How the biblical blueprint for justice offers a practical and powerful vision for reimagining community, equity, and generosity. In this compelling episode of the Exile Series, Mike and Tim are joined by longtime friend and justice advocate Sarah Pecan Driver to explore what it means to faithfully pursue the restoration of shalom. Drawing deeply from Scripture and her 26 years of domestic and international experience in social policy, Sarah unpacks six biblical pillars of justice—from economic r...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 5 min
How reframing grace as a radical, social equalizer challenges cultural power systems and reshapes the church's role in a fractured world. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford continue the Exile Series by unpacking how American nationalism distorts the purpose of the church—and how the book of Ephesians offers a subversive vision of identity rooted in Christ, not country. Drawing on theologians like Lee Camp, Caitlin Schess, and John Barclay, this episode critically examines how partisan politics twist scr...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 8 min
How the early church responded to injustice offers a roadmap for communities struggling to embody Christ's vision of transformation and Shalom today. Mike and Tim dive deep into real examples from Acts, 1 Corinthians, and Galatians to reveal how the early Christians addressed systemic injustice across ethnic, economic, and cultural lines—while pointing to what it means to live out political engagement by being the church. Referencing powerful historical texts and contemporary critiques, includin...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Exploring how to keep hope alive in overwhelming times and the church's role in restoring Shalom and unity amidst despair. Unpacking Ephesians 2, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford discuss practical ways to overcome feelings of helplessness by engaging in community action and embracing a holistic understanding of sin and salvation. Key Takeaways: Finding Hope Through Action – How engaging in local community efforts can alleviate feelings of despair and helplessness. Restoring Shalom – Understanding the ...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Exploring how reframing sin and salvation as communal realities can transform our understanding of justice, community, and the mission of the church in today's world, Mike and Tim dive deep into the implications of being a community of justice and shalom while continuing their Exile Series. Key Takeaways: • Sin and Salvation as Communal Concepts – Understanding the importance of viewing sin and salvation beyond individualism, emphasizing the corporate dimensions within the church. • The Role of ...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 13 min
Explore how recognizing sin and salvation as communal realities empowers the church to become a beacon of justice and shalom in a divided world. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the deep-seated issues within modern Christianity, examining the dichotomy between individualistic and communal understandings of faith. They discuss how embracing a communal approach to sin and salvation calls us to prioritize justice, mercy, and empathy as core elements of following Jesus. Key Takeaways: • The Com...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Explore how Christians can resist the allure of political power, understand the biblical call to live as exiles, and rediscover the transformative impact of being the church in a polarized society. Key Takeaways: • Resisting Political Idolatry – Understanding the dangers of aligning Christianity with political parties and leaders. • Embracing Exile – How the biblical concept of exile shapes the church's posture in today's world. • Living the One Another Commands – The importance of internal tran...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Mike and Tim unveil the revolutionary ways Jesus navigated oppressive systems by balancing submission and subversion, and how this approach empowers us to confront modern challenges with wisdom and courage. Key Takeaways: • The Submissive-Subversive Tension – Understanding how Jesus embodied both submission to authority and subversion of oppressive power structures, providing a model for us today. • Deep Dive into the Herod Family – Exploring the complex dynamics between Jesus and the Herod dyna...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 5 min
An insightful exploration of how Christians can navigate political engagement in a democratic society while embracing their identity as exiles. Mike and Tim dive deep into the church's role in politics, discussing whether Christians should seek to transform society through laws and policies or focus on embodying the kingdom of God within their communities. They respond to Sky Jethani's thoughtful critiques, bringing fresh perspectives to the conversation about power, politics, and faith. Key Tak...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Explore how embracing an exile identity reshapes Christian allegiance, hope, and posture toward government. Mike and Tim delve into lessons from the Book of Acts on how redefining our political identity as exiles can help us navigate the partisan landscape with a focus on the Kingdom of God. Key Takeaways: • Redefining Political Allegiance – Understanding how adopting an exile identity shifts our primary allegiance from partisan politics to the Kingdom of God. • Reconfiguring Hope – Discussing h...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore how the biblical concept of exile shapes the church's political identity today, drawing lessons from Jeremiah 29 and 1 Peter. Discover how being a "holy nation" and "exiles" informs how Christians can navigate modern society by balancing submission to authorities with a distinct kingdom identity. Key Takeaways: • Exile as a Political Identity – Understanding the implications of living as exiles in contemporary society. • Lessons from Jeremiah 29 – Learning from...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Mike and Tim take a deep dive into the concept of exile and what it means for the Church today. They unpack Israel's political identity as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests, and how these ancient practices can inform and transform the way we live out our faith in the modern world. From rethinking notions of kingship and power to challenging economic and social norms, they explore how embracing God's upside-down Kingdom can help us resist the allure of worldly power and wealth. Key Takeaways...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 2 min
This episode, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore how listener feedback on hospitality and racial injustice invites us to reassess the church's approach to embodying the radical, self-sacrificial politics of Jesus' upside-down kingdom. Key Takeaways: Redefining Biblical Hospitality – Understanding hospitality as systemic inclusion, not just individual kindness, and its implications for the church today. Confronting Systemic Racism in the Church – Acknowledging and addressing the racial biases and...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Exploring how the Kingdom of God challenges political idolatry and offers a transformative vision of public faith beyond partisan divides. Mike and Tim delve into the multifaceted experience of exile—not only as humans and followers of Jesus but also feeling alienated from aspects of modern Christianity. Discover how Jesus' announcement of the Kingdom reshapes our understanding of politics, community, and what it means to live out a holistic, public faith today. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Ex...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Discover how the teachings of Jesus and Paul on hospitality can guide us in navigating political divisions within the church. Join Mike Erre and Tim Stafford as they engage in a thought-provoking conversation with New Testament scholar Dr. Timothy Gombis, exploring the limits of biblical hospitality and how to practice radical inclusion and love in times of division. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Biblical Hospitality – Unpacking the biblical meaning of hospitality as love of the stranger, roote...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Discover how embracing weakness, humility, and hospitality can transform your approach to church and community. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford challenge traditional church models, inviting you to explore alternative ways of gathering that reflect the true mission of Jesus. Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on power dynamics, the significance of the Lord's Supper, and Paul's vision of the new humanity in Ephesians. Key Takeaways: • Redefining Church Community – Why moving beyond traditional mo...
Nov 25, 2024•58 min
Mike and Tim dive into the challenges many believers face when churches become too political. Reading listener emails, they explore how to find a church that prioritizes faith over partisan politics. They discuss how to separate pastors' personal political views from their spiritual leadership and share practical advice on building Christ-centered communities that embody the teachings of Jesus amidst political divisions. Key Takeaways: • Recognizing When Politics Overstep in Church – Understandi...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Join Mike Erre and Tim Stafford as they immerse themselves in a powerful reading of the Sermon on the Mount from Eugene Peterson's The Message translation. Experience Jesus' profound teachings in Matthew 5-7 presented in fresh, contemporary language that brings new life to these timeless words. Mike and Tim reflect on how this revitalized perspective deepens their understanding of living under Christ's kingship and impacts their faith journey. Key Takeaways: • A Fresh Encounter with Jesus' Teach...
Nov 13, 2024•21 min
Explore how the church's desire for political saviors mirrors Israel's demand for a king in 1 Samuel, leading to political idolatry in today's context. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the implications of the 2024 election results, analyzing the dangers of merging faith with politics. They emphasize the timeless wisdom of the Sermon on the Mount as a guide for Christians navigating political division and finding hope beyond earthly leaders. Key Takeaways: • Political Idolatry in Modern Chri...
Nov 11, 2024•1 hr 15 min
Mike, Tim, and special guest Pastor Suzie Lind engage in a candid conversation about the intricate relationship between faith, politics, and gender roles in today's society. They explore how political rhetoric shapes perceptions of masculinity, the impact on both men and women within the church, and the pitfalls of aligning faith too closely with political power. Drawing from historical contexts and personal experiences, they offer insightful perspectives on navigating the political landscape wh...
Nov 04, 2024•56 min
Mike and Tim are joined by members of the Voxology community in a live recording to delve into the intersections of ancient scripture and modern culture. They discuss Brian Zahnd's "The Christian Voter's Guide," Tim's eye-opening experience at a Moms for Liberty event, and how fear is wielded in politics today. Returning to Genesis 4, they explore the escalating nature of sin and its relevance in contemporary society. Key Takeaways: • The Momentum of Sin in Genesis 4 – Understanding how sin esca...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Discover the profound implications of sin's first appearance in Genesis and how it shapes our understanding of imaging God versus imaging the serpent. Explore how sin, depicted as an external force lurking at the door, can alter our identity from children of God to reflections of the serpent through our choices. Delve into the communal nature of sin and salvation, emphasizing that our actions influence not just ourselves but the entire community. Key Takeaways: • The First Mention of Sin in Gene...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Mike and Tim continue their "To Be Human" series with a deep dive into Genesis 4, exploring the profound story of Cain and Abel. They examine how the themes of sin, violence, and human autonomy first introduced in Genesis 3 are intensified in the next generation. Through a close reading of the text, they uncover the layers of meaning behind Cain's actions, the significance of the ground crying out, and the enduring relevance of these ancient narratives in understanding human behavior today. Key ...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Discover how modern attacks on masculinity intersect with biblical teachings from Genesis as Mike and Tim delve into "The New Normal Part 3." They discuss Mike's personal experiences with backlash over his non-retaliatory stance rooted in the Sermon on the Mount, explore an insightful article on Gen Z men and the church, and unpack the theological implications of the curse on Adam. This episode offers fresh perspectives on masculinity, lament, and repentance for Christians today. Key Takeaways: ...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 4 min
The New Normal: Part Deux. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive deep into the complexities of Genesis 3, re-examining the curse's impact on desire and rule between men and women. They challenge traditional interpretations that have influenced gender dynamics and hierarchy within the church, arguing that these may reflect the fall rather than God's original design for co-ruling and co-image bearing. Key Takeaways: • Redefining Desire and Rule – Understanding how the Hebrew words for "desire" and "rule...
Sep 30, 2024•1 hr 4 min
The New Normal: Part One. Mike and Tim delve into the profound implications of Genesis 3:16, reinterpreting the curse on the woman to uncover deeper meanings about pain, fear, and the introduction of scarcity. They tackle the weaponization of fear within church culture, confront the problematic hierarchy that undervalues blue-collar vocations, and offer fresh insights into how these themes impact modern Christian life. Key Takeaways: • The Weaponization of Fear in Church Culture – Understanding ...
Sep 23, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Discover how embracing Jesus' teachings on power and politics can transform your relationships and reshape your identity in a polarized world. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the "To Be Human" series, examining how Jesus' approach to power counters the "power over" structures prevalent in today's society. They explore what it means to live out the Sermon on the Mount, love our enemies, and redefine our political identities as followers of Christ. Key Takeaways: • Power Over vs. Power Under...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Explore how understanding the serpent's influence from Genesis to today empowers us to break the cycle of sin and image God into the world. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the biblical narrative, revealing how humanity has repeatedly succumbed to the serpent's temptation and how Jesus provides a path to resist the powers at work. They address contemporary issues like gun violence and division within the church, emphasizing our role in embodying Jesus' teachings to overcome these challenges...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Explore the profound implications of the serpent's role in Genesis 3, revealing how understanding its true identity as a spiritual being reshapes our perception of temptation, sin, and humanity's vocation as image-bearers of God. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve deep into the Hebrew terms "nakash" and "seraphim," discuss the enmity between the serpent's seed and the woman's seed, and trace the anticipation of a promised redeemer who will crush the serpent's head. Key Takeaways: Unveiling the Ser...
Sep 02, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Explore the challenging question of reconciling the violent depictions of God in the Old Testament with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by theologian Dr. Timothy Gombis to delve into the complexities of God's character, the problem of Old Testament violence, and how these narratives inform our understanding of justice, hospitality, and the Christian call to care for the marginalized. Key Takeaways: Understanding Old Testament Violence – Discussi...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 7 min
