Gain theological insight into one of Christianity's most complex and debated doctrines as Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by theologian, author, and scholar Dr. Preston Sprinkle for an honest, in-depth conversation about the biblical views of hell. Drawing from his extensive study and his role as editor of the book "Four Views on Hell," Preston breaks down how Scripture has been interpreted through church history, discusses the implications of eternal conscious torment, annihilation, and u...
Jan 16, 2017•1 hr 4 min
What happens when church culture rewards appearance over transformation and silence over honesty? In this brutally honest and deeply reflective episode, Mike Erre and Andy Bear tackle a listener's request to unpack the issue of infidelity among church leaders and why it may be more common—or at least more hidden—than we'd like to admit. Reflecting on personal experience, witness to spiritual leaders who have fallen publicly, and a dysfunctional worship team dress code, the conversation explores ...
Jan 07, 2017•1 hr 5 min
A heartfelt wrap-up to a remarkable year of the Voxology Podcast, as Mike Erre shares gratitude for the incredible support, growing community, and the conversations that have shaped the last twelve months. On this special solo episode, Mike records an intimate update on what's ahead for Voxology in 2023, including new series exploring tough questions about prayer, suffering, and being "embarrassed by the Bible." And as a bonus, he offers a humorous and moving original year-end Christmas poem, re...
Dec 26, 2016•8 min
How specific feedback, honest critique, and cultural engagement can help reimagine the Church's role in a changing world. In this open and deeply introspective episode, Mike Erre and Andy unbox some recent listener feedback with striking vulnerability—addressing head-on the accusations of church-bashing, ambiguity around biblical truth, and the challenge of speaking tough topics in a way that honors both grace and truth. Using a listener email as a springboard, the conversation unfolds around to...
Dec 19, 2016•46 min
What if the path to knowing God is wider, richer, and more mysterious than we've assumed? This episode of Voxology takes a deep dive into the controversial question: is Jesus really the only way to God? Prompted by a listener email and a candid conversation between two brothers, Mike Erre and Andy dismantle simplistic formulas of salvation and exclusivism—offering a vision of God's redemptive work that is bigger than Christian categories. Drawing from Scripture, theology, and real-life stories, ...
Dec 12, 2016•1 hr 8 min
How can the church navigate LGBTQ conversations without reducing them to binary stances? Mike and Andy break down one of Voxology's most foundational and pressing topics—what it means to be a faith community that is welcoming, inclusive, and mutually transformative. Drawing from years of wrestling in both the podcast and the local Vox community, they respond to a prominent article that challenges the idea of "agreeing to disagree" on homosexuality within the church. Mike shares personal insights...
Dec 05, 2016•58 min
Unpacking the theological and cultural roots of why many Christians have ignored or resisted environmental issues, Mike and Andy answer a listener's question from a post-Thanksgiving Facebook group that's diving into faith, science, and the planet. Drawing on the Genesis creation narrative and the biblical theme of heaven and earth, they explore why the church should lead the charge in caring for creation, and what's at stake when we don't. This episode takes a deep dive into the biblical framew...
Nov 28, 2016•48 min
How the church can resist political captivity and rediscover its core mission of peacemaking, reconciliation, and countercultural witness in a divided and fearful post-election landscape. In this cornerstone conversation between Mike Erre and Andy Bear, the spotlight turns to white evangelical support of Donald Trump, Christian identity in modern America, and how Jesus followers can truly live into their call as agents of peace—not partisanship. Taking a candid look at the tension between cultur...
Nov 21, 2016•59 min
How can Jesus followers respond meaningfully and compassionately in the wake of a deeply polarizing presidential election? Mike Erre and Andy reflect on the day after the 2016 U.S. election—just hours after Donald Trump was elected president—to offer a timely pastoral conversation about what it means to be peacemakers when the nation feels fractured. With powerful insights grounded in the teachings of Jesus, they discuss how grief, empathy, repentance, and prophetic witness must shape our respon...
Nov 10, 2016•45 min
A candid, wide-ranging conversation with Mike Erre and Andy as they tackle a grab bag of honest and often unspoken questions from listeners about sex, marriage, singleness, divorce, and gender identity. With humor, vulnerability, and a deep reverence for both Scripture and lived experience, this Q&A episode pulls back the curtain on real Christian struggles in today's complicated cultural landscape. Drawing from listener-submitted questions, Mike and Andy unpack how to talk to your kids abou...
Nov 07, 2016•58 min
How can Christians approach elections without compromising the way of Jesus? Live from Villain Studios, Mike Erre and Andy unpack how Jesus invites his followers to engage politically—not as loyalists to political platforms, but as citizens of a radically different kingdom. In this fifth installment of the "Jesus & Politics" series, they challenge the fusion of faith and nationalism, explore how kingdom allegiance transcends party lines, and ask the tough question: what if how we carry ourse...
Oct 31, 2016•1 hr 19 min
How honest is too honest when it comes to faith, mental illness, and ministry? In this revealing conversation, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford sit down with Joey Svenson—pastor, podcaster (Bad Christian, Pastor With No Answers), and author of the raw and unflinching memoir "Fundamentalist"—to explore how extreme fundamentalism and OCD collided in his early faith journey, how he found healing, and why he believes radical vulnerability is essential to authentic Christianity. Mike and Tim reflect on the...
Oct 24, 2016•1 hr 2 min
How forgiveness transforms, heals, and awakens us to the radical grace of Jesus—even when reconciliation seems impossible. In this milestone 50th episode, Mike and Andy reflect on the podcast's evolution, exciting upcoming changes, and dive into one of the most nuanced and powerful teachings of Jesus: forgiveness. Whether you've been wounded by the church, suffered spiritual trauma, or wrestled with resentment, this conversation offers a deeply honest look at what forgiveness is—and what it isn'...
Oct 14, 2016•58 min
How the church can still be a place of healing, transformation, and deep belonging—even when it's broken. Part three of the "Why We're Leaving the Church" series dives deep into personal stories across generations, offering a raw and hopeful conversation on why many still choose to stay, participate, and even lead within the church despite its failures and contradictions. Mike Erre, Andy, and Izzy reflect on the struggles, disappointments, and transformative beauty of church life. From hypocriti...
Oct 14, 2016•51 min
How the church has lost its witness by prioritizing culture wars, misrepresenting love, and failing to embody the radical, self-giving love of Jesus — and why it matters. In this honest and provocative conversation, Mike Erre, Andy, and Izzy Ray dive deep into the next two points from the widely shared blog post "Dear Church, Here's Why People Are Leaving You," exploring the disconnect between the Church's messaging and Jesus' own heart for people. This is Part 2 of the "Dear Church" series. Whe...
Oct 03, 2016•1 hr
How can the church reclaim its prophetic voice and connect deeply in a generation disillusioned by performance, image, and control? That's the question Mike Erre, Andy, and special guest Izzy Ray tackle in this candid and heartfelt conversation. Prompted by John Pavlovitz's article "Dear Church, Here's Why People Are Really Leaving You," the trio explores what it means to be authentic in ecclesial spaces, challenge the production model of church gatherings, and create communities that honor real...
Sep 20, 2016•1 hr 1 min
How our modern values—individualism, narcissism, personal fulfillment—affect the way we read Scripture without even realizing it. Mike and Andy dig into the deep waters of biblical context, revealing how understanding the world of the New Testament changes how we interpret its message today. This episode helps listeners move beyond a flat reading of Scripture by uncovering the massive cultural, linguistic, and worldview gaps between our modern assumptions and the Bible's original context. Drawin...
Sep 14, 2016•1 hr 18 min
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...
Sep 14, 2016•1 hr 2 min
Unpacking one of the most misunderstood elements of the Bible, Mike Erre and Andy explore how seemingly oppressive passages on household roles—particularly around women, slavery, and children—can actually be understood as revolutionary in their original cultural context. Episode 44 walks through a compelling thought experiment rooted in modern-day Saudi Arabia to reframe the function of the New Testament's household codes within a Roman Empire driven by patriarchy and social hierarchy. This epis...
Sep 14, 2016•1 hr 7 min
What makes a text "sacred"? Can stories like Harry Potter or Star Wars function as modern scripture? Mike Erre and Andy explore the viral rise of "Harry Potter and the Sacred Text," a podcast treating J.K. Rowling's novels the way Christians treat the Bible—and use it as a springboard to tackle big questions about sacred texts, biblical authority, and how Jesus actually interpreted the Old Testament. This is Part 2 of the ongoing Godless Series, where Mike responds to critiques from a thoughtful...
Sep 14, 2016•1 hr 8 min
Can a non-affirming Christian hold space for LGBTQ+ voices with humility and grace? Can thoughtful atheism provoke deeper faith? Mike and Andy reflect on powerful listener feedback—one from a 20-year-old gay Christian named Jeremy, and another from "Godless," an atheist guest host—and begin a deep dive into the critiques both raised about the Bible, theology, and the church's engagement with real people. Through Jeremy's compelling and vulnerable email, the conversation explores the complexities...
Sep 14, 2016•1 hr
How can Christians maintain both conviction and compassion in conversations about LGBTQ identity, theology, and inclusion? Episode 41 of the LGBTQ Conversations series explores this critical tension through a raw, honest, and grace-filled response to a deeply personal email from a listener named "Jeremy." Mike and Andy seek to create space for both affirming and non-affirming Christians to remain united in Jesus, emphasizing empathy, listening, and love over litmus tests of belief. In this vulne...
Sep 14, 2016•43 min
A vulnerable and wide-ranging discussion on the complexities of faith, doubt, and identity as Mike Erre and Andy sit down for a powerful conversation with a guest known online as "Godless"—a self-described agnostic atheist. Raised Catholic, born again in the Assemblies of God youth group, and now an outspoken skeptic, Godless walks us through his unexpected spiritual evolution. With humor, intelligence, and empathy, this episode unpacks how one loses belief, wrestles with deep existential questi...
Sep 14, 2016•1 hr 22 min
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 refl...
Sep 14, 2016•47 min
How a biblical vision of justice rooted in Shalom can inform our response to racial injustice, collective iniquity, and the pursuit of healing in a fractured culture. Mike and Andy dive deep into what it means to embody Jesus's call to peacemaking amid systemic inequity, prejudice, and social unrest. This powerful episode sheds light on how the Church can participate in healing generations of injustice—not through political posturing, but by carrying wholeness into the frayed fabric of our socie...
Sep 14, 2016•57 min
How does the Book of Job challenge our assumptions about suffering, divine will, and justice? Continuing their Suffering Series, Mike Erre and Andy Lara navigate the emotional, cultural, and theological complexities of recent tragic events—particularly the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile—while asking the deeper question: Does God cause suffering? Using the poetic narrative of Job as their backdrop, Mike and Andy wrestle with misleading Christian clichés ("God gives ...
Sep 14, 2016•52 min
Exploring how a scared world needs a fearless church, Mike Erre takes a deep and unflinching look at the growing entanglement between American evangelicalism and political power in this episode of the Subversive Kingdom Series. Drawing from the controversial 2016 meeting between Donald Trump and prominent evangelical leaders, Mike questions what it means for Christians to align themselves with political figures out of fear rather than faith. Through sharp critique, biblical insight, and passiona...
Sep 14, 2016•1 hr 1 min
A bold exploration into one of the most unsettling theological questions: does God cause evil and suffering? Mike Erre and Andy Lara kick off this deep-dive theological series by confronting the reformed doctrine of meticulous sovereignty—popularized by groups like The Gospel Coalition—and its claim that God not only allows but ordains suffering to achieve his glory. With humor, thoughtfulness, and academic grounding, Mike outlines an alternative view that reflects God's goodness more compelling...
Sep 14, 2016•59 min
How the biblical practice of public lament can help us confront communal tragedy, own our complicity, and embody compassionate presence in a hurting world. In this emotional and reflective episode, Mike Erre and Andy process an extraordinarily painful week of violence, including the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. They explore the responsibility of Jesus followers to grieve publicly, speak honestly, and lament alongside marginalized communities rather than hijack grief for politics or theol...
Sep 14, 2016•59 min
How should followers of Jesus respond to the ever-growing outrage culture consuming our news cycles and social media feeds? Mike Erre and Andy unpack the tension between righteous anger and destructive outrage, using powerful examples from Jesus' life to explore what holy anger looks like—and how we can engage with it in ways that lead to healing, not harm. This deeply relevant episode asks the hard questions: Who was Jesus actually angry at? What did He do with His anger? And how can Jesus' mod...
Sep 14, 2016•1 hr 14 min
