Vox Podcast With Mike Erre

Explore how accusations of illegitimacy surrounding Jesus' birth reveal deeper insights into his identity and mission. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the societal implications of Jesus being referred to as Mary's son, the cultural significance of bloodlines in Jewish culture, and how these early scandals shaped his approach to the marginalized and outcasts. Key Takeaways: The Scandalous Circumstances of Jesus' Birth – Understanding how the questionable circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth led to lifelong accusations and impacted his ministry. Cultural Importance of Bloodlines – Examining the significance of lineage and legitimacy in Jewish culture and how Jesus' birth challenged these norms. Jesus' Solidarity with the Marginalized – Discussing how Jesus' own experiences with shame and outsider status informed his compassion and ministry toward those on the fringes of society. Navigating Truth in Today's World – Reflecting on the nature of truth, objectivity, and how a relational understanding of tru

Explore how recognizing God's presence in everyday moments can transform your spiritual journey. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the stories of Jacob's dream and Moses's burning bush to uncover how God often shows up in unexpected places. They discuss practical ways to awaken from spiritual sleepwalking and become more attuned to the divine in daily life. Key Takeaways: God in the Ordinary – Understanding that God is present in the mundane, not just in special times or places. Lessons from Jacob and Moses – Insights from biblical stories that highlight God's unexpected appearances and what they mean for us today. Breaking Routine to Find the Sacred – Practical tips on disrupting autopilot living to notice the "burning bushes" around us. Reimagining Worship and Faith Sharing – Rethinking traditional views on worship and evangelism to encompass all aspects of life. Cultivating Awareness – Implementing small changes to become more attentive to God's work in and around us. Resources Mentioned: Genesis 28

Explore how embracing cruciformity—living in the shape of the cross—transforms our understanding of Christian identity and practice. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve deep into what it means to follow Jesus's example of self-sacrificial love in a culture obsessed with power and privilege. They unpack the true meaning of "truthing in love" from Ephesians 4, challenging the common misconception of "speaking the truth in love," and examine how fear often leads us to abandon cruciform living. Key Takeaways: Understanding Cruciformity – Discover how living in the shape of the cross means pouring ourselves out for others rather than exploiting privileges for personal gain. Reframing 'Speaking the Truth in Love' – Learn how the original Greek text emphasizes embodying truth through actions ("truthing in love") instead of using words as weapons. Overcoming Fear – Analyze how fear tempts us to set aside cruciformity, leading us to grasp for power instead of practicing self-sacrificial love. The Politics of the Cross –

Exploring how rethinking evangelism transforms our invitation to others, focusing on relationship and community rather than just words or the sinner's prayer. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford tackle listener questions about the true nature of evangelism, the role of the church, and what it means to invite people into the Kingdom of God. Key Takeaways: • Beyond Niceness: Do We Need Words? – Addressing whether being kind is enough or if evangelism requires vocal witnessing. • Women as Image Bearers of God – Discussing how women fully reflect God's image and the importance of gender inclusivity in Christianity. • The Church's Role in Society – Differentiating between questing for power and using power on behalf of others, and how the church should embody justice. • Inviting into Relationship and Community – Exploring what we are truly inviting non-believers into if not just the sinner's prayer, emphasizing genuine relationships and participation in God's Kingdom. Resources Mentioned: • 2 Corinthians 5:20 – Understandi

Mike and Tim delve into the complexities of masculinity in the modern church, critiquing popular messages like Jordan Peterson's "Message to the Christian Churches." They explore how the New Testament's emphasis on the "one another" commands challenges the myths of self-sufficiency and individualism, highlighting the church's true mission as internal transformation and mutual support rather than exerting power over others. Key Takeaways: Critiquing Modern Masculinity Messages – Analyzing Jordan Peterson's appeal to young men and its implications for the church's approach to masculinity. The Myth of Self-Sufficiency – Discussing how the New Testament challenges individualism through the "one another" commands, emphasizing interdependence. Mutuality and Reciprocity in Community – Exploring the importance of reciprocal relationships and mutual support as foundational to the church. The Church's True Mission – Emphasizing that the church's role is to be transformed by Christ, not to transform others through powe

Discover how embracing self-sacrificial love over the need for power can transform your faith journey and impact how you reflect Jesus to others. In part two of the Bearing the Name series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve deep into what it truly means to bear the name of Jesus in everyday life, moving beyond traditional evangelism to embody the beauty of Christ through actions and relationships. Key Takeaways: • Immersing in Jesus to Reflect His Image – Understanding the importance of internalizing your view of God and how immersing yourself in Jesus shapes the way you reflect His image to others. • Self-Sacrificial Love vs. Power Over People – Exploring the choice between embodying self-sacrificial love and exercising power over others, and how this impacts every area of life. • Moving Beyond Traditional Evangelism – Discussing the limitations of argument-based evangelism and the importance of embodying Jesus' characteristics through actions rather than just words. • Creating Rather Than Critiquing – Highli

Dive into a heartfelt conversation as Pastor Bethany Nass Cseh shares her personal journey through adoption and infertility, challenging the church to rethink its approach to abortion and women's health in a post-Roe v Wade world. Discover how creating safe, supportive spaces within faith communities can transform lives and embody the true mission of Jesus. Key Takeaways: Creating Safe Spaces for Women – How the church can become a trustworthy place for women to discuss issues like abortion, miscarriages, and reproductive health without fear of shame or judgment. Adoption as a Contingency Plan – Bethany shares her personal experiences with adoption, asserting that while adoption is meaningful, it is a contingency plan and not God's original intent, highlighting the need for supporting families to stay together. Moving Beyond Culture Wars – Discussing the importance of the church moving away from a culture war mindset and instead focusing on compassionate, bottom-up approaches that reflect Jesus's teachings.

How rethinking "evangelism" through the lens of bearing God's name can free us from performance-driven faith and deepen our witness as everyday expressions of the kingdom. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off a new series on evangelism and what it really means to invite people into the story of Jesus. Joined by a very special co-host, Seth, this episode weaves deeply theological reflections with everyday joys (like Jacuzzis and Chick-fil-A) to introduce a profound shift in how we live out and share our faith. Key Takeaways: • Bearing the Name of God – In Scripture, names aren't just labels—they reveal character, presence, and purpose. God's name, revealed as "I Am," is sacred and powerful, and followers of Jesus are called to bear that name in their daily lives. • More Than a Swear Word – Taking the Lord's name in vain isn't about cussing; it's about misrepresenting God's character by attaching His name to empty or harmful ways of living. • Evangelism as Everyday Witness – You are never not witnessing. Sharing

Exploring how Christians can navigate their conflicted feelings about the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford discuss the complexities of power, politics, and the church's mission. They offer insights on responding thoughtfully and faithfully in divisive times, emphasizing the importance of discernment, compassion, and understanding. Key Takeaways: Christian Responses to Roe v. Wade – Wrestling with conflicting emotions and moral considerations following the Supreme Court's decision. Power and Politics in the Church – Reflecting on how the church engages with political power and the implications of wielding influence in society. Jesus's Approach to Power – Examining how Jesus modeled the use of power and what that means for Christians today. The Need for Discernment – Emphasizing the importance of wisdom, nuance, and discernment in addressing complex moral and societal issues. Loving Our Neighbors – Understanding practical ways to embody Christ's love in times of pola

How Jesus' healing encounters with corpses, hemorrhages, and skin conditions aren't abolishing purity laws—but revealing His divine power over death itself. In this fascinating conversation, Mike, Tim, Susie, and guest scholar Matthew Thiessen reshape our understanding of ritual impurity in first-century Judaism and offer fresh insight into Jesus' ministry as a radical confrontation with death, not a rejection of Jewish tradition. Thiessen—Professor at McMaster University and author of Jesus and the Forces of Death—walks us through what ritual impurity really is (and isn't), how Gospels misread it today, and why Jesus's purification miracles were revolutionary within Judaism, not against it. Using examples from stories like the healing of the hemorrhaging woman, lepers, and the demoniac, this episode challenges the way many Christians have interpreted Jesus' actions—and suggests a deeper, more Jewish-honoring way to read His life, purpose, and kingdom mission. Key Takeaways: • Ritual vs. Moral Impurity – Unde

How rediscovering the Jewishness of Jesus reshapes Christian theology, discipleship, and our reading of the gospel. In this deeply insightful and honest conversation, Mike and Tim sit down with Dr. Jennifer Rosner, a Messianic Jewish theologian and author of Finding Messiah: A Journey into the Jewishness of the Gospel. As part one of the Finding Messiah Series, this episode explores the core question: what happens when we stop seeing Judaism as Christianity's foil and begin to recognize it as its foundation? Dr. Rosner shares her personal story of growing up in a culturally Jewish home, discovering Jesus through evangelical campus ministries, and the years-long journey toward reconciling those identities. Through her eyes, listeners gain a fresh perspective on why a gospel detached from Israel's story is not just incomplete, but distorted. Key Takeaways: • Why "unhooking" Christianity from the Old Testament undermines the gospel – and why Jesus can't be understood apart from his Jewish context. • The dangerou

Uncover how reexamining the concepts of 'works' and 'grace' in Ephesians 2 can transform your understanding of faith and salvation. Mike and Tim are joined by New Testament scholar Timothy Gombis to delve deep into Paul's messages, challenging traditional interpretations and exploring how these ancient texts apply to modern Christian life. Key Takeaways: Understanding 'Works' in Paul's Context – Exploring the difference between "works of the law" in Galatians and Romans and "good deeds" in Ephesians, and what Paul really meant. The Role of Grace Beyond Passivity – How God's grace is not about making us passive but invites us into active participation in His work. Avoiding Modern Legalism – Identifying contemporary parallels to the legalism Paul addressed, such as cultural identity markers that exclude others. Community as the Embodiment of the Gospel – Discussing how the church as a community proclaims the message of Christ through unity and love, rather than individual efforts. Guest Highlights: Timothy Go

A powerful and somber conversation centered on lamenting violence and abuse at the hands of institutions that claim to represent Jesus. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by Suzie Lind—Pastor, church elder, seminary student, and trusted leader—for a raw and vulnerable reflection on national tragedy, spiritual trauma, and the church's desperate need for repentance, transformation, and justice. This episode explores the emotional aftermath of widely publicized events: the Texas elementary school shooting and the SBC (Southern Baptist Convention) sexual abuse report. With reflections rooted in lament, theology, and personal experience, the trio discuss what it means to be Jesus followers in a time of horrific violence and institutional corruption. Susie shares her own journey—as a child of the Iranian Revolution, a convert from Islam, and a woman navigating the realities of male-dominated church leadership. The episode ends with a moving rendition of prayers for the people. How do Jesus followers respond to i

Discover how moving beyond the culture war mindset and embracing a cruciform identity can transform Christian engagement in a divided world. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by theologian Tim Gombis to discuss the dangers of enemy-making, redefining Christian identity through the lens of the cross, and how love of neighbor should shape our political actions and relationships. Key Takeaways: • The Pitfalls of the Culture War Mentality – Understanding how framing societal issues as "us vs. them" contradicts Jesus' teachings and damages Christian witness. • Embracing a Cruciform Identity – Reimagining what it means to be Christian by adopting a self-sacrificial posture modeled after Jesus' crucifixion. • Reorienting Political Participation – How Christians can engage in politics grounded in love of neighbor, especially considering marginalized communities. • Breaking Free from Enemy-Making – Strategies for overcoming the impulse to define ourselves by what we're against and instead fostering unity and under

Delving into the challenging intersection of abortion, grace, and theology, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford share heartfelt discussions on personal stories, the church's response, and how to navigate these complex issues with compassion and Christ-centered perspectives. Key Takeaways: Personal Stories and the Complexity of Abortion – A listener bravely shares her experience with abortion, prompting a nuanced conversation about compassionate, Christ-centered abortion policies and the church's approach to such sensitive issues. Reframing Grace and Theology – Exploring how understanding grace as transformative and reciprocal impacts our perspectives on faith, works, and addressing complex moral dilemmas like abortion. The Church's Role and Response – Reflecting on how the church can better support individuals facing difficult decisions, moving beyond black-and-white thinking to embody empathy and support. Engaging with Listener Questions – Addressing topics such as the potential future targets of the religious right

How should Christians respond when long-sought political victories come with emotional and spiritual turmoil? As part of the ongoing Exile Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford process the leaked Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, diving into the complex relationship between faith, justice, and power. Rather than celebrating or condemning in simplistic terms, the episode explores why this moment calls for grief, humility, and a reexamination of what it means to walk the way of Jesus in a culture obsessed with winning. Mike and Tim also dissect the theology of culture war Christianity and how it contradicts the upside-down kingdom Jesus proclaimed. They contrast coercive, legislated morality with the patient, radical hospitality of community that values every image-bearer – from unborn children to vulnerable mothers, immigrants, the poor, and beyond. The episode concludes with a reflective time of worship and a liturgical prayer of the people, inviting the listener into a posture of mercy and

Discover how redefining faith as enacted loyalty can revolutionize your understanding of Christianity and deepen your relationship with Jesus. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford unpack common misconceptions about faith, exploring how viewing faith as allegiance to Jesus as King leads to a more authentic and active spiritual life. Key Takeaways: Faith Beyond Mental Agreement – Challenging the idea that faith is merely believing certain truths without action. Enacted Loyalty to Jesus – Understanding faith as lived allegiance, demonstrated through actions and lifestyle. Debunking Misconceptions – Addressing misunderstandings of faith being the opposite of reason, a leap in the dark, or mere profession. The Marriage Analogy – Exploring how marriage serves as a powerful metaphor for faith as a covenantal and relational commitment. Embracing Doubt Within Faith – Discussing how doubt is a natural part of faith and does not undermine genuine allegiance. Resources Mentioned: "Salvation by Allegiance Alone" by Matthew Bates

Explore how rethinking deconstruction and understanding the full narrative of the Gospel can empower you to share hope and faith effectively, especially in life's most challenging moments. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into what it truly means to deconstruct faith—not as a departure but as a deeper commitment to Jesus—and discuss how to compassionately articulate the good news to those in crisis. Key Takeaways: Reframing Deconstruction – Recognizing deconstruction as an opportunity to deepen faith and embrace a fuller understanding of the Bible's narrative. Articulating the Gospel in Difficult Times – Ways to communicate the good news in a meaningful, compassionate manner to friends facing suffering or end-of-life situations. Responding to Critiques with Grace – Approaching criticism and differing theological views with openness and respect, fostering healthy faith conversations. Rethinking Traditional Evangelism – Challenging methods that focus on guilt and judgment, and instead emphasizing God's love an

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford conclude their deep dive into the concept of 'saved' by exploring how salvation is a story about time and space. They unpack the Jewish understanding of the present age and the age to come, discuss the 'already but not yet' nature of the Kingdom of God, and explain how living in the intersection of these ages affects our understanding of salvation and Christian life. They also address listener feedback on previous episodes and reflect on the practical implications of viewing salvation as the intersection of the ages. Key Takeaways: Salvation as a Story of Time and Space – Understanding how 'saved' involves the overlap of the present age and the age to come. The 'Already but Not Yet' Kingdom – Exploring the paradox of the Kingdom of God being both present and future, and how this shapes our Christian experience. Living in the Intersection of Ages – Discussing how the overlap of the ages explains conflicting experiences in Christian life and informs our participation in God's mission

What does it mean to truly belong in a church community—and how do we get there when Sunday morning isn't an option? In this special midweek episode, guest Bethany Shea joins Mike and Tim to explore the essence of church beyond the traditional structure. They dive into rich conversations about spiritual loneliness, self-worth, deconstruction, marriage, inclusive theology, and how our past affects our faith journey. Bethany brings deep insight from her experience as a church planter, United Methodist pastor, adoptive mom, and author of Stepping Into Advent and Stepping Into Lent. With wisdom, vulnerability, and humor, the team addresses questions from listeners navigating complex spiritual and relational terrain—from finding church community outside of Sunday mornings to helping others wrestle with bounded theology, and living with the heavy weight of spiritual unworthiness. Key Takeaways: • Church Beyond Sunday – Why your weekly worship experience doesn't have to be limited to Sunday services and how to culti