Voxology - podcast cover

Voxology

Voxology (Formerly the Vox Podcast with Mike Erre) is a collection of voices that question and discuss our culture's most relevant topics in relation to Christ and Christianity. We talk LGBTQ, American and church politics, Christian culture's catastrophic marginalization of the very people Jesus implores us to love and so much more. If you have serious questions about the church's representation of Jesus, what he has done and the beauty of his work on earth today, join hosts Mike Erre and Tim Stafford and their guests to talk things out and find your way back to the true mission of Jesus.
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Episodes

Made in the Image: Reclaiming Our Humanity and Sexuality (Sex, Love, and God Series)

How understanding our humanity as made in the image of God offers a better story of sexuality, identity, and spiritual integration than what culture or the church often provide. Kicking off the Sex, Love, and God series, Mike Erre revisits his powerful and vulnerable teaching on sexuality from 2013—complete with updated reflections and grace-filled context. This episode, "Made in the Image," explores the ways we have been misformed by both the culture's over-sexualization and the church's silenc...

Aug 07, 20171 hr 33 min

LIVE - From Preaching to Depression to Divorce: Honest Conversations About Faith in Real Life (Mailbag Q&A)

Unfiltered, raw, and deeply personal—this mailbag Q&A episode invites you into a porch-side conversation with Mike Erre as he tackles questions from the Voxology community, ranging from the role of preaching versus teaching, to the profound struggles of depression within a life of faith, and the complexities of divorce and Christian belief. Broadcasting from a transitional moment in his family's life (post-move from California to Ohio), Mike provides reflective insights rooted in scripture, ...

Aug 07, 201717 min

The Reward Is Jesus: From Hiddenness to Intimacy with God (Mailbag Episode)

How the pursuit of Jesus—not just what He offers—leads to deeper spiritual transformation, intimacy, and joy. In this insightful mailbag episode, Mike Erre and Andy reflect on listener questions ranging from the hiddenness of God, the relational significance of the Genesis narrative, and how to plant church communities centered on Jesus. Plus, a deep dive into Paul's gospel and its relationship to Jesus's proclamation of the kingdom. Key Takeaways: • The Reward of Jesus Is Jesus – Why seeking Go...

Jul 31, 201740 min

Expanding the Mission: Mike's Move to Ohio and the Future of Vox

Mike Erre shares big personal and community-changing news as the Vox Podcast—and Mike's family—pivot toward a new chapter in Columbus, Ohio. This heartfelt, spontaneous episode reflects on the spiritual, personal, and communal reasons behind Mike's cross-country move, the vision for expanding Vox into Ohio, and how Vox OC will continue despite this transition. With vulnerability and honesty, Mike and Andy explore what it means to grieve, grow, and faithfully follow where Jesus is leading next. K...

Jul 24, 201729 min

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

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 ep...

Jul 21, 201725 min

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

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 disillus...

Jul 17, 20171 hr 2 min

The Future of the Church and the Rise of Decentralized Voices: A Conversation with Matt Carter

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 chu...

Jul 10, 20171 hr 2 min

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

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 h...

Jul 03, 201755 min

Wrestling with Scripture, Sin, and the Role of Women: A Listener Q&A Episode

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...

Jun 30, 201717 min

Finding God in the Silence: Embracing Hiddenness and Spiritual Dryness

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 G...

Jun 26, 20171 hr

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

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 Jes...

Jun 23, 201717 min

Reimagining Divine Violence Through the Cross: A Conversation with Greg Boyd

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 tensio...

Jun 19, 20171 hr 12 min

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

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 recon...

Jun 16, 201720 min

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

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...

Jun 12, 20171 hr 5 min

Sex, Soulmates, and Suffering: Honest Answers to Hard Christian Questions

Tackling three deeply personal questions that many Christians wrestle with, Mike Erre and Andy bravely open up a raw, grace-filled conversation on sexuality, singleness, soulmates, and divine sovereignty in times of tragedy. This Facebook Live episode builds on the Voxology Podcast's commitment to Gospel-centered honesty and vulnerability—taking on shame, breaking stereotypes, and offering theological clarity around some of the most misunderstood and silenced experiences in Christian culture. Ke...

Jun 09, 201715 min

Healing Racial Division Through Art, Lament, and Empathy - w/ Micah Bournes

How spoken word can confront injustice, build bridges of understanding, and bring healing to a broken church. In this inaugural conversation in the Art of Race series, Mike and Andy sit down with acclaimed spoken word artist and culture critic Micah Bournes to explore how race, faith, and art intersect in powerful, transformative ways. Micah brings compelling storytelling, prophetic insight, and grace-filled truth-telling about what it's like to grow up Black in America, walk through predominant...

Jun 05, 20171 hr 6 min

Does God Really Have a Plan? Wrestling with Free Will, Depression, and Divine Timing

Creating space for honest conversation, this episode launches our Vox Q&A Series with unfiltered dialogue on some of the most personal and challenging spiritual questions. Mike Erre and Andy unpack listener-submitted questions with depth, vulnerability, and humor—covering everything from whether God has a plan for your life, to how Christians can walk through depression and anxiety, to the mystery behind unanswered prayer and divine timing. Whether you're wrestling with your faith, rebuildin...

Jun 05, 201715 min

How to Handle Criticism Without Losing Yourself: Cultivating Resilience in a Loud World

What happens when criticism becomes a regular part of your personal, professional, or spiritual journey? Mike Erre shares raw, hilarious, and honest insights from years of being on the receiving end of all types of feedback—from drive-by insults to thoughtful, transformative critiques. Whether it's angry emails, anonymous letters, vague threats cloaked in "concern," or painfully awkward encounters, Mike breaks down the different types of criticism and how to respond with wisdom, humility, and st...

May 30, 201729 min

Embarrassed by the Bible: What "Wives Submit to Your Husbands" Really Means (Ephesians 5)

How the misunderstood "wives submit to your husbands" passage in Ephesians 5 unlocks a transformative and egalitarian vision of marriage rooted in mutual submission, sacrifice, and love. Mike Erre and Andy dive deep into the cultural, linguistic, and biblical context of this controversial scripture as they launch a new series, "Embarrassed by the Bible"—tackling tough and awkward verses that have long caused confusion and damage within Christian spaces. Key Takeaways: • Mutual Submission as the ...

May 22, 201745 min

Wrestling with Rob Bell, Noah's Ark, and Eternal Judgment: The Bible in Question (Embarrassed by the Bible Series #1)

Explore the tensions between faith, doubt, and tradition in the debut episode of the "Embarrassed by the Bible" series. Mike Erre and Andy Lara tackle tough theological questions sent in by listeners—from Rob Bell's legacy to the plausibility of Noah's Ark, and how modern sensibilities often clash with ancient texts. This candid conversation highlights the complexity of scripture and encourages thoughtful, humble engagement with controversial issues. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Rob Bell's The...

May 19, 201712 min

The Need for Reconstruction: Dan Koch on Deconstruction, Eucharist, and a New Kind of Church - w/ Dan Koch

How can we move beyond deconstruction and actually begin to rebuild a meaningful, Jesus-centered faith? In this special crossover episode, Mike Erre and Andy interview theologian and podcast host Dan Koch for a rich, honest exchange on spiritual reconstruction, Eucharist-centered community, and how to foster real unity in an age of division. Both Dan and the Vox team reflect on their mutual journeys of disillusionment with traditional evangelicalism and explore what it looks like to reconstruct ...

May 15, 20171 hr 22 min

Faith, Toxicity, and Apostleship: Exploring Misunderstood Theology in Everyday Life

Wrestling with how faith affects your prayers? Wondering if it's un-Christian to cut off toxic relationships? Curious where Paul fits into the twelve apostles? In this thoughtful Q&A episode, Mike and Andy dig into some tough but deeply relatable questions from the Voxology community. This episode offers perspective-shifting responses to common theological misconceptions, helping listeners navigate spiritual anxiety, relational boundaries, and what faith actually means in the way of Jesus. K...

May 12, 20179 min

Becoming Like Jesus: Understanding the Bible as Story, Covenant, and Relational Transformation

How can reading the Bible form us into people who actually look, sound, and live more like Jesus? This episode dives into that powerful question through raw honesty, theological reflection, and practical insights. Mike Erre processes a deeply personal season of anxiety, health struggles, and spiritual battle—and unpacks how Scripture, when engaged relationally instead of merely intellectually, can be a tool of deep transformation. Recorded after a teaching event with John Mark Comer and Todd Pro...

May 08, 201751 min

Reclaiming the Gospel of Jesus: Paul, Submission, Satan, and the Canon

Deep questions demand deep exploration, and this episode of Voxology tackles some of the biggest theological and cultural questions facing the modern church. Mike Erre and Andy field four thought-provoking listener questions—each one diving into misunderstood spiritual frameworks and their real-world implications on faith, marriage, evil, and Scripture. We begin by reexamining the foundations of our faith, contrasting the gospel of Jesus with how we've inherited Paul's theology through Western l...

May 04, 201713 min

Women in Church Leadership: Reexamining Scripture, Tradition, and the Voice of Jesus (Episode 76)

How a deeper look at scripture, church culture, and the example of Jesus challenges traditional views of women in ministry positions. Mike Erre and Andy break down decades of theology, cultural biases, and inherited assumptions to explore the truth behind women's roles in Christian leadership—and what might be more faithful to the vision of Jesus. Drawing from Genesis, Paul's letters, and the trajectory of redemption throughout the Bible, this episode offers a powerful case for inclusion. Whethe...

May 01, 201756 min

Wisdom, Free Will, and Essential Oils: Honest Answers to Big Questions (Q&A Series #1)

Tackling real questions from the Vox Community and beyond, Mike Erre and Andy kick off the new Q&A Series with honest, heartfelt, and sometimes humorous reflections on key topics at the intersection of faith, culture, and Christian life. From the Sabbath to science, to the tension between free will and predestination, the duo models what it looks like to wrestle through complex theological questions with curiosity and compassion. Key Takeaways: • Keeping the Sabbath in Today's World – Why Sa...

May 01, 201715 min

The Liberating Power of Deconstruction: Rebuilding Faith Around Jesus (Live Episode)

Discover why so many are rethinking their faith and how deconstruction can actually catalyze a deeper, more authentic walk with Jesus. Recorded live with audience participation, this episode captures powerful personal stories of disorientation, doubt, and rediscovery. Mike Erre and Andy unpack the rise of Christian deconstruction, challenge the pitfalls of "faith-as-performance," and advocate for a reconstructive faith centered on the radical way of Jesus, not religious systems. Whether you're p...

Apr 24, 20171 hr 16 min

The Way of Power and the Way of Love: Reclaiming Jesus' Vision for Leadership and Church Culture - w/ Kyle Strobel And Jamin Goggin

How the pursuit of power in the American church undermines its true mission—and how returning to the way of the Lamb transforms our communities, leadership models, and personal discipleship. Mike Erre and guest co-host Andy Bear are joined by authors and leaders Kyle Strobel and Jamin Goggin to unpack themes from their book, The Way of the Dragon or the Way of the Lamb . In this deep and often hilarious conversation, they explore how modern Christianity has embraced worldly power, how we can rel...

Apr 17, 20171 hr 3 min

Rethinking Tithing, Ancient Names, and the Heart of the Sermon on the Mount: Audience Q&A

How does the New Testament reframe the concept of tithing? Is lust really equal to adultery? Can "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John" really be ancient Jewish names? In this family-style Q&A edition, Mike Erre and Andy dive into light-hearted and deeply theological listener questions to explore how Jesus expands and redefines Old Testament laws through the Sermon on the Mount, why generosity goes beyond a flat 10%, and the power of understanding scripture in its original context. Key Takeaways: •...

Apr 14, 201711 min

Following Jesus in the Halls of Power: A Conversation on Faith and Politics - w/ Michael Wear

How does someone faithfully follow Jesus while working at the highest levels of American government? Mike Erre and Andy sit down with Michael Wear, author of Reclaiming Hope and former Director of Faith Outreach for President Obama, to explore what it looks like to live out the teachings of Jesus under a microscope of politics, partisanship, and public scrutiny. Wear shares his incredible journey—from a chance hallway meeting with then-Senator Obama to serving in the White House's Office of Fait...

Apr 10, 201745 min
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