Unpacking how the distorted gospel we've inherited may be enabling spiritual hypocrisy rather than cultivating Christlike transformation, Mike and Tim continue the Sermon on the Mount Series by diving into Jesus' sobering words in Luke 12. From confronting religious duplicity to reframing what it means to be "saved," this episode explores how the yeast of hypocrisy infects individuals and institutions—and what living in true covenant with Jesus actually looks like. This conversation invites us t...
Nov 16, 2020•59 min
How the early church's proclamation that "Jesus is Lord" became a radical act of resistance—and how today, it's at risk of becoming a hollow cliché. Mike and Tim push back against spiritual bypassing, toxic positivity, and performative righteousness in this honest conversation about political polarization, theological language, and what it really means to live the Sermon on the Mount in modern America. They dive into the origins of hypocrisy, the performative nature of modern faith, and invite l...
Nov 09, 2020•1 hr 3 min
Could the way we've been taught to vote "pro-life" actually undermine the outcomes we most desire? Continuing the Exile Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by Holy Post co-host and author Skye Jethani for a challenging and eye-opening conversation around abortion, presidential politics, and Christian ethics. Together, they examine whether single-issue voting on abortion—particularly in presidential elections—actually aligns with a holistic pro-life ethic and Kingdom values. Skye brings...
Nov 02, 2020•52 min
How the rhythms of modern political culture are shaping Christians more deeply than we realize—and how faithful discipleship calls for a radical reimagining of our political engagement. In this special election-season conversation, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by author and theologian Kaitlyn Schiess to explore the core ideas from her provocative book, "The Liturgy of Politics." They dive into how media habits, partisan narratives, and cultural assumptions form us daily—and why spiritua...
Oct 26, 2020•36 min
What does it look like to engage politically in a way rooted in the cross and not coercion? In this special bonus episode from the archives, Mike Erre continues the "Faith & Politics" series by diving deep into the transformative implications of Paul's conversion—for both the early church and our modern political landscape. Drawing from Paul's radical encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Mike explores how the Apostle's understanding of politics, salvation, nationalism, and power und...
Oct 22, 2020•30 min
How the "deeper righteousness" of the kingdom defies religious performance, upends cultural norms, and reveals a radical vision for the Church's role today. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford return to their series on the Sermon on the Mount, offering a deep-dive reflection into Matthew 5 and setting the stage for chapter 6. Reframing righteousness as something more than performative piety, this episode highlights how Jesus redefines power, purity, and politics in his upside-down kingdom. Along the way,...
Oct 19, 2020•1 hr 2 min
How can Christians engage in politics without becoming partisans? In this double-feature episode—an encore from two years ago—Mike Erre revisits the roots of faith, power, and politics with new context for our current cultural moment. Drawing from Tim Gombis, Michael Goheen, and N.T. Wright, Mike reframes Paul's theology as inherently political, uncovering how early church teachings speak directly into the chaos of today's polarized political climate. This is the first two parts of the Faith and...
Oct 15, 2020•1 hr 1 min
How to reshape your spiritual and relational life through the revolutionary ethic of enemy love, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. In this installment of the Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore Jesus' transformative call to love our enemies—a command that challenges deeply embedded cultural and religious narratives, and redefines what it truly means to embody the character of God. Key Takeaways: • Beyond Sentimentality – Why biblical love isn't about feeli...
Oct 12, 2020•45 min
How a deeper understanding of American history, systemic injustice, and evangelical complicity can help Christians live out the gospel in today's racially charged culture. Mike and Tim sit down with Phil Vischer—creator of VeggieTales, co-host of The Holy Post Podcast, and cultural commentator—to walk through the historical realities that shaped our current racial divide and the church's role in both perpetuating and healing those wounds. This episode is a powerful call for Christians—especially...
Oct 05, 2020•1 hr 11 min
Discover how Jesus dismantles the ancient law of revenge and invites us into a countercultural way of living rooted in honor, humility, and creative nonviolence. In the seventh installment of the Exile Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore Jesus's teaching in Matthew 5:38–42, diving deep into the cultural context of "eye for an eye," unpacking how the Kingdom of God turns the law of reciprocity upside down. Using vivid biblical examples—from Samson and the endless cycles of vengeance in Jud...
Sep 28, 2020•53 min
What does it look like to be a people of radical honesty in a culture built on manipulation, spin, and social performance? In this continuation of the Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford unpack one of Jesus's seemingly simple yet deeply subversive teachings: letting your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no. Using Matthew 5:33–37 as a launch point, they explore how oath taking in the ancient world functioned as a tool for verbal manipulation and how Jesus cuts straight through tha...
Sep 21, 2020•1 hr 1 min
Explore how Jesus confronts divorce and remarriage in first-century Jewish culture by exposing the double standards that marginalized women and distorted God's vision of marriage. Continuing the Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford break down Matthew 5 and Matthew 19, unpacking Jesus's radical reinterpretation of Deuteronomy 24 and its implications for relationships, gender roles, lust, adultery, and the grace of God's Kingdom. Rather than offering a rigid rulebook, Jesus refra...
Sep 14, 2020•58 min
How reimagining Jesus' teaching on lust liberates us from shame, reframes desire, and challenges harmful patterns in purity culture. Continuing their Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford break down one of Jesus' most misinterpreted instructions, engaging with the Greek text, touching on double standards around adultery, and wrestling with the weight of toxic sexuality within the church. Through blunt honesty and biblical exegesis, they uncover a subversive call to holiness—a ho...
Sep 07, 2020•54 min
A deep-dive into the assumptions behind modern evangelism and the true meaning of discipleship as explored through the Great Commission. Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and New Testament scholar Dr. Timothy Gombis unpack how biblical calls to faithfulness, community, and embodied kingdom living have been distorted by individualistic and results-driven evangelistic models. Drawing from Matthew, Paul's letters, and early church history, this episode challenges prevailing interpretations and explores how ...
Aug 31, 2020•53 min
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
