Delve into the powerful history and universal impact of "Amazing Grace" as Tim explores how this timeless hymn transcends cultural, religious, and social boundaries. Through the transformative journey of its author, John Newton, we uncover themes of grace, justice, and shared humanity, reflecting on how grace invites us into God's ongoing vision for the world. Key Takeaways: • John Newton's Transformation – From slave trader to abolitionist, and how his life experiences shaped "Amazing Grace." •...
Feb 09, 2023•32 min
Discover how transforming the culture of policing can lead to a more just and dignified society, as Mike Erre and Tim Stafford sit down with Nick Sensley, CEO of the Institute for American Policing Reform. Learn about practical steps towards meaningful reform, the importance of community engagement, and how embracing human dignity can reshape law enforcement in America. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Police Culture – How entrenched cultural norms within law enforcement contribute to systemic iss...
Feb 06, 2023•1 hr 22 min
Unpacking how debunking the myths of dispensationalism and embracing a more faithful interpretation of Revelation can transform your understanding of the end times and challenge the roots of Christian nationalism. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve deep into the history and theological flaws of dispensationalism, discussing how popular interpretations like the Left Behind series have distorted the true message of Revelation and contributed to unhealthy ideologies within Christianity. Key Takeaways...
Jan 30, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Discover how re-examining the Book of Revelation can challenge and dismantle the harmful ideologies of Christian nationalism. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford begin a new series that aims to reclaim Revelation from misuse and unpack its true message of hope, comfort, and allegiance to Jesus in times of marginalization. Key Takeaways: • Introducing the Revelation Series – Starting a deep dive into the Book of Revelation, focusing on its relevance today. • Confronting Christian Nationalism – Exploring h...
Jan 23, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Mike and Tim engage with New Testament scholar Tim Gombis to explore how our traditional understanding of the gospel might be missing the radical message of Jesus's Kingdom. They discuss the limitations of a transactional approach to faith and delve into how Jesus's teachings in the Gospel of Mark challenge our expectations, both then and now. This conversation kicks off a new series focused on rediscovering the Kingdom message in today's context. Key Takeaways: Moving Beyond Transactional Faith...
Jan 16, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Delving into the impact of celebrity culture on the church, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford engage with author and journalist Katelyn Beaty to discuss her book "Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits are Hurting the Church." They explore how the pursuit of platform and influence can undermine authentic Christian community, lead to scandals, and distort the gospel message. Key Takeaways: • Understanding the Dark Side of Celebrity Culture in the Church – How celebrity dynamics cont...
Jan 09, 2023•58 min
Explore how facing church scandals through genuine repentance and embracing healthy transitions can lead to a revitalized and authentic faith community. Join hosts Mike Erre and Tim Stafford, along with guest Susie Lind, as they delve into the challenges of event-driven church models, the complexities of leaving a church gracefully, and a critical analysis of Christianity Today's Top 20 Stories of 2022 to uncover what it means for the future of the church. Key Takeaways: • The Need for Genuine R...
Jan 02, 2023•1 hr 12 min
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