Voxology

How the Four Stages of Faith, as outlined by M. Scott Peck, can help you better understand your own spiritual journey and engage more graciously with people at all stages of Christian development. Mike and Andy take a deep dive into Peck's psychological and spiritual framework—introducing the stages of Chaotic/Antisocial, Formal/Institutional, Skeptic/Individual, and Mystic/Communal—and reflect on...

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...

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 leade...

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...

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 hono...

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...

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...

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...

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 int...

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 teaching...

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 landscap...

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 k...

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 h...

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...

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 wi...

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...

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...

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...

How can we begin to heal from spiritual abuse when the very structures meant to point us to God have been complicit in manipulation, coercion, and hypocrisy? Kicking off a new Luke Series, Mike Erre goes solo to explore Jesus's prophetic critique of religious authority in Luke 11—and its piercing relevance for today's church. Through Jesus's first "woe" against the Pharisees, Mike unpacks a powerf...

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...

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 int...

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 inju...

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, li...

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 Te...

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 Testame...