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

When God Didn't Cause It: Rethinking Tragedy, Birth Defects, and Scripture's Poetic Claims (Q&A Series #2)

How do we reconcile a loving God with the pain of birth defects, child loss, and perceived divine silence? This honest and moving Q&A episode tackles some of the most deeply personal and theologically challenging listener questions about suffering, scripture, and how God's will interacts with real-world tragedy. Mike and Andy explore whether Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1 teach that God literally forms every child in the womb, and what that means for children born with trisomy 18 or Down syndrome....

Nov 13, 201746 min

Why Labels Fail: Church Clarity, LGBTQ Inclusion, and the Limits of Binary Thinking in Faith Communities

How ChurchClarity.org is sparking a deeper conversation about transparency, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and the theological complexities facing modern American churches. Mike Erre and Andy dissect the origins and intentions of the platform while offering thoughtful critiques around its methodology, impact, and assumptions. Addressing the polarizing affirming/non-affirming binary, this episode navigates the messy tension between the demand for clarity and the pursuit of faithful community centered on Jesus...

Nov 06, 201757 min

The Art of Winsome Persuasion: Engaging Culture as a Christian Counterpublic - w/ Tim Muehlhoff

How can Christians effectively reengage today's divided public square with truth and love, especially when labeled as "fanatics" or shut out of mainstream conversation? Communication expert and Biola professor Tim Muehlhoff joins Mike and Andy to explore practical tools and postures for reclaiming the church's voice through compassion, credibility, and cognitive complexity. Drawing from his latest book, Winsome Persuasion, Tim shares how Christians can act as a "counterpublic"—a minority voice t...

Oct 30, 201746 min

Reclaiming the Power of Words, Identity, and Intimacy in a Hypersexualized Culture - w/ Tim Muehlhoff (Sex, Love, and God Series)

How the Book of Song of Solomon redefines intimacy, communication, and self-worth in the noise of a synthetic, sex-saturated culture. In this honest and wide-ranging conversation, Tim and Noreen Muehlhoff draw from 17 years of teaching at Family Life Marriage Conferences to unpack how biblical wisdom radically challenges cultural narratives around sex, self-esteem, and relationships. Through a deep dive into Song of Solomon chapters 5 and 7, they explore how words shape not just our relationship...

Oct 23, 20171 hr 22 min

When Is Divorce a Sin? A Biblical Theology of Marriage, Separation, and Covenant (Embarrassed By the Bible Series)

How a first-century Jewish debate reshapes our understanding of Jesus' teachings on divorce, remarriage, and covenant love. Mike and Andy dive deep into one of the most misunderstood and misused verses in the Bible as part of their ongoing "Embarrassed By the Bible" Series. Taking on Jesus' statement that anyone who divorces and remarries commits adultery, they explore the cultural, theological, and pastoral layers beneath a question that is both deeply personal and widely debated: "Is divorce a...

Oct 16, 201749 min

LIVE - Wrestling with God, Evil, and Shaken Faith: Honest Questions in a Broken World

How does God relate to the hard things in life—tragedy, suffering, anxiety, and injustice? In a raw, unscripted live Q&A from Ohio before heading off to speak at a Campus Crusade retreat, Mike Erre opens up the floor to deep and personal listener questions. Exploring Psalm 55 and themes of divine goodness, human suffering, and theological wrestling, this episode dives into the tension between being told to "cast your cares on the Lord" and still experiencing life's darkest seasons. Mike refl...

Oct 16, 201732 min

Sex, Redemption, and the Soul: Reclaiming God's Vision for Intimacy (Sex, Love, and God Series)

How the biblical framework for sexuality challenges cultural norms, overcomes shame, and invites every person—regardless of past or orientation—into healed, holy intimacy. In part 3 of the Song of Songs Series, Mike dives deep into the theology of sex, identity, and one-flesh unity through the poetic lens of Song of Songs chapter 4 and powerful insights from Genesis, Corinthians, and modern neuroscience. You'll hear an unflinching yet grace-filled conversation around sex, the LGBTQ+ community, c...

Oct 09, 20171 hr 28 min

What's Wrong With Religion?: Reclaiming Identity from Fear, Control, and Missionalism - w/ Skye Jethani

How the fear-fueled foundations of religion lead us away from the radical freedom and hope Jesus offers. Mike Erre and Andy sit down for a compelling conversation with author, podcaster, and former Christianity Today editor Skye Jethani to explore the core message behind his book, What's Wrong With Religion, and to reflect on how the American church's pursuit of cultural power has distorted the gospel. This lively episode journeys through evangelicalism's obsession with relevance, the illusion o...

Oct 02, 20171 hr 1 min

The True Purpose of Marriage: Covenant, Brokenness, and Redemption (Sex, Love, and God Series)

How does our modern understanding of marriage diverge from its biblical foundation, and what does it mean to live in covenant rather than comfort? Continuing with the Song of Songs Series, Mike Erre unpacks the theological and spiritual weight behind the concept of marriage as a holy covenant—one that reflects the gospel itself. With warmth, vulnerability, and humor, he explores the Old and New Testament framework for marriage, diving deep into Genesis, Exodus, Ephesians, and Revelation to illum...

Sep 25, 20171 hr 34 min

Loving Before Truth-Telling: A Pastoral Response to the Nashville Statement (Sex Love God Series #5)

What does true Christian love look like in our conversation around LGBTQ+ inclusion and theology? Continuing the "Sex Love God" Series, Mike Erre takes a heartfelt and theologically grounded look at the Nashville Statement, critiquing not only its theological assertions but more importantly its failure as a pastoral document. This episode serves as a call to embody a covenantal love rooted in commitment, presence, advocacy, and transformation—before truth is ever spoken. Drawing heavily from scr...

Sep 18, 201736 min

What Does the Fox Say? Navigating Conflict, Desire, and Redemption in Relationships (Sex, Love, and God Series)

How the metaphors of vines and foxes in Song of Songs help us understand what undermines healthy relationships—and how God invites us to pursue healing and redemption from a place of honesty, grace, and commitment. In this fifth installment of the Sex, Love & God series, Mike unpacks the biblical worldview on relationship dynamics, addressing everything from Genesis creation truths to modern issues like fear of abandonment, sexual expectations, and emotional reactivity in conflict. This is a...

Sep 10, 20171 hr 26 min

Reframing Sexual Ethics and Christian Witness: A Response to the Nashville Statement (Exile Series)

How does the church navigate the complex and often painful terrain of sexuality, identity, and public witness? In this candid and challenging episode of the Exile Series, Mike Erre and Andy reunite in-person to unpack the Nashville Statement—a public declaration from the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) aimed at defining Christian responses to homosexuality and gender identity. Rather than a hot-take, this episode offers a deeply reflective critique on what this kind of theologi...

Sep 03, 201759 min

Sex, Self-Worship, and the Tornado of Desire: Understanding Lust, Love, and God's Design (Sex, Love, and God Series)

How does our view of God shape our experiences of desire, sexuality, and freedom? In this raw and emotionally honest continuation of the "Sex, Love & God" series, Mike explores the sacredness of sexual desire through the lens of Song of Songs while unpacking the dangerous spiral of lust, idolatry, and self-worship outlined in Genesis and Romans. This episode – titled "The Tornado of Death" – offers a deep dive into the difference between holy longing and destructive craving, revealing the po...

Aug 28, 20171 hr 30 min

Racial Reconciliation and the New Humanity: A Gospel-Centered Response to Charlottesville

How the church's prophetic call and ministry of reconciliation compel followers of Jesus to confront racism, embody peacemaking, and build the new humanity in response to Charlottesville and beyond. Mike Erre addresses the tragic events of Charlottesville and the deeper systemic, theological, and prophetic implications for the modern church. Responding to a listener's heartfelt question, he explores how the Biblical gospel compels every follower of Jesus to reject racial superiority and embrace ...

Aug 21, 201734 min

Don't Stare at Me: Reclaiming Body Image, Beauty, and Identity (Sex, Love, and God Series)

How confronting the cultural lies about body image, beauty, and identity can free us to live in the restored image of God. In episode three of the Sex, Love & God series, Mike Erre takes us deep into Song of Songs 1:1-8 to unpack the powerful truth behind the phrase "Do not stare at me," exposing our culture's toxic standards of beauty and inviting listeners into a radically different story rooted in image-bearing, not performance. Through biblical reflection, historical context, and raw per...

Aug 21, 20171 hr 33 min

I Delight to Sit in His Shade: The Power of Safety, Desire, and Character in Relationships (Sex, Love, and God Series)

How desire, vulnerability, and sacrificial love shape authentic intimacy and emotionally safe relationships. Mike Erre continues the "Sex, Love & God" series by diving into Song of Songs 1–2 and Ephesians 5 to examine what it means to delight in the "shade" of another—how trust and character matter far more than superficial attraction. This deeply personal and honest reflection invites conversation around biblical sexuality, gender roles, healthy submission, and what makes love truly safe, s...

Aug 14, 20171 hr 18 min

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
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