Voxology

How reimagining Jesus' teaching on lust liberates us from shame, reframes desire, and challenges harmful patterns in purity culture. Continuing their Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford break down one of Jesus' most misinterpreted instructions, engaging with the Greek text, touching on double standards around adultery, and wrestling with the weight of toxic sexuality within the church. Through blunt honesty and biblical exegesis, they uncover a subversive call to holiness—a holiness that centers dignity, community, and healing. Key Takeaways: • Lust Is Not Just Desire—It's Coveting – Jesus uses the language of covetousness, reframing lust as a willful orientation toward possessing what is not ours rather than simply feeling attraction or desire. • Smashing the Double Standard – Jesus critiques the patriarchal framing of adultery and lust by placing moral responsibility on men, breaking from ancient purity codes that blamed women. • The Commodification of Human Beings – A warning against objectification and the addictive, soul-hollowing nature of unchecked lust and pornographic consumption. • Beyond Shame: A Better Theology of Sex – Sexuality is not a curse but a gift. Jesus and the Bible affirm desire when stewarded rightly, honoring the whole person. • Making Space for Healing – Personal confession and communal solidarity are essential. Healing doesn't come through suppressing desire or shaming ourselves, but through grace, truth, and genuine transformation. Resources Mentioned: • Matthew 5:27–30 – Jesus' teaching on lust in the Sermon on the Mount • Exodus 20 – Commandments against adultery and coveting • Ephesians 4:17–19 – Paul on desensitization and lust • CS Lewis' concept of "Shadowlands" • White Witch & Turkish Delight example from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe • Talmudic examples on modesty and rabbinic purity laws • Episode guest reference: Dr. Celeste Holbrook • "I Have a Dream" by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Join the Voxology community as we untangle centuries of misused theology and boldly reclaim the beauty of Jesus' vision for human dignity and embodied love. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow along on social media to be part of thoughtful, healing conversations. As always, we welcome your questions and reflections. Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com or connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. We're also on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Check out our Merch Store on Etsy Visit voxologypodcast.com to learn more Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Support us on Patreon Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

A deep-dive into the assumptions behind modern evangelism and the true meaning of discipleship as explored through the Great Commission. Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and New Testament scholar Dr. Timothy Gombis unpack how biblical calls to faithfulness, community, and embodied kingdom living have been distorted by individualistic and results-driven evangelistic models. Drawing from Matthew, Paul's letters, and early church history, this episode challenges prevailing interpretations and explores how the church can better reflect Jesus in a polarized and post-pandemic world. Key Takeaways: • Discipleship Over Conversion – The Great Commission in Matthew 28 is not a mandate to produce converts but a call for the church to cultivate lifelong learners rooted in radical kingdom community. • Evangelism Reframed – There are no New Testament commands to evangelize in the modern sense. Instead, the church's communal life—marked by love, hospitality, and justice—is itself the proclamation. • Witness Through Embodiment – Especially in times of societal upheaval, the church's faithfulness is not shown in arguments but in living out alternative, Jesus-shaped values through care for the marginalized and mutual support. • Reclaiming the Biblical Narrative – A call to shift from a salvation framework centered on hell to one rooted in Jesus, creation, and the holistic redemptive story of God. • Conspiracy vs. Kingdom – Distinguishing between fear-driven reactions to cultural instability and the sober, hopeful posture Jesus calls his people to in chaotic moments. Guest Highlights: Dr. Timothy Gombis – Biblical scholar, podcast host of Faith Improvised, and author focused on Pauline theology. Gombis lends his voice to reimagining core aspects of Christian practice, inviting listeners to move away from coercive evangelism toward community-based discipleship and kingdom witness. Resources Mentioned: • Faith Improvised Podcast – Link • Matthew 28:16-20 – The "Great Commission" text in light of Greek grammar and kingdom context. • 1 Corinthians 11 – The church's shared meal as the proclamation of the gospel. • Mark 13 – Jesus' warnings about upheaval as a call to faithful community. • Books by Tim Gombis on Ephesians and Pauline theology – Amazon Author Page Reclaim a vision of faithfulness that emphasizes community, humility, and the long road of discipleship over quick conversions. Subscribe to Voxology to continue the journey of reshaping our imaginations around Jesus and his Kingdom. Leave a review and follow along on social to stay connected! As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue truth together. Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com or connect on Instagram and Facebook. We're on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Grab some gear at our Merch Store: ETSY Learn more: VoxologyPodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the show on Patreon Listen to curated music: Voxology Radio on Spotify Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and like us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Practicing reconciliation and learning how to process anger is vital to embodying the upside-down kingdom Jesus introduced in the Sermon on the Mount. Continuing their series, Mike and Tim dive into Matthew 5:21–26, exploring Jesus' stark warning that harboring contempt for others—especially in religious or political conflicts—is more dangerous than we realize. In the wake of listener feedback and a personal confrontation with their own tone in prior episodes, the hosts model public repentance while unpacking what righteous anger actually looks like and how Christians are called to engage with others—especially when we disagree. Whether you're struggling with outrage culture, frustrated by politics, or passionate about social justice, this episode offers a powerful invitation to humbly examine our motives, pursue reconciliation, and reimagine how we witness to the world through Jesus-shaped confrontation. Key Takeaways: • The anatomy of anger and contempt – Why Jesus equates chronic anger with murder and how contempt poisons community and witness. • Repenting from partisan self-righteousness – The importance of naming when our tone, assumptions, or posture misrepresent Jesus and damage relationships. • Lessons from Jesus' righteous anger – When is anger appropriate, and what should it produce in us? (Hint: think healing and reconciliation, not destruction.) • Overcoming political idolatry – How the siege mentality shapes Christians into tribal combatants rather than kingdom peacemakers. • Reconciliation over religion – Jesus teaches that repairing relationships is more important than religious rituals. Resources Mentioned: • Matthew 5:21–26 – Bible Gateway • Leviticus 19 – Bible Gateway • Dallas Willard on Joyful Non-Compliance • Study on catharsis and anger escalation [Link if available] • David Brooks' article on Siege Mentality [Link if available] • The story of Daryl Davis and redemptive table fellowship [Link if available] Let's be the kind of community that confesses quickly, seeks reconciliation earnestly, and chooses grace when the world chooses contempt. Subscribe, leave us a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on your favorite social platforms. As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue truth together. Email us questions at hello@voxpodcast.com, and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube if video's your thing: VOXOLOGY TV Grab some merch from our store: VOXOLOGY on Etsy Explore past episodes or learn more: voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Support what we're doing on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel: Voxology Radio Follow on Instagram: @voxologypodcast or like us on Facebook Follow Mike Erre on Twitter: @MikeErre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How the Voxology community can respond to the growing influence of conspiracy thinking through faithful discipleship, critical reflection, and a fresh understanding of Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. In this powerful installment of the Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford welcome Skye Jethani—author of "What If Jesus Was Serious?"—to unpack the growing grip of conspiracy theories like QAnon among Christians, why evangelical subculture is vulnerable to them, and how Jesus' call to truth radically challenges our need for control and hidden knowledge. This episode weaves biblical theology, psychology, and cultural critique into a vital conversation about how fear, spiritual immaturity, and a history of anti-intellectualism have paved the way for misinformation and mistrust to spread like wildfire in Christian communities. Key Takeaways: • Why conspiracy theories thrive on fear, control, and the human impulse to find patterns—and how this mimics religious thinking. • A deep dive into QAnon as a cultural and religious phenomenon—and why many white evangelicals are drawn in. • How a misreading of the end times, spiritual warfare, and persecution narratives fuel conspiratorial thinking. • What Jesus actually said about truth, evil, and trust, and how a Christ-centered worldview resists conspiracy by choosing love, wisdom, and humility. • Positive practices disciples of Jesus can adopt to respond to misinformation and uphold truth in today's polarized environment. Guest Highlight: Skye Jethani – Author, pastor, and co-host of The Holy Post podcast. Skye shares deep insights from his new book, "What If Jesus Was Serious?", and helps listeners wrestle with how we can take Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount seriously in the age of conspiracy culture. Resources Mentioned: • "What If Jesus Was Serious?" by Skye Jethani – Buy from Moody Publishers • QAnon and The Atlantic article – The Atlantic: "The Prophecies of Q" • Matthew 5–7 – The Sermon on the Mount Read Online Help us create a community anchored in truth and love. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast wherever you listen. As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon Voxology Spotify Channel: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and like us on Facebook Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How the Sermon on the Mount radically redefines righteousness, challenges religious legalism, and reshapes the political imagination of the church. In part five of the Sermon on the Mount series, Mike and Tim unpack Matthew 5:17–20—one of the most theologically and politically rich passages in the entire Gospel. What does it mean for Jesus to "fulfill" the law and prophets? Why is he so adamant about not "abolishing" the Torah? And how does this reframe our understanding of justice, righteousness, and political engagement in the kingdom of God? The conversation explores Jesus' use of rabbinic language, corrects popular misunderstandings about the Old Testament, and calls out modern-day examples of misuse of Scripture in political discourse. From culture war Christianity to selective Bible quoting, this episode holds a mirror to the American church and invites a deeper allegiance to the way of Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Jesus as Fulfillment of Torah – Understanding how Jesus reinterprets and embodies the Torah, not abolishing it but showcasing its heart through correct teaching and practice. • A New Kind of Righteousness – Digging into what Jesus meant when he said "your righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees" and how the Sermon on the Mount critiques performative holiness. • Law, Light, and Heavy Commands – Exploring Jewish rabbinic categories of "light" and "heavy" commandments and how Jesus uses them to elevate even the smallest parts of the Torah. • Hearts Over Legalism – Why attitude and motive matter as much as action; Jesus' greater righteousness begins in the heart and goes far beyond rule-keeping. • Political Implications – Critiquing how both progressive and conservative Christians cherry-pick Bible verses to fit their platforms. What does it mean to be a people who hold the whole witness of Scripture together? Resources Mentioned: • Matthew 5:17–20 – [Link] • "Scandalous Witness" by Lee Camp – Example of the "Slave Bible" and selective Scripture misuse. • Jeremiah 31 – The promised New Covenant written on hearts. • Mark 7 – Jesus' critique of Pharisees for nullifying commandments for tradition. • Deuteronomy 22:6-7 – Example of a "light" command. • Exodus 20:12 – "Honor your father and mother" as a "heavy" command. Call to Action: Let this conversation challenge and reshape how you engage Scripture—especially when it comes to politics, justice, and righteousness. Subscribe, review, and share the podcast to help others explore the radical teachings of Jesus. Engage with us on social media or email us at hello@voxpodcast.com. We love your questions and reflections, and we invite you to walk this journey alongside us as we rediscover what it means to live as salt and light in a divided world. Watch us on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more at voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the podcast on Patreon Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast Like us on Facebook Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How the Sermon on the Mount radically reshapes our understanding of discipleship, power, the Church, and what it actually means to follow Jesus. In this third installment of the Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore Matthew 5:13–16—Jesus' iconic words about being salt and light—and how these metaphors confront and correct the often diluted, political, and performative expressions of modern Christianity. Far from being a call to performative evangelism or cute youth group slogans, "salt and light" is a commission to become a prophetic community marked by humility, weakness, and faithfulness. This episode dives deep into how Jesus takes on Israel's vocation and hands it to the unlikely crowd gathered at the mountainside—and how that redefines what it means to be Church today. Key Takeaways: • Being "Salt of the Earth" Means Prophetic Contrast – Saltiness was about pervasive usefulness and presence, but can be utterly compromised when diluted by power, partisanship, or religiosity. • Light to the World as a Communal Witness – Not individual evangelism, but a collective embodiment of God's faithfulness in front of a watching world. • Beatitude People Are the "You" – Jesus applies Israel's covenantal vocation to a new community made up of the poor in spirit, the meek, the mourners, and the merciful. • Political Without Partisanship – A call to embrace kingdom politics rooted in service, hospitality, anti-violence, and justice—not power games or cultural domination. • Reconstructing the Church – How communities formed around the wrong metrics (platforms, celebrity, performance) have lost their saltiness, and how we might recover it. Resources Mentioned: • Matthew 5:13-16 – Read the passage • Isaiah 51 & 60 – Prophetic background for Jesus' "light of the world" imagery • Leviticus (re: salt covenants) • Tony Campolo and Red Letter Christians – Red Letter Christians • Book of Acts – For contrasts between early Church and modern church structures • Tim Gombis – Faith Improvised Podcast Join the journey of reimagining what the Church can and should be. Subscribe, leave a review, and join us on social media for ongoing conversations about embodying the true mission of Jesus. As always, we encourage conversation, questions, and critique. Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com or engage with us on Instagram and Facebook. Check out VOXOLOGY TV on YouTube Grab merch from the Voxology Etsy store Learn more at voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Support us on Patreon Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast Like us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How the Beatitudes challenge political assumptions and offer a radical vision of Jesus's kingdom built on humility, mercy, and justice. Kicking off their Sermon on the Mount Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford unpack Matthew 5:1–12 to reveal why the Beatitudes aren't ethical commands to climb, but a radical redefinition of who is truly blessed in God's kingdom. Key Takeaways: • Jesus's Beatitudes are not personal moral checklists—they are declarations of divine blessing for the poor, meek, and forgotten because the kingdom is already present and available to them. • These blessings are steeped in Old Testament echoes, especially Isaiah and the Psalms, pointing to the restoration of Israel through an upside-down kingdom. • The Beatitudes reflect a communal vision of society that centers the marginalized while indicting systems of power that oppress. • Jesus redefines "blessing" to illuminate how proximity to power or wealth can often blind us to divine reality—and how pain and suffering can prepare hearts to receive the kingdom. • Christians are called not to "be meek" to get blessed, but to recognize the already-blessed nature of those who the world devalues. Resources Mentioned: • Matthew 5:1–12 – Link to passage • Isaiah 61 – Link • Psalms 24, 37, 107 – Key background to the images in the Beatitudes • Tim Mackie (BibleProject) on "stringing pearls" – BibleProject.com • Lee Camp's "Scandalous Witness" – Book on Amazon • The Didache (early Christian church manual) – Link to translation • Shadow art examples – Google search: Shadow Art Sculptures Join us as we challenge traditional readings of Scripture and explore the revolutionary Jesus we often miss. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social to stay up-to-date and contribute to the conversation. As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV – YouTube Channel Our Merch Store! – ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast – voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How elevating Jesus' countercultural vision in the Sermon on the Mount invites us to deconstruct politics as usual, reimagine our role as the people of God, and embody a different way of being in a divided world. Mike and Tim kick off a brand new journey through the Sermon on the Mount by laying crucial groundwork: asking how the teachings of Jesus are inherently political — not in the Republican vs. Democrat idea of politics, but in how we shape life together as communities of faith. With insight from Lee Camp's Scandalous Witness and personal reflections on the dangers of partisanship, this episode explores why Jesus' way is "neither right, nor left, nor religious," and what that means for the church in America today. Key Takeaways: • Jesus Is Political — But Not Partisan: How the Sermon on the Mount redefines what it means to be "political" by offering a radical alternative to coercive power and political idolatry. • Deconstructing the American Church's Political Entanglement: Understanding why neither conservatism nor progressivism reflects the full vision of the Kingdom of God. • Unlearning Cultural Christianity to Recover Jesus: Why starting with the words and way of Jesus — especially post-deconstruction — helps reorient faith toward the radical love, justice, and mercy of the Gospel. • The Church as a New Political Community: Embracing our identity as a people marked by reconciliation, hospitality, nonviolence, repentance, and self-sacrificial love. • Living "Proleptically" in a Not-Yet Kingdom: How the church is called to embody God's future now — resisting both escapism and culture war postures that miss the heart of Christ. Resources Mentioned: • Scandalous Witness by Lee Camp – Amazon Link • Faith Improvised Podcast with Tim Gombis – Link • Tim Schell Podcast with Bonnie – [Link pending] • The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) – Bible Gateway Join the conversation as we rediscover the Sermon on the Mount not as spiritual suggestions but as revolutionary marching orders for the people of Jesus. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology on social media to make sure you don't miss any of the series. As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue this journey together. Email us your thoughts or questions at hello@voxpodcast.com and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV Our Merch Store: ETSY Learn more at the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon Find curated playlists and bonus tracks at our Voxology Spotify channel Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How do we know when an apology is real? What does it mean to be the Church when buildings are closed? What if the Garden of Eden wasn't the whole world? This listener Q&A episode is packed with raw honesty, timely spiritual insight, and deep theological reflection. As Mike and Tim reflect on Bonnie's new season outside the podcast and share personal moments from their marriages, they tackle the chaos of 2020—from political division to church stagnation—and respond to powerful listener questions about repentance, institutional complicity, and how Genesis might be telling a different story than we were taught. This episode is rich with pastoral wisdom, cultural critique, and unvarnished vulnerability, offering much-needed space for disillusioned believers to wrestle with their faith, ask hard questions, and rediscover their longing for authenticity in Christian community. Key Takeaways: • Real Repentance and the Fruit of Change – Why true apology can't be rushed or polished and how enduring fruit—not buzzwords—prove authenticity. • The Problem with Image Management – Exploring the dangerous temptation to build public personas by weaponizing vulnerability. • Church Reimagined in Crisis – How COVID-19 has exposed the American church's obsession with Sunday services and the need for local, relational discipleship. • Rediscovering Eden and Rethinking Genesis – What if Adam and Eve weren't the only humans? Exploring new theological frameworks rooted in John Walton and John Sailhammer's take on Genesis. • Land, Covenant, and Redemption – Understanding the Bible's story through the lens of land and people, where Eden is less a universal prototype and more the promised land of God's chosen mission. Resources Mentioned: • Genesis Unbound by John Sailhammer – Amazon Link • The Lost World Series by John Walton – IVP Link • The Epic of Eden by Sandra Richter – Amazon Link • Faith Improvised Podcast by Tim Gombis – Link • Tim Schell Podcast with Bonnie – Link Call to Action: Join the conversation as we wrestle honestly with faith in a fractured world. Subscribe to Voxology, leave us a review, and follow along on social media to stay up to date with upcoming episodes and updates on where we're headed next. As always, we encourage and welcome your questions and feedback. Feel free to email us at hello@voxpodcast.com or engage with us on Facebook and Instagram. Catch us on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Grab some merch from our ETSY Shop Learn more: voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Support Voxology on Patreon Follow on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and like us on Facebook Music by Timothy John Stafford | IG & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How faith, systemic injustice, and American Christianity collide: In this powerful and raw continuation of the Exile Series, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guests Bonnie Lewis and Dr. Tim Gombis reflect deeply on the ways capitalism, white supremacy, and an individualized gospel have distorted the church's call to justice, community, and spiritual wholeness. Sharing personal stories, announcing new podcast ventures, and diving deep into difficult truths, the team examines why racial reconciliation isn't a social add-on to the gospel—it's at its core. Key Takeaways: • A Gospel Distorted by Individualism – How American evangelicalism has traded the New Testament's communal call for justice with a privatized salvation that separates personal faith from systemic injustice. • The Economic Roots of Racism – Exploring Coates' claim that "racism is the child of economic injustice" and examining how capitalism structurally inhibits the church from pursuing racial reconciliation. • Reclaiming the Biblical Vision – From Ephesians 2 to 1 Corinthians 11 and James, how the early church tackled racism, classism, and power—and what the modern church must relearn. • A Call to Repentance and Reconstruction – Why hope for transformation lies in radical honesty, community confession, and long-term, relational commitments between diverse churches. • Learning to be the Church Again – From imagining Exodus through new lenses, to practicing economic generosity and long-haul solidarity, practical ideas for reorienting church life around the lived gospel of Jesus. Guest Highlights: Bonnie Lewis – Making her bittersweet final appearance as official co-host, Bonnie shares hilarious personal anecdotes and also announces her new podcast, Tim Schell, releasing the same day as this episode! Dr. Tim Gombis – Theologian, political theorist, and longtime Vox guest unveils his upcoming podcast, Faith Improvised, and offers deep insight into biblical justice, systemic racism, and the failures of white evangelicalism. Resources Mentioned: • Ephesians 2 – Exploring the new humanity formed by the cross • 1 Corinthians 11 & James – Textual examples of church injustice • "Faith Improvised" with Tim Gombis – Launching July 14 • Timshell Podcast with Bonnie Lewis – [Link coming soon] • "Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates – [Link] Be a part of a church that looks, loves, and lives more like Jesus. Subscribe to Faith Improvised and Tim Schell, share this episode with those wrestling with the church's complicity in injustice, and follow Voxology on social to engage more deeply. We'd love to hear from you—email questions or reflections to hello@voxpodcast.com. Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support us on Patreon Watch on VOXOLOGY TV Grab merch on ETSY Follow on Instagram: @voxologypodcast Like us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV. Our Merch Store! ETSY Learn more about the Voxology Podcast Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy