A raw, provocative, and delightfully messy Christmas episode with Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Pastor Bethany Nass Cseh explores how the Christmas story has been softened, sanitized, and even hijacked by nostalgia, cultural expectations, and spectacle. What emerges instead is a deeply human tale of presence, prophecy, and disruption—one worthy of contemplation beyond a single holiday. The episode spans humorous holiday banter, chaotic family vibes featuring Seth Erre and Big Nate, ...
Dec 26, 2022•53 min
Dive into an engaging exploration of women's roles in church leadership as Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dissect biblical texts and historical contexts to address the question: Can women be elders? Unpacking examples of female leaders in early Christianity, they challenge traditional interpretations and discuss the implications for modern church practices and gender equality. Key Takeaways: • Biblical Evidence of Female Leadership – Analyzing scriptural accounts of women like Phoebe, Priscilla, and...
Dec 19, 2022•55 min
Launching a new mini-series under The Wanderer banner, Tim Stafford embarks on an exploration of worship—not as performance or emotional manipulation, but as resistance, reorientation, and the embodiment of justice. This reflective episode traces Tim's journey from burnout with worship-leading to rediscovering the true heart of worship through scripture, history, and music. In this premiere installment, Tim unpacks the history and radical impact of the Christmas anthem "O Holy Night," connecting...
Dec 14, 2022•26 min
Explore how Dr. Lynn Cohick, a distinguished Pauline scholar, reinterprets the roles of women in the early church and challenges traditional readings of key biblical texts. Mike and Tim engage in a deep discussion on passages like 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 14, uncovering how cultural context and historical insights can reshape our understanding of women's participation in ministry and leadership within the church. Key Takeaways: Women in the Early Church – Discover the significant contributi...
Dec 12, 2022•1 hr 10 min
Uncover how fear and collective narcissism shape the worldview of white evangelicals and what this means for the future of the church. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford engage in a thought-provoking conversation with psychologist Dr. Dave Verhaagen about his book "How White Evangelicals Think," exploring the psychological factors influencing evangelical culture, politics, and identity. Key Takeaways: • Fear's Influence on Evangelicalism – Understanding how fear drives self-interest and the desire for p...
Dec 05, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the controversial passage of 1 Timothy 2:11-15, challenging traditional interpretations that have restricted women's roles in the church. By unpacking the historical and cultural context of Paul's letters, they shed light on how misreadings have led to harmful theology and discuss actionable steps to embrace women's leadership as a biblical mandate. Key Takeaways: Understanding the Cultural Context – How the early church's battle against false teachings, lik...
Nov 28, 2022•1 hr 7 min
Discover how embracing mystery and asking better questions of the Bible can deepen your faith and transform your understanding of God. Marty Solomon, host of the BEMA Podcast and author of the upcoming book Asking Better Questions of the Bible , shares his journey from fundamentalist evangelicalism to a faith rooted in curiosity and openness. Together with co-hosts Mike Erre and Tim Stafford, and joined by returning guest Tyler Chernesky, they explore how reframing our approach to Scripture can ...
Nov 21, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Unpacking how traditional views on biblical masculinity may limit our understanding of true humanity, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the complexities of gender roles, anger, and equality within Christianity. They explore how striving for predefined standards can hinder new creation dynamics, and advocate for embracing a fuller, more holistic view of humanity as modeled by Jesus. Key Takeaways: Moving Beyond Fixed Standards – Why seeking a clear-cut standard for masculinity or femininity c...
Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Unpacking how Ephesians 5 reverses the curses of Genesis 3, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore the implications of mutual submission over traditional gender hierarchies. Responding to listener feedback on biblical masculinity, they delve into Paul's radical subversion of ancient household codes and what this means for the modern church's understanding of gender roles. Key Takeaways: • Challenging Traditional Views of Biblical Masculinity – Addressing listener questions and concerns about how the...
Nov 07, 2022•58 min
Explore how rethinking Christian Nationalism can transform the way we read scripture and engage politically. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive deep with theologian and author Kaitlyn Schiess, discussing the intersection of faith, politics, and the Bible, and how pastors and believers can navigate political issues faithfully without partisanship. Key Takeaways: Understanding Christian Nationalism – Examining the historical and modern perspectives on Christian Nationalism and its influence on Americ...
Oct 31, 2022•51 min
Mike Erre and Tim Stafford challenge the rising trend of toxic "alpha male" Christianity, unpacking how the pursuit of power and dominance contradicts the biblical understanding of masculinity. Diving deep into Genesis, they explore how true biblical manhood embraces weakness, interdependence, and community, rejecting cultural idols of power and control. Through personal stories and scriptural analysis, they reveal how enshrining the curse of dominance from the Fall distorts the Gospel and harms...
Oct 24, 2022•1 hr 25 min
How the morality police in Iran became a symbol of oppressive theocracy, and why Christians in the West must pay attention. In this special edition of Voxology we dive into the recent wave of women-led protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini. The conversation explores the historical context of Iran's revolution, the internal trauma of displacement, and the deeply personal ties Susie holds to the current uprising. They draw unsettling parallels between Iran's morality police and Weste...
Oct 17, 2022•1 hr 31 min
How the gospel disrupts political ideologies and cultural polarization—Mike and Tim sit down with pastor and author Chris Nye to explore how our faith can break free from the mental strongholds of ideology, certainty, and tribalism. Centered around themes from Nye's new book, "A Captive Mind," the conversation navigates the emotional allure of simplistic labels, the danger of reducing Christianity to hot takes, and why the foolishness of the cross matters more than ever in today's ideological la...
Oct 10, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Embrace a transformative approach to faith by exploring how love can reconstruct your spiritual journey. Dive into a profound conversation as Mike Erre and Tim Stafford engage with Matt Tebbe and Ben Sternke of Gravity Leadership to discuss their new book, "Having the Mind of Christ." Discover practical ways to embody love in your community, navigate deconstruction, and cultivate a faith that truly reflects the teachings of Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Reconstructing Faith Through Love – Understandin...
Oct 03, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Discover how Jesus' approach of sharing meals with sinners challenges traditional notions of purity and separation, and what it means for us today. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the significance of Jesus being called a "glutton and a drunkard," exploring how his radical hospitality invites us to rethink our own practices of inclusion, neighbor love, and the mission of the church. Key Takeaways: The Pharisees' Pursuit of Purity and Resurrection – Understanding how the Pharisees aimed to b...
Sep 26, 2022•56 min
Discover how to maintain a Christ-like posture amid political extremes by embracing a cruciform life. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford conclude their Culture War Series by exploring how to resist the temptation to engage in cultural battles through old creation dynamics and instead create beautiful alternatives that reflect Jesus' way. Key Takeaways: Staying Cruciform – Understanding the significance of living a life shaped by the cross and how it informs our response to political polarization. Resist...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Delving into how Jesus' response to political power challenges Christian nationalism and guides us in embracing a cruciform life amidst the culture war, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and guest pastor Susie Lind discuss the role of the church in today's polarized society. They explore what it means to stay on the cross, embody a cruciform life, and resist the temptations of power and political idolatry. Key Takeaways: Jesus' Response to Political Power – Insights from John 18 on how Jesus confronted a...
Sep 12, 2022•1 hr 45 min
Unveiling how the culture war mentality undermines authentic Christian living, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive into listener feedback to explore the tension between being faithful and being effective in today's polarized society. They discuss the challenges of engaging the world without adopting a combative stance and how embracing new creation dynamics can transform our approach to cultural conflicts. Key Takeaways: Reimagining Christian Engagement – Understanding how the pursuit of effectivene...
Sep 05, 2022•1 hr 23 min
Explore how Christians can navigate the tension between engaging in societal issues and staying faithful to Jesus's teachings without becoming entangled in culture wars. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the challenges of resisting political power grabs, addressing injustice, and embodying a Jesus-like response in a polarized world. Key Takeaways: Resisting Political Idolatry – Understanding the dangers of conflating faith with political power and how it can compromise Christian principles. ...
Aug 29, 2022•59 min
Explore how the accusations of blasphemy against Jesus reveal profound insights into His divine identity and challenge our understanding of faith today. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into biblical narratives and theological discussions, unpacking the significance of Jesus's claims to divinity and how they confront both ancient and contemporary perceptions. Key Takeaways: Understanding Blasphemy in Jesus's Time – Discover the historical context of blasphemy and why Jesus's actions and statemen...
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Explore how accusations of illegitimacy surrounding Jesus' birth reveal deeper insights into his identity and mission. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the societal implications of Jesus being referred to as Mary's son, the cultural significance of bloodlines in Jewish culture, and how these early scandals shaped his approach to the marginalized and outcasts. Key Takeaways: The Scandalous Circumstances of Jesus' Birth – Understanding how the questionable circumstances surrounding Jesus' bir...
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 6 min
Explore how recognizing God's presence in everyday moments can transform your spiritual journey. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the stories of Jacob's dream and Moses's burning bush to uncover how God often shows up in unexpected places. They discuss practical ways to awaken from spiritual sleepwalking and become more attuned to the divine in daily life. Key Takeaways: God in the Ordinary – Understanding that God is present in the mundane, not just in special times or places. Lessons from...
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 10 min
Explore how embracing cruciformity—living in the shape of the cross—transforms our understanding of Christian identity and practice. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve deep into what it means to follow Jesus's example of self-sacrificial love in a culture obsessed with power and privilege. They unpack the true meaning of "truthing in love" from Ephesians 4, challenging the common misconception of "speaking the truth in love," and examine how fear often leads us to abandon cruciform living. Key Tak...
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Exploring how rethinking evangelism transforms our invitation to others, focusing on relationship and community rather than just words or the sinner's prayer. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford tackle listener questions about the true nature of evangelism, the role of the church, and what it means to invite people into the Kingdom of God. Key Takeaways: • Beyond Niceness: Do We Need Words? – Addressing whether being kind is enough or if evangelism requires vocal witnessing. • Women as Image Bearers of G...
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Mike and Tim delve into the complexities of masculinity in the modern church, critiquing popular messages like Jordan Peterson's "Message to the Christian Churches." They explore how the New Testament's emphasis on the "one another" commands challenges the myths of self-sufficiency and individualism, highlighting the church's true mission as internal transformation and mutual support rather than exerting power over others. Key Takeaways: Critiquing Modern Masculinity Messages – Analyzing Jordan ...
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 11 min
Discover how embracing self-sacrificial love over the need for power can transform your faith journey and impact how you reflect Jesus to others. In part two of the Bearing the Name series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve deep into what it truly means to bear the name of Jesus in everyday life, moving beyond traditional evangelism to embody the beauty of Christ through actions and relationships. Key Takeaways: • Immersing in Jesus to Reflect His Image – Understanding the importance of internali...
Jul 11, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Dive into a heartfelt conversation as Pastor Bethany Nass Cseh shares her personal journey through adoption and infertility, challenging the church to rethink its approach to abortion and women's health in a post-Roe v Wade world. Discover how creating safe, supportive spaces within faith communities can transform lives and embody the true mission of Jesus. Key Takeaways: Creating Safe Spaces for Women – How the church can become a trustworthy place for women to discuss issues like abortion, mis...
Jul 04, 2022•1 hr 13 min
How rethinking "evangelism" through the lens of bearing God's name can free us from performance-driven faith and deepen our witness as everyday expressions of the kingdom. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off a new series on evangelism and what it really means to invite people into the story of Jesus. Joined by a very special co-host, Seth, this episode weaves deeply theological reflections with everyday joys (like Jacuzzis and Chick-fil-A) to introduce a profound shift in how we live out and sha...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr
Exploring how Christians can navigate their conflicted feelings about the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford discuss the complexities of power, politics, and the church's mission. They offer insights on responding thoughtfully and faithfully in divisive times, emphasizing the importance of discernment, compassion, and understanding. Key Takeaways: Christian Responses to Roe v. Wade – Wrestling with conflicting emotions and moral considerations following ...
Jun 24, 2022•40 min
How Jesus' healing encounters with corpses, hemorrhages, and skin conditions aren't abolishing purity laws—but revealing His divine power over death itself. In this fascinating conversation, Mike, Tim, Susie, and guest scholar Matthew Thiessen reshape our understanding of ritual impurity in first-century Judaism and offer fresh insight into Jesus' ministry as a radical confrontation with death, not a rejection of Jewish tradition. Thiessen—Professor at McMaster University and author of Jesus and...
Jun 20, 2022•1 hr 16 min
