as they unpack everything from naming conventions to how churches center around teaching rather than transformation. Plus, Mike sits down with Skye Jethani (Holy Post podcast, With God Daily, author of "With") to tackle his recent article challenging the long-held assumption that preaching should be the church's primary method of disciple formation.

From mental health feedback to listener encouragements, free events, and a rich discussion about ecclesiology in the digital age, this conversation will challenge you to seriously reconsider what church is for and what participation actually looks like for Jesus followers today.

Key Takeaways: • The Problem with Sermon-Centric Models – Why dedicating 50–80% of church resources on a single weekly teaching moment may no longer serve the mission of forming disciples. • Preaching vs. Teaching – Skye and Mike unpack the biblical and functional differences between proclamation (preaching) and instruction (teaching), and why conflating the two can be harmful. • Faith Formation in a Digital World – Given the immense access to podcasts, videos, and devotionals, is Sunday still the most effective day for learning? • What Gathering Could Look Like – Exploring more holistic and participative alternatives for congregational life: meals, small groups, application-centered learning, and communal responses. • Listener Feedback – Important discussions around mental health language, being vulnerable in Christian communities, and how the words we use shape our engagement with one another.

Guest Highlights: Skye Jethani – Author, speaker, podcaster, and former pastor, Sky shares his critique of the sermon-centric church model and explores healthier and more sustainable ways the church can disciple people in today's cultural and technological landscape. His Daily Devotional at WithGodDaily.com has become a vital spiritual practice for many.

Resources Mentioned: • Heated Conversation: Why We Changed Our Mind (Women in Ministry Event) – [Eventbrite Link] • Q Commons Costa Mesa (Free Event) – [QCommons.com → Costa Mesa] • With God Daily Devotional App – withgoddaily.com • "With" by Sky Jethani – Amazon • Sky's Article: "The Case Against Sermon-Centric Sundays" (Premier Christianity) – Premier Christianity

Be part of the ongoing conversation around reimagining church for Jesus-centered community and formation. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow the Voxology Podcast on your favorite platforms.

As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue Jesus together. Email your thoughts to hello@voxpodcast.com and join the community on Facebook and Instagram.

Watch us on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV

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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast: voxologypodcast.com

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Support Voxology on Patreon

Check out the Voxology Spotify music channel: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Tim Gombis Absolutely Blew Our Minds About Why Jesus Had to Die: Jesus and the Cosmic Mission of God Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

How the Apostle Paul's cosmic vision of salvation reshapes everything we thought we knew. Mike, Bonnie, and Tim sit down with Pauline scholar Dr. Tim Gombis to talk about one massive question: why did Jesus have to die?

What begins as a conversation about atonement turns into an hour-plus deep-dive into how Paul viewed salvation, sin, and the church—not as individual concerns, but as cosmic realities. Gombis pulls back the curtain on distorted gospel narratives common in modern Christianity and reframes salvation not as ledger-clearing, but as the liberation of all creation from enslaving cosmic powers.

From understanding wrath as a pervasive force within the present evil age to rethinking what Paul meant by "forgiveness of sins," this episode challenges individualistic soteriology and calls us to see gospel, sanctification, and mission as profoundly communal. Oh, and yes, Romans 3 and the "sinner's prayer" don't go unchallenged here either.

Key Takeaways: • The Cosmic Purpose of Christ's Death – Jesus didn't die just to forgive your sins; his death shattered the present evil age and launched an entirely new creation. • The Problem with Individualistic Salvation – Paul wasn't driven by questions of individual guilt and judgment but by the need to reconstitute a people for God's mission. • Forgiveness as New Creation Space – "Forgiveness of sins" isn't a personal transaction—it's the name of the kingdom arena God carved out in the midst of a polluted world. • How Sin and Death Hijacked God's Plan – Sin, death, and wrath are not personal moral failures—they're cosmic powers that enslaved all of creation, including the law and Israel. • Salvation as Liberation, Not Just Justification – Through Jesus, God rescued a people (not just persons) from the reign of sin and death and into Spirit-empowered, reconciled community.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Tim Gombis – Pauline scholar, professor, and author, Tim challenges foundational assumptions about salvation, atonement, forgiveness, and mission with both academic depth and personal vulnerability. A recurring friend of the show, Gombis brings rich theological insight with a pastor's heart.

Resources Mentioned: • "Reading Romans Backwards" by Scot McKnight • "Militant Grace" by Philip Ziegler • "The Drama of Ephesians" by Tim Gombis • "The Triumph of Abraham's God" by Bruce Longenecker • "Saint Paul, Our Mother" by Beverly Gaventa • Heated: A Conversation on Women in Leadership – Oct 18 in Costa Mesa (more info on Heated IG & Facebook)

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review to help more folks discover Voxology. And join us on Instagram and Facebook as we continue unpacking this one and rethinking salvation in both personal and communal terms.

Email your thoughts and questions to hello@voxpodcast.com and, as always, let's keep pursuing the true mission of Jesus together.

Watch episodes on VOXOLOGY TV (YouTube) Merch Store ETSY Support us on Patreon Subscribe via Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Follow: @voxologypodcast • Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford // IG & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

What Christianity Gets Wrong About Mental Illness—and What a Biblical Theology Can Redeem Sep 23, 2019

Show notes

How should followers of Jesus approach mental health in a way that's faithful, honest, and deeply human? In this vulnerable and theology-rich conversation, Mike Erre, Bonnie Lewis, and Tim Stafford unpack the complexities of mental illness through a biblical lens. Building a positive theology of mental health, they respond to a viral Christian post that stigmatized mental illness among pastors—particularly surrounding suicide and leadership in the church.

Together, the hosts challenge damaging narratives and explore how the church can become a redemptive, healing community for those navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, and spiritual struggle.

Key Takeaways: • Theological Missteps on Mental Health – Addressing the harmful assumption that mental illness is incompatible with Christian leadership and exploring the flawed linkage between mental illness, apostasy, and doctrinal doubt. • A Biblical Theology of Mental Health – How scripture offers robust categories for mental illness through the lenses of the imago Dei, embodiment, communal identity, and the effects of the Fall. • Jesus and Mental Illness – What the Gospels reveal about God's presence with the suffering and the misunderstood, and how Jesus modeled compassion and holistic healing. • Church Culture and Vulnerability – Why the church's overemphasis on strength, certainty, and positivity needs to be replaced by embracing lament, doubt, and emotional honesty. • Leadership and Struggle – Why brokenness doesn't disqualify leaders, but unacknowledged weakness might. The necessity of structure, accountability, and a broader definition of health in ministry. • Restoring Belonging – Critiquing the theology of "unbelonging" that drives suffering people into isolation rather than into community, and reclaiming the church's mandate to embody reconciliation, restoration, and grace.

Resource Highlights: • Book: The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – A key resource for understanding how trauma is experienced and stored in the body. • Book: Finding Quiet by J.P. Moreland – A theologically rooted personal story of overcoming anxiety and finding peace through integrated care. • Book: People of the Lie by M. Scott Peck – Explores evil's psychological and spiritual manifestations. • Biblical Texts Referenced – Psalms (especially 6, 13, 88), Job, Lamentations, the Gospels (Jesus and healing marginalized individuals), and Elijah's story in 1 Kings 19. • Therapeutic Approaches – Discussion of therapy modalities, including EMDR (referenced but unnamed), the effectiveness of talk therapy, and the mindful use of medication with spiritual discernment.

Engage with this vital conversation and join us in reshaping how the church thinks, talks about, and responds to mental health realities—with compassion, truth, and a commitment to wholeness.

We'd love to hear your story or thoughts as we continue pursuing this essential dialogue. Email us anytime at hello@voxpodcast.com, and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're also on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV

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Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

Learn more about the show at voxologypodcast.com

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Follow @voxologypodcast on Instagram and like us on Facebook

Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Reframing The Way We See and Talk About Jesus - w/ Alan Hirsch and Mark Nelson Sep 16, 2019

Show notes

How a wider vision of God, a richer gospel, and a reenchanted faith can help restore your wonder and reignite your purpose. This special episode of Voxology, featuring Mike Erre's conversation with Alan Hirsch and Mark Nelson, kicks off the Reframation Series with a deeply challenging and encouraging blueprint for recovering the beauty of Jesus and the mission of the Church.

Borrowing from Hirsch and Nelson's new book, "Reframation," the episode explores how the evangelical church in the West has lost its way—not because of too little doctrine but because of reductionism. By shrinking God to a manageable size, theology becomes heresy, and the gospel becomes a formula instead of a life-altering mystery. It's time for something bigger.

Key Takeaways: • Reframing vs. Reforming – Why the Church doesn't just need new formatting, but a complete reframing of its views of God, gospel, people, and mission. • The Problem of Reductionism – How minimizing God to a set of doctrines results in distorted theology, bad community, and failed witness. • Heresy as Shrinking Truth – Rethinking "heresy" not as being wrong but as reducing a single truth into "the whole" truth. • The Gospel Is Bigger – Moving past a guilt-based gospel to embrace liberation for the oppressed, restoration for the broken, and belonging for the shamed. • Wonder is not Weakness – How awe, beauty, imagination, and mystery are not optional aesthetics but central to knowing God. • Voices We've Missed – Why expanding theology means honoring the perspectives of women, the marginalized, and non-Western frameworks.

Guest Highlights: Alan Hirsch – Missional thought leader and author of "The Forgotten Ways," Hirsch brings decades of praxis-driven insight into how the church can rediscover its true shape and calling. Mark Nelson – Pastor of Crossings in Knoxville, TN, and co-author of "Reframation," Nelson shares from the frontlines of leading a congregation toward deeper mystery, love, and community.

Resources Mentioned: • Reframation: Seeing God, People and Mission Through Reenchanted Frames – reframationbook.com • Twitter: @AlanHirsch • Church Website – Crossings Knoxville: crossingsknoxville.com • Quote Highlight: "If you think you've got God in your doctrine, I promise you—it's not God you've got." • "The Forgotten Ways" by Alan Hirsch – [Link] • "Redeeming Theology" – Article by Mike on renewed spiritual imagination [Link if available]

Engage the bigger story and help us move toward a wide-eyed, reenchanted faith. Subscribe to Voxology, leave a review, and follow us on social to keep the conversation going.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue this together. Send your responses, thoughts, or questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and join the community on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

VOX Mini - What is the Best Way to Reconcile the OT and the NT? Sep 13, 2019

Show notes

Unpacking how Jesus is the clearest revelation of God and the essential key to interpreting the Old Testament with clarity, compassion, and consistency, Mike, Tim, and Bonnie wrap up their "BONNIE Strikes Back" series with a thoughtful and humor-filled reflection on scripture. This episode explores how reading the Bible as a unified narrative centered on Jesus reframes how we engage with the more difficult and confusing aspects of the Old Testament. The hosts highlight how understanding recapitulation, divine accommodation, and cross-centered hermeneutics can illuminate the character of God and bring life to ancient texts.

Key Takeaways: • Understanding Jesus as the Lens – Why Jesus is the interpretive center of the Bible and how this affects the way we read the Old Testament. • Recapitulation Explained – Learning how Jesus re-enacts Israel's and humanity's story in a redemptive, faithful way that reveals God's character. • Embracing the Messiness – Why it's important not to sanitize or skip over difficult texts but to sit with them, wrestle, and trust Jesus as the clearest picture of God. • Divine Accommodation – Exploring Greg Boyd's view that the Old Testament includes pictures of God shaped by human sin and limited cultural lenses, not contradictions to Jesus. • Engaging the Text with Curiosity – How Tim Mackie's advice to approach challenging scriptures with humility and curiosity helps unlock richer understanding and deeper theology.

Resources Mentioned: • Episode 101 – How to Read the Bible with Tim Mackie of The Bible Project • Episode 95 – "Angry God and Peaceful Jesus" with Greg Boyd • Episode 169 – How is the Old Testament Authoritative for Jesus Followers? • The Bible Project – https://bibleproject.com • Greg Boyd's Cross Vision theology on divine accommodation

Join us in reimagining what it means to read the Bible through the lens of Jesus. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on social to continue exploring how deep, curious faith reshapes our encounter with Scripture.

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

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

VOX Mini - Why Does the Church Talk about Tithing? Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

How understanding the heart behind biblical generosity can reshape your relationship with money, discipleship, and community. In this fourth episode of the Voxology Q&A Series, Mike, Tim, and Bonnie dive deep into the topic of tithing—addressing how it was practiced in the Old Testament, its evolution through the early church, and what generosity looks like in the life of a Jesus follower today.

Mike and Bonnie reflect on personal stories, spiritual disciplines, and scriptural insights to challenge the legalistic approach to giving and recenter it around the person and teachings of Jesus. They draw a clear line between the Levitical tithe and New Testament generosity, offering a liberating reframing of tithing as a joy-filled practice of trust, stewardship, and kingdom participation.

Key Takeaways: • The Purpose of Tithing in the Old Testament – Exploring tithes as temple support, social justice, and a tool for cultivating generosity. • New Testament Giving – Why Paul doesn't teach a 10% mandate, and how Christian giving becomes about internal transformation, compassion for the poor, and freedom from the idolatry of wealth. • Generosity as a Spiritual Discipline – How being both disciplined and spontaneous in giving shapes our character and breaks the grip of consumerism. • The Danger of Legalism – Why tithing shouldn't be reduced to a religious checkbox, and why giving should be rooted in joy, not guilt or manipulation. • What to Consider When Giving to a Church or Organization – The importance of support for the poor, church transparency, and non-religious motivations behind your generosity.

Guest Highlights: Bonnie – Reflects on a transformative teaching moment from Mike that shaped her perspective on generosity and how trust in God's abundance opens the door to free and joyful giving. Tim Stafford – Shares lessons learned from partnering with homeless shelters, encouraging intentional, impact-driven giving and how generosity of time and presence is just as vital.

Resources Mentioned: • Biblical References: Genesis (Melchizedek), Levitical laws on tithing, Deuteronomy (stewardship), Acts 2 and 4, and Paul's teachings in 2 Corinthians • Homeless services and shelters in Long Beach as examples of targeted giving • The Popcorn Illustration teaching from Mike's Rock Harbor sermon

Let's move beyond obligation and into a lifestyle of transformative generosity. Subscribe to Voxology, leave us a review, and follow us on social media to stay connected!

As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we journey together. Email your thoughts or questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Check out the merch: VOXOLOGY on Etsy Visit the website: voxologypodcast.com Listen on iTunes or Spotify Support us on Patreon

Follow Mike: twitter.com/mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

VOX Mini - Should I Stay at a Church That Teaches Reformed Theology? Sep 11, 2019

Show notes

A thought-provoking conversation that unpacks the foundations, expressions, and challenges of Reformed Theology from a pastoral and personal lens. Responding to listener Sarah's question, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie dive deep into the theology behind Calvinism, discussing both its fruit and its fallout. They explore how theological systems can sometimes shrink our view of Jesus and grapple with the implications of sovereignty, election, grace, and salvation.

Whether you're wrestling with doctrines like tulip, questioning predestination, or struggling with your place in a church culture that feels too rigid, this episode invites you into a gracious, nuanced, and honest conversation about where God's love and mystery intersect with theological systems.

Key Takeaways: • Understanding Reformed Theology – A clear breakdown of the five solas and the tulip acronym that define Calvinist thought. • The Trouble with Tight Systems – Why neatly packaged theology sometimes fails to leave room for mystery, grace, and the full breadth of Jesus. • Rethinking Sovereignty – Mike outlines his disagreement with the concept of "meticulous sovereignty"—that God controls every detail, including suffering—and advocates for a more Jesus-centered view. • Fruit and Warnings of Reformed Culture – Bonnie vulnerably shares her personal struggles with some Reformed spaces and the rigidity they can carry, while also acknowledging the depth of biblical engagement she's seen in that tradition. • When to Stay and When to Leave a Church – Practical wisdom for those questioning their theological fit while still feeling connected to their church community.

Resources Mentioned: • Previous Voxology Episodes on Deal Breakers • Five Solas of the Reformation – More Info • Theological Breakdown: TULIP Explained – Calvinism Overview • Scripture References – Genesis 1–2, Revelation 21–22, various teachings of Jesus and Paul on grace, salvation, and sovereignty

Join the Voxology community as we continue wrestling with tough theological questions and strive to better reflect the love, grace, and humility of Jesus.

Subscribe, leave a review, and connect with us on social media to become part of the conversation.

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 https://www.youtube.com/@voxology

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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast https://voxologypodcast.com/

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Follow Mike on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford https://www.timothyjohnstafford.com/ Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

VOX Mini - Should Infants be Baptized? Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

Unpacking one of the most debated practices within Christianity, Mike, Bonnie, and Tim tackle the tension between infant baptism and believer baptism in this heartfelt installment of the Voxology Q & A Series. Rooted in the question, "Does baptism mark the beginning of our faith journey—or respond to it?", the conversation explores the theological, historical, and pastoral dimensions of baptizing children, especially in situations involving cognitive impairments or uncertainty about later personal belief.

With humor, vulnerability, and depth, the team navigates the meaning of baptism, the radical inclusivity of Jesus' posture toward the marginalized and children, and the dangers of fear-based spirituality. As stories unfold—including a powerful moment from Bonnie's childhood—they reaffirm that salvation is never transactional or performance-based, but a generous invitation rooted in God's grace.

Key Takeaways: • The Historical Debate – Overview of baptism's origins in Jewish practice, John the Baptist's ministry, and how baptism developed within the early church as a rite of repentance and identification with Christ. • Infant vs. Believer Baptism – Understanding both views: infant baptism as covenant inclusion based on parental faith vs. believer baptism as a personal expression of faith. • The Grace of God and Non-Cognitive Belief – Addressing what happens to children or individuals who may never cognitively be able to "choose" faith, and how Jesus' treatment of children reflects God's mercy and priority for the vulnerable. • Baptism Without Fear – Why salvation isn't tied to a correct ritual or church affiliation, and how shame-based theology distorts the good news. "If Paul were alive today," Mike says, "he would write a book that would be much like Galatians against the people who insist you must be baptized their way to be saved." • Healing from Legalistic Teaching – Bonnie shares a formative story of being told as a child that baptism was one of "several requirements" to get into heaven, leading to years of anxiety—and how grace-based theology helped bring healing and freedom.

Notable Quotes: • "The marriage is a condition of the heart—baptism is the same." • "Faith is always shown in action. But salvation starts with the generosity of God, not the effectiveness of our ritual." • "Jesus elevated children not just because they were cute, but because they exemplify the kind of dependency that brings about the kingdom of God."

Resources Mentioned: • Scripture References – Romans, Acts, Galatians, and the story of David and his son (2 Samuel 12) • Seth Erie's Prayers – A touching example of raw, beautiful faith from a young man with disabilities

Join the conversation as listeners navigate the deeper meaning of baptism, faith, and spiritual growth together. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology on social media to be part of the ongoing dialogue.

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

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

VOX Mini - What Are Your Favorite Books? Sep 09, 2019

Show notes

What books have most influenced your faith, theology, and spiritual growth? In this first installment of a new Listener Q&A mini-series, Mike, Tim, and Bonnie answer a listener question about the books that have made the biggest impact on their spiritual formation. From classics like C.S. Lewis to modern voices like Rachel Held Evans and Tim Keller, you'll walk away with a fresh stack of reading recommendations—plus a few laughs about tattoos, Harry Potter, and the occasional theological rabbit trail.

This quick-hit episode packs deep insight and personal storytelling into just 20 minutes, reflecting on the kinds of books that changed how the hosts pray, think, and follow Jesus—and why some books just keep speaking across seasons.

Key Takeaways: • The top spiritual books that shaped Mike, Tim, and Bonnie's faith journeys—including both popular and more scholarly reads. • How Dallas Willard's The Divine Conspiracy and Foster's Celebration of Discipline redefined discipleship and spiritual practice. • Why C.S. Lewis remains timeless, from The Screwtape Letters to A Grief Observed and Mere Christianity. • Books that help process church hurt, grief, and doubt—like Searching for Sunday and A Grief Observed. • The blend of humorous and heartfelt storytelling that makes faith exploration a little more human.

Book Highlights: • The Divine Conspiracy – Dallas Willard • Celebration of Discipline – Richard Foster • The Screwtape Letters & Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis • A Grief Observed – C.S. Lewis • Searching for Sunday – Rachel Held Evans • Surprised By Hope – N.T. Wright • The Prodigal God – Tim Keller • The Cost of Discipleship – Dietrich Bonhoeffer • Blue Like Jazz – Donald Miller • The Blue Parakeet – Scot McKnight • Breakthrough – Derek Morphew • Reappearing Church – Mark Sayers • Reframeation – Alan Hirsch & Mark Henderson • Her Gates Will Never Be Shut – Brad Jersak

Resources Mentioned: • C.S. Lewis collection – cslewisinstitute.org • Celebration of Discipline – InterVarsity Press • Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright – Amazon • The Voxology Non-ference and community resources – voxologypodcast.com

Got questions of your own? Email them to hello@voxpodcast.com or message us on Facebook/Instagram. Your question may get featured in this Q&A mini-series!

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy