Voxology

Have you ever felt like the traditional version of Christianity sounds more like an abusive relationship than a message of love? Today, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford tackle a viral critique of the faith and dive deep into what it actually means to pray for God's will to be done on earth. This conversation moves past the idea of God as a cosmic tyrant to rediscover a Jesus who invites us into a better way of being human.In this episode, we explore the tension between our human will and the divine will, moving past the "fire insurance" version of the gospel that many are rightfully rejecting. We discuss why the church often fails by trying to "polish up" Jesus instead of letting his voice stand on its own. We also break down the phrase "on earth as it is in heaven," challenging the common belief that Christianity is just about escaping this world for a disembodied afterlife. Instead, we look at how heaven is invading earth to restore our humanity and the image of God within us. From the historical context of Gehenna to the surprising connection between holiness and the joy of play, this episode is a deep dive into the heart of the Lord's Prayer. We tackle the hard questions about suffering, judgment, and why the truth coming to light is actually the best news possible.Chapters0:00 Intro and the Best Friends Podcast3:45 Reading a Viral Critique of Christianity8:20 Why People are Walking Away from the Church13:10 Stop Trying to Dress Up Jesus18:15 Thy Will Be Done: The Heart of the Prayer23:50 Two Major Misunderstandings of Surrender28:40 Does God Cause Suffering and Cancer?34:15 Heaven is a Status, Not Just a Place39:30 Why Divine Judgment is Actually Good News45:10 The Truth About Hell and Gehenna51:00 Dehumanization vs. the Image of God56:45 Tasting New Creation Through Play and Community1:01:20 Previewing the Exodus and Daily BreadAs always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], 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! EtsyLearn more about the Voxology PodcastSubscribe on iTunes or SpotifySupport the Voxology Podcast on PatreonThe Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology RadioFollow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on FacebookFollow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerreMusic in this episode by Timothy John StaffordInstagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

What happens when the Jesus Freak generation grows up and looks at the state of modern Christianity? Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive into the messy intersection of faith, politics, and ancient cosmology in this wide-ranging conversation. From the fallout of 90s Christian celebrity culture to the current consumerism surrounding religious holidays, this episode explores why so many are feeling disillusioned with the modern church.The discussion moves into a deep critique of religious rhetoric within the American government and the recent America Reads the Bible event. Mike and Tim ask the hard questions: How do we remain invitational and hopeful amidst cultural carnage? How do we distinguish between the eternal truths of scripture and the cultural husks used to deliver them?A significant portion of this episode is dedicated to a listener question about the Lord's Prayer. By diving back into Genesis 1 and ancient Hebrew cosmology, Mike explains the concept of the Rakia, the waters above and below, and what it truly means to pray for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. This deep dive into the highest heavens versus the atmospheric heavens provides a fresh perspective on God's status and presence in our world today.If you're interested in scheduling Spiritual Coaching sessions with Tim, email: tim at voxpodcast dot com, with COACHING in the subject line :) Chapters:0:00 Intro and Neighborhood Banter3:12 DC Talk and the Jesus Freak Legacy8:15 Consumerism and Easter Productions13:40 Religious Language in Modern Politics19:25 The Government and Resurrection Sunday26:10 The Vatican and US Political Responses32:45 America Reads the Bible Movement38:20 Staying Invitational Amidst Deconstruction45:15 Peacemaking and Reintegrating the Deceived50:40 Announcement Tim Stafford Spiritual Coaching54:20 Your Will Be Done on Earth59:35 Ancient Cosmology and the Rakia1:04:50 The Waters Above and the Highest Heavens1:09:10 Divine Revelation vs Cultural Husks1:12:45 Conclusion and OutroAs always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], 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! https://www.etsy.com/shop/VOXOLOGY?ref=shop_sugg_marketLearn more about the Voxology PodcastSubscribe on iTunes or SpotifySupport the Voxology Podcast on PatreonThe Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology RadioFollow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on FacebookFollow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerreMusic in this episode by Timothy John StaffordInstagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Why does the wrath of God feel so different between the Old and New Testaments? Today we are joined by theologian Dr. Timothy Gombis to dive deep into the complexities of divine judgment, the character of God, and how we often misinterpret Paul's writings in Romans. It is a wide-ranging conversation that moves from the golf course to the deepest questions of biblical justice.In this episode, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford welcome back one of their favorite guests to explore a topic that often vexes modern believers. We start with some lighthearted catching up on life, substitute teaching, and the ultimate burrito rating scale before diving into the heavy lifting of biblical theology.Tim Gombis shares his provocative insights on Romans 1, arguing that the famous passage on wrath might actually be a rhetorical trap set by Paul rather than his own primary theology. We discuss God’s fundamental orientation toward hospitality and delight, and how human rebellion invites a gathering chaos that the Bible labels as wrath. From the covenantal consequences in the Old Testament to the mysterious deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, we wrestle with what it means to fear a God who takes community and justice so seriously.We also address the difficult reality of modern-day evildoers who seem to prosper while using the name of Jesus. If God is slow to anger, how do we handle the tension of his apparent silence in the face of current injustice? This conversation is an invitation to hold that tension in faith and join in the prayer for God to set all things right.Chapters0:00 Intro - Seth and Easter Super Bowl3:15 Catching up with Tim Gombis7:45 The Masters and Cubs Baseball11:30 The Definitive Burrito Rating System16:00 Teaching First Grade and Kindergarten21:00 Framing the Questions on Wrath24:30 God as Slow to Anger and Hospitable29:15 Responding to Oppression and Chaos34:00 Rethinking the Flood Narrative38:30 Covenantal Judgment in Israel43:00 Why We Cannot Read Modern Signs47:45 Paul’s View of Wrath in Romans52:15 The Rhetorical Trap of Romans 157:00 Wrath as Cosmic Disembodied Chaos1:01:30 Ananias, Sapphira, and Economic Holiness1:05:00 Final Judgment and Setting Things Right1:08:00 Supporting VoxologyAs always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], 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! EtsyLearn more about the Voxology PodcastSubscribe on iTunes or SpotifySupport the Voxology Podcast on PatreonThe Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology RadioFollow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on FacebookFollow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerreMusic in this episode by Timothy John StaffordInstagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

What does it actually mean to be saved, and is the popular version of the gospel missing the point? Today we dive into a fascinating letter from Franklin Graham to Donald Trump to dissect how we understand salvation, the heart, and the kingdom of God. This episode explores why a private, internal-only faith might fall short of the radical, embodied life Jesus actually called us to live.In this episode, we deconstruct the traditional heaven-bound narrative and look at the biblical definitions of words like belief and heart. Mike and Tim discuss how faith is less about an intellectual multiple-choice test and more about our executive will and daily allegiances. We also share a powerful poem by Wendell Berry that invites us to practice resurrection in a world obsessed with profit and power.As we continue our series on the Lord's Prayer, we tackle the deep paradoxes of the kingdom. Is the kingdom of God growing like a mustard seed, or is it a secret waiting to burst forth? We look at how to recognize the signs of God's presence without trying to force or predict His timing. Finally, we contrast different views of human history to see why the way of Jesus offers a uniquely hopeful future for our world.Chapters0:00 Intro and April Fools3:15 Tim's Birthday and Aching Legs5:30 A Tale of Two Christianities8:45 Franklin Graham's Letter to Trump12:15 Deconstructing the Heaven Bound Gospel16:30 What Does it Mean to Believe20:00 The Biblical Meaning of the Heart24:15 Why the Voxology Approach Takes Time28:30 Manifesto of the Mad Farmer33:00 Practicing Resurrection in Daily Life37:45 The Paradox of a Discernible Kingdom42:00 Signs of the End vs AD 7046:30 The Kingdom as a Hidden Seed51:00 Three Views of Human History54:15 Building for the Kingdom and OutroAs always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], 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! EtsyLearn more about the Voxology PodcastSubscribe on iTunes or SpotifySupport the Voxology Podcast on PatreonThe Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology RadioFollow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on FacebookFollow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerreMusic in this episode by Timothy John StaffordInstagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Welcome to the Voxology Podcast with Mike Erre and Tim Stafford. In this episode, we explore what it truly means to pray for God's Kingdom to come while living in a world that feels increasingly fractured and chaotic. 🌍 We kick things off by discussing the problematic rhetoric surrounding climate change and the biblical mandate for stewardship. Is the earth just a disposable backdrop for the Gospel, or does God care about the flourishing of creation? 🌿 We also dive into a controversial military prayer used at the Pentagon, examining how wrapping requests for overwhelming violence in the name of Jesus represents a fundamental misunderstanding of his character and mission. 🕊️ The core of our study today focuses on the Already and Not Yet paradox of the Kingdom of God. We look at the ancient Jewish expectation of the two ages and how Jesus inaugurated the age to come right in the middle of our present reality. This overlap of ages explains the common tensions of the Christian life, such as why we experience both the power of the Spirit and the ongoing struggle with sin, death, and suffering. 📖 Welcome to the Voxology Podcast with Mike Erre and Tim Stafford. In this episode, we explore what it truly means to pray for God's Kingdom to come while living in a world that feels increasingly fractured and chaotic. 🌍 We kick things off by discussing the problematic rhetoric surrounding climate change and the biblical mandate for stewardship. Is the earth just a disposable backdrop for the Gospel, or does God care about the flourishing of creation? 🌿 We also dive into a controversial military prayer used at the Pentagon, examining how wrapping requests for overwhelming violence in the name of Jesus represents a fundamental misunderstanding of his character and mission. 🕊️ The core of our study today focuses on the Already and Not Yet paradox of the Kingdom of God. We look at the ancient Jewish expectation of the two ages and how Jesus inaugurated the age to come right in the middle of our present reality. This overlap of ages explains the common tensions of the Christian life, such as why we experience both the power of the Spirit and the ongoing struggle with sin, death, and suffering. 📖 Chapters ⏳ 0:00 Intro and Easter Week 3:15 Climate Change and Faith 7:40 Biblical Stewardship of Creation 10:30 Three Meanings of the World 14:15 New Creation and NT Wright 17:50 Interdimensional Ideas and Aliens 21:10 The Pentagon Prayer Controversy 25:00 Critiquing Violent Prayers in Jesus Name 30:45 Peacemaking vs Peacekeeping 35:20 Finding Hope in Apathy 39:00 The Kingdom of God Series Continues 43:10 The Two Ages Jewish Perspective 47:30 Paradox of the Present Kingdom 52:15 Living in the Overlap of Ages 56:40 Implications for Healing and Sin 1:00:30 Building For the Kingdom 1:04:06 Outro and Support As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], 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