Voxology

How a long-overdue conversation with Andy Lara, co-founder of Vox Podcast and community architect, reveals lessons in innovation, faith, and storytelling. In this heartfelt and wide-ranging episode, Mike honors Andy's departure by reflecting on the profound impact he's made in launching both the Vox Podcast and the Vox community. Along the way, they field listener questions that explore singleness...

How do church decline and societal disconnection go hand in hand? In this thought-provoking conversation, Mike Erre is joined by longtime friend (and former Ohio State quarterback) Steve Geller to talk football, faith, and the unraveling of American communal life. After reliving an unforgettable moment of gridiron glory and fumble-induced infamy, the duo digs into a sobering sociology-rooted criti...

How a controversial GQ list, an outdated quote on spousal abuse, and Beth Moore's powerful letter converge to expose the cultural misunderstandings—and misuses—of the Bible both inside and outside the church. Mike Erre and guest Kevin #2 (of Crimson Cup Coffee fame) unpack three hot-button moments that captured headlines and Twitter feeds, offering insights into how Christians can respond with tru...

What happens when faithful listeners bring their best questions to the table? You get a rich, multidimensional conversation exploring everything from advocacy for people with developmental disabilities to the theological case for women in ministry leadership. On this Vox Mailbag episode, Mike Erre reflects on listener feedback, critiques, and thoughtful questions with his trademark honesty and the...

Exploring the deep wounds of narcissism and the toxic environments that foster it, Mike takes us on a vulnerable and illuminating journey of self-reflection, healing, and spiritual formation in this raw follow-up to his recent conversations on narcissism in the church. Drawing from personal experiences, scriptural insights, and therapeutic practices, this episode equips listeners with practical to...

How the culture of modern church leadership, platform-building, and celebrity status can unknowingly attract narcissists—and what that reveals about our definitions of church, spiritual maturity, and humility. Mike Erre continues last week's conversation on narcissism, deepening the discussion by exploring how certain church structures, American evangelical ideals, and personality-driven ministry...

How the pursuit of significance, platform-building, and personal image intertwines with the culture of American evangelicalism—and the deeply personal cost of hiding behind a false self. In this opening episode of a vulnerable new series, Mike Erre reflects on his own lifelong entanglement with narcissism: where it comes from, how it forms, how it thrives in church leadership, and the healing powe...

How do we engage faithfully with long-held beliefs around gender, authority, and theology in the church? Mike Erre critiques a recent article and podcast by influential Christian leader John Piper that argues for inherent male leadership based on "God-given maleness." Drawing on scripture, historical context, and theological reflection, Mike challenges complementarian views and offers an egalitari...

Exploring how the Christian vision of the end shapes our response to today's most pressing socio-political issues, this episode of Voxology offers a deeply reflective take on cultural violence, the sanctity of life, and the church's role in embodying God's promised future. Mike Erre challenges listeners to confront gun culture, advocate for those often marginalized in society, and evaluate public...

Explore the profound mystery of the Trinity and why it continues to define the Christian faith. In this Theology Geek Series kickoff episode, Mike Erre walks through the biblical foundations for understanding God as one essence in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Highlighting key Old and New Testament passages, this deep dive clarifies why this view sets Christianity apart from other mo...

Challenging cultural norms around abortion and disability, Mike Erre shares a poignant, personal, and theological response to a Washington Post op-ed that argued for the right to abort children diagnosed with Down syndrome. Drawing from Scripture, bioethical insights, and his own experience as the father of a child with Down syndrome, Mike explores how society's functional view of human value open...

Want to experience the Bible beyond moralistic soundbites or entertainment-driven teaching? Mike Erre walks Bible enthusiasts through six powerful dimensions that bring Scripture to life—not by jazzing it up, but by honoring the depth, history, and purpose within the text itself. This Bible-nerd-friendly episode is for anyone asking: How do we study Scripture in a way that trusts the text—and what...

Dissecting the language of faith wrapped around gun rights, Mike Erre uses this episode to thoughtfully examine a statement made by NRA Vice President Wayne LaPierre that the Second Amendment is a "God-given right" for Americans. Drawing heavily on Luke 22 and Isaiah 53, Mike walks through why that claim not only misuses scripture but also reflects a dangerous fusion of nationalism and theology. T...

A deep dive into the haunting question: "Did God forsake Jesus on the cross?" Mike Erre explores this crucial theological tension through the lens of Lent, Psalm 22, and the Jewish context of Jesus' final words. Starting with a personal and vulnerable moment with his teenage son, the episode transitions into a powerful reflection on America's gun violence epidemic and the church's role in embodyin...

From biblical justice to John Piper quotes, podcast guest Kevin #2 joins Mike for a wide-ranging conversation that blends humor, depth, and honest reflection on what it means to live out faith in today's world. This episode is a spirited response to listener feedback on previously covered topics like Rachel Denhollander and sexual abuse in the Church, critiques of political ideology, and theologic...

How does the church become a truly safe haven for the victimized? In this powerful Exile Series episode, Mike Erre and Andy reflect on the heartbreaking and courageous words of Rachel Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of sexual abuse. Her story—rooted in trauma, truth-telling, grace, and justice—sparks a raw conversation about how far the church still has to go in suppo...

In this gripping episode, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford welcome back scholar and teacher Bonnie Lewis to confront John Piper's recent claims that seminaries should only hire male faculty. This conversation dives deep into entrenched complementarian beliefs and the implications for women in theology, church leadership, and spiritual formation. Drawing on Bonnie's personal experience in seminary, this...

How confronting critique with humility, exploring a church abuse cover-up with honesty, and challenging toxic theology about doubt can move us toward a healthier and more Christ-like faith. Mike Erre and Andy Lara take a vulnerable and candid look at their own missteps in covering a sensitive abuse case in a previous episode, read listener feedback aloud, and respond with repentance, clarity, and...

What happens when the church applauds repentance—but overlooks justice? Mike Erre and Andy Lara dive into a nationally reported scandal involving a Memphis teaching pastor who confessed to a past "sexual incident" with a minor amid Me Too scrutiny. They explore how the Church often mishandles abuse under the guise of grace, blurring the line between sin and crime, and what true redemptive justice...

How theology is taught matters—and bad theology can be deeply harmful. In this first installment of the Reforming Culture Series, Mike Erre and Andy Lara dive into a controversial article that claims husbands have a divine responsibility to "correct their wives," and they're not pulling any punches. Using humor, biblical exegesis, and cultural analysis, Mike and Andy deconstruct the poor theology...

How the City of God versus City of Man dichotomy is being misused to justify Christian political compromise. Mike Erre and Andy Bear unpack a popular article defending immoral political candidates by appealing to Augustine's two kingdoms framework. They examine the dangers of compromising character for policy wins, the hypocrisy of shifting moral standards, and the long-term damage this does to th...

How choosing risk and obedience over comfort sparked a life of radical love, hardship, and staggering hope. In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Mike and Andy talk with bestselling author and missionary Katie Davis Majors on the life-shaping journey from suburban Tennessee teen to adoptive mother of thirteen girls and founder of a thriving ministry in Uganda. Katie shares the backstory be...

A sacred night of confession, repentance, and healing, this eleventh installment of the Exile Series journeys into the deep waters of sexual brokenness and redemptive grace. Mike and Justina Erre vulnerably share their personal stories of addiction, trauma, and healing, inviting the Vox community into an experience of intimacy, honesty, and restoration. Anchored in the Psalms of David—Psalm 32 and...

How can the Church remain faithful to Jesus in a world shaped by political division, abuse scandals, and the erosion of moral authority? Mike Erre and Andy Lara tackle the explosive Roy Moore controversy as a lens to explore evangelical hypocrisy, the dangers of political idolatry, and the psychological toll of the siege mentality consuming much of American religious life. As allegations of sexual...

How do we reconcile a loving God with the pain of birth defects, child loss, and perceived divine silence? This honest and moving Q&A episode tackles some of the most deeply personal and theologically challenging listener questions about suffering, scripture, and how God's will interacts with real-world tragedy. Mike and Andy explore whether Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1 teach that God literally forms...