Voxology

Latest Episodes:

LIVE - Should I Pledge Allegiance to Trump? Power, Monogamy, and the Future of the Church Jul 21, 2017

Show notes

How should Christians respond to political loyalty, personal relationships, and shifting cultural norms—all while seeking to follow Jesus faithfully? In this candid and often hilarious live Q&A episode, Mike Erre tackles big listener questions about political allegiance, discerning God's will for big decisions, the biblical view of monogamy, and what the future might hold for the American church. With Andy chiming in remotely and Seth Eery making a surprise (and adorable) appearance, this episode is as insightful as it is heartwarming.

Key Takeaways: • Power and Image-Bearing – What it truly means for humans to rule the earth as divine image-bearers, and why any authority used outside of God's purposes isn't worthy of our allegiance. • Should Christians Pledge Allegiance to Trump? – A thought-provoking explanation of why power should only be followed when it reflects God's shalom and justice. • Discerning God's Will for Your Future – Why God may not always have a "right" choice for every decision and how to wisely discern what's best through doors that open and close. • Is Monogamy Normal or Just a Social Construct? – A biblical and neurological argument for the normative design of monogamy, plus personal reflections on desire, covenant, and fulfillment. • The Church in Hospice? – A powerful metaphor from a listener about whether the American church is dying or being reborn—and why many are rediscovering Jesus apart from megachurch culture.

Guest Highlights: • Seth Eery – Mike's son drops by to bring pure joy with PE updates, snack talk, and inspired jumping jacks. • Andy Bearss – Live from the digital backstage, Andy jokes with Mike about teaching Pilates, the power of Facebook Live, and sings (sort of) for his birthday.

Resources Mentioned: • Vox Community Announcement – Vox Community Page • Book: "Hooked: The Brain Science on How Casual Sex Affects Human Development" – [Link] • Past Episode with Matt Carter – Reflections on reimagining church beyond institutional frameworks.

Join the discussion and stay engaged with these essential conversations about following Jesus in today's world. Subscribe, leave a review, share your thoughts on social, and don't miss the next Voxology Live Q&A!

As always, we encourage your feedback and questions. Write to us at hello@voxpodcast.com or drop a comment on Facebook or Instagram.

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Music by Timothy John Stafford @GoneTimothy on Instagram & Twitter

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

Making Jesus the Lens: Reframing the Old Testament, Divine Violence, and Scripture - w/ Tim Mackie Jul 17, 2017

Show notes

How does viewing the Bible through the lens of Jesus transform our understanding of scripture, inspiration, and divine violence? In the third installment of the Voxology Scripture Series, Mike and Tim welcome Bible Project co-founder and Hebrew Bible scholar Tim Mackie for a deep dive into the literary brilliance of the Bible, the cultural context of the Old Testament, and why grounding our reading in the person of Jesus changes everything.

Mackie reflects on his personal journey—from a disillusioned teen and skateboarder to becoming a Bible nerd and seminary professor—and explains why approaching the Bible through Jesus opened his eyes to its beauty, complexity, and unified message. This episode builds on previous conversations with guests Rob Bell and Greg Boyd, bringing yet another thoughtful perspective on how Christians can faithfully wrestle with tough questions, like divine violence, inspiration, and the evolving formation of scripture.

Key Takeaways: • Jesus as the Interpretive Center – Why starting with Jesus reshapes how we understand the entire Bible and challenges the notion that God changes from the Old to New Testament. • Divine Violence in Context – How the cultural setting of ancient Israel and the concept of God "stooping" to work with human limitations help frame disturbing Old Testament narratives. • Inspiration Without Inerrancy – Differentiating between dictation-style inspiration and a collaborative, Spirit-filled literary process that includes flawed humans yet remains divinely guided. • The Bible as Quilt, Not Tablet – Why scripture is more like a multi-generational quilt than abstract doctrine, revealing God's story through fragmented and beautiful human voices. • Faith as Wrestling – Embracing doubt and questions as part of a vibrant, lifelong engagement with God's story and a deeper encounter with the person of Jesus.

Guest Highlight: Tim Mackie – Co-founder of the Bible Project, seminary professor, and Bible translator. Tim unpacks how the Bible is a unified, literary work pointing to Jesus, and how understanding its original Jewish context transforms our view of scripture. His insights bridge historical scholarship and profound pastoral wisdom.

Resources Mentioned: • The Bible Project – bibleproject.com • Greg Boyd's 'Crucifixion of the Warrior God' – [Link] • Rob Bell's 'What is the Bible?' – [Link] • The Septuagint & Dead Sea Scrolls – Resources on scripture formation and translation [Link] • Tim Mackie on YouTube – BibleProject YouTube Channel

Join us as we reconsider scripture's shape, meaning, and authority in light of Jesus. Wrestling with the Bible doesn't diminish our faith—it deepens it. Have questions or reflections? Don't hesitate to reach out and share your journey as we navigate these sacred texts together.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on your favorite podcast platform and social media to stay connected!

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

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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

The Future of the Church and the Rise of Decentralized Voices: A Conversation with Matt Carter Jul 10, 2017

Show notes

How the rise of Christian podcasting is reshaping spiritual conversation, decentralizing church authority, and creating new spaces for voices questioning megachurch systems, leadership cultures, and what's next for the American church. Mike and Andy sit down with Matt Carter—musician, podcast pioneer, and co-founder of Bad Christian Media—for an unfiltered and energizing exploration into how podcasts like Bad Christian are redefining what it means to lead, disciple, deconstruct, and push the church forward.

Matt details his journey from performing in a Christian punk band to becoming one of the most compelling progressive voices challenging Christian institutional norms. They unpack the creative power of podcasting as a medium that allows for nuance, truth-telling, and disruption, all of which are deeply needed in current church culture. From megachurch fatigue to decentralization, misinformation, and a longing for authentic spiritual community, this conversation is an honest and hopeful look at what might be coming—and what's crumbling.

Key Takeaways: • The Power of Unfiltered Voices – How podcasting allows real-time, honest conversations that church stages and religious institutions often censor or avoid. • The Megachurch Expiration Date – Why gigantism in church culture echoes the dinosaur effect: large, unsustainable, and vulnerable to collapse. • Community over Celebrity – Why decentralizing church leadership may be necessary for long-term spiritual health and resistance to abuse. • Post-Mars Hill Landscape – What collapses like Mars Hill teach us about the dangers of charismatic leadership, institutional dependence, and commodified faith. • Creating Space Instead of Systems – Why Matt sees himself not as building an institution but clearing wilderness paths so others can build better faith communities.

Guest Highlights: Matt Carter – Founding member of the band Emory and co-creator of the Bad Christian Podcast and media network. Known for combining sharp insight, satire, and openness, Matt unpacks the failures of church leadership models and advocates for more democratized, organic, and participant-led spiritual spaces.

Resources Mentioned: • Bad Christian Podcast & Media Network – badchristian.com • Matt Carter on Twitter – @ZodCarter • Emory (the band) – emerymusic.com • Barna Group Church Attendance Data – barna.com

Join the conversation by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with fellow seekers and spiritual curators trying to imagine a healthier future for the church.

Have thoughts or feedback? Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com and follow @voxologypodcast on Instagram and Facebook.

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Let's keep reimagining the church together.

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

VOXOLGY Mail Bag - Immigration, Rob Bell, Gospel of Paul, and more Rob Bell Jul 03, 2017

Show notes

How the perception of evangelical Christianity in American culture has become a point of crisis, and why it's worth engaging in honest self-examination. In this first episode of the Vox Mailbag Series, Mike Erre and producer Andy Bear tackle a flood of listener questions, critiques, and encouragements—ranging from Rob Bell's theology and Paul's role in shaping gospel narratives, to how Christians are perceived in politics and the media.

This episode explores how the Vox community wrestles with heavy accusations against the evangelical church, including charges of hypocrisy, cruelty, and sociopathic behaviors. By reading listener emails directly and offering raw responses, Mike and Andy create a brutally honest and empathetic space to ask who really represents Jesus—and whether "loving your enemies" and "making Jesus beautiful" can still be the defining markers of the church.

Key Takeaways: - Evangelicalism Under Fire – Responding to critiques that evangelical Christianity is toxic, damaging, and irreparably harmful to outsiders and marginalized communities. - The Paul Conundrum – Why the letters of Paul may have been misused to overshadow the message of Jesus and how modern interpretations can distort the gospel. - Rob Bell and Christian Orthodoxy – Exploring whether Rob Bell's ideas still align with Christianity or represent something new entirely—and why hosting such voices matters. - Ableism, Racism, and Prejudice – Clarifying how inherited bias distorts how we interact with others, and why comparing struggles (e.g., ableism to racism) requires careful nuance and humility. - Jesus Always at the Center? – Wrestling with listener concerns that some theological discussions seem to minimize Jesus, and debating whether every conversation must end with a Gospel bow.

Resources Mentioned: - Isaiah 55:9-10 – Divine wisdom vs. human understanding. - Matthew 10 – On relationships and loyalty to Jesus. - Romans & Ephesians – Paul's major theological contributions. - "A Thicker Jesus" – (Referenced jokingly, but highlights interest in deeper Christology) - Psychology Today – Definitions and traits of sociopathic behavior, discussed through the lens of evangelical conduct.

Call to Action: Join the ongoing conversation and help shape future mailbag episodes by sending your feedback to hello@voxpodcast.com. If you've resonated with this series or want to hear more listener-driven content, leave us a review, subscribe, and engage with us on Facebook or Instagram.

As always, we welcome thoughtful disagreement, kind critique, and radical honesty.

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

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 Scripture, Sin, and the Role of Women: A Listener Q&A Episode Jun 30, 2017

Show notes

A practical and sincere deep dive into how we read the Bible, how we think about sin, and how the church engages controversial topics like women in leadership — all driven by listener-submitted questions. Mike and Andy tackle a full mailbag in this no-frills Q&A episode that offers fresh insight, book recommendations, and pastoral reflection on issues at the heart of modern Christian conversations.

Key Takeaways: • Understanding Scripture in Context – Mike offers resources and frameworks for reading the Bible with cultural and historical context, challenging surface-level interpretations of key passages like Matthew 18. • Are We Still "Bad" After Jesus? – A nuanced response to the weight of sin, shame, and human identity in Christ. Mike confronts Reformed views of total depravity while uplifting the biblical declaration that those in Christ are no longer defined by sin. • Women in Church Leadership – A heartfelt question leads to discussion on gender roles in the church, how tradition can distort gospel beauty, and steps for engaging church leadership respectfully (or when to move on). • Fiction vs. Eyewitness: Debunking the "Epic Myth Theory" – Responding to claims that the Gospels are fictional parallels to epic stories, Mike argues for the authenticity, complexity, and historical rootedness of the Jesus narrative.

Resources Mentioned: • Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes by E. Randolph Richards & Brandon J. O'Brien – [Link] • NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible – [Link] • IVP Bible Background Commentary – [Link] • hello@voxpodcast.com – Email for a detailed book list on scripture context and more studies • 1 Corinthians 11 & 14; 1 Timothy – For discussions on women in leadership • Books with alternate takes on gender roles in church (email for recommendations)

Join the journey of asking better questions and rediscovering the beautiful mystery of Jesus. Subscribe to Voxology on your favorite podcast app, leave a review, and follow us on social media to keep the conversations alive.

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.

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Listen or subscribe via: • iTunes – https://apple.co/1Lla1Nj • Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2Mvxz3OQDSkEpHujXiFkkr?si=KJoEXxxxTsqE-HiGL-PfIA

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/voxology

Follow us: • Instagram: @voxologypodcast • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voxologypodcast • Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music 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

Finding God in the Silence: Embracing Hiddenness and Spiritual Dryness Jun 26, 2017

Show notes

Discover how the absence of God's felt presence can be part of his transformative grace. Mike Erre shares deeply from his current season of spiritual dryness, wrestling with divine silence, emotional fatigue, and the disorienting experience of not sensing God. Drawing from scripture, mystics, theology, and his own heartache, Mike explores the paradox of a God who is always present but sometimes hidden.

This episode is a vulnerable and powerful conversation about the dark night of the soul, why God may withhold his tangible presence, and what we can learn when spiritual adrenaline runs dry. Whether you're currently wandering through one of those desolate spiritual seasons or accompanying someone who is, this episode offers honesty, hope, and a roadmap for seeking God in the silence.

Key Takeaways: • God's Hiddenness Isn't Absence — Unpacking the biblical concept of God's manifest vs. universal presence, and why his felt absence might actually be forming us into deeper maturity. • Seeking in the Dry Seasons — How spiritual dryness can be an invitation to pursue God more earnestly, with examples from scripture including the Psalms, Isaiah, and Jesus' parables. • The Role of Timing — Exploring the idea that sometimes God's silence is strategic, waiting for the right moment to reveal himself more deeply or guide us forward. • Ugly Prayers and Authentic Faith — Learning to bring raw, unfiltered emotion into our prayer lives in seasons of doubt, fear, or exhaustion. • Follow the Faith of Others — When you can't see God for yourself, trust the community around you who might be seeing him on your behalf.

Guest Highlights: This heartfelt episode features the unscripted, pastoral wisdom of co-host Andy Lara, who joins Mike in reflecting on faith, resistance, and the courage of walking through suffering alongside one another in community.

Resources Mentioned: • Isaiah 45:15 – "Truly, you are a God who hides himself" • The Dark Night of the Soul (Concept) – Writings from Christian mystics on spiritual dryness • Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis – The story of Lucy and Aslan as a metaphor for following even when others can't yet see • John 15:1-5 – "I am the vine, you are the branches" • The Psalms of Lament – Honest, raw expressions of spiritual emptiness and longing

Call to Action: If you're in a season of silence or feeling far from God, you're not alone. Join the conversation, send us your questions, and share your story. Then subscribe, leave a review, and follow us to stay connected with the Voxology community.

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

Why We Pray, Suffer, and Love Anyway: Wrestling with Faith, Inclusion, and Formation (Listener Questions #1) Jun 23, 2017

Show notes

An honest and deeply human exploration of some of faith's toughest questions—Mike and Tim kick off a new Listener Questions series by tackling themes of prayer, suffering, LGBTQ inclusion, spiritual transformation, and interfaith relationships. With humility and sharp insight, they respond to real listener questions that challenge conventional church narratives and offer alternative visions of faith rooted in grace, compassion, and authentic formation.

Key Takeaways: • Why Christians Pray to Jesus – Exploring Trinitarian theology, biblical examples like Stephen and Revelation, and what it really means to pray "in Jesus' name." • The Church's Double Standard with Divorce vs. LGBTQ+ Inclusion – Highlighting the inconsistency in how churches treat divorced individuals compared to LGBTQ+ believers and how Vox's community is pursuing a table of mutual respect and shared belonging. • Pain, Suffering, and the Meaning of Following God – Reflecting on whether God removes pain or redeems it, and how encountering God in suffering shapes a deeper, more resilient faith. • Forming New Desires: Ice Cream or Broccoli? – What transformative spiritual practices can teach us about wanting what is truly good—and not just avoiding what's harmful. • Loving Our Muslim Neighbors During Ramadan – A beautiful story of sharing life and fasting with a Muslim family sparks discussion on incarnational spirituality, honoring others' devotion, and why gentle, relational witness reflects the heart of Jesus.

Resources Mentioned: • Dallas Willard's Spirit of the Disciplines – A guide to spiritual practices and transformation • Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline – Celebration of Discipline on Amazon • Acts 17 and the Apostle Paul's approach to other faiths • Revelation – Passages where Jesus receives divine worship • Book of Acts: Death of Stephen

Join us as we wrestle with real questions from our community and uncover the grace, tension, and transformation at the heart of following Jesus. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep the conversation going.

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 – VOXOLOGY Merch

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast: voxologypodcast.com

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: 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

Reimagining Divine Violence Through the Cross: A Conversation with Greg Boyd Jun 19, 2017

Show notes

How the cruciform hermeneutic reshapes our understanding of violent images of God in the Old Testament and reveals the unwavering beauty of Jesus at the center of the biblical narrative. In this intellectually rich and deeply spiritual installment of the Exile Series, Mike Erre and Andy Lara sit down with Dr. Greg Boyd, theologian, pastor of Woodland Hills Church, and author of the provocative multi-volume work "The Crucifixion of the Warrior God." Together, they dive into the theological tensions many believers face when trying to reconcile the loving character of Jesus with the violent portrayals of God throughout Scripture.

Dr. Boyd introduces his cruciform hermeneutic—a way of reading the Bible through the lens of the cross—and explains how these deeply troubling Old Testament passages don't dilute the beauty of God but instead reflect God's willingness to bear the distorted human perceptions of Him to ultimately reveal His self-sacrificial love.

Key Takeaways: • The Cruciform Hermeneutic – Why the cross is the ultimate lens for interpreting the entire Bible and how Jesus unveils the true nature of God—not one facet among many, but the full revelation. • God as a Sin-Bearing Deity – Exploring how God suffers with and for humanity by allowing Himself to be portrayed in ways that reflect the fallen understanding of ancient cultures. • Three Flawed Approaches to Divine Violence – Breaking down the categories of synthesis, softening, and dismissal, and why each fails to do justice to the inspired nature of Scripture and the cross-centered revelation of God. • Reading Through the Mask – How even disturbing passages like God commanding genocide or the parting of the Red Sea point toward Christ when re-read through the lens of divine withdrawal, cosmic conflict, and redemptive intent. • Reframing Revelation's Warrior Jesus – Why the blood-soaked imagery in Revelation is not a contradiction of Christ's peaceable nature but a subversion of violent triumphalism through sacrificial love.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Greg Boyd – Pastor, theologian, and author of The Crucifixion of the Warrior God and Cross Vision. Greg's groundbreaking theological work invites Christians to re-examine how Scripture portrays God's character, encouraging a move beyond flat readings of the Bible toward a dynamic, Christ-centered understanding. A drummer and metalhead, Greg brings both scholarly depth and a distinct joy to the conversation.

Resources Mentioned: • Crucifixion of the Warrior God by Greg Boyd – Amazon Link • Cross Vision by Greg Boyd (Popular Summary) – Amazon Link • ReKnew.org – Greg Boyd's theological writings and resources: reknew.org • Woodland Hills Church – whchurch.org • Apologies & Explanations podcast with Greg Boyd – Short theological responses available via ReKnew or YouTube • Reunion by Bruxy Cavey – A clear, simple gospel presentation rooted in the kingdom message Amazon Link

Engage with bold theology, challenge easy answers, and wrestle with the character of God in a way that invites awe and deeper faith.

Subscribe to Voxology on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review. To stay part of the ongoing conversation, follow us on Instagram and Facebook @voxologypodcast.

As always, we encourage discussion as we navigate theology together. Email your questions to hello@voxpodcast.com and check out our merch and resources below!

We're on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV

Shop the Voxology Merch Store! ETSY

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the podcast on Patreon

Enjoy 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

Unpacking Doubt and Deconstruction: Hell, Trust, and What Faith Really Means (Q&A Special) Jun 16, 2017

Show notes

Struggling with trust in the church? Wrestling with the concept of hell? Unsure what "faith" really looks like when life feels messy? This live Q&A episode dives headfirst into your biggest theological questions, exploring the complexity of belief, grace, and what it means to follow Jesus in a world—and a church—full of contradictions.

Mike Erre and Andy Lara gather questions from the Voxology community and Facebook Live to discuss how Christians can make sense of topics like universal reconciliation, annihilationism, the first miracle at Cana, biblical prophecy, and whether faith still counts when it's incomplete, doubtful, or deconstructed.

Key Takeaways: • Trusting the Church While Disillusioned – Why institutional church hurt can lead to skepticism, and how to navigate spaces where love feels conditional. • Multiple Perspectives on Hell – Eternal conscious torment, annihilationism, purgatory, and universal reconciliation... which view actually reflects a loving God? • Faith That Fumbles – How Abraham's failures reveal that biblical "great faith" doesn't require perfection, just trust in God's activity, not our performance. • The Purpose of Jesus Turning Water to Wine – A layered look at joy, shame, and God's abundance in Jesus' first miracle, free from our debates over alcohol. • Misreading the End Times – Why fear-based eschatology misses Jesus' primary message and how Revelation offers a hope-filled call to faithful witness today.

Guest Highlights: Seth Erre – Drops by mid-show for a surprise visit full of joy, laughter, and a reminder of the beauty of everyday faith.

Resources Mentioned: • "Four Views on Hell" edited by Preston Sprinkle – A helpful theological primer on major views of the afterlife. • Vox Community Podcast Archive – Hell Series Episodes • Episodes on Religious Pluralism and Covenant vs. Contractual Faith – Available in the Voxology back catalog

This episode is a powerful reminder that faith doesn't have to be polished to be real—and that Jesus meets us, questions and all, in the mess of it. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us @voxologypodcast on social media to be part of the ongoing 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 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

Why Reading the Bible as a Human Book Unlocks Its Divine Mystery (Embarrassed by the Bible Series #2) Jun 12, 2017

Show notes

A conversation with author and speaker Rob Bell about how reframing the Bible as a deeply human book opens the doorway to encountering its divine depth. As part of the "Embarrassed by the Bible" series, Mike and Andy talk with Bell about his book "What Is the Bible?" and how growing up in our reading of scripture helps us make sense of its most difficult passages. From violent Old Testament narratives to doubt, deconstruction, and rediscovery, this episode encourages us to move beyond literalism into transformation. Bell offers a pastoral and provocative invitation: stop reading the Bible flatly—and start seeing it as an unfolding narrative that shapes personal and communal identity.

Key Takeaways: • Reading the Bible as Evolving Narrative – Why understanding scripture as a human and progressive story helps us encounter the divine more honestly and powerfully. • Recovering the Original Purpose of Sacred Text – How the Bible's ancient poems, stories, and laws were subversive, political, and profoundly human responses to empire and suffering. • Violence, Wrath, and Redemption – Rethinking how Old Testament violence reflects a tribal consciousness rather than a divine endorsement—and how Jesus reframes it all. • Taking the Bible Seriously, Not Literally – The difference between honoring scripture's depth versus flattening it through rigid dogma. • Doctrine and Experience – Bell explains how doctrines were attempts to preserve divine experience, but without engagement, they lose meaning. • What Reconstruction Looks Like – Why building anew after deconstruction isn't returning to certainty, but embracing the ongoing journey of faith and transformation.

Guest Highlights: Rob Bell – Bestselling author, former pastor, and host of The RobCast. Bell shares insights from his book What Is the Bible?, expanding on how cultural context, poetry, humor, and the human experience reveal the Bible's enduring relevance and beauty.

Resources Mentioned: • What Is the Bible? by Rob Bell – Link • Bell's Podcast – The RobCast • Book Recommendations in Bell's Bibliography – found at the back of "What Is the Bible?" • Genesis 1, Book of Jonah, Book of Lamentations – used to illustrate poetic and political layers of Old Testament literature • Enuma Elish – Babylonian creation myth compared with Genesis • Greg Boyd's Crucifixion of the Warrior God – an alternative take on biblical violence, discussed in a future episode

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