Practicing reconciliation and learning how to process anger is vital to embodying the upside-down kingdom Jesus introduced in the Sermon on the Mount. Continuing their series, Mike and Tim dive into Matthew 5:21–26, exploring Jesus' stark warning that harboring contempt for others—especially in religious or political conflicts—is more dangerous than we realize. In the wake of listener feedback and a personal confrontation with their own tone in prior episodes, the hosts model public repentance w...
Aug 24, 2020•57 min
How the Voxology community can respond to the growing influence of conspiracy thinking through faithful discipleship, critical reflection, and a fresh understanding of Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. In this powerful installment of the Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford welcome Skye Jethani—author of "What If Jesus Was Serious?"—to unpack the growing grip of conspiracy theories like QAnon among Christians, why evangelical subculture is vulnerable to them, and how...
Aug 17, 2020•54 min
How the Sermon on the Mount radically redefines righteousness, challenges religious legalism, and reshapes the political imagination of the church. In part five of the Sermon on the Mount series, Mike and Tim unpack Matthew 5:17–20—one of the most theologically and politically rich passages in the entire Gospel. What does it mean for Jesus to "fulfill" the law and prophets? Why is he so adamant about not "abolishing" the Torah? And how does this reframe our understanding of justice, righteousnes...
Aug 10, 2020•1 hr 2 min
How the Sermon on the Mount radically reshapes our understanding of discipleship, power, the Church, and what it actually means to follow Jesus. In this third installment of the Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore Matthew 5:13–16—Jesus' iconic words about being salt and light—and how these metaphors confront and correct the often diluted, political, and performative expressions of modern Christianity. Far from being a call to performative evangelism or cute youth group...
Aug 03, 2020•1 hr 7 min
How the Beatitudes challenge political assumptions and offer a radical vision of Jesus's kingdom built on humility, mercy, and justice. Kicking off their Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford unpack Matthew 5:1–12 to reveal why the Beatitudes aren't ethical commands to climb, but a radical redefinition of who is truly blessed in God's kingdom. Key Takeaways: • Jesus's Beatitudes are not personal moral checklists—they are declarations of divine blessing for the poor, meek, and fo...
Jul 27, 2020•57 min
How elevating Jesus' countercultural vision in the Sermon on the Mount invites us to deconstruct politics as usual, reimagine our role as the people of God, and embody a different way of being in a divided world. Mike and Tim kick off a brand new journey through the Sermon on the Mount by laying crucial groundwork: asking how the teachings of Jesus are inherently political — not in the Republican vs. Democrat idea of politics, but in how we shape life together as communities of faith. With insig...
Jul 19, 2020•58 min
How do we know when an apology is real? What does it mean to be the Church when buildings are closed? What if the Garden of Eden wasn't the whole world? This listener Q&A episode is packed with raw honesty, timely spiritual insight, and deep theological reflection. As Mike and Tim reflect on Bonnie's new season outside the podcast and share personal moments from their marriages, they tackle the chaos of 2020—from political division to church stagnation—and respond to powerful listener questi...
Jul 13, 2020•50 min
How faith, systemic injustice, and American Christianity collide: In this powerful and raw continuation of the Exile Series, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guests Bonnie Lewis and Dr. Tim Gombis reflect deeply on the ways capitalism, white supremacy, and an individualized gospel have distorted the church's call to justice, community, and spiritual wholeness. Sharing personal stories, announcing new podcast ventures, and diving deep into difficult truths, the team examines why racial reconc...
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr 1 min
How can Christians move beyond performative allyship toward true racial reconciliation? Mike, Bonnie, and Tim are joined by Faith Brooks—director of programs at Be the Bridge—for a transformative conversation on the role of systemic racism in American culture and the Church, and how confession, repentance, and genuine community can lead us to healing. Faith shares openly about her experiences as a Black woman navigating predominantly white evangelical spaces, encountering microaggressions, and a...
Jun 29, 2020•50 min
How reimagining biblical translation can open the door to healing, spiritual restoration, and a deeper understanding of God's inclusive nature. As co-host Bonnie Lewis steps away from Voxology to launch the new Timshal Podcast, she shares her journey of authoring the groundbreaking idiomatic Bible translation "Timshal," releasing a new series diving into biblical stories with theological, literary, and psychological depth. In this episode, Mike, Tim, and Bonnie celebrate a season of growth while...
Jun 22, 2020•1 hr 4 min
How the pandemic exposes our certainty, drives us deeper into faith, and invites us to rediscover God's mercy, justice, and holiness with biblical theologian Walter Brueggemann. In this rich and heartfelt episode, Mike, Tim, and Bonnie welcome Dr. Brueggemann—one of the most prolific theological voices of our time—for an unforgettable conversation on God, suffering, community, and courageous imagination. At 87, Brueggemann challenges us to reconsider what we think we know about the Bible, divine...
Jun 15, 2020•41 min
How the church's complicity in white supremacy distorts the gospel—and how to confront it with humility and courage. Mike, Tim, and Bonnie sit down with pastor, author, and diversity trainer Brit Barron for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about race, justice, theology, and the responsibility of the church in a time of social upheaval. Drawing on her personal experiences as a queer woman of color, former megachurch pastor, and co-pastor of the inclusive community New Abbey in Pasadena, ...
Jun 08, 2020•56 min
Standing in collective lament and solidarity, this episode features a moment of silence and protest as part of the podcast blackout movement—recognizing the loss of Black lives due to police brutality. Tim Stafford speaks on behalf of the Voxology community to affirm their commitment to listening, learning, and mourning with those who grieve. By naming the victims, this episode becomes a space of remembrance and protest against systemic injustice. Key Themes: • Honoring the lives lost to racial ...
Jun 02, 2020•3 min
How reframing the gospel as the enthronement of King Jesus—not just personal forgiveness—transforms our understanding of salvation, faith, and the mission of the church. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by theologian and author Dr. Matthew Bates to uncover how early Christian proclamations of the gospel centered on Jesus' kingship, not just his atonement. This episode dives deep into controversial theological waters, challenging common evangelical interpretations of faith, grace, salvation,...
Jun 01, 2020•54 min
How the spiritual vision rooted in Isaiah and Micah, combined with raw grassroots action, is reshaping the modern American conversation around gun violence. Shane Claiborne joins Mike Erre and Tim Stafford for a moving conversation about gun reform, Christian nonviolence, and the community-driven approach to peacemaking that challenges systems of fear and violence. This episode explores how proximity to suffering awakens faith into action and provides a prophetic witness to what it means to foll...
May 25, 2020•45 min
How the Beatitudes in Matthew reveal a radical, countercultural path to human flourishing—offering a lasting peace and joy our culture can't replicate. Mike, Tim, and Bonnie welcome pastor and author Jonathan Dodson for an in-depth conversation around his book "Our Good Crisis: Overcoming Moral Chaos with the Beatitudes." Together, they unpack the meaning behind Jesus's powerful moral vision, juxtapose it with America's obsession with self-fulfillment, and explore how spiritual poverty, grief, m...
May 18, 2020•52 min
A reflection-driven conversation unpacks key questions raised by the "God Is Not In Control" series with Dr. Timothy Gombis and Dr. Peter Enns. Hosts Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie Lewis revisit listener feedback, dive deep into the theology of prayer, biblical lament, supernatural healing, and the nuance of divine sovereignty. Using the Lord's Prayer and Psalms as guideposts, they explore how Christians are called to pray with humility, hope, and honesty—even when answers don't come as exp...
May 11, 2020•48 min
How reframing the Bible as a companion of wisdom rather than a rulebook can transform your faith and bring fresh insight into spiritual growth, deconstruction, and the struggles of modern Christianity. Featuring a deep and thought-provoking conversation with author, scholar, and podcaster Pete Enns, this episode from Voxology reflects on how scripture, community, and divine mystery guide us through seasons of doubt and spiritual evolution. Key Takeaways: • Reclaiming the Bible After Deconstructi...
May 04, 2020•1 hr 24 min
What if the chaos we fear is part of the invitation? In part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Timothy Gombis—aka "Freaking Gombis"—we go deep into the mystery and discomfort of prayer during crisis. Picking up where Part 1 left off, Gombis stuns the crew with a bold observation about God's posture in the midst of suffering and unanswered prayer, leading to a rich exploration of lament, divine sovereignty, and the church's calling in a broken world. From Romans 8 to Psalm 44 to punk bands and Bob ...
Apr 27, 2020•38 min
A candid and provocative conversation with theologian Dr. Tim Gombis kicks off a special four-part series unraveling one of Christianity's most common yet misunderstood phrases: "God is in control." In this first episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie Lewis explore what it actually means to say that God is sovereign, and why saying "God is in control" may hinder rather than help a healthy understanding of suffering, divine action, and human vocation. Gombis challenges us to take seriously ...
Apr 20, 2020•44 min
How viewing Jesus through the lens of first-century Judaism can enrich faith, correct common misconceptions, and reshape our understanding of the New Testament. In this highly engaging and eye-opening episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie are joined by New Testament scholar and Jewish academic Dr. Amy-Jill Levine (aka "AJ") to explore how Jesus' Jewish context clarifies theology, deepens spiritual practice, and invites a reexamination of the Christian narrative. Dr. Levine, University Pro...
Apr 13, 2020•1 hr 14 min
How the ancient themes of Passover, liberation, and wilderness speak directly into our lives during a global pandemic. Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev joins Bonnie, Mike, and Tim for a powerful and timely conversation that explores the Hebrew prophetic tradition and how its liberative framework can offer hope, transformation, and solidarity in the face of disruption and isolation. Drawing from his book, The Liberating Path of the Hebrew Prophets Then and Now, Ward-Lev invites listeners to rediscover the bi...
Apr 06, 2020•1 hr 11 min
How embracing the Enneagram as a tool for spiritual formation and self-understanding can deepen your empathy, reshape your identity, and lead you toward relational and emotional wholeness. Bonnie and Tim are joined by Enneagram coach and spiritual director Annie Dimond, who brings a rich, narrative-based understanding of the Enneagram to this dynamic conversation. Broadcasting from her farmhouse in Scotland—where she moonlights as a yoga teacher and soon-to-be lambing shepherdess—Annie dives dee...
Mar 30, 2020•1 hr 16 min
Responding to a cultural moment that disrupted daily rhythms, community gatherings, and global certainty, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie Lewis come together in a special quarantine episode to ask four essential questions: What do we believe God is doing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? What is being exposed in us, our culture, and the Church? What does faithful witness look like right now? And how can communities like Voxology step up during a crisis? Exploring both personal and theol...
Mar 27, 2020•51 min
A powerful and deeply personal follow-up to episode 224 ("Together in Process"), this conversation invites listeners into the real-time journey of healing, restoration, and redemption. Mike Erre returns to share openly about his months-long process of owning his failures, confronting entrenched patterns of shame, and embracing the hard work of inner transformation. With contributions from co-hosts Bonnie and Tim, this episode models courageous vulnerability, celebrates emotionally healthy spirit...
Mar 23, 2020•56 min
How the theology of "hopeful inclusion" and a reimagined understanding of judgment can expand your vision of redemption, freedom, and the character of God. In this eye-opening conversation, author and theologian Brad Jersak joins Voxology to discuss his acclaimed book, "Her Gates Will Never Be Shut," which explores biblical and historical perspectives on hell, divine judgment, and the ultimate redemption of all things. Brad shares how a deeper dive into scripture, the early church fathers, and t...
Mar 16, 2020•1 hr 22 min
How artifacts like broken pottery, ancient bread ovens, and fingerprints in clay awaken us to the real lives and faith of biblical peoples—and what that means for us today. Tim and Bonnie welcome Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott, professor of Hebrew Bible and archaeology at William Jessup University, to talk all things context—biblical genre, ancient family structures, and why daily life matters just as much as kings and temples when reading scripture. Dr. Cynthia brings fresh perspective through her ...
Mar 09, 2020•1 hr 21 min
Discover how perfect love, humble conviction, and courageous listening can help Christians engage politics without being divisive. Mike, Tim, and Bonnie welcome author, pastor, and activist Eugene Cho to talk about his new book, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian's Guide to Engaging Politics . They dig into what it looks like to bring thoughtful, compassionate discipleship into political engagement in an era of fear, outrage, and division. The group explores what it means to love our neighbor...
Mar 02, 2020•48 min
How the biblical pattern of liberation empowers us to confront economic injustice, redefine power, and co-create a more just world. In this dynamic episode of Voxology, Bonnie and Tim are joined by Don Golden—author, activist, theologian, and leader in faith-centered impact investing. Don brings decades of experience in international relief, political advocacy, and theological reflection to guide a conversation that challenges listeners to think deeply about what it means to be God's liberating ...
Feb 24, 2020•1 hr 6 min
How rethinking sexuality beyond purity culture can lead to healing, empowerment, and deeper intimacy. Bonnie and Tim are joined by sexologist Dr. Celeste Holbrook for an honest, hilarious, and deeply needed conversation about disentangling shame, reframing abstinence, and reclaiming sexual wholeness within a Jesus-centered framework. Key Takeaways: • Separating Purity Culture from Abstinence – Why defining abstinence by fear and shame is damaging, and how making informed, autonomous decisions em...
Feb 17, 2020•1 hr 15 min
