Voxology

Latest Episodes:

Confronting Old Testament Controversies: Violence, Sexuality, and Scientific Integrity - w/ Tremper Longman III Apr 22, 2019

Show notes

How can Christians seriously engage with science, sexuality, and the violence in the scriptures while remaining faithful to the authority of the Bible? In this insightful and honest conversation, Mike Erre is joined by Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman III to discuss the hermeneutical frameworks required to address some of Christianity's most pressing—and often divisive—topics. Drawing from his new book, Confronting Old Testament Controversies, Tremper unpacks the complexities of evolution, interpretation, LGBTQ+ inclusion, biblical violence, and how the ancient text still speaks to our modern context. This episode is both an academic and pastoral invitation to wrestle openly and faithfully with the Bible's hardest questions.

Key Takeaways: • Scripture and Hermeneutics Matter Deeply – Misusing or misunderstanding the Old Testament through poor hermeneutics has led to destructive interpretations, from colonialism to political idolatry. • Why the Old Testament Still Matters – Tremper explains why dismissing the Old Testament creates theological gaps and ends up distorting the portrait of God found in the New Testament. • Is the Bible Anti-Science? – A deep dive into how Genesis was never meant to teach science and why a theologically responsible reading of evolution can affirm God's creative providence. • Violence in the Bible Isn't a Problem to Erase – Tremper critiques both conservative and progressive attempts to soften or explain away divine violence, and instead frames it as essential to God's battle against evil. • Sexuality and the Limits of Interpretation – Why Tremper argues that reinterpreting biblical texts on same-sex relationships departs from historical consensus, and how love and truth must work together. • Living in the Tension of Phase Four – Tremper outlines his "five-phase model" of God's warrior motif, highlighting how the church today lives in a nonviolent, spiritual resistance aligned with Christ's first coming while awaiting the final victory described in Revelation.

Guest Highlights: Tremper Longman III – Renowned Old Testament scholar, retired professor at Westmont College, and author of over 30 books. His latest work, Confronting Old Testament Controversies, challenges believers to tackle real issues with theological conviction, historical awareness, and spiritual humility.

Resources Mentioned: • Confronting Old Testament Controversies by Tremper Longman III – Amazon • The BioLogos Foundation – biologos.org • Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy – [Link] • "God Is a Warrior" by Tremper Longman III and Daniel G. Reid – [Link] • Greg Boyd's "The Crucifixion of the Warrior God" – [Link] • Tim Keller on Politics and the Church – [Link] • Miroslav Volf Quote from Free of Charge – [Link]

Ready to dig beneath the surface and question with courage? Subscribe to Voxology and join us as we reclaim the beauty and challenge of following Jesus in a complicated world.

As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue truth together. Email us your questions at hello@voxpodcast.com, and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

Catch full episodes on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Grab some podcast merch: ETSY Store Learn more: voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the podcast on Patreon

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

Following Jesus as a Gay Christian: The Cost, Courage, and Calling of Celibacy and Community - w/ Johanna Finegan Apr 15, 2019

Show notes

Discover how gay Christians committed to a traditional biblical sexual ethic are faithfully navigating identity, theology, celibacy, and spiritual friendship in Part 2 of the Revoice series. Mike Erre speaks with Dr. Johanna Finnegan—MIT PhD, philosopher, and follower of Jesus—whose journey of faith, sexuality, and discipleship offers a deeply personal and thought-provoking perspective. Johanna's story unfolds with raw honesty, intellectual rigor, and unwavering commitment to living a life shaped by Christ.

In this powerful and deeply reflective episode, Johanna shares how she came to faith in Jesus after growing up in a largely secular household, how being gay shaped her youth and adulthood, and what it means to submit her sexuality to Christ while finding joy, meaning, and even romantic love in ways that defy simple categories.

Key Takeaways: • Facing the Tension Between Faith and Sexuality – Johanna discusses discovering she was gay at a young age and how that reality collided with traditional Christian teachings, leading to deep depression and eventual spiritual awakening. • Encountering Authentic Discipleship – Her transformation was fueled by the love, witness, and persistence of Jesus-following friends who embodied both grace and truth. • Reframing the Goal – Why orientation change isn't the aim of the Christian life; Christlikeness is. • Gay and Celibate, Yet Flourishing – Johanna unpacks the hard but life-giving reality of choosing celibacy, the "better treasure" of following Jesus, and how friendship and community became essential spiritual lifelines. • Marriage, Mystery, and Surrender – The unexpected love story that unfolded with her husband, Tim, showing that obedience doesn't always mean perpetual loneliness or a denial of God's goodness. • Responding to Conservative and Progressive Critics – Why language like "gay Christian" need not threaten biblical fidelity, and how faithful celibacy is often misunderstood from both ends of the spectrum. • Why Revoice Matters – Understanding the emergence of the spiritual friendship and Revoice movements as third-way communities that affirm traditional Christian teaching while offering love, visibility, and hope to LGBTQ+ believers.

Guest Highlight: Johanna Finnegan – PhD in Philosophy (MIT), co-laborer with the Revoice and Spiritual Friendship movements, and a compelling voice speaking courageously about the lived experience of gay Christians pursuing holiness, community, and authenticity.

Resources Mentioned: • Revoice Conference – revoice.us • Philip Yancey – Disappointment with God • Wesley Hill – Washed and Waiting • Bridges Across the Divide (dialogue project) • Johanna's website – johannafinnegan.com

Join the growing community of listeners wrestling with how to faithfully embody the mission of Jesus in complex and often misunderstood spaces. Subscribe to the Voxology Podcast, leave us a review, and follow us on social media to continue 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. Our Merch Store: ETSY.

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support on Patreon Spotify Music Channel: Voxology Radio

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

Reclaiming the Church from Celebrity Culture: Power, Platform, and the Problem with Megachurches - w/ Malaika Sesay Apr 09, 2019

Show notes

Why the modern megachurch model is failing—and what should rise in its place. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford tackle one of their most candid, raw conversations yet around the toxicity of platform-centric Christianity, the pitfalls of megachurch culture, and the tension between organizational leadership and spiritual shepherding. Drawing from personal experience, listener questions, and real-world examples, they explore the deep systemic issues that plague celebrity-driven church models, while proposing a more biblical and communal way forward.

They also introduce Malaika Sisay, a third-year student at The Ohio State University, whose powerful story of growing up at the intersection of a Muslim household, a white evangelical school, and a Black Pentecostal church sheds new light on how we must reimagine diversity and inclusion in Christian spaces.

Key Takeaways: • The Megachurch Crisis – Why celebrity pastors, organizational culture, and brand obsession are hurting the church's mission and credibility. • Leadership vs. Shepherding – The danger of confusing business success metrics with spiritual leadership and care. • Platform as Poison – Why platform-centered ministry easily breeds narcissism, exclusion, and spiritual burnout. • Embracing Multiplicity – The biblical imperative to elevate and empower other voices and avoid single-leader charisma traps. • Honest Reflections – Mike and Tim share their own experiences with being both the threatened and the threat within large church structures, and how their views have evolved. • The Power of Presence, Not Performance – Encouraging a return to worship that's Spirit-led rather than emotionally manipulative or production-driven.

Guest Highlight: Malaika Sisay – A student from OSU with a deeply impactful story of navigating cultural, religious, and racial dynamics as the daughter of Muslim immigrants. Malaika reflects on growing up attending a conservative white Christian school, a West African Pentecostal church, and a mosque—sharing powerful lessons on identity, belonging, and the diverse witness of Jesus.

Resources Mentioned: • 1 Corinthians – Paul's rebuke of personality cults in the early church. • Alan Hirsch – Missional church advocate who challenges attractional models of ministry. • Dallas Willard – Teachings on joyful non-compliance and spiritual disciplines. • Tony Campolo – Stories of obedience and finding God in simple faithfulness. • Podcast with Malaika Sisay – Follow her on Instagram @malaikasesay

Explore with us how we can rediscover the church's truest calling—equipping people to be Jesus in the world, not just attend a show.

Let us know your thoughts and continue the dialogue! Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

Watch full episodes on VOXOLOGY TV

Grab some gear from our Merch Store

Learn more, subscribe, and support Voxology at: • VoxologyPodcast.com • iTunes • Spotify • Patreon • Voxology Radio on Spotify

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

Beyond the Sinner's Prayer: Rethinking Salvation, Shame, and Disagreement in the Church Apr 01, 2019

Show notes

How salvation was understood by Jesus and his first-century audience is a far cry from the transactional, "pray the prayer" model often found in modern Christianity. In a passionate and wide-ranging mailbag episode, Mike Erre explores questions around what it means to be saved, the cultural and psychological dynamics of shame (particularly in the context of abortion), and how to remain present and faithful in Christian community when we profoundly disagree—especially on issues like LGBTQ inclusion.

This episode offers a deep reexamination of salvation through a biblical lens shaped by the Exodus narrative and New Testament examples, revealing a holistic, relational vision that contrasts sharply with many contemporary church models. Mike also responds to real listener questions about controversial church practices like tithing mandates for staff and offers practical wisdom for navigating Christian spaces with empathy, humility, and discernment.

Key Takeaways: • Rethinking Shame and the Gospel – Clinical insights into how shame affects people differently in collectivist vs. individualist cultures, and why shaming women facing difficult decisions rarely leads to healing or hope. • Salvation in a First-Century Context – The Exodus-shaped, multi-dimensional view of salvation held by Jesus and his audience, including physical, political, and spiritual restoration. • Faith as Visible Allegiance – Why salvation in the Gospels isn't tied to a single prayer but shown through actions of trust and allegiance to Jesus. • Living with Theological Disagreement – A guide to engaging fellow Christians who hold different views on LGBTQ+ issues, including how Jesus's posture and tone offer a radically different model than fear-based theology. • Problems with Performance-Based Tithing – Critical thoughts on controlling church cultures that tie staff compensation or advancement to mandatory giving practices, and why generosity must remain an act of freedom, not coercion.

Resources Mentioned: • Scripture References – John the Baptist & the Kingdom of God (Matthew 3-4), Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13), Stories of Zacchaeus, the Woman Who Anointed Jesus, and the Paralyzed Man • Dallas Willard – Writings on joyful non-compliance and spiritual formation • Facebook Live Q&A Sessions – Every other Monday at 9pm ET on the Voxology Facebook Page

Join the conversation and rediscover a richer, more faithful imagination for salvation, community, and spiritual engagement. Don't forget to subscribe to Voxology, leave a review, and follow us on social media for more thought-provoking content.

We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com and join the dialogue on Facebook and Instagram.

Watch us on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Grab Voxology merch: ETSY Store Learn more: voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support us on Patreon

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

Leviticus, Sex, and Women in Leadership - w/ Sophie Cherry Mar 25, 2019

Show notes

How do we rebuild faith after church hurt, betrayal, and deconstruction? Sophie Cherry joins Mike Erre for a powerful and timely conversation about navigating spiritual trauma, gender roles in the church, and finding a renewed passion for Jesus that survives the brokenness of Christian institutions. Drawing from her own story of being raised a pastor's kid, burned by ministry, and rediscovering the gospel, Sophie offers a fresh, compassionate perspective for those grappling with disillusionment.

Together, Mike and Sophie dive into what it looks like to love Jesus while wrestling with the harm his followers sometimes cause, including powerful insights on cultural apologetics, deconversion trends, and the role of women in the modern church. They also take on listener questions related to faith in the workplace, gender dynamics, sexuality, and whether Leviticus really still matters.

Key Takeaways: • Restoring Faith After Church Hurt – Sophie recounts her painful experience of being ostracized by a ministry community, what it taught her about grace, and how it opened her eyes to the marginalization many experience at the hands of Christians. • The Power of Apologetics in a Post-Christian World – Cultural apologetics helps address not just whether Christianity is plausible, but whether it is desirable—a question increasingly at the heart of the modern deconstruction movement. • Jesus vs. Christendom – Disentangling the beauty of Jesus from the brutality of how his name is often represented by toxic Christian behavior. • Gender, Power, and the Church – An honest examination of complementarian vs. egalitarian theology, women in church leadership, and how male-dominated structures often protect abuse and diminish female voices. • How to Witness with Wisdom – Sophie and Mike respond to a listener's heartfelt dilemma about being missional while maintaining safety and healthy boundaries in male-dominated workplaces. • Leviticus, Sexual Ethics, and Cultural Tension – Responding to questions about Old Testament law, modern sexuality, and how to read ancient commands through a Jesus-centered lens.

Guest Highlights: Sophie Cherry – Cultural apologist, mom, and former ministry intern turned thoughtful Jesus-follower. Her story of redemption through disillusionment offers poignant insight for the spiritually displaced. Sophie brings empathy, clarity, and a deep love for outsiders while never losing sight of the beauty of the gospel.

Resources Mentioned: • Oxford Bible Fellowship – https://oxfordbiblefellowship.org/ • Young Life Ministries – http://younglife.org • Dallas Willard – On joyful non-compliance and spiritual formation • Ray Vander Laan – Teachings on biblical landscapes and cultural context • Leviticus 18 – Scripture context for biblical sexual ethics (https://biblegateway.com) • NT Wright Podcast – https://www.ntwrightonline.org/podcast/

Join the ongoing conversation around faith, doubt, and rediscovering the true mission of Jesus. Subscribe, leave a review on Apple or Spotify, and follow us on Instagram for more thoughtful, grace-filled conversations.

As always, we encourage and welcome listener feedback. Email your questions to hello@voxpodcast.com and join the discussion 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 through 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

Wrestling with Faith, Sexuality, and the Church's Role in LGBTQ Conversations - w/ Preston Sprinkle Mar 18, 2019

Show notes

How do we love the church in her brokenness while faithfully engaging with the complex realities of faith, sexuality, and gender? That's the central question raised in this candid and courageous edition of Vox in the Raw. Mike Erre is joined by theologian and author Preston Sprinkle, director of the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, for a brutally honest conversation that embodies both truth and grace. They explore how theology and pastoral care intersect when it comes to LGBTQ+ inclusion, the ways the church has fallen short, and how followers of Jesus can engage with clarity, humility, and compassion.

If you've ever wrestled with the church's treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals, been confused by the affirming vs. non-affirming divide, or wondered how to hold to biblical conviction while making space for real people and relationships—this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways: • A Third Way Beyond the Binary – Preston shares how his ministry avoids extremes by upholding a traditional biblical theology of marriage while radically embracing and serving LGBTQ+ individuals with delight and hospitality. • The Church's Mixed Legacy – Why many churches are either unclear or unloving on LGBTQ+ issues and how the "bait and switch" dynamic causes real pain for queer believers. • Groundbreaking Theology and Pastoral Practice – A deep dive into what scripture actually says, objections to both affirming and non-affirming stances, and why this issue demands nuanced, faithful theology. • A Missional and Relational Approach – How churches can create spaces where gay and lesbian couples aren't pushed out but are invited into meaningful relationships that reflect Jesus. • On Eucharist and Inclusion – Mike and Preston unpack 1 Corinthians 11 and discuss whether communion was ever meant to be an exclusive act, challenging long-held evangelical assumptions with robust biblical insight. • Rethinking Church Structures – They talk about the need to reimagine church beyond celebrity pastors and buildings, and the importance of community-shaped leadership, honesty, and real discipleship.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Preston Sprinkle – Author of People to Be Loved and Embodied, co-founder and president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender. Preston brings an academic depth and pastoral heart to one of the most complex issues facing the church, rooted in a desire to love all people without compromising faithfulness to Christ.

Resources Mentioned: • Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender – www.centerforfaith.com • People to Be Loved by Preston Sprinkle – Amazon • "Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church" – Edited by Preston Sprinkle • Voxology Q&A with Mike and Tim – voxologypodcast.com • Voxology on YouTube – VOXOLOGY TV • Voxology Merch – Etsy Store

Let's reimagine what it looks like to follow Jesus in truth, grace, and a posture of welcome. Subscribe today, leave us a review, and share this episode with someone who's navigating the nuances of faith and sexuality.

As always, we invite you into the conversation—email us at hello@voxpodcast.com and connect with the Voxology community on Instagram and Facebook.

Support the podcast through Patreon and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify

Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre

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

Reawakening Wonder: How Cultural Apologetics and Reenchantment Lead Us Back to Jesus - w/ Dr. Paul Gould Mar 11, 2019

Show notes

How the Christian imagination can be restored in a disenchanted world, and why helping others see Christianity as desirable—not just true—is crucial to spiritual renewal. Mike Erre is joined by long-time friend and philosopher Dr. Paul Gould to unpack core themes from Paul's new book, Cultural Apologetics. Through laughter, inside jokes, and deep reflection, they explore how recovering an enchanted view of the world can help both believers and skeptics rediscover the beauty, truth, and goodness of Jesus.

Key Takeaways: • What Is Cultural Apologetics? – Understanding how evangelism has shifted from rational defense of Christianity to restoring the sense that the faith is good, beautiful, and desirable—not just true. • The Crisis of Disenchantment – Exploring how our modern, secular culture has silenced transcendence and suppressed deep spiritual longings, even inside the church. • God and the Human Imagination – Why wonder, art, music, literature, and even stories like Harry Potter or Star Wars can awaken our desire for the divine. • Reenchanting Our Faith – Five practical ways to reawaken beauty and meaning in a spiritually numb world—from engaging Scripture on its own terms to embracing beauty in everyday life. • Engaging the Culture Missionally – Why becoming students of culture helps us meet people where they are while inviting them to "return to reality" in the story of Jesus.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Paul Gould – Philosopher, professor, and author of Cultural Apologetics. He's also the founder of the Two Tasks Institute, which advocates for showing Christianity as both reasonable and desirable. Paul shares how his own journey—from streaking in college with Mike Erre to writing intellectual works on meaning and morality—has led him to believe that beauty and imagination are essential in today's gospel conversations.

Resources Mentioned: • Cultural Apologetics by Paul Gould – Buy the book • Two Tasks Institute – 2tasksinstitute.org • Augustine's Confessions – A spiritual classic exploring desire, beauty, and the search for God • CS Lewis: "Talking About Bicycles" and Mere Christianity • Wendell Berry & Marilynne Robinson – Contemporary authors who explore faith, place, and beauty • Acts 17 – Paul's missionary encounter in Athens

Help us bring beauty, truth, and goodness back into the conversation by reimagining what it means to follow Jesus in a culture hungry for wonder. If this episode stirred your imagination or renewed your desire for God, subscribe, leave us a review, and share Voxology with someone on their own journey of faith.

Email your thoughts or questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and join us on Facebook and Instagram to keep the dialogue going.

Check out Voxology on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV

Grab some rad merch at our ETSY store

Learn more at the Voxology Podcast website

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Support us on Patreon

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

Wrestling with Abortion, Shame, and the Imago Dei: A Mailbag Conversation Mar 05, 2019

Show notes

Deepening our collective understanding of how Christ calls his followers to navigate complex ethical and pastoral questions, this Voxology mailbag episode takes on listener questions around abortion, trauma, shame, and biblical interpretation. Mike Erre reflects thoughtfully on difficult circumstances—like when life-threatening pregnancies or birth defects are involved—and compassionately addresses real-life dilemmas that listeners are wrestling with across theological and relational lines.

With honesty and humility, Mike explores how the church can hold space for grace and truth without shaming, how biblical passages like Numbers 5 have been misunderstood in the abortion debate, and how Jesus invites us to lead with empathy rather than moral certainty, especially toward those facing agonizing decisions. This episode is grounded in the Imago Dei and the call to love well, even amidst deep disagreement.

Key Takeaways: • Abortion and Nuance – Why one-size-fits-all moral arguments often fall short, especially in cases involving rape, incest, and life-threatening complications. • Redemptive Engagement – How to counsel without coercion and approach tough conversations—both within marriage and the church—with grace, listening, and mutual discernment. • Re-examining Numbers 5 – Understanding this controversial Old Testament passage as a protection for women in a patriarchal culture, not as a divine endorsement of abortion. • The Role of Shame – Unpacking the difference between ancient honor-shame dynamics and modern uses of shame, and why Jesus models compassion for the vulnerable while reserving rebuke for the religiously self-righteous. • Building a Church of Welcome – How shame-based activism may harm the gospel witness by barring people from the very place of healing and grace.

Resources Mentioned: • Alastair Roberts's blog: Adversaria – A deep dive into the cultural and theological interpretation of Numbers 5: alastairadversaria.com • Scripture References: Numbers 5, Luke 7:36–50 • "Imago Dei" Theology – Exploring how recognizing every human as made in God's image should inform our response to abortion and pastoral care

Join the discussion with us as we journey together through difficult terrain, seeking truth, justice, and the heart of Jesus. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on social media to stay updated and be part of the Voxology community.

As always, we encourage and welcome your input and reflections. Email your questions to hello@voxpodcast.com or engage with the conversation on Instagram and Facebook.

Watch episodes on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV

Shop our merch: Voxology on Etsy

Support us: Patreon – Voxology Podcast

Listen on your favorite platform: • Apple Podcasts • Spotify

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

When Pro-Life Means Pro-Woman: Rethinking Abortion Through Story, Grief, and Compassion - w/ Bonnie Lewis Feb 25, 2019

Show notes

A deeply vulnerable and vital conversation between Mike Erre and theologian and Bible translator Bonnie Lewis around abortion, loss, and what it means to truly be pro-life. This episode goes far beyond politics, diving into Bonnie's personal story of stillbirth, grief, and theological reflection. Together, Mike and Bonnie challenge simplistic narratives and offer a broader, more compassionate lens on abortion—one rooted in a gospel that centers dignity, healing, and community over condemnation.

Key Takeaways: • Abortion is Not Just a Political Issue – Reframing our understanding by centering the stories of women and the complexity of their experiences. • The Power of Maternal Instinct – How Bonnie's experience affirmed the critical importance of listening to women's deeply intuitive connection with their bodies and unborn children. • Pro-Life Is Pro-Woman – A call to expand the pro-life conversation to include emotional, mental, and spiritual care for mothers at all stages—before, during, and after pregnancy. • Theological Reflection on Grief and Choice – How Bonnie's journey has reshaped her theology of life, death, soul, and the deeply embodied reality of carrying and losing a child. • Can Protest Do Harm? – A nuanced examination of whether shaming women at abortion clinics aligns with the way of Jesus, and how we miss the mark when we separate ends from means. • Birth Control, Premarital Sex, and Wisdom – Pushing past purity culture binaries to ask deeper questions about harm, safety, and human flourishing in a broken sexual culture.

Quotes Worth Sharing: • "Being pro-life should include being pro-woman. You can't care for the baby and ignore the mother." • "There's a difference between worry and knowing. We need to trust women when they say something is wrong." • "If Jesus calls us to love and not condemn, then louder protests that bring shame might not be the way."

From raw testimony to sharp theological critique, this episode embodies the Voxology ethos: courageously naming the tension between grace and truth, nuance and conviction.

Resources Mentioned: • Email the show: hello@voxpodcast.com • Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/voxology • Vox Merch Store: VOXOLOGY on Etsy • Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify • Voxology Radio on Spotify: Voxology Radio • YouTube Channel: VOXOLOGY TV

Join the conversation on Instagram @voxologypodcast and on Facebook. If this conversation moved you—or challenged your thinking—subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with others seeking to rediscover Jesus's way of compassion and justice.

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

Hellenism, Humanism, and the Value of Life: A Christian Response to Abortion and Ancient Ethics (Part 2) Feb 19, 2019

Show notes

How the ancient Greco-Roman worldview around deformity, ability, and perceived human "worth" continues to influence our modern ethics on abortion, disability, and human dignity. Mike Erre returns to the cultural and spiritual roots of the abortion debate, drawing deeply from early Christian history, Hellenistic philosophy, and his own experience as the father of a child with Down syndrome. This episode (Part 2 of the abortion conversation) explores how early Christians responded to practices like infanticide and exposure—not with protest, but with sacrificial love—and what that could mean for Christians in today's world.

Key Takeaways: • Hellenism Then and Now – How the ancient Greek worldview placed human perfection and reason at the center of worth, and how that ethos lives on today in modern humanism and cultural values. • Exposure and Infanticide in the Roman World – Examining the brutal treatment of infants deemed "unfit" or "imperfect," especially those with disabilities or born female, and the philosophical justifications behind these practices. • Early Christian Response to Abortion and Infanticide – How the early church countered cultural brutality not with politics or protests, but through rescuing and raising unwanted children as acts of love and defiance. • Human Value Beyond Utility – A powerful reflection on how the worth of Seth (Mike's son with Down syndrome) challenges a society obsessed with IQ, productivity, and physical "perfection." • Embryo Selection and the Return of Eugenics – Addressing emerging medical technologies like IQ-based embryo profiling and their disturbing parallels to ancient and modern eugenic thought.

Notable Quotes:

"We don't call it Hellenism anymore—we just call it humanism."
"The earliest Christians didn't protest Caesar—they just walked into dump sites and rescued babies."
"Any system that seeks to build a hierarchy of image bearers over other image bearers is demonic and from the pit of hell."

Resources Mentioned: • Destroyer of the gods by Larry Hurtado – [Link] • The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark – [Link] • "The Eye of the Deformity" by Robert Garland – [Link] • Medical article on embryo IQ screening – [Link] • Book of the Didache – [Link] • Tertullian and Early Church Writings on Infanticide – [Link]

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