Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

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, this episode critically examines how partisan politics twist scripture and why grace flattens power hierarchies, replacing tribal superiority with true siblinghood in the body of Christ. Key Takeaways: • Grace as Equalizer – Paul's use of grace in Ephesians 2 goes beyond personal salvation; it subverts social hierarchies and removes grounds for boasting between groups (Jew/Gentile, male/female, slave/free). • The Myth of Christian Nationalism – Examining how Reagan-era rhetoric and modern political movements hijack biblical imagery (like "a city on a hill") to assign God's promises

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. Referencing powerful historical texts and contemporary critiques, including a provocative new book titled "The Sin of Empathy," this episode critiques legalistic, overly individualized versions of the gospel and recasts Christian political action through the lens of community justice, restorative practices, and the call to be instruments of peace. Key Takeaways: • Empathy Isn't a Sin—Apathy Might Be – Critiquing reactionary movements that label empathy sinful, while unpacking what biblical care really looks like. • Justice as an Embodied Witness – From caring for widows in Acts 6 to confront

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. Key Takeaways: Finding Hope Through Action – How engaging in local community efforts can alleviate feelings of despair and helplessness. Restoring Shalom – Understanding the church's role in reconciling divided groups and promoting unity, as illustrated in Ephesians 2. Holistic Redemption – Embracing a comprehensive view of sin and salvation that includes individual, communal, and systemic restoration. Navigating Despair – Strategies to avoid becoming overwhelmed by news cycles and societal issues, focusing on being informed rather than inflamed. Resources Mentioned: Scandalous Witness by Lee Camp – [Link] Ephesians 2 – [Link] Vox Podcast Non-ference Details – [Link] Join the conversat

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. Key Takeaways: • Sin and Salvation as Communal Concepts – Understanding the importance of viewing sin and salvation beyond individualism, emphasizing the corporate dimensions within the church. • The Role of the Church as New Humanity – Discussing Paul's metaphor of the body of Christ and how it calls us to eradicate hierarchies and promote justice within our communities. • Reevaluating Missions and the Great Commission – Critiquing traditional approaches to evangelism and missions, focusing on the communal nature of the gospel and the importance of healthy, mutual relationships. • Current Events and the Church's Response – Analyzing recent developments like anti-Christian bias task forces and Bible reading mandates, and h

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 empathy as core elements of following Jesus. Key Takeaways: • The Communal Nature of Sin – Understanding how sin disrupts not only our relationship with God but also fractures community and societal structures. • Salvation as Corporate Restoration – Exploring how salvation restores communities, calling the church to embody justice and shalom as integral to the gospel. • Embracing Justice and Mercy – Discussing the role of the church in advocating for the marginalized, including immigrants and the LGBTQ+ community, and how mercy and empathy should guide our actions. • The Church as an Al

Explore how Christians can resist the allure of political power, understand the biblical call to live as exiles, and rediscover the transformative impact of being the church in a polarized society. Key Takeaways: • Resisting Political Idolatry – Understanding the dangers of aligning Christianity with political parties and leaders. • Embracing Exile – How the biblical concept of exile shapes the church's posture in today's world. • Living the One Another Commands – The importance of internal transformation and community practices outlined in the New Testament. • Prophetic Witness – How the church can influence society by embodying justice, love, and humility without relying on political means. Resources Mentioned: • The 59 "One Another" Commands – A compilation of New Testament directives for Christian community. • "Exiles" by Preston Sprinkle – Insights on the church's role in society. • "Resident Aliens" by Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon – Discussing the church as a counter-cultural community. Join us

Mike and Tim unveil the revolutionary ways Jesus navigated oppressive systems by balancing submission and subversion, and how this approach empowers us to confront modern challenges with wisdom and courage. Key Takeaways: • The Submissive-Subversive Tension – Understanding how Jesus embodied both submission to authority and subversion of oppressive power structures, providing a model for us today. • Deep Dive into the Herod Family – Exploring the complex dynamics between Jesus and the Herod dynasty, including Herod the Great and his sons Archelaus, Antipas, and Philip. • Parables with Political Undertones – Analyzing how Jesus's parables served as subtle critiques of the political landscape and the rulers of his time. • Joyful Non-Compliance – Discussing Dallas Willard's concept and how it reflects Jesus's approach to authority and societal norms. • Modern Application – Reflecting on how to apply Jesus's example of balancing submission and subversion in our own lives amidst current societal and political chal

An insightful exploration of how Christians can navigate political engagement in a democratic society while embracing their identity as exiles. Mike and Tim dive deep into the church's role in politics, discussing whether Christians should seek to transform society through laws and policies or focus on embodying the kingdom of God within their communities. They respond to Sky Jethani's thoughtful critiques, bringing fresh perspectives to the conversation about power, politics, and faith. Key Takeaways: Exile Identity – Understanding how the biblical concept of exile redefines Christian political identity, allegiance, and hope. Prayer and Action – Examining the relationship between prayer and practical action in responding to disasters and societal issues. Political Power – Analyzing the tension between using political power to influence societal change and the call to live as exiles embodying the kingdom of God. Engaging Critiques – Responding to Sky Jethani's questions about Christian political engagement i

Explore how embracing an exile identity reshapes Christian allegiance, hope, and posture toward government. Mike and Tim delve into lessons from the Book of Acts on how redefining our political identity as exiles can help us navigate the partisan landscape with a focus on the Kingdom of God. Key Takeaways: • Redefining Political Allegiance – Understanding how adopting an exile identity shifts our primary allegiance from partisan politics to the Kingdom of God. • Reconfiguring Hope – Discussing how our hope is not rooted in political outcomes but in Jesus and His mission. • Submission and Subversion – Exploring the tension between submitting to governing authorities and subverting the powers through a Kingdom-focused life. • Insights from Acts – Learning from early Christians on navigating political powers and maintaining faithfulness. • Practical Exile Living – Practical ways to live out the exile identity in today's politicized world. Resources Mentioned: • The Book of Acts – Bible Gateway – Acts • Shane Cl

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore how the biblical concept of exile shapes the church's political identity today, drawing lessons from Jeremiah 29 and 1 Peter. Discover how being a "holy nation" and "exiles" informs how Christians can navigate modern society by balancing submission to authorities with a distinct kingdom identity. Key Takeaways: • Exile as a Political Identity – Understanding the implications of living as exiles in contemporary society. • Lessons from Jeremiah 29 – Learning from the Israelites' exile in Babylon about seeking the welfare of the city while maintaining faithfulness to God. • Insights from 1 Peter – How Peter's teachings on being a "holy nation" and "foreigners" apply to the modern church. • Balancing Submission and Subversion – Discussing the tension between honoring authorities and living out countercultural kingdom values. • Application for Today – Practical considerations for believers navigating political partisanship and the church's role in society. Guest Highlights: Mike

Mike and Tim take a deep dive into the concept of exile and what it means for the Church today. They unpack Israel's political identity as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests, and how these ancient practices can inform and transform the way we live out our faith in the modern world. From rethinking notions of kingship and power to challenging economic and social norms, they explore how embracing God's upside-down Kingdom can help us resist the allure of worldly power and wealth. Key Takeaways: • Israel's Political Identity – Understanding Israel as a geopolitical entity called to be holy and set apart among the nations. • Upside-Down Politics – Exploring how Israel's practices contrasted with surrounding nations in kingship, militarism, economics, and social class. • Lessons for the Church Today – Discussing how the modern Church can adopt similar practices to reflect God's Kingdom and serve as a light to the nations. • Resisting Worldly Temptations – Examining how the Church can resist the temptations of

This episode, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore how listener feedback on hospitality and racial injustice invites us to reassess the church's approach to embodying the radical, self-sacrificial politics of Jesus' upside-down kingdom. Key Takeaways: Redefining Biblical Hospitality – Understanding hospitality as systemic inclusion, not just individual kindness, and its implications for the church today. Confronting Systemic Racism in the Church – Acknowledging and addressing the racial biases and injustices embedded within church culture and structures. Power Dynamics of the Kingdom of God – Differentiating between the coercive power of worldly kingdoms and the self-sacrificial power of Jesus' kingdom. Navigating Political Idolatry – Recognizing the pitfalls of aligning the church too closely with national politics and the concept of a "Christian nation." Embracing Exile and Community – Reflecting on feelings of exile from traditional church structures and the importance of community in discerning how to live

Exploring how the Kingdom of God challenges political idolatry and offers a transformative vision of public faith beyond partisan divides. Mike and Tim delve into the multifaceted experience of exile—not only as humans and followers of Jesus but also feeling alienated from aspects of modern Christianity. Discover how Jesus' announcement of the Kingdom reshapes our understanding of politics, community, and what it means to live out a holistic, public faith today. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Exile – Unpacking the layers of exile as humans from the Garden, as Christians in culture, and feeling displaced within Christianity itself. • The Political Nature of the Kingdom of God – How Jesus proclaimed a geopolitical reality that transcends private devotion, calling for comprehensive public and social transformation. • Beyond Partisanship – Discussing why the Kingdom is political but not partisan, emphasizing a faith that is public, external, and social—not just personal and internal. • Navigating Political Idolat

Discover how the teachings of Jesus and Paul on hospitality can guide us in navigating political divisions within the church. Join Mike Erre and Tim Stafford as they engage in a thought-provoking conversation with New Testament scholar Dr. Timothy Gombis, exploring the limits of biblical hospitality and how to practice radical inclusion and love in times of division. Key Takeaways: • Understanding Biblical Hospitality – Unpacking the biblical meaning of hospitality as love of the stranger, rooted in God's character and exemplified by Jesus. • The Limits of Hospitality – Examining whether there are limits to hospitality, and how Jesus and Paul's teachings address inclusion and exclusion within the faith community. • Navigating Political Division in the Church – Discussing practical ways to maintain unity and love in church communities amidst differing political views and tensions. • Cultivating Neighbor Love – Exploring how to develop practices and imaginations aligned with Jesus's teachings, focusing on neigh

Discover how embracing weakness, humility, and hospitality can transform your approach to church and community. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford challenge traditional church models, inviting you to explore alternative ways of gathering that reflect the true mission of Jesus. Dive into a thought-provoking discussion on power dynamics, the significance of the Lord's Supper, and Paul's vision of the new humanity in Ephesians. Key Takeaways: • Redefining Church Community – Why moving beyond traditional models can lead to a more authentic and engaging faith experience. • The Power of Weakness and Humility – Understanding how acknowledging our vulnerabilities fosters genuine connections and spiritual growth. • Hospitality as a Core Practice – How practicing hospitality reflects Jesus's teachings and unites diverse believers as equals. • Navigating Power Dynamics – Exploring how authority should be exercised within the church to promote mutuality and siblingship. • Embodying the New Humanity – Embracing Paul's vision from

Mike and Tim dive into the challenges many believers face when churches become too political. Reading listener emails, they explore how to find a church that prioritizes faith over partisan politics. They discuss how to separate pastors' personal political views from their spiritual leadership and share practical advice on building Christ-centered communities that embody the teachings of Jesus amidst political divisions. Key Takeaways: • Recognizing When Politics Overstep in Church – Understanding the signs that politics are overshadowing spiritual guidance in your church and its impact on your faith. • The Crucial Practice of Choosing a Faith Community – Mike emphasizes the importance of deliberately selecting a church community as a key aspect of spiritual formation. • Separating Pastors from Their Political Opinions – Insights on how to navigate relationships with church leaders whose political views may differ from yours. • Fostering Christ-Centered Communities – Tips on creating inclusive communities foc

Join Mike Erre and Tim Stafford as they immerse themselves in a powerful reading of the Sermon on the Mount from Eugene Peterson's The Message translation. Experience Jesus' profound teachings in Matthew 5-7 presented in fresh, contemporary language that brings new life to these timeless words. Mike and Tim reflect on how this revitalized perspective deepens their understanding of living under Christ's kingship and impacts their faith journey. Key Takeaways: • A Fresh Encounter with Jesus' Teachings – Discover how The Message translation reimagines the Sermon on the Mount in modern, relatable language. • Embodying the Kingdom Ethic – Insights into living out the principles Jesus lays out, embodying what it means when Christ is truly King. • Emotional Resonance of Scripture – Mike and Tim share their heartfelt reactions to the reading and discuss the profound impact of Scripture on their lives. Resources Mentioned: • The Message Bible Translation by Eugene Peterson – Bible Gateway - The Message Version • Sermo

Explore how the church's desire for political saviors mirrors Israel's demand for a king in 1 Samuel, leading to political idolatry in today's context. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the implications of the 2024 election results, analyzing the dangers of merging faith with politics. They emphasize the timeless wisdom of the Sermon on the Mount as a guide for Christians navigating political division and finding hope beyond earthly leaders. Key Takeaways: • Political Idolatry in Modern Christianity – Understanding the risks when Christians place their hope in political leaders rather than Christ. • Lessons from 1 Samuel – Reflecting on Israel's desire for a king and how it relates to the church's temptation to seek political solutions. • Elijah's Encounter with God – Finding solace and guidance in times of despair through God's still, small voice. • Embracing the Sermon on the Mount – Recommitting to Jesus' teachings as the foundation for Christian life amidst political turmoil. Resources Mentioned: • 1

Mike, Tim, and special guest Pastor Suzie Lind engage in a candid conversation about the intricate relationship between faith, politics, and gender roles in today's society. They explore how political rhetoric shapes perceptions of masculinity, the impact on both men and women within the church, and the pitfalls of aligning faith too closely with political power. Drawing from historical contexts and personal experiences, they offer insightful perspectives on navigating the political landscape while faithfully embodying the teachings of Jesus. Key Takeaways: • Challenging Political Narratives – Understanding how current rhetoric influences gender dynamics and the perception of masculinity in both society and the church. • Historical Lessons – Examining the consequences when the church seeks protection or power from political entities and how it affects spiritual integrity. • Kingdom over Politics – Emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the values of the Kingdom of God above political affiliations and powe

Mike and Tim are joined by members of the Voxology community in a live recording to delve into the intersections of ancient scripture and modern culture. They discuss Brian Zahnd's "The Christian Voter's Guide," Tim's eye-opening experience at a Moms for Liberty event, and how fear is wielded in politics today. Returning to Genesis 4, they explore the escalating nature of sin and its relevance in contemporary society. Key Takeaways: • The Momentum of Sin in Genesis 4 – Understanding how sin escalates and permeates humanity, and its implications for us today. • Fear as a Political Tool – Analyzing how fear is utilized in modern politics and its effects on Christian engagement in societal issues. • Insights from Brian Zahnd's 'The Christian Voter's Guide' – Exploring guidelines for Christians navigating the political landscape. • Tim's Experience at a Moms for Liberty Event – A firsthand account of fear-based rhetoric and its impact on communities. • Embracing Love Over Fear – Reflecting on 1 John 4:18 and how