Voxology

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Digging Wells, Not Building Fences: Rethinking Belonging, Boundaries, and Grace in Center-Set Christianity (Spiritual Abuse Series) Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

How the "center-set" model of Christianity offers a radical alternative to legalism, spiritual abuse, and rigid boundary-drawing—and what it means for those longing to experience authentic grace, community, and transformation. Kicking off their new Spiritual Abuse series, Mike and Tim dive deep into Paul Hebert's set theory and how it reshapes our understanding of who belongs, what discipleship looks like, and how churches can prioritize Jesus as the true center.

Key Takeaways: • Bounded vs. Centered Faith – How the traditional "bounded set" model prioritizes behavioral and doctrinal checklists, often at the expense of grace, honesty, and transformation. • Dangers of Boundary-Focused Churches – Why focusing on who's "in" and who's "out" fosters legalism, fear, and superficiality. • The Center-Set Alternative – Exploring a transformational perspective where the direction of a person's heart toward Jesus, rather than meeting external qualifications, defines spiritual belonging. • Indicators vs. Boundaries – Why behaviors (like generosity, love, peace) should serve as indicators of heart orientation rather than rigid membership tests. • Church Discipline and Relational Accountability – Reflecting on Paul's example in 1 Corinthians and discussing the delicate balance of transparency, restoration, and protecting community health. • A Call to Build Wells – How churches and communities can be rooted in grace, welcoming honesty and brokenness while always pointing toward the wellspring of Jesus.

Resources Mentioned: • Paul Hebert's "Set Theory" (Theological framework on Bounded, Fuzzy, and Centered sets) • Mark Baker – Author and scholar adapting Hebert's theories for modern congregations • Dallas Willard – Teachings on the inward transformation of discipleship • Galatians & Matthew 19 – Scriptural cases for center-set thinking and critiques on boundary models

This episode kicks off a larger conversation on the roots and mechanics of spiritual abuse—how legalism, control, and fear undermine the gospel of grace and the heart of Jesus. Join the journey as Mike and Tim dig deeper in upcoming episodes.

Let's keep the conversation going—join us on social media, share your story, or email us at hello@voxpodcast.com. And if this episode resonated with you, don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Voxology to help others discover this community.

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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

How Doubt Deepens Faith: Rethinking Belief, Certainty, and Trust in Following Jesus (Faith and Doubt Series) Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

Discover how faith is often misunderstood as rigid certainty, and why making space for honest doubt is essential in cultivating a trusting relationship with Jesus. Mike and Andy introduce the Faith Series by dissecting misconceptions about what faith is (and isn't), highlighting how real biblical faith is not intellectual agreement or public profession—but instead actionable trust within relational covenant. They unpack scripture, personal stories, and real-life examples to reveal a more liberating and profound view of how faith and doubt can coexist and propel us forward in our journey with Christ.

Key Takeaways: • Faith Is Not Certainty – Faith in the Bible isn't about psychological or intellectual certainty. Instead, it's dynamic, relational, and lived out through action—even in the midst of doubt. • Three Misunderstandings About Faith – Faith is not: 1) being mentally certain, 2) professing beliefs to fit in, or 3) gaining theological perfection. • Faith Is What You Do, Not Just What You Say – Drawing on Michael Novak's framework, Mike distinguishes between public, private, and core convictions—emphasizing that core convictions are revealed in how we live, not what we say we believe. • Biblical Faith Is Relational Trust – It's rooted in action based on trust in Jesus, not an all-or-nothing checklist of religious doctrine. • Covenantal Relationship Frees Us to Doubt Authentically – Unlike a contractual view of salvation, a covenantal relationship with God creates space to ask real questions and express lament, just like we see throughout Psalms and the Old Testament prophets. • Faith vs. Sight – Paul urges us to walk by faith, not sight. That means trusting in what we don't yet fully see or understand, rather than demanding full certainty. • Living Your Way Into Belief – Sometimes trust calls us to act before belief and clarity arrive. The process of obedient living often confirms faith more than certainty ever could.

Resources & References: • James 1, Matthew 9, Mark 9, Matthew 22, Matthew 28 – Scriptural examples contrasting expressions of faith and doubt. • The Psalms, Lamentations, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah – Biblical precedent for expressing doubt and lament within faithful living. • Michael Novak's "Belief" Framework as quoted in John Ortberg's writings. • "Benefit of the Doubt" by Greg Boyd – Explores how doubt can be a healthy, integral part of our faith journey.

Join the conversation and lean into the mystery, questions, and grace-filled journey of faith. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on social to keep exploring what it means to trust Jesus with your whole life—even amid uncertainty.

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. Use hashtag #AskMikeErre to pose your questions!

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Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

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Follow Mike on Twitter: 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

Revisiting a Nightmare Debate: Faith, Morality, and Representing Jesus in Hard Conversations - w/ Mark Salomon Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

How do we show Christ in conversations that spiral out of control? Mark Salomon—frontman of Christian punk staples The Crucified and Stavesacre—joins Mike and Andy to reflect on a recent debate-turned-nightmare with an outspoken atheist podcaster. In this candid and vulnerable conversation, Mark opens up about what went wrong, what he wished he said, and what it means to represent Jesus when the stakes are high and you're completely caught off guard.

This episode goes beyond debating theology; it's a raw look at spiritual ambassadorship, moral reasoning without a framework, and how Christians can navigate hostile or disorienting conversations with both conviction and humility. Mike and Andy walk with Mark through the emotional and intellectual landmines of the original exchange, bringing clarity to big questions about God's morality, divine judgment, the authority of scripture, and the place of empathy in a post-Christian world.

Key Takeaways: • Representing Jesus in High-Pressure Moments – How to stay grounded when caught off guard during spiritual conversations. • Debates vs. Dialogues – Why the goal shouldn't be "winning" the argument but embodying the love, patience, and humility of Jesus. • Objective Morality & Faith – Exploring the theological conviction that God's authority defines good and evil—even when that feels difficult or cold. • Revisiting the Problem of Evil – Mike breaks down how a world built on love must include freedom, using powerful examples like suffering and disability to illuminate God's bigger picture. • When The Old Testament Gets Weaponized – Unpacking divine judgment, slavery, and God's progressive revelation leading to Jesus as the full image of God's character.

Guest Highlights: Mark Salomon – Icon of the Christian hardcore scene and host of the podcast "Never Was." Mark talks through the emotional fallout of a frustrating public conversation, shares his fears about misrepresenting Christ, and reflects with courage and honesty on what spiritual integrity looks like when things don't go as planned.

Resources Mentioned: • "Never Was" Podcast by Mark Salomon – Available here • "Pastor With No Answers" podcast – Pastor With No Answers • "MetalSucks" Podcast – Featuring guest "Godless" • Hebrews 1, Colossians 1 & 2, John 14 – Used to demonstrate Jesus as the fullest revelation of God • C.S. Lewis – Referenced throughout the discussion for insights on morality and divine authority • "The Problem of God" by Mark Clark – For exploring tough questions skeptics ask about Christianity

Join us as we continue the conversation on how faith and humility intersect in hard places. Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, leave a review, and follow us on social media to stay connected.

As always, we welcome your thoughts and questions. Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

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Original 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

Making Jesus Beautiful: Stripping Away Ugliness to Reveal the Real Christ Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

How the church can reclaim its true mission by removing the cultural, political, and institutional distortions that obscure the beauty of Jesus. Mike Erre and Andy unpack the heart of Voxology's purpose—to make Jesus beautiful again by reflecting his love, humility, and upside-down kingdom. Leveraging Scripture, personal stories, and candid critiques of modern Christianity, this episode aims to remind followers of Jesus what it truly means to represent him to the world.

Key Takeaways: • Understanding the Core Mission – Why "making Jesus beautiful" doesn't mean altering Jesus, but removing the human-made ugliness that keeps people from seeing him clearly. • Reclaiming a Counter-Cultural Faith – Exploring the contrast between the Jesus of the Gospels and the ways he's been misrepresented through political alliances, judgmentalism, and nationalism. • The Responsibility of the Church – How followers of Jesus are called not just to preach, but to embody love, humility, and grace with credibility and compassion. • The Power of Gospel-Centered Living – Why ordinary acts of kindness, hospitality, empathy, and forgiveness reflect the radical beauty of Jesus and invite others into the kingdom. • Deconstructing Christian Entitlement – A challenging discussion on how movements for religious freedom can actually make Jesus less visible when used to avoid serving others.

Notable Quotes: • "Jesus is already beautiful. Our job isn't to make him more so—but to get out of the way so that beauty shines through." • "Loving people who love you is easy—loving your enemies is beautiful." • "Our main challenge isn't secularism or persecution—it's centuries of ugliness done in Jesus' name."

Guest Highlights: Features regular hosts Mike Erre and Andy, whose humor, honesty, and deep commitment to the mission of Jesus set the tone for this transformative episode.

Resources Mentioned: • John 12 – Jesus' teaching on being "lifted up" to draw all people to himself • 2 Corinthians 5 – Paul's appeal to be ambassadors of reconciliation • Ephesians 5:1-2 – Imitating God by walking in love • 1 Corinthians 13 – Love defined as the metric of Christlikeness • Acts 17 – Paul's address to the Athenians and contextual gospel invitation • Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John – Encouraged study for rediscovering Jesus • Bart Tarman's "Mentor" story – A call to fall in love with the real Jesus again • Jude 1:24–25 – Closing benediction celebrating God's goodness

Join us as we pursue a faith that reflects the true Jesus—not the distorted one built by cultural battles and political convenience. Let's strip off the grime and shine his light with humility, empathy, and truth.

If this conversation moved you, help others discover it—subscribe, leave us a review, and share a link with a friend. You can also engage by emailing us at hello@voxpodcast.com or connecting on social media.

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 @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

Diagnosing Hypocrisy: Jesus, the Pharisees, and the Roots of Spiritual Abuse (Spiritual Abuse Series) Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

How can we begin to heal from spiritual abuse when the very structures meant to point us to God have been complicit in manipulation, coercion, and hypocrisy? Kicking off a new Luke Series, Mike Erre goes solo to explore Jesus's prophetic critique of religious authority in Luke 11—and its piercing relevance for today's church. Through Jesus's first "woe" against the Pharisees, Mike unpacks a powerful lesson: that external religiosity often masks inner moral decay, and that Jesus himself opposed performative faith with a passion.

This episode speaks directly to those frustrated or disillusioned by the church—offering not just empathy, but biblical clarity on why so many have been harmed, and what Jesus really says about it.

Key Takeaways: • Greed and Hypocrisy in High Places – The disconnect between polished external religion and corrupted internal motives. • What "Woe" Really Means – Understanding the prophetic tradition behind Jesus's pointed "woes" to religious leaders in Luke 11. • Misunderstood Pharisees – Why Jesus's relationship with Pharisees was more complex than caricature allows, and what modern Christians can learn from their mistakes. • The Paradox of the Outside vs. the Inside – How hyper-focus on rules, tradition, and behavior management misses the point of spiritual transformation. • A Call to Inner Renewal – Jesus invites generosity and humility over conformity and showmanship.

Resources Mentioned: • Luke 11 – Jesus's "woes" and prophetic critique of religious leadership • Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel – Old Testament foundations for prophetic judgment • Voxology Non-ference – Details Here • Email your questions: hello@voxpodcast.com

Join the conversation as we peel back the masks, wrestle with Jesus's challenging words, and uncover a more honest, hopeful expression of faith. Subscribe, leave a review, and help us reclaim the mission of Jesus.

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

The Unexpected Gift: Flipping the Script on Down Syndrome and Embracing a Better Story Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

How choosing — or being chosen — to parent a child with Down syndrome became one of life's greatest blessings for six parents. In this open, honest, and emotionally powerful conversation, Mike Erre and his wife Justina are joined by three incredible couples in the Voxology "home office" to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day with raw storytelling, reflection, and a resounding message: this diagnosis is not a tragedy — it's an invitation to discover unimaginable joy, depth, and love.

Heather and Josh, Mercedes and Andy, and Mike and Justina candidly share how having (or adopting) a child with Down syndrome initially sparked fear and grief, but ultimately transformed them into deeper, more compassionate, and joy-filled humans. The group explores how societal stereotypes and eugenic narratives deepen isolation, while radically inclusive communities, rooted in Jesus' love and example, offer grace, connection, and true belonging.

Key Takeaways: • The Beauty of "Yes" – Saying yes to parenting a child with Down syndrome opened doors to radical love, seismic personal growth, and deepened relationships. • Resisting the Culture of Perfection – Against a backdrop of societal fear and genetic "control," these families offer a prophetic witness to the value and sacredness of every life. • Joy in the Hard – While raising children with special needs brings challenges, the community reflects on how "hard" doesn't mean "bad," and struggle often breeds true joy. • The Power of Presence – Children with Down syndrome live fully in the moment, modelling a kind of joy, purity, and love we desperately need in modern culture. • Honest Reflections – Fears around the future, care, and inclusion are real, but so too is the vibrant beauty of the community and resilience that flows from a life rebuilt around love.

Guest Highlights: • Mercedes & Andy Lara – Parents of Sunflower Mae Lara, who was adopted with Down syndrome. Mercedes shares the story of radical openness birthed out of heartbreak and rooted in mission. • Heather & Josh Avis – Co-creators of "Macy Makes My Day," recounting the unplanned-yet-divinely-ordained adoption of their daughter Macy, and how it led to a movement of advocacy, writing, and awareness. • Justina & Mike Erre – Parents of Seth, whose arrival redefined expectations, demolished fears, and brought deep compassion, connection, and healing to their family.

Resources Mentioned: • Sunny Fun Days (YouTube Channel) – Sunny Fun Days • Macy Makes My Day (Instagram) – @macymakesmyday • Hooray For Sunny (Instagram) – @hooray4sunny • Heather Avis Website + Book "The Lucky Few" (Coming Soon) – heatheravis.com • March 21st – World Down Syndrome Day: Recognizing the beauty and significance of that extra 21st chromosome

Join us in rejecting the lie that a Down syndrome diagnosis is a misfortune. Discover how children with that tiny extra chromosome reflect the image of God in ways that humble, challenge, and teach us all.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology on your favorite social media platform to be part of this transformative community.

Let's keep the conversation going: • Email us your thoughts or questions: hello@voxpodcast.com • Watch us on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV • Rock some merch: Voxology Etsy Store • Explore more episodes: voxologypodcast.com • Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify • Support Vox on Patreon

Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast Join the discussion on Facebook Follow 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

The Myth of the Soulmate: Redefining Love, Marriage, and Fulfillment Through a Biblical Lens Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

What if everything you believed about finding "the one" was never actually biblical—or even helpful? In this candid and often hilarious conversation, Mike Erre and co-host Andy explore the deeply ingrained myth of the soulmate, confronting cultural narratives around romance, marriage, and self-fulfillment in both the secular and Christian world. Drawing extensively from the Genesis account of creation and the fall, they unpack how our expectations of marriage often lead us astray and suggest a more grounded, Christ-centered vision for love and relationships rooted in self-sacrifice, partnership, and transformation.

Using insights from Genesis 1-3 and thinkers like Stanley Hauerwas and Tim Keller, the episode dives into how Christians are called to resist Hollywood tropes and embrace the difficult but rewarding journey of covenant love, where two imperfect people learn to reflect God's love for humanity. Whether you're dating, married, or spiritually curious, this episode challenges assumptions and invites deeper reflection on how we love and who we expect to change us.

Key Takeaways: • The Biblical Portrait of Marriage – Genesis presents male-female relationships as "ezer kenegdo"—equal partners who are both alike and opposite, designed to co-rule creation. • Fallout from the Fall – How disobedience distorts divine design, turning mutuality into power struggle and fulfillment into frustration. • Soulmate is a Myth – There is no "one perfect person" who will complete you; true fulfillment comes not through compatibility but through sacrificial love and growth. • Marriage as Covenant, Not Contract – Christian marriage is less about individual happiness and more about embodying God's covenantal love through service, vulnerability, and resilience. • When You Change, So Does Marriage – You will always marry the "wrong" person because both people in a marriage will change, evolve, and, ultimately, disappoint. The key is growing together through it. • Redefining Fulfillment – Letting go of self-centered expectations in marriage opens the door to deeper joy, healing, and transformation.

Resources Mentioned: • Genesis 1–3 – The foundation for understanding male-female relationships and the impact of sin on marriage. • Stanley Hauerwas – Ethicist who wrote extensively on the myth of soulmate ideology and the self-fulfillment ethic in marriage. • Tim Keller – The Meaning of Marriage, for a gospel-centered view of commitment and relational growth. • Psalm 121 – The word "ezer" (helper) ascribed to God, offering profound implications for gender equality in partnership. • Ephesians 5 – Paul's vision for mutual submission and Christ-centered love in marriage.

Join us in rethinking relationships and returning to a more redemptive vision of marriage. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and follow Voxology on social media to keep diving into tough questions and meaningful discussions.

As always, we encourage and welcome your thoughts and feedback as we pursue these conversations together. Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com or join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook.

Watch full episodes on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV

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Discover more at VoxologyPodcast.com

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Support the show at Patreon

Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre

Follow Tim on all platforms: @GoneTimothy

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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 God Doesn't Meet Your Expectations: Disappointment, Faith, and the Death of Spiritual Infomercials Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

How unmet hopes and everyday frustration might be the very fuel your faith needs. Mike Erre and Andy unpack the deep theological and existential implications of disappointment—why it shows up in work, marriage, relationships, and even your spiritual journey—and how scripture reveals God strategically using this gap to draw us closer, not push us away. This conversation dives into Genesis and explores the origin story of the human experience with frustration and unfulfilled longing, uncovering how the Christian life was never meant to be an infomercial promise of instant gratification, but a covenantal journey of transformation.

Key Takeaways: • The Strategic Role of Disappointment – Why God frustrates our search for purpose in relationships, career, and identity to point us back to himself. • Jesus Isn't the Ab King – How sermons and church culture often pitch Jesus like a product, setting us up for hollow expectations. • Three Ways We Cope with Disappointment – Escaping and medicating, pretending and performing, or learning (counterculturally) to stay spiritually "thirsty" in the struggle. • Covenant Over Contract – Reframing faith as a trusting relationship rather than a transactional promise of blessing. • The Gap That Fuels Faith – Why the ache for something better remains—even for believers—and how that ache can become sacred space for growth, hope, and honesty with God.

Resources Mentioned: • Genesis 1–3 – Exploration of creation, identity, fall, and the origin of frustration • Astonished by Mike Erre – [Link] • Fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22–23 • Podcast Archive – Episode on "Soulmates" for complementary context

Join us each week as we embrace real conversations around disappointment, hope, and rediscovering the true mission of Jesus. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on social media to stay connected and be part of 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

Understanding Oppressive Texts in the New Testament Through a Missionary Lens Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

Unpacking one of the most misunderstood elements of the Bible, Mike Erre and Andy explore how seemingly oppressive passages on household roles—particularly around women, slavery, and children—can actually be understood as revolutionary in their original cultural context. Episode 44 walks through a compelling thought experiment rooted in modern-day Saudi Arabia to reframe the function of the New Testament's household codes within a Roman Empire driven by patriarchy and social hierarchy.

This episode links past and present, showing how the moral teachings of Paul and Peter were strategic missional tools, not static moral laws, designed to make the gospel beautiful and compelling in an unbelieving world. Learn why the early church encouraged cultural conformity in submission, gender, and familial relationships—not out of endorsement of injustice but out of a radical desire to subvert structures from within.

Key Takeaways: • The Power of Cultural Context – How Paul and Peter's household codes aligned with Roman moral expectations not to reinforce oppression, but to remove unnecessary barriers to the gospel. • Mission Over Personal Rights – A Christian's personal freedom is secondary to representing Christ attractively to a skeptical world; this ethic still challenges us today. • Revolution From Within – The New Testament subversively planted seeds in patriarchal systems that would eventually dismantle them, particularly in how men were called to love, not dominate. • Why the Church Should Rethink Power – Christianity has always flourished in exile or marginalization, not as a political power structure. • Women, Leadership & Gospel Witness – Reframing the conversation on whether limiting women's roles in church institutions still aligns with the gospel's expansion.

Resources Mentioned: • David Instone-Brewer – Writings on ancient Judaism, divorce, and Jesus' social context. • Galatians 3:28 – "There is neither male nor female, slave nor free…" • Colossians & Ephesians – Biblical household codes and how they are differentiated from Aristotle's. • Dallas Willard – Theological inspiration on joyful resistance and noncompliance. • Historical figures: Josephus and Philo – Illustrating Jewish parallels in accommodating Roman social norms.

Join the conversation and help us ask better questions and live more compelling lives as representatives of Jesus in a complicated world. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology on social media to stay informed and be part of a renewing 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

Rethinking Sacred Texts and the Authority of Jesus - Seismic Mike Responds to Godless Part 2 Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

What makes a text "sacred"? Can stories like Harry Potter or Star Wars function as modern scripture? Mike Erre and Andy explore the viral rise of "Harry Potter and the Sacred Text," a podcast treating J.K. Rowling's novels the way Christians treat the Bible—and use it as a springboard to tackle big questions about sacred texts, biblical authority, and how Jesus actually interpreted the Old Testament. This is Part 2 of the ongoing Godless Series, where Mike responds to critiques from a thoughtful atheist listener who contends that Jesus, if divine, failed at clarity and moral credibility.

Mike breaks down the Sermon on the Mount in rich cultural context, revealing how Jesus confronted religious legalism of his day—not to affirm everything in the Hebrew Scriptures, but to radically reinterpret them through a lens of love, mercy, and internal transformation. They also dive into how scripture evolves across cultures, the progressive morality of Old Testament laws, and whether divine revelation can be both incarnated and imperfectly understood.

Key Takeaways: • Reading Harry Potter as Scripture? – Why it's trending, and what it reveals about cultural hunger for meaning and moral imagination. • What Makes a Text Sacred? – Exploring the subjective and communal dimensions of sacredness and how that intersects with biblical inspiration. • Jesus as a Jewish Rabbi – Understanding "fulfill" and "abolish" in rabbinic terms, and why Jesus didn't just affirm the Old Testament law, but radically re-centered it around God's heart. • Cracking the Sermon on the Mount – Why Jesus's most famous teachings weren't random or idealistic, but a pointed critique of Pharisaical righteousness and a call to internal, transformative obedience. • The Bible's Morally Difficult Passages – Wrestling with how Christians can trust scripture while acknowledging genocide, slavery, or patriarchy in the text—and why Jesus is the lens for interpreting them.

Resources Mentioned: • Podcast: Harry Potter and the Sacred Text – harrypottersacredtext.com • Book: Is God a Moral Monster? by Paul Copan • Scripture References: Matthew 5–7, Deuteronomy, Genesis 1–2, Matthew 19 • Vox Community Podcast – voxoc.com

Join the conversation as we explore what it means to treat a text as sacred, how Jesus challenged even the most devout religious leaders, and why understanding Jesus in his first-century Jewish context matters more than ever.

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