Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

Understanding how Paul's insights in Romans about sin, wrath, and cosmic powers reshape our view of salvation and what it means for living in the Kingdom today, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into deep theological concepts of what we are truly saved from and how this impacts our embodied lives. Key Takeaways: The Cosmic Powers of Sin and Wrath – How sin and wrath are active forces that enslave humanity, not just individual moral failings. Paul's Theology in Romans – Unpacking how Paul's writings provide a deeper understanding of salvation, moving beyond traditional interpretations. New Creation Space – Exploring the concept of purified temple space through Jesus and how believers inhabit this space to live out the Kingdom. Resources Mentioned: When Helping Hurts by Corbett and Fickert – [Link] Helping Without Hurting in Short-Term Missions by Corbett and Fickert – [Link] Tim Gombis' Podcast and Writings on Romans – [Link] The Letter to the Romans by N.T. Wright – [Link] Join the conversation as we chall

How the story of salvation is far more expansive than sin management—unraveling the Old Testament's narrative of chaos, pollution, and broken image-bearing, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive into what we're truly saved from. Continuing their deep-dive Salvation Series, this episode explores new creation space, the cosmic pollution of sin, and how Israel's tabernacle points to God's larger rescue plan. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Sin as Cosmic Disorder – Instead of personal moral trip-ups, sin is described as chaos invading God's ordered creation, disrupting divine image-bearing. • Temple as New Creation Space – How Eden, the tabernacle, and later the temple represent God's ordered space in a chaotic world, and why that matters for understanding salvation. • Humankind's Vocational Failure – What it means that humans stopped imaging God and instead bore the image of creation, upending their priestly and kingly roles. • Sin as Pollution – Ancient Israel's purification rituals show that sin was seen as contamina

How our distorted image-bearing has led to a shallow understanding of salvation—and why recovering a body-centered gospel transforms everything. Mike and Tim take a sweeping journey through Genesis, Romans, and Revelation to reframe what it really means to be "saved." Shifting away from a soul-only rescue plan for the afterlife, they highlight Paul's central argument: that sin is a symptom, not the root. The true gospel is a call to reclaim our purpose as image-bearers of the Creator—bodily, communally, and holistically. This episode in the Salvation Series continues unpacking the disconnect between misguided missions and the true mission of Jesus, pressing into what it means to be human in the Kingdom of God. Key Takeaways: • Salvation as Restored Vocation – Moving away from "heaven or hell" narratives, salvation is reframed as the restoration of our Genesis calling to image God in every area of embodied life. • From Idolatry to Worship – Paul's diagnosis in Romans isn't just that we sin, but that we've exch

How do we live out a centered-set model of church when real people, power structures, and theological questions get messy? In this midweek bonus episode of the Unity Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford welcome theologian and author Mark Baker, whose book Centered Set Church has been the foundation of recent Voxology conversations. Together they unpack a wave of thoughtful listener questions that push the centered-set model beyond theory and into lived reality. From gender-based leadership exclusion to navigating "soccer players" who claim Jesus but distort his ethic, Mark dives deep into the tensions between theory and practice. He emphasizes that the centered-set model isn't a quick fix—it's a posture, a community effort, and a call to define our center as the Jesus of the Gospels, rather than culturally constructed versions. If you've loved the Unity Series and wrestled with the practical implications of centered-set thinking on church membership, theological boundaries, power dynamics, and finding belonging

Mike and Tim delve into the true meaning of salvation, exploring how restoring our vocation as God's image bearers reframes our understanding of being saved. From Genesis to Jesus, they discuss how salvation is about more than just sin management—it's about embracing our true humanity and living out our calling in community. Key Takeaways: • Worship as a Way of Life – Understanding worship as the totality of human life rightly oriented toward God, not just religious activities. • Image Bearing and Idolatry – How imaging something other than God leads to idolatry and brokenness, and the importance of restoring our vocation as God's image bearers. • Jesus as the True Image Bearer – Discussing how Jesus perfectly embodied what it means to be human, restoring our humanity and vocation. • Reframing Salvation – Moving beyond a focus on sin management to seeing salvation as the restoration of our true human vocation in Christ. Guest Highlights: Seth Erie – Mike's son Seth makes a joyful appearance, sharing his enthu

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off a transformative series that reexamines salvation through the lens of the Kingdom of God. Challenging the traditional, individualized gospel message, they delve into the rich biblical narrative of God's kingship from Genesis to Revelation. By exploring how Jesus' central message of the Kingdom reshapes our understanding of faith, grace, works, and salvation, Mike and Tim invite listeners to embrace a more expansive and communal vision of the gospel that impacts every aspect of life. Key Takeaways: The Kingdom of God as the Core of Jesus' Message – Understanding how the announcement of God's kingship is central to the entire biblical story and redefines salvation. From Individualism to Community – Moving beyond a narrow, personal view of salvation to a holistic understanding that encompasses social, political, and economic realities. The Direction of God's Movement – Recognizing that God's Kingdom is coming to us, bringing heaven to earth, rather than us escaping to heaven.

Exploring how the church has harmed LGBTQ Christians and how repentance can lead to healing and restoration, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford talk with Bridget Eileen Rivera about her book "Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church." They delve into the double standards and injustices faced by LGBTQ individuals in Christian communities, discussing the importance of open dialogue, humility, and genuine listening in fostering true reconciliation. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Double Standards – How LGBTQ Christians face unique burdens not placed on heterosexual believers within the church. • The Origins of Sexual Orientation Concepts – Bridget explains the historical development of how sexuality became linked to identity and the impact of Freudian psychology on Christian perspectives. • Repentance and Restoration – Discussing what genuine repentance looks like in non-affirming churches to heal the harm done to LGBTQ individuals. • The Role of Conversation and Listening – Emphasizing th

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive deep into how followers of Jesus can navigate the complexities of war, violence, and shame in our modern world. Reflecting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, they discuss the challenges of peacemaking, the importance of enemy love, and how Jesus's approach to shame can transform our responses to conflict. Continuing their Centered Set Series, they unpack the difference between disintegrative and reintegrative shaming, and explore how a centered church can operate from a place of security rather than fear. Key Takeaways: • Peacemaking in a Violent World – Understanding the role of Christians in responding to war and violence with enemy love and nonviolence. • Jesus's Approach to Shame – Exploring how Jesus joins the marginalized in their shame to restore and reconcile, rather than exclude. • Disintegrative vs. Reintegrative Shaming – Differentiating between shaming that stigmatizes and excludes versus shaming that seeks to heal and restore relationships. • Centered Set Dynamics

Discover how personal stories of deconstruction, mental health struggles, and church leadership challenges shape our understanding of a centered faith community. Mike and Tim delve into listener emails, discussing the impact of bounded versus centered church models, and how embracing a centered approach fosters unity, love, and spiritual growth. Key Takeaways: Bounded vs. Centered Church Models – Understanding how shifting from a boundary-focused faith to a centered approach can transform personal and communal relationships within the church. Navigating Deconstruction – Exploring personal journeys of faith deconstruction, and how questioning traditional doctrines can lead to a deeper, more authentic relationship with Jesus. Mental Health and the Church – Discussing the church's role in supporting members struggling with mental illness, and the importance of compassion over judgment. Science and Faith Integration – Addressing the perceived conflict between science and faith, and how embracing both can enrich

Discover seven essential ways to understand Jesus at the center of a centered church, and how redefining the Kingdom of God transforms our unity, mission, and understanding of discipleship. Mike and Tim delve deep into what it truly means to have Jesus as the center, exploring the implications for how we live out our faith in community. Key Takeaways: • Jesus Is Jewish – Recognizing the importance of Jesus's Jewish identity to fully grasp his teachings and mission within the context of Israel's history. • The Kingdom of God – Exploring Jesus's central message about the Kingdom and how it redefines salvation as a communal reality rather than an individualistic pursuit. • The Great Reversal – Examining how Jesus's upside-down Kingdom challenges societal norms, elevating the humble and redefining concepts of power and greatness. • Conflict with Powers – Discussing how embracing the Kingdom of God leads to inevitable conflict with existing powers and systems, both spiritual and earthly. • Jesus Reveals the Father

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford continue their exploration of church models by diving deeper into what it means to practice discipline in centered communities. They discuss the transformative concept of love as a rugged commitment—a commitment to be with others, be for others, and help others move toward growth. Drawing from listener emails and personal experiences, they contrast bounded, fuzzy, and centered church approaches, emphasizing the importance of relational discernment over judgment, wisdom over rules, and the messy yet rewarding journey of living in authentic community. Key Takeaways: Love as a Rugged Commitment – Understanding love as a steadfast commitment to, with, and for others before guiding them toward transformation. From Judgment to Discernment – Differentiating between condemning judgment (bad krino) and relational discernment (good krino) in church discipline. Wisdom Over Rules – Emphasizing the importance of guiding others through wisdom rather than imposing strict rules, both in churc

How the church can move from condemning boundaries to redemptive restoration through relational discernment, radical invitation, and the long-haul work of love. Mike, Tim, and surprise guest Seth Erre dive deep into what real church discipline looks like in a centered-set community—and how bounded and fuzzy churches often get it wrong. Part 5 of the Centered Set Series unpacks core differences between boundary-focused, fuzzy, and centered approaches—and how only the last can truly embody the grace of Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Bounded Church Discipline vs. Centered Restoration – Why enforcing moral or doctrinal rules often leads to shame, exclusion, and hiding rather than transformation. • The Importance of Relational Discernment – Why you can't truly address spiritual formation without long-term, intentional relationship. • Fuzzy Set Pitfalls – How churches without clear direction avoid conflict yet lack the courage to uphold the call of Jesus in meaningful ways. • Jesus-Focused Invitation Over Religious Contro

Discover how shifting from bounded and fuzzy church models to a centered church approach can transform your faith community. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive deep into the distinctions between bounded, fuzzy, and centered churches, exploring how focusing on Jesus at the center fosters authenticity, inclusivity, and genuine discipleship. Key Takeaways: • Lines that Shame vs. Invitations to the Center – Understanding how bounded churches use boundaries that shame and exclude, while centered churches focus on inviting everyone towards Jesus without judgment. • Authentic Community and Uneven Discipleship – Exploring how centered churches allow for uneven discipleship paths, encourage questioning and doubting, and foster genuine relationships without the pressure of conformity. • Moving Beyond External Behaviors – Discussing the pitfalls of focusing solely on external behaviors and the importance of heart orientation and relational posture towards Jesus. • Redefining Doctrine and Beliefs – Examining how centered ch

Explore how shifting from bounded and fuzzy sets to a centered-set framework can redefine church unity and community. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford unpack Paul's confrontation with Peter in Galatians and the transformative implications for modern Christianity. They discuss how focusing on Jesus as the center can break down barriers and foster authentic relationships within the church. Key Takeaways: Bounded, Fuzzy, and Centered Sets – Understanding different models of unity and how they impact church communities. Paul's Confrontation with Peter – Analyzing how Paul's challenge in Galatians 2 reorients the focus from boundary markers to Christ-centered unity. Reimagining Church Unity – Moving beyond line drawing to embrace a relational and directional approach centered on Jesus. Practical Applications – How adopting a centered-set mindset can transform our churches and personal faith journeys. Resources Mentioned: Galatians 2 – Paul's confrontation with Peter over inclusion of Gentiles. Acts 10 – Peter's visio

Discover how reexamining justice and mercy through a Christ-centered lens challenges the death penalty, as Mike and Tim sit down with public defender Renee Monzon to discuss her journey and the Christian case against capital punishment. Key Takeaways: Rethinking Justice Through Jesus's Teachings – How Jesus's approach to mercy and justice calls Christians to oppose the death penalty. The Flaws in Capital Punishment – Exploring systemic issues, wrongful convictions, and the lack of deterrence associated with the death penalty. God's Mercy in Scripture – Discussing biblical narratives that highlight God's mercy over retribution, from Cain and Abel to Jesus's interactions with those deemed "worst of the worst." A Public Defender's Journey – Renee shares her path from aspiring international lawyer to advocating for death row inmates, inspired by her faith and commitment to true justice. Guest Highlights: Renee Monzon – A public defender specializing in death penalty cases in Ohio. Renee delves into how her Chri

Explore how confronting racism, misogyny, and division within the church can lead us toward genuine unity and reconciliation. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford engage in a deep conversation with Dr. Tim Gombis, unpacking the complexities of standing in solidarity with those who oppose the very teachings of Jesus and examining how a posture of confession, lament, and humble confrontation can transform our communities. Key Takeaways: The Challenge of Unity in a Divided Church – Understanding how to pursue unity with fellow believers who hold opposing or harmful beliefs. Embracing Confession and Lament – The importance of acknowledging our own complicity in systemic sins like racism and misogyny. Confronting Injustice from Within – How to lovingly confront harmful behaviors in our communities without self-righteousness. Role of the Church in Today's Society – Examining options for individuals and communities seeking to embody the values of Jesus amidst political turmoil. The Posture of Humility – Adopting a Christ-lik

Discover how real-life deconstruction stories can offer hope and guidance for navigating your own faith journey amidst religious trauma and doubt. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into powerful listener stories, unpacking how experiences with church politics, restrictive doctrines, and personal struggles have impacted their spirituality. They discuss the complexities of questioning long-held beliefs, the process of reconstructing faith, and how to rediscover Jesus outside of traditional evangelical norms. Key Takeaways: Deconstruction Journeys – Listener stories highlight struggles with religious trauma, church politics, women's roles in the church, and purity culture. Navigating Faith and Doubt – Insights on how questioning long-held beliefs can lead to a deeper, more authentic relationship with Jesus. Understanding the Unforgivable Sin – Mike and Tim provide context and reassurance about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, alleviating common fears. Challenging Holiday Traditions – Exploring how religious up

How do we stay faithful to the Jesus of the Gospels when American Christianity often looks nothing like Him? This deeply personal and reflective episode offers an honest mosaic of deconstruction stories from within the Voxology community. Mike and Tim read listener submissions about disillusionment, church trauma, and the painful cost of leaving behind institutional faith while rediscovering a more beautiful Jesus. Drawing from real-life experiences and the story of Mary losing and finding Jesus in the temple, they explore what it means to go back and find the Christ who challenges political idolatry and calls us into self-sacrificial love, not culture war victories. Key Takeaways: • Faithful Deconstruction – Personal stories shared with vulnerability show how crises of faith can actually draw us closer to the heart of Jesus rather than away from Him. • The Beauty of the Gospel – Why the real work of discipleship is immersing ourselves in the Jesus revealed in the Gospels and modeling our image of God on Him

A raw and honest unpacking of what "deconstruction" really is—and isn't—in today's church. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford take time to explore the complexities behind this often-used and often-misunderstood buzzword. Drawing from philosophy, theology, psychology, and their personal experiences, they break down the six distinct processes many people go through under the umbrella of deconstruction—ranging from doubt and disillusionment to discipleship and deconversion. This thoughtful and pastoral conversation serves as both a reflection and a guide for those navigating questions about their faith, the church, and the culture they grew up in. This Exile Series episode aims to reorient our understanding of spiritual unraveling—not as a rebellion against God, but as a potentially vital movement toward deeper faithfulness to Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Six D's of Deconstruction – Disillusionment, Discipleship, Deconversion, Redefinition, Doubt, and Disorientation—and why not all are harmful. • What's Being D

Discover how challenging traditional gender roles can transform discipleship and the church's mission. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford sit down with author Aimee Byrd to discuss her book "Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood," exposing the limitations of complementarian teachings and exploring how both men and women can fully participate in the life of the church. Key Takeaways: • Redefining Discipleship Beyond Gender Roles – Amy Byrd explains how the focus on so-called biblical manhood and womanhood distracts from true discipleship and spiritual growth. • The Impact of Theological Misinterpretations – Discussing how teachings like the eternal subordination of the Son have been used to justify female subordination and how this affects both men and women negatively. • Gynocentric Interruptions in Scripture – Exploring how women's voices and stories in the Bible reveal a richer narrative that challenges patriarchal interpretations. • Peeling Back the 'Yellow Wallpaper' – Using the metaphor from Charlotte P