Voxology

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...

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 hu...

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 ami...

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 Chr...

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...

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 a...

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...

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 infl...

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...

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 of...

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...

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...

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 r...

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 divisio...

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 ant...

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 Christi...

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the roots of shame and hiding in our lives, unpacking Genesis 3 to reveal God's compassionate invitation to step out of isolation and into authentic connection. By reexamining the true meaning of "fear of the Lord," they challenge common misconceptions and offer practical insights into overcoming shame through vulnerability and confession. Key Takeaways: Under...

Uncover how redefining salvation and understanding the serpent's role in Genesis 3 can reshape our perspective on sin, humanity, and our relationship with God. Dive deep into the hidden wordplays in the Hebrew text and explore how these insights impact our daily lives and spiritual journey. Key Takeaways: • Redefining Salvation – A fresh perspective on salvation as embodied participation in new cr...

Exploring how Christians can navigate feelings of outrage in response to cultural events like the depiction of the Last Supper at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the importance of responding with grace and aligning our reactions with Jesus' teachings. They discuss the multiple layers of outrage surrounding the event, the concept of righteous anger, and ho...

Delve into how the creation of male and female in Genesis 2 reveals the profound unity in diversity intended by God, and how this shapes our understanding of human dignity, community, and the image of God today. Mike and Tim explore the original Hebrew terms used in the text, challenging traditional interpretations that have led to patriarchal views, and discuss the implications for the church and...

Explore how reexamining biblical love can transform our relationships, especially when facing disagreements or challenging situations. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into common distortions of love within Christianity, discussing how to genuinely love others as Jesus taught—even when it's difficult. Key Takeaways: Love as Action, Not Just Emotion – Understanding that biblical love is demonstrate...

Uncover how the four rivers flowing from Eden in Genesis 2 set the stage for the entire biblical narrative, revealing our vocation as a royal priesthood. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore the profound connections between the Old and New Testaments, delving into the significance of the Hebrew words 'avad' and 'shamar' in defining our purpose to "work" and "keep." They discuss how these concepts ec...

Discover how revisiting the story of the two trees in Genesis can transform our understanding of humanity's purpose, mortality, and our relationship with God. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford unpack the profound implications of the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, offering fresh insights that challenge traditional interpretations and invite us to embrace maturity through trus...

Discover how re-examining Genesis 2 transforms our understanding of humanity, mortality, and divine vocation, challenging traditional views on creation and sin. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the depths of Genesis 2, exploring the implications of humans being created from dust, the role of Adam and Eve as archetypal priests, and the idea of Genesis 2 as a sequel rather than a recap of Genes...

Unveiling the profound gift of Sabbath rest and how embracing our limitations leads to a deeper understanding of our humanity and God's presence. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the significance of the seventh day in Genesis, exploring how rest is not merely the absence of work but an invitation to enjoy God's creation and affirm our inherent value beyond productivity. Key Takeaways: • The T...