Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

Gain insights into the complexities of deconstruction in the Christian journey as Mike Erre and Tim Stafford engage in a candid conversation with author and pastor Josh Butler. Together, they unravel misconceptions, discuss the impact of personal experiences on faith, and explore how to navigate doubt and spiritual growth within the church. Key Takeaways: Defining Deconstruction – Understanding the various meanings of deconstruction and its role in personal faith journeys. Intentions Behind the Article – Josh explains the purpose of his controversial article on deconstruction and clarifies common misunderstandings. The Role of the Church – Exploring how church leaders and communities can support individuals experiencing doubt and questioning. Navigating Societal Pressures – Discussing the influence of cultural ideologies, social networks, and the internet on deconstruction. Hospitality and Empathy – Emphasizing the importance of listening, patience, and open dialogue in fostering healthy spiritual growth. G

Mike Erre is joined by his 16-year-old daughter, Hannah, for an honest and heartfelt conversation about faith, doubt, and the challenges facing the next generation in the modern church. They delve into Hannah's experiences with rigid religious environments, her journey of questioning, and the hope found in open dialogue and permission to wrestle with tough topics. Key Takeaways: Permission to Question – The importance of creating spaces within the church where doubts and questions are welcomed and encouraged, especially for youth. Navigating Closed-Mindedness – Understanding the impact of black-and-white thinking and the marginalization of differing perspectives within Christian communities. Empathy and Compassion – Hannah shares how embracing others' emotions drives her passion for social justice issues and challenges within the church. Building Relationships Across Differences – Insights into maintaining friendships with those who hold differing beliefs while fostering mutual respect and understanding. Par

Explore how systemic issues within the church contribute to the deconstruction movement as Mike Erre and Tim Stafford critically engage with Joshua Ryan Butler's article "The Four Causes of Deconstruction." Delve into deep conversations about church hurt, poor teaching, and how re-examining our faith can lead to a more authentic relationship with Jesus. Key Takeaways: Understanding Church Hurt Beyond Leadership Failures – Discover how deeper systemic problems and cultural misalignments contribute to church hurt and the deconstruction of faith. The Impact of Poor Teaching on Believers – Learn how inadequate or harmful teachings have led to confusion, disillusionment, and the necessity for re-evaluating doctrinal beliefs. Challenging the Desire to Sin Narrative – Examine the assumption that deconstruction stems from a desire to justify sin, exploring instead the sincere quest for genuine faithfulness to Jesus. Navigating Deconstruction with Compassion and Community – Understand the importance of creatin

Discover how to reclaim unity in a divided church by addressing anger, grievance culture, and political divisions. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by theologian Tim Gombis to delve into Paul's teachings on unity, the dangers of anger and resentment within the church, and practical steps to foster a community grounded in love, confession, and forgiveness. Key Takeaways: Unity as the Ultimate Value – Exploring how Paul's letters emphasize the paramount importance of unity in the church, transcending earthly loyalties and divisions. The Dangers of Anger and Grievance – Understanding how anger and resentment can invite destructive powers and principalities, leading to division and disunity. Powers and Principalities Explained – Tim Gombis unpacks Ephesians 6:12, explaining how demonic forces influence cultural patterns and how the church can stand firm. Practical Steps Toward Unity – Strategies for cultivating confession, forgiveness, and cruciform love within local church communities. Focusing on Local Ac

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford conclude their Bible Series by delving into how interpreting Scripture within community leads to true transformation. They explore the vital role of embodying the values of Community, Cross, and New Creation in today's church. Join them as they discuss how discipleship is a collective journey toward becoming fully human in Christ, and how the fruitfulness of a community reflects the fidelity of its biblical interpretation. Key Takeaways: Discipleship as a Communal Practice – Understanding that learning to follow Jesus is not an individual endeavor but a shared experience within a supportive community. Community, Cross, and New Creation – Exploring Richard B. Hays' three markers that guide faithful interpretation of Scripture and shape the mission of the church. Fruitfulness Reflects Fidelity – How the character and actions of a community indicate the integrity of its engagement with the Bible. Embodying a Cross-Shaped Life – Embracing humility, sacrifice, and love as modeled by Jes

Explore how challenging traditional views on 'Biblical Womanhood' can lead to a more authentic and inclusive understanding of the Bible and the role of women in the church. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by historian and author Beth Allison Barr to discuss how the subjugation of women became gospel truth and what this means for modern Christianity. Key Takeaways: • Biblical Womanhood as a Cultural Construct – Understanding how historical and cultural contexts have shaped the notion of 'Biblical Womanhood,' revealing it as a man-made concept rather than a biblical mandate. • The Role of Bible Translations in Reinforcing Patriarchy – Discussing how certain translations have altered or obscured women's roles in scripture to support patriarchal systems. • Inerrancy and Gender Roles – Exploring how the doctrine of inerrancy has been used to uphold gender hierarchies within the church. • Re-examining Scripture for Inclusivity – Encouraging listeners to read the Bible with fresh eyes, recognizing the signific

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the pitfalls of relying on common Christian clichés like "God told me" and "I feel led," examining how these phrases can lead to misunderstanding and manipulation within the church. They explore a more biblical approach focused on embracing wisdom, community, and partnership with God in decision-making, moving away from the obsessive pursuit of God's specific will in every aspect of life. Key Takeaways: • Challenging Christian Clichés – Understanding how phrases like "God called me" can hinder genuine faith and community. • Embracing Biblical Wisdom – Discovering the Bible's emphasis on wisdom over seeking specific directives, and how this leads to healthier decision-making. • The Importance of Community – Highlighting the role of trusted counsel and communal discernment in our spiritual journeys. • Avoiding Manipulative 'God Talk' – Recognizing the dangers of using "God language" to manipulate others and how to communicate more honestly. • Partnering with God – Encouragi

Discover why viewing the Bible through the lens of inerrancy might limit our understanding of its divine and human nature. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the complexities of Scripture, discussing how a more nuanced approach can lead to a deeper, more faithful engagement with God's Word. They tackle the challenges of biblical interpretation, the role of community in understanding Scripture, and the importance of approaching the Bible with humility. Key Takeaways: • Challenging the Concept of Inerrancy – Understanding why inerrancy might be a lower view of the Bible and how it can hinder our relationship with Scripture. • Embracing the Bible's Divine and Human Nature – Exploring the co-participation between God and humans in the writing of the Bible, and how this impacts our interpretation. • The Importance of Context and Genre – Recognizing the significance of literary genres, historical context, and cultural background in interpreting Scripture. • Community and Humility in Interpretation – Highlighting

Discover how 'Midnight Mass' serves as a mirror to the modern church, revealing the dangers of misguided faith, the perversion of theology, and the implications for believers today. Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Kaitlyn Schiess delve deep into the series' portrayal of religious zealotry, the seductive nature of miracles, and how the show brilliantly maps Christian themes onto a horror narrative, provoking thoughtful reflection on faith and community. Key Takeaways: • Justifying Evil in the Name of Faith – Exploring how Midnight Mass illustrates the ease with which religious communities can rationalize harmful actions. • The Allure and Danger of Miracles – Discussing the seductive power of miracles in the series and their parallels to real-world faith experiences. • Fear, Shame, and Redemption – Analyzing characters' motivations and how fear and shame influence their journey, reflecting dynamics within the church. • Inversion of Christian Symbols – Unpacking how the show inverts Christian rituals

Discover how embracing a cross-shaped life transforms our understanding of community, leadership, and service. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore what it means to live in the way of Jesus, redefining greatness through humility and self-sacrificial love demonstrated on the cross. Key Takeaways: Cruciformity Explained – Understanding the concept of living a cross-shaped life and how it redefines our approach to leadership and community. Redefining Greatness – Exploring Jesus's teachings on leadership as servanthood, moving away from selfish ambition toward self-sacrifice. Using Privilege for Others – Discussing how to leverage our rights and advantages for the benefit of others, following the example of Jesus. Community and Justice – Examining how a cross-shaped community embodies justice, lifts up the marginalized, and fosters true unity. Hermeneutical Humility – Reflecting on the importance of approaching scripture with humility and openness to being challenged. Resources Mentioned: Richard Hays – Insights

How the American Church's focus on right beliefs and institutional preservation has neglected the transformative power of love, justice, and community as revealed through Jesus. In this deeply reflective and wide-ranging conversation, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Hannah Erie (Mike's daughter) explore the frustrations young people have with modern Christianity, especially its entanglements with politics, legalism, and exclusion. Hannah shares her "horrendous happenings" as a 16-year-old navigating faith in a world where Christian identity often feels synonymous with judgment rather than love. As the discussion deepens, Mike and Tim move into a profound examination of how churches often claim doctrinal orthodoxy while embodying behavioral heresy—failing to reflect the communal justice, humility, and reconciliation commanded by Scripture. With insights from Ephesians and the work of theologians like Tim Gombis and Richard Hays, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider what faithful biblical

Tim and Dr. Tim Gombis conclude their mini-series on U2 and theology by diving deep into how we can coexist and carry each other in divisive times. Drawing inspiration from U2's song "One" and other tracks, they explore the importance of embracing differences within community, the role of the church in fostering true connection, and how music can serve as a bridge in times of division. Key Takeaways: Embracing Differences in Community – How U2's "One" teaches us to carry each other despite our differences and the privilege of supporting one another. Building True Community in Divisive Times – Practical ways to foster coexistence and unity within the church and society, reflecting on God's intentions for community. The Role of Worship and Music – Reflecting on the function of worship in church and how U2's music acts as a modern hymnal, wrestling with themes of humanity and spirituality. Processing Grief and Unity through Music – Analyzing U2's 2002 Super Bowl performance post-9/11 and how music can help us p

Understanding how genre shapes our reading of Scripture is one of the most foundational—and often overlooked—keys to interpreting the Bible faithfully. In this 10th installment of the ongoing Bible Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford deep-dive into the importance of reading Scripture on its own literary terms rather than applying a flat, literalistic lens. Using the book of Revelation as a case study, they dismantle sensationalist and futurist interpretations and explore how genre—apocalyptic, prophetic, and epistolary—provides clarity rather than confusion when rightly understood. This conversation re-centers the idea that faithfulness begins with relational engagement, not theological rigidity, and highlights how communal reading of Scripture transforms our approach to modern Western misreadings. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Revelation Through Genre Cues – How Revelation explicitly tells us it is an apocalypse, a prophecy, and a letter—and why that matters. • Deconstructing the Flat Reading of the Bible –

Explore how U2's music unveils the paradoxes of the gospel, as Tim Stafford and Dr. Tim Gombis delve into themes of grief, grace, and the grotesque in Part 2 of The Wanderer Series. Unpacking the "grammar of the gospel," they discuss how songs like "California (There is No End to Love)" and "Grace" capture the complex relationship between suffering and redemption, challenging us to see beauty in brokenness and embrace the full spectrum of the human experience. Key Takeaways: Understanding the Grammar of the Gospel – How U2's lyrics reveal the counterintuitive logic of grace working in unexpected ways. Embracing Grief and Love – Discussing the intertwining of grief and love in songs like "California (There is No End to Love)" and how this reflects the relentless cycle of grace following grief. Beauty in the Grotesque – Exploring the concept of the grotesque and how finding beauty in what is often considered ugly can deepen our understanding of humanity and God's investment in it. Lament and Hope Without Senti

Discover how embracing the cultural, historical, and contextual 'strangeness' of the Bible can transform your understanding of scripture. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the complexities of interpreting scripture by acknowledging the hermeneutical distance created by time, culture, language, customs, geography, and value systems. They explore the contrasts between honor-shame and guilt-innocence cultures, discuss the importance of reading the Bible in community, and emphasize producing Jesus-shaped fruit over clinging to rigid doctrines. Key Takeaways: Understanding Hermeneutical Distance – Recognizing and bridging the gaps that impact our interpretation of biblical texts. Honor-Shame vs. Guilt-Innocence Cultures – How cultural value systems influence our understanding of scripture and community. Prioritizing Love and Community – Emphasizing that faithful reading leads to love and Jesus-shaped living rather than mere correct doctrine. Resources Mentioned: Tim Gombis's Podcast on Romans – [Link] Scott

Join Tim Stafford and Dr. Timothy Gombis as they launch 'The Wanderer Series', a deep dive into the intersections of U2's music, theology, and personal journeys. Explore how the band's evolving sound and poetic lyrics have profoundly influenced their perspectives on faith, art, and humanity. Key Takeaways: • The Transformative Power of Music and Poetry – Discussing how U2's artistry exemplifies the impact of language and metaphor on personal and spiritual growth. • U2's Evolution and Influence – Exploring the band's transition from earnest piety in the 1980s to the complex, mature themes in albums like 'Achtung Baby' and 'Zooropa', and how this mirrors personal growth. • Personal Narratives and Faith Journeys – Tim and Tim share how U2's music has been a companion through various stages of life, reflecting shifts in faith, worldview, and understanding of the divine. • Theological Depth in U2's Lyrics – Analyzing songs such as 'The Wanderer' and 'Wake Up Dead Man' to uncover deep theological insights, confessi

Discover how understanding cultural context and embracing interpretive humility can transform your reading of the Bible. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the importance of situating ourselves before the text, recognizing our individualistic lenses, and moving towards a communal approach to Scripture. Key Takeaways: • Interpretive Humility – The necessity of approaching the Bible with humility, acknowledging our biases and the limitations of our perspectives. • Individualism vs. Collectivism – How Western individualism affects our interpretation of Scripture and the value of embracing the Bible's communal context. • Situating Ourselves Before the Text – Practices for self-assessment to recognize how our culture, experiences, and assumptions influence our understanding. • Cultural Context and Hermeneutical Distance – Exploring the historical, cultural, and linguistic gaps between us and the biblical texts, and strategies to bridge them. • Reading the Bible in Community – The benefits of studying Scripture

Discover how understanding God's accommodation can transform the way we read and interpret Scripture. Mike and Tim delve into the complexities of the Bible's divine and human aspects, exploring how the messiness of Scripture reveals God's character and His relationship with humanity. Key Takeaways: God's Accommodation in Scripture – Understanding how God meets humanity where they are, working within cultural contexts and human limitations to reveal His divine will. The Real vs. The Ideal – Exploring the tension between God's ideal intentions and the real situations depicted in the Bible, such as polygamy, divorce, and violence. Jesus as the Fulfillment – Discussing how Jesus embodies the ideal human and fulfills the Scriptures by revealing God's true intentions. Embracing the Messiness – Encouraging listeners to accept the complexities of Scripture as a means to deepen their faith and understanding of God's character. Guest Highlights: Greg Boyd – Mentioned for his insightful work on the concept of accommod

Discover how understanding God's accommodation to human culture can transform your reading of the Bible. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the complexities of interpreting scripture amidst cultural lenses and veils, exploring how the divine-human partnership in the Bible's creation impacts our grasp of truth and God's character. Key Takeaways: God's Partnership with Humanity – Unpacking how the Bible is both divinely inspired and a product of human agency, and what that means for how we read it. Accommodation and Cultural Context – Understanding how God accommodates human cultural contexts, allowing ancient worldviews to shape the way divine truths are communicated. Embracing the Bible's Complexity – Exploring why the Bible's messy and complex nature is valuable and how it provokes us into deeper engagement and relationship with God. Approaching Scripture with Humility – Learning the importance of unlearning preconceived notions, recognizing our own cultural lenses, and approaching the Bible with humilit

Unlock a deeper understanding of the Bible by exploring the human and divine collaboration in Scripture. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off the Bible Series by challenging conventional beliefs about biblical inspiration, revealing how recognizing the Bible's human elements can enrich your faith and engagement with God's Word. Key Takeaways: • The Bible's Self-Portrait – Discover how Scripture describes its own origins as both a divine and human product. • Challenging Traditional Views of Inspiration – Questioning the idea of the Bible as a flawless, dictation-style document and recognizing the role of human agency. • Divine-Human Partnership in Action – Exploring examples of how God works through human authors, accommodating their contexts and cultures. • Implications for Modern Readers – Learn how embracing the Bible's human and divine elements enhances interpretation, application, and trust in Scripture. Resources Mentioned: • Tim Mackie and The Bible Project – https://bibleproject.com/ • Scott McKnight's