Voxology

In this episode, Tim and Mike continue the conversation about the complexities of biblical interpretation, exploring how various contexts—textual, cultural, and personal—shape our understanding of scripture. What does "biblical" really mean, and why does it matter in today's world? Mike and Tim explore the "world of the text," the cultural and historical contexts "behind the text," and the modern assumptions we bring "in front of t...

Is the label "biblical" helping or hurting how we approach faith, church, and cultural challenges? In this thought-provoking episode of the Voxology Podcast, Mike and Tim explore the pitfalls of using "biblical" as a rigid brand, how it impacts theology, and its effects on navigating issues like justice, community, and interpretation of Scripture.

They discuss the importance of reading the Bible in community, embracing humility, an...

Is "biblical" always what it seems? In this thought-provoking episode, the hosts unpack why the word "biblical" might not mean what you think and explore its misuse across faith, politics, and cultural issues. From examining how "biblical" has become a branding tool to discussing its role in sociological stress tests and power dynamics, this conversation challenges us to rethink how we approach scripture and the teachings of Jesus.

Discernment: Cruciformity is Active, Not Passive. On this episode of the Voxology podcast, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford focus on discernment in faith, the essence of Christian identity, and the importance of critiquing ideologies rather than individuals. They emphasize the need for community engagement and humanizing conversations across divides, particularly in the context of immigration and societal issues. Further, Tim and Mike ex...

What does leadership shaped by the cross really look like in today’s church—and how far have we drifted from it? Mike and Tim continue the Cruciformity Series with a raw, revealing, and intensely personal reflection on their own experiences with American evangelical leadership culture. From megachurch strategy to influence-based platforms, they unpack how conventional models of “biblical leadership” often mirror corporate America m...

How the church responds when Jesus is co-opted by political power, and what it means to faithfully resist using cruciform love. In this latest installment of the Exile Series, Mike and Tim explore recent headlines where government leaders invoke Christianity as a means to assert national identity and justify coercive policies. Rather than offering partisan critique, they unpack the deeper spiritual crisis at work—when the name of J...

How reclaiming a teachable spirit can radically transform our faith, our churches, and our relationships with those we often see as “the other.” Mike and Tim welcome theologian, pastor, and author A.J. Swoboda to unpack his latest book, The Teachable Spirit: The Virtue of Learning from Strangers, Enemies, and Absolutely Anyone, as well as a powerful call for intellectual humility and curiosity within Christian community.

Together, ...

Unpacking the deep narrative threads that make Jesus’s death not just inevitable, but essential to our human story, Mike and Tim dive into the costs of sin, how death is a consequence—not simply a punishment—and what Jesus’s crucifixion really reveals about God’s nature. This Good Friday reflection brings clarity to questions we’ve inherited or sidestepped: Why did Jesus have to die? Why that way? And what’s the deeper biblical thr...

How does understanding the difference between what the Bible describes and what it prescribes shape the way we live, lead, and love today? Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off their new Christianity 101 Series with an in-depth—and often hilarious—conversation that lays the groundwork for how the Voxology community approaches Scripture, biblical authority, and spiritual formation.

Responding to an Instagram post that claims “genocide...

How a cruciform vision of faith challenges cultural Christianity obsessed with dominance, political power, and exclusion. Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Dr. Timothy Gombis kick off a new Cruciformity Series by wrestling with the relational and theological tensions between two distinctly different expressions of Christianity. They dive into Gombis’ definition of a cruciform (cross-shaped) life, the way Paul consistently ...

Unpacking the intersection of economics, race, and faith, Mike and Tim sit down with historian and theologian Dr. Malcolm Foley to explore the dangerous roots of racism in greed and how Christian communities can resist the power of money—biblically referred to as "Mammon." With incisive insight, emotional clarity, and a sense of urgency, Malcolm walks us through the key thesis of his new book, “The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love o...

Celebrating 500 episodes and nearly 10 years of bold conversations, Mike and Tim pause to reflect on the Voxology journey and address a growing burden: the deepening divide between competing versions of Christianity in American culture.

This milestone episode explores how one branch of Christianity has co-opted the language of Jesus to justify nationalism, violence, and power, while another remains rooted in the cruciform way of Je...

How do we truly love others, and what does it mean to love God with our whole being? In this rich and deeply engaging conversation with New Testament scholar Dr. Nijay Gupta, Mike and Tim explore the heart of Paul’s theology of love, as captured in Nijay’s newest book, “The Affections of Christ Jesus.” Tackling questions like "Can we love someone we don’t like?" and "Is empathy a sin?", they unpack the biblical roots of love, the e...

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 poli...

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,...

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. Referenci...

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.

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.

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 empa...