Voxology

Latest Episodes:

How to Read the Bible: Trustworthy, Messy, and Made for Improvising Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

Explore how to understand and engage with the Bible beyond simplistic frameworks, recognizing its complexity, beauty, and purpose in guiding a faithful and Christ-centered life. Mike Erre and producer Andy dive deep in response to a listener's thoughtful questions on the authority of Scripture, infallibility, inerrancy, and how believers can faithfully interpret a diverse library of sacred texts shaped by God and written by real humans.

Key Takeaways: • Inspiration Over Infallibility – Why Mike chooses the word "inspired" over "inerrant" or "infallible" when discussing the nature of Scripture, and how these terms have been used in theological "Bible wars." • Messy but Trustworthy – Acknowledging the Bible's inconsistencies, contradictions, and genres not as flaws, but as evidence of its authenticity and relevance to real life and faith struggles. • Reading the Bible Literarily, Not Literally – How understanding the variety of literary forms in Scripture—like poetry, prophecy, narrative, and apocalypse—changes how we interpret meaning and divine intent. • No Infallible Readers – Even if the Bible were perfect in the originals, all readers interpret it through cultural, emotional, and theological lenses, so humility and context are essential. • Improvising the Fifth Act – NT Wright's metaphor of the Bible as an unfinished play helps frame how we live out Scripture today—rooted in the first four "acts" while faithfully discerning how to act in our time based on the story's trajectory.

Resources Mentioned: • Book: The Authority of Scripture by N.T. Wright • Scripture Examples: Exodus 1 (midwives lying to Pharaoh), John 8 (woman caught in adultery), Mark 16 (alternate endings) • Ancient Literature Genres: Apocalyptic writings (Daniel, Revelation), Wisdom literature (Proverbs, Job), Hebrew poetry (Psalms)

Catch the sneak peek into upcoming episodes, including a moving discussion around World Down Syndrome Day with Mike, Andy, and their families, and a return to questions around gender and the role of women in Scripture.

Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so you never miss an episode. If today's conversation resonated with you, rate us and leave a review—it helps others find and engage with this journey of rediscovering the Jesus way.

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 us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @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 for Everyone: Gender Roles, Power, and Faith in Practice - w/ Bonnie Lewis Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

How do we navigate leadership, equality, and calling in a church culture still divided over gender roles? This powerful and refreshing conversation between Mike Erre, Andy Lara, and returning guest Bonnie Lewis dives straight into one of the most pressing theological and cultural issues in American Christianity: the role of women in the church.

Without rehashing old debates, this episode leans into lived experiences, thoughtful critique, and honest reflection on what it means to be a follower of Jesus—regardless of gender. From examining the complementarian and egalitarian theological frameworks to unpacking common misconceptions, societal influences, and church dynamics, the team asks what it really looks like to reflect the image of God together in community.

Key Takeaways: • Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism – A breakdown of the two dominant theological camps and how their interpretations impact women's roles in the church. • Power and Participation in Church Culture – Exploring how gender disparities in leadership can distort a church's mission and missional effectiveness. • Why the 'Feminization of the Church' Misses the Mark – A critique of evangelical rhetoric that positions masculinity as corrective rather than collaborative. • Deconstructing Binary Thinking – Allowing space for spiritual nuance beyond either/or assumptions about gender, power, and faithfulness. • Modeling Equity Through Leadership – The power of churches affirming women's voices not only in theory but also in actual leadership practice and platform.

Guest Highlight: Bonnie Lewis – A theologian, teacher, and host of the "Find the Blue" podcast, Bonnie shares her personal journey through seminary, ministry roadblocks, and finding her voice both within and beyond institutional church settings. Her reflections offer clarity, courage, and a vision for a more inclusive and biblical understanding of spiritual leadership.

Resources Mentioned: • Bonnie's Website + Podcast – findtheblue.com • Scott McKnight – The Blue Parakeet • N.T. Wright – Article on Women in Ministry • Gordon Fee – New Testament scholar and egalitarian voice • Craig Keener – Egalitarian theologian • Ray Anderson – Theological works on personhood and ministry • "Four Views on Women in Ministry" – Counterpoints Book Series • Rachel Held Evans, Jen Hatmaker, Jo Saxton – Women leaders and writers discussed • Find the Blue Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Join us in continuing this conversation on theological integrity, justice, and equity within the church. Send your comments or questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and be sure to share this episode with anyone exploring what equality in the church truly looks like.

Subscribe, leave us a review, and follow us on social media to stay connected!

Watch us on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Our Merch Store: Etsy Shop Support us on Patreon Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast Engage on Facebook Learn more at voxologypodcast.com

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 Pastors Speak Up: Challenging Evangelical Loyalty to Trump and Reclaiming Christian Witness Sep 14, 2016

Show notes

What happens when a pastor dares to publicly challenge the evangelical embrace of Donald Trump? Mike Erre and Andy dive deep into the storm of controversy that erupted after Mike posted a viral message criticizing Trump's appeal to fear—sparking major backlash from within the Christian community. This episode explores the hypocrisy of political alignment in the church, the myth of apolitical preaching, and what it means to resist false dichotomies in presidential elections. Through personal reflection, theology, and a slew of social media reactions, Mike and Andy question the church's witness in an era when Christianity is too often equated with a political identity.

This is a highly charged but necessary conversation about pastors, political rhetoric, and the moral cost of public allegiance to power.

Key Takeaways: • Preaching Is Political – Why sermons and public witness can't be divorced from the political implications of professing that "Jesus is Lord." • Christianity and Double Standards – Dissecting how evangelicals selectively dismiss moral failure, depending on political affiliation. • Voting as Worship and Witness – A theology of voting that values conscience, rejects fear-fueled binaries, and embraces non-participation as prophetic resistance. • The "Stick to Preaching" Fallacy – Why speaking out against injustice—even when it's unpopular in evangelical circles—is not abandoning the pulpit, but fulfilling it. • Countering Fear-Based Politics – A call for Christians to resist campaigns that manipulate fear, scarcity, and tribalism in exchange for power.

Notable Quotes: • "You would think that following a rabbi who conquered death would make us the least afraid people on the planet." • "Our witness to the world is compromised when character matters for one party, but not the other." • "A vote is not just about outcome—it's about identity, integrity, and discipleship."

Resources Mentioned: • Voxology's Jesus and Politics Series – VoxologyPodcast.com • Wayne Grudem's Politically Controversial Article – [Link TBD] • Pew Research on Evangelicals and 2016 Election – pewresearch.org

Join the conversation and rediscover a faith that transcends party lines. Subscribe to the podcast, leave us a review, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep engaging in honest, hopeful conversations about Jesus and culture.

As always, we encourage discussion as we all pursue Jesus together. Email us your thoughts or questions at hello@voxpodcast.com and connect with the broader community on Facebook and Instagram.

Catch full episodes and bonus content on VOXOLOGY TV.

Check out our merch store on ETSY

Subscribe and listen on iTunes or Spotify

Support the show on Patreon

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

Music by Timothy John Stafford | Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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

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

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

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

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Why Gay Marriage Might Be Good News for the Church: Challenging Hypocrisy, Repentance, and Culture War Fatigue Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

How can the legalization of gay marriage serve the Church? In this bold and unfiltered opening episode of Vox (previously the Vox Podcast), Mike Erre and creative engineer Andy Lara set the tone for a raw and honest exploration of Christianity's intersection with culture. Unsure the world needs one more podcast, Mike makes it crystal clear why this one matters: to examine how Jesus challenges every side of every issue, particularly when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues, church hypocrisy, and cultural polarization.

Mike dives into what our current moment reveals about the Church's response to cultural shifts like the Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage. Rather than lament or dig in, he outlines four surprising reasons why this cultural shift might actually press the church toward greater faithfulness—to grace, love, and the radical example of Jesus.

Key Takeaways: • Confronting Hypocrisy in the Church – The gay marriage debate reveals stark double standards, especially compared to how divorce and sexual sin are addressed within Christian communities. • Repentance and Reconciliation – The Church must own its history of exclusion and harm towards LGBTQ+ individuals and adopt a posture of humility and apology rather than judgment. • Rediscovering a Theology of Sexuality – The cultural moment creates a new opportunity to articulate a robust, biblical, and positive vision of sexuality, rather than relying on shame-based teaching or silence. • Moving Beyond the Culture War – The loss of political leverage may free the Church to refocus on embodying the teachings of Jesus, rather than fighting ideological battles.

Actionable Insights: • Recognize where moral outrage has overshadowed grace and truth. • Begin conversations with young people about sexuality in open, biblically grounded ways. • Shift from a culture-war mindset to discipleship and hospitality for all people, especially those exploring identity and belonging.

Resources Mentioned: • Matthew 19 – Jesus's teachings on divorce • 1 Corinthians 5:12 – Paul's challenge on judging outsiders • Upcoming series on table fellowship and Jesus' subversive hospitality

Join Mike and Andy as they launch this journey toward reclaiming the Church's voice as a place of radical welcome, honest critique, and deeper allegiance to Jesus.

Want to ask questions, engage the conversation, or offer feedback? Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com.

We're on YouTube too: VOXOLOGY TV

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Follow the Voxology Podcast: • Voxology Podcast Website • Subscribe on iTunes • Listen on Spotify • Support on Patreon • Voxology Radio on Spotify

Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre

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

Subscribe, share the podcast, and leave us a review to help spread these conversations and invite others into the journey of rediscovering the true 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

How Jesus Might Challenge Both Affirming and Non-Affirming Views on Sexuality Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

How do we carry truth and love in today's complex conversations around sexuality, identity, and faith? This episode explores one of the most sacred cows in the modern church: how Jesus might engage with both affirming and non-affirming sides of LGBTQ+ conversations, while staying rooted in his Jewish context and countercultural message of surrender and grace.

With raw honesty and biblical depth, Mike and Andy wade through questions from the Vox Mailbag on everything from Christmas decorations and the "war on Starbucks cups" to the deep waters of sexual ethics, divine identity, and church leadership. Featuring a guest appearance by JJ Carroll (and his mustache), this wide-ranging conversation unpacks how Christians should think about desire, orientation, ministry qualifications, and being disciples in a pluralistic democracy.

Key Takeaways: • Embracing Jesus's Jewish Context – Jesus didn't appear in a vacuum. His cultural context informs how he would likely have engaged sexual ethics. • Challenging All Sides with Grace – Jesus calls both affirming and non-affirming believers to repentance, humility, and the worship of God over desire. • Worship and Sexuality – Our culture's elevation of sex as a marker of identity and fulfillment is idolized—Jesus invites us to a greater identity. • Desire vs. Surrender – Jesus doesn't call us to unfiltered authenticity but to joyful surrender, denying ourselves and finding life in him. • Leadership and the Heart – Church leadership isn't about perfection or sexual orientation, but about humility, repentance, and a heart that seeks Jesus. • Four Hats of Christian Life – How we speak and act on LGBTQ+ questions depends on whether we're being disciples, pastors, reconcilers, or citizens. • Vox's Statement on Gay Marriage – Mike reads the working draft of Vox's public posture on sexuality that affirms both a high view of Scripture and an unwavering commitment to loving our LGBTQ+ neighbors.

Resources Mentioned: • Vox Statement on Marriage and Sexuality – Subversive Kingdom • 2 Corinthians 5 – The ministry of reconciliation • Matthew 19 – Jesus on divorce and interpretation of Torah • Genesis 1–2 – Foundations of sexual ethics in creation • The Church's Approach to LGBTQ+ Inclusion – Pastoral reflections

Call to Action: Join us in rethinking what it means to follow Jesus with compassion, conviction, and courage. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and let us know how you're navigating these topics in your own community.

As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue the way of Jesus together. Email us your thoughts at hello@voxpodcast.com, and engage in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV

Our Merch Store: ETSY

Learn more at voxologypodcast.com

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the podcast via Patreon

Voxology 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

Finding Jesus in the Midst of Grief, Loss, and Lament: Choosing Presence Over Pretending - w/ Bonnie Lewis Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

How learning to grieve and lament can deepen our faith, not destroy it. Mike Erre sits down with special guest Bonnie Lewis to explore why lament is so often missing from Christian spaces, and how embracing it can transform both our understanding of God and our healing from trauma. Sharing her gripping story of personal loss, chronic illness, and spiritual reconstruction, Bonnie walks us through the messy reality of questioning God, confronting shame, and learning to carry grief without letting it define us. This episode is a tender, honest reflection on loss, faith, depression, and rediscovering Jesus in the most difficult seasons of life.

Key Takeaways: • The Missing Voice of Lament in Evangelical Culture – Why many churches bypass pain and grief, and how this avoidance perpetuates shame and spiritual isolation. • Grieving Doesn't Mean Doubting – Understanding that sorrow, doubt, and faith can coexist—and how the Psalms model holy protest and intimacy with God through pain. • Redefining Strength and Healing – How Bonnie and her family chose to move toward wholeness by making countercultural decisions in the wake of loss and chronic illness. • Orientation, Disorientation, Reorientation – Mike and Bonnie draw on the typology of Walter Brueggemann to explore how disruption in our lives can deepen our theology and strip away false formulas. • Learning to Carry Grief, Not Escape It – Why the Christian life isn't about avoiding suffering, but learning to walk through it with empathy, honesty, and hope.

Guest Highlights: Bonnie Lewis – Speaker, writer, and founder of "Find the Blue." With a degree in theology and specialization in spiritual formation, Bonnie shares her deeply personal journey through mold poisoning, debilitating chronic pain, and the stillbirth of her second child—and how that suffering challenged and reshaped her understanding of God, grace, and courage.

Resources Mentioned: • Find the Blue with Bonnie Lewis – Follow on Facebook and look for her upcoming podcast and website! • Walter Brueggemann's Psalms Typology – Orientation, Disorientation, Reorientation framework • John 11: Jesus Wept – Scriptural foundation for the practice of lament • Lamentations, Habakkuk, and the Psalms – Biblical books that model honest grief and spiritual wrestling • Romans 8:28 in Context – Exploring what "the good" truly means in suffering

Let's stop pretending and start showing up for one another in the places of heartbreak and disappointment. Subscribe to the Voxology podcast, leave us a review, and follow us on social media to continue the conversation as we seek the voice of Jesus in all things.

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

Watch us on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Shop our Merch: VOXOLOGY on Etsy

Learn more at VoxologyPodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the show on Patreon Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast Like us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford | Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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

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

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

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

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Loving Your Neighbor in an Age of Fear: A Christian Response to the Refugee Crisis Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

How the church responds to fear, especially in moments of national crisis, reveals a deeper truth about what we treasure. In this emotionally charged and challenging episode of the Exile Series, Mike Erre and Andy broach the tension between Jesus' command to love our neighbor and the evangelical fear complex that often dominates Western Christian discourse. Using the Syrian refugee crisis and the reaction following the Paris attacks as a backdrop, they ask: What does it really mean to follow Jesus in a world gripped by fear and self-preservation?

Key Takeaways: • The Evangelical Fear Complex – How American Christianity's obsession with safety, comfort, and cultural dominion often undercuts the radical compassion Jesus calls us to. • Jesus as a Refugee – Revisiting the biblical narrative of Jesus fleeing persecution and why it matters, especially in light of refugee and immigration debates. • Treasuring the Right Things – A deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount and how anxiety reveals misplaced treasure. Jesus calls us to reform what we value in a world of moth, rust, and fear. • The Church's True Witness – Why the witness of the early church—serving sacrificially in times of plague and persecution—offers a powerful contrast to today's reactive fear posture. • Practical Faith vs. Performative Outrage – Mike and Andy explore how to move beyond social media posturing and into real-life hospitality, community building, and sacrificial love.

Notable Quotes: • "Jesus isn't calling us to have peace because bad things won't happen—He calls us to have peace because we treasure things that can't be taken away." • "Our job isn't to be safe. Our job is to make Jesus beautiful in the world." • "The world doesn't need louder Christians. It needs more loving ones."

Resources Mentioned: • Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 6 – Read it here • Letter from Kansas Clergy to Governor Sam Brownback – Expressing Christian opposition to refugee bans. • Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne – A provocative look at how Jesus transcends political allegiances. • The Early Church's Response to Plague – Eusebius & Bishop Dionysius – Historical examples of Christian sacrifice during epidemics.

Join the conversation on what it means to follow Jesus without fear. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and follow us on social to stay linked with the voices rethinking faith in a complex world.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com and 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

How Jesus Challenges Our Pro-Life Posture: Compassion, Consistency, and the Call to Embody the Kingdom Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

How the way we embody our pro-life beliefs may betray the very heart of Jesus. Mike and Andy explore the recent Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs to reflect on the complex, heartbreaking intersections of faith, violence, and societal discourse. Through this lens, they examine how pro-life convictions must be consistent—valuing life not only at conception but also throughout every stage of human existence, regardless of nationality, race, or ideology.

This episode takes on the hard and often polarizing conversation around abortion, politics, domestic terrorism, and the disconnect between pro-life rhetoric and action. Mike shares compelling non-biblical reasons why he holds a pro-life position, including feminist arguments and societal shortcomings, while ultimately pointing listeners to the radical compassion and subversive love modeled by Jesus.

Key Takeaways: • A Consistently Pro-Life Ethic – Why Christians must not only oppose abortion but also oppose violence, racism, war, guns, and the death penalty if they claim to uphold a pro-life view. • Jesus's Challenge to Our Methods – How being "right" about an issue doesn't excuse un-Christlike behavior. Our methods matter just as much as our message. • The Role of Nonviolence in the Kingdom – Drawing from Jesus, Gandhi, and MLK, the episode explores how faithful nonviolence can be more powerful and disruptive than violent protest or rhetoric. • Protesting Violence Like Jesus Would – Why Christians must vocally denounce violent extremism—especially when committed by those who may share some of their beliefs—through a lens of justice and love. • What the Early Church Teaches Us – Drawing on early Christian practice of adopting abandoned Roman infants, Mike reminds the church that embodying better alternatives is more impactful than culture war rhetoric.

Notable Quote: "If you're going to do Jesus's work, you have to do it Jesus's way."

Resources Mentioned: • Mike's book – Subversive Kingdom • Voxology Podcast Back Episodes – voxologypodcast.com • Support the podcast – Patreon

Help rethink what it means to be pro-life in a world crying out for compassion, justice, and integrity. Share your stories, ask questions, and engage the conversation:

Email us: hello@voxpodcast.com Instagram: @voxologypodcast Facebook: Voxology Podcast YouTube: Voxology TV Merch Store: VOXOLOGY on Etsy Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeErre Music by Timothy John Stafford (Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy)

Join us in the work of reimagining what it truly looks like to follow Jesus in today's world. Subscribe, leave a review, and help spread the message.

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

Grief, Clichés, and the Courage to Lament: A Practical Theology of Suffering - w/ Bonnie Lewis Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

How do we walk with people through pain when words fail and comfort clichés do more harm than good? In part two of our conversation with friend and author Bonnie Lewis, the Voxology crew explores a practical theology of grief, suffering, and lament during the holiday season—a time when joy is expected but heaviness looms for so many. From horror stories of well-meaning but damaging responses, to the power of simply being present, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and biblical insight for navigating dark seasons with honesty and hope.

Key Takeaways: • Cracking the Code of Christian Clichés – Why sayings like "God won't give you more than you can handle" and "everything happens for a reason" miss the mark and how they hurt more than help. • A Biblical Case for Lament – Exploring Psalms of disorientation and the theological power of grieving as a form of covenant faithfulness. • Sitting in the Silence – How Jewish grieving practices like sitting Shiva offer a counter-cultural model for communal empathy and presence. • How to Actually Help – Concrete, compassionate ways to support someone in grief without fixing, comparing, or rushing the healing process. • Jesus Wept—So Can We – What the shortest verse in the Bible teaches us about mourning even when the resurrection is on its way.

Guest Highlights: Bonnie Lewis – Writer, theologian, and new host of the Find the Blue podcast, Bonnie shares from her lived experience of loss and faith, offering heartfelt wisdom and practical encouragement for anyone walking through or walking with others in grief.

Resources Mentioned: • Bonnie Lewis's Podcast – Find the Blue • Book: Astonished: Recapturing the Wonder of Jesus by Mike Erre • Dallas Willard's Writings on Joy and Resistance • Walter Brueggemann's Typology of Psalms • Jewish Practice of Sitting Shiva – Learn More • Voxology Non-ference Updates – [Link]

Reimagine what healing, community, and theological honesty can look like. Join us in un-learning harmful habits, reclaiming the biblical beauty of lament, and offering something deeper than thoughts and prayers.

Share your experience with grief, hope, or questions by emailing hello@voxpodcast.com, or join the conversation on our social media platforms.

Watch on VOXOLOGY TV on YouTube

Shop Voxology Merch on Etsy

Learn more at voxologypodcast.com

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the podcast on Patreon

Music in this episode 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

The Problem with "Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin": Rethinking Love, Truth, and Grace Sep 12, 2016

Show notes

What does it truly mean to love someone you disagree with—especially in matters of identity, sexuality, and theology? Mike Erre and Andy Lara dig into a critically important (and often misused) phrase in Christian culture: "Love the sinner, hate the sin." In this thought-provoking episode, they unpack why this mindset—while well-intended—may actually undermine the transformative power of Jesus' love and twist the gospel's radical message of grace, especially for the LGBTQ+ community and those navigating the church's cultural contradictions.

This episode challenges listeners to reevaluate how they approach difficult relational and theological conversations, particularly through the lens of love as demonstrated by Jesus, Paul, and the early church. With humor, honesty, and theological depth, Mike and Andy call for a new way of engaging others—one defined not by judgment or disapproval, but by costly presence, advocacy, and Christ-like transformation.

Key Takeaways: • Why "Love the sinner, hate the sin" fails the gospel test and often leads to relational harm. • How Jesus and Paul modeled a radically different posture toward so-called outsiders—especially women and marginalized groups. • Reframing love: Four dimensions of godly love—commitment to someone, being with them, being for them, and loving them toward something. • Table fellowship and the ethics of presence—why simply being with others can speak volumes more than correction. • The danger in obsessing over "approving or disapproving" of others and how it distracts us from the mission of embodying Christ. • What accountability, repentance, and truth-telling look like inside real, loving relationships. • How cultural Christianity replaces Jesus' radical hospitality with coercive moralism.

Resources Mentioned: • A Fellowship of Differents by Scot McKnight – [Link] • Luke 8 and the role of women in Jesus' ministry – [Link] • Ephesians 5 and mutual submission theology – [Link] • Galatians 3:28 – Unity in Christ regardless of gender or status – [Link] • John 8: The woman caught in adultery – [Link] • Romans 12: Hate what is evil; cling to what is good – [Link]

Join the Voxology crew in dismantling harmful clichés and finding a deeper, more faithful way forward in how we love, correct, and walk with one another—especially when it's complicated.

Subscribe, share your questions, and be part of the community reshaping the modern church around the real Jesus. Leave us a review and follow Voxology Podcast on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

As always, we encourage and invite your feedback as we walk this journey together. Got thoughts or questions? Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube too: VOXOLOGY TV

Check out our Merch Store: Etsy – VOXOLOGY

Explore more from Voxology: voxologypodcast.com

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

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

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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