Shows
VoxologyA Near Life Experience: The Theology of Disability and Punk Rock Prophets - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisWhat does punk rock have to do with the heart of the Gospel? In this episode, the Voxology team, joined by the Dr. Timothy Gombis, dives deep into the unexpected intersections of radical community, inclusivity, and the teachings of Jesus. From punk rock's raw authenticity to the profound ministry of disability-focused communities that Mike recently experienced at the "Hope Heals" camp. The conversation explores how cruciformity—the self-giving love of Jesus—emerges in unlikely places. Along the way, they unpack the role of the church in society, faith and politics, and navigating cultural challenges with humility and curi...
2025-07-071h 05
VoxologyTwo Christianities: Cruciform Love vs. Power and Culture Wars w/ Dr. Timothy Gombis (Cruciformity Series)How a cruciform vision of faith challenges cultural Christianity obsessed with dominance, political power, and exclusion. Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Dr. Timothy Gombis kick off a new Cruciformity Series by wrestling with the relational and theological tensions between two distinctly different expressions of Christianity. They dive into Gombis' definition of a cruciform (cross-shaped) life, the way Paul consistently connects theology to social justice, and what faithful biblical interpretation actually looks like in polarized times. This episode brings incisive insight and honest reflection into how Christians should engage others who claim Christ while promoting ideologies...
2025-04-071h 19
One Good Story PodcastGetting Outside of Your Tribe (with Tim Gombis)Tim and Justin sit down with Tim Gombis, a bible professor with over two decades of experience at the undergraduate and seminary level. He is also the author of several books, including The Story of God Commentary on the book of Mark. Dr. Gombis received his PhD in New Testament Studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky. You can find his published work here.
2024-06-031h 20
Faith ImprovisedTim Gets Some PerspectiveIn this episode, Steve and I talk about a bunch of different topics, but especially some recent lessons in perspective.
2023-12-1253 minFaith ImprovisedConspiracies, Intellectual Humility, and ArroganceIn this episode, Steve and I talk about some articles we've read recently on conspiracy theories, and relate those to intellectual humility and arrogance. We also mention the following books and articles: "Google Isn't Grad School," by Arthur Brooks, from The Atlantic, July 2023; "What Conspiracy Theorists Don't Believe," by Tim Harford, from The Atlantic, July 2023; The Death of Expertise, by Tom Nichols; Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman; The Origins of Creativity, by Edward O. Wilson.
2023-10-0346 min
VoxologyThree Men & a Barbie: Unveiling Male Fragility - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisDiscover how the "Barbie" movie brilliantly exposes male fragility and the contours of patriarchy, prompting us to rethink control, mutuality, and the church's role in today's society. Mike Erre, Tim Gombis, and Tim Stafford dive deep into the film's themes, exploring how satire unveils societal norms around gender roles and the implications for faith communities. Key Takeaways: The Hidden Depths of 'Barbie' – How the film uses satire to reveal and challenge traditional gender roles, offering a fresh perspective on mutuality over hierarchy. Male Fragility and Control – Examining how the need for control stems from insecurity and how...
2023-07-311h 14
VoxologyUnmasking the Powers: Rethinking Spiritual Warfare in Ephesians - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisMike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by biblical scholar Dr. Tim Gombis to explore how reimagining the powers and principalities in Ephesians transforms our understanding of spiritual warfare and the church's mission in the modern world. Delving into the complexities of the present evil age, they discuss how believers can actively resist systemic injustice, embrace communal salvation, and participate in new creation dynamics that defy the influence of the powers. Key Takeaways: Unveiling the Powers and Principalities – Understanding these forces as systemic structures influencing societies, reshaping our concept of spiritual warfare. The Church's Role in Sp...
2023-07-031h 03
VoxologyRedefining Sin: From Individual Failures to Cosmic Powers - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisDiscover how rethinking sin as a cosmic force rather than individual failures transforms our understanding of forgiveness, salvation, and the gospel. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by theologian Tim Gombis to explore the communal aspects of sin and how this perspective reshapes our approach to discipleship, community life, and personal struggles. Key Takeaways: • Sin as a Cosmic Power – Understanding sin not just as personal transgressions but as an active force that seeks to enslave and destroy humanity. • Forgiveness as Communal Restoration – How forgiveness involves entering into a new creation community and experien...
2023-04-171h 05
VoxologyUnderstanding Evil and Suffering: The Church's Mission in God's Kingdom - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisDelve into the complexities of evil and suffering as Mike and Tim are joined by scholar Tim Gombis in their Gospel with Gombis series. Together, they explore the origins of evil within the biblical narrative, the role of human collaboration in God's Kingdom, and how the church can respond to a world marred by suffering and injustice. Key Takeaways: The Origins of Evil – Understanding how human rebellion against God's plan introduced chaos and suffering into the world, drawing from Genesis and New Testament teachings. God's Kingship and Human Collaboration – Exploring how God's sovereignty is actualized through huma...
2023-02-201h 07
VoxologyRethinking the Gospel: Embracing the Radical Kingdom - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisMike and Tim engage with New Testament scholar Tim Gombis to explore how our traditional understanding of the gospel might be missing the radical message of Jesus's Kingdom. They discuss the limitations of a transactional approach to faith and delve into how Jesus's teachings in the Gospel of Mark challenge our expectations, both then and now. This conversation kicks off a new series focused on rediscovering the Kingdom message in today's context. Key Takeaways: Moving Beyond Transactional Faith – Understanding why the traditional "accept Jesus into your heart" message misses the fuller gospel. The Kingdom of God in...
2023-01-161h 01
VoxologyThe Power and Threat of Moral Policing: From Iran's Revolution to Western Christian Nationalism - w/ Pastor Suzie Lind and Dr. Timothy GombisHow the morality police in Iran became a symbol of oppressive theocracy, and why Christians in the West must pay attention. In this special edition of Voxology, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Susie Lind (an elder, pastor, and Iranian-American) dive into the recent wave of women-led protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini. The conversation explores the historical context of Iran's revolution, the internal trauma of displacement, and the deeply personal ties Susie holds to the current uprising. They draw unsettling parallels between Iran's morality police and Western theocratic impulses taking shape in America.
2022-10-171h 30
VoxologyFrom Culture Wars to Cruciform Identity: Reimagining Christian Engagement - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisDiscover 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 Chris...
2022-05-231h 10
Faithful Politics"Christianity & Culture" w/Tim Gombis, Ph.D.Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comJoin Josh and Will as they interview New Testament Scholar Dr. Tim Gombis. Their conversation ranges from cruciformly (yes that IS a word) to the race relationships in the church. You won’t want to miss this fascinating conversation. Learn more about time by visiting his website: https://timgombis.comFrom Tim Gombis:I call my blogging home Faith Improvised because it represents what I do as a student of the New Te...
2022-05-171h 03
The Eikon PodcastS4E101: Have We Been Misreading the Parable of the Sower? w/Tim Gombis; Mark 4:1-20Author and Theologian, Tim Gombis, joins the Eikon Living team to discuss the Parable of the Sower. When Jesus first taught the Parable of the Sower, he made clear that not only was it pivotal to understanding his ministry, but also that many who would hear would misunderstand it and not put it into practice. Gombis walks through this foundational parable, showing how it provides a textual map for the rest of Mark, how we can miss important elements of it just as Jesus' disciples did, and how we can rightly understand and rightly respond to the challenge of...
2022-04-1159 min
Faith ImprovisedBeing God's New Creation Community (Romans 12)I share a few reflections about exploring how to be Christian, I recommend the PBS documentary on Billy Graham, and I talk about Paul's exhortations to the Roman Christians in Romans 12.
You can find the documentary here: https://www.pbs.org/video/billy-graham-tp3vqn/.
2022-02-151h 08Faith ImprovisedHow to Be Christian and Stay Christian (Even When LGBTQ+ People Exist)In this episode, I share a few more reflections about conspiracy theories, I recommend Kiese Laymon's book, Heavy: An American Memoir (Scribner), and I talk about what it means to be Christian and how to remain Christian when relating to people who identify as LGBTQ+ inside and outside the church.
2022-02-081h 21Faith ImprovisedGod's Commitment to Save Israel (Romans 11)In this episode I recommend Randall Balmer's new book, Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right (Eerdmans), and I talk about the conclusion to Paul's argument regarding Israel in Romans 11.
2022-02-0151 minFaith ImprovisedHow the Church Harms LGBTQ ChristiansIn this shorter-than-normal episode, I share a few reflections and recommend Bridget Eileen Rivera’s book, Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church (Brazos Press).
2022-01-2517 minFaith ImprovisedIsrael and the Gentiles in RomeI share some updates on what I've been doing over the break, I recommend Gregory Alan Thornbury's really interesting book, Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?: Larry Norman and the Perils of Christian Rock (Convergent), and I talk about Paul’s argument regarding Israel in Romans 10.
I also mentioned this article: "'An American Tradition': Lessons from a year covering conspiracy theories," Jose A. Del Real, The Washington Post, Dec. 29, 2021.
2022-01-181h 02
Looking DeeperGuest Speaker Tim Gombis - Advent Week 2 (Mark 4:1-20)Our apologies for the delay in getting the last two sermons posted. This is the message from December 5 when Tim Gombis spoke on the parable of the sower, the seeds and the soils.
2021-12-1649 minFaith ImprovisedElection and God's Prerogative in Romans 9I recommend J. Russell Hawkins's excellent new book, The Bible Told Them So: How Southern Evangelicals Fought to Preserve White Supremacy, and I talk about Paul's argument in Romans 9.
2021-12-141h 15Faith ImprovisedThe Climax of Paul's Argument in Romans 8I offer some reflections on random topics, but especially about the notion of 'kayfabe' as a way of understanding behaviors in the world. I refer to Gregory Thornbury's article "On Metaphor and Kayfabe," which can be found here (https://daviddark.substack.com/p/on-metaphor-and-kayfabe). And I talk about the conclusion to Paul's second major movement in Romans 8.
2021-12-071h 14
Theology in the Raw#925 - Power and Privilege in Paul, Mark, and White Evangelicalism: Dr. Tim GombisOkay, so if you’re easily offended (and white), then you might want to change the channel. Dr. Tim Gombis is a no-holds-barred honest scholar, who’s not afraid to go to the hard places and challenge the status quo. And that’s exactly what we do in this episode. We discuss the undiscussables; say the quiet things out loud, and push over sacred cows as we seek to get to know Jesus all over again. This episode is a mix of exegetical exploration and cultural analysis (or critique). Tim is a long-time friend, a fellow biblical scholar...
2021-12-0600 min
Theology in the RawS9 Ep925: Power and Privilege in Paul, Mark, and White Evangelicalism: Dr. Tim GombisOkay, so if you’re easily offended (and white), then you might want to change the channel. Dr. Tim Gombis is a no-holds-barred honest scholar, who’s not afraid to go to the hard places and challenge the status quo. And that’s exactly what we do in this episode. We discuss the undiscussables; say the quiet things out loud, and push over sacred cows as we seek to get to know Jesus all over again. This episode is a mix of exegetical exploration and cultural analysis (or critique).
Tim is a long-time friend, a fellow biblical scholar...
2021-12-061h 23Faith ImprovisedQuestions about Romans and MarkIn this episode I offer some thoughts on whether Romans 7 can help Christians who struggle with addictions, and consider Jesus' abrasive and insulting statement to the Syrian-Phoenician woman in Mark 7.
2021-11-3036 minFaith ImprovisedThe Mosaic Law and the Cosmic Power of Sin (Romans 7)I recommend Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry's insightful book, Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States, and I talk about Paul's argument in Romans 7.
2021-11-161h 03
VoxologyReclaiming Unity in a Divided Church: Powers, Principalities, and the Path Forward - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisDiscover 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 powe...
2021-11-151h 16Faith ImprovisedThe Cosmic Scope of Paul's Exhortations in Romans 6I recommend Danté Stewart's brilliant memoir, Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle, and I talk about the communal and cosmic shape of Paul's exhortations in Romans 6.
2021-11-101h 03Faith ImprovisedThe Roman Conflict in Cosmic PerspectiveIn this episode, I give an update of what I've been up to on my little hiatus, I list a few books I'm currently enjoying, and I begin talking about the second major movement of Paul's argument, which starts in Romans 5:12-21.
2021-11-021h 43Faith ImprovisedA Brief HiatusI'm taking a little break from the podcast and plan to be back at it soon!
2021-09-2100 minFaith ImprovisedThe Roman Christians' Transformed IdentityI recommend Tim Otto's beautiful and hope-filled book, Oriented to Faith: Transforming the Conflict Over Gay Relationships, and I talk about the final passage in the first major movement of Paul’s argument in Romans (Rom 5:1-11).
2021-09-141h 03Faith ImprovisedPaul Sends Abraham to RomeI recommend Rebekah Eklund's wonderful new book, The Beatitudes Throughout The Ages, and I talk about how Paul argues for the unity of the Roman Christians by citing Abraham in Romans 4.
2021-09-071h 08
Dismantle Podcast218. "Bigger Churches & Billy Graham" with Tim GombisWhat did the early church gather around? What was their focus? And why did Billy Graham screw it up for us? Tim Gombis joins us to describe the meal of the church and the power it truly holds for transformation!
CONNECT:
@timgombis
2021-09-0528 minFaith ImprovisedPaul Unites the Romans in JustificationI recommend The Christian Imagination: Theology and the Origins of Race (Yale University Press), one of the most brilliant and breathtaking books I've ever read, and I talk about Paul's argument in Romans 3:21-31.
2021-08-311h 07Faith ImprovisedPaul Unites the Romans in Cosmic EnslavementI recommend Spencer Ackerman's new book, Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump, and I talk about the conclusion to Paul's opening argument in Romans 3:1-20.
2021-08-241h 33Faith ImprovisedPaul Confronts the Judging Group in Rome (Romans 2)I recommend Michael Gormans excellent book Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation, and I talk about how Paul's argument progresses in Romans 2, in which he confronts the group in the Roman churches that is passing judgment from a sense of moral superiority.
2021-08-171h 30Faith ImprovisedPaul's Rhetorical Trap (Romans 1:18-32)I recommend an excellent work on the Book of Acts, Kavin Rowe's World Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age (Oxford University Press), and I talk about Paul's opening rhetorical move in Romans 1:18-32.
2021-08-101h 08Faith ImprovisedThe Narrative Sub-Structure of RomansI recommend Beverly Roberts Gaventa's wonderful book, When In Romans: An Invitation to Linger with the Gospel According to Paul (Baker Academic), and I start talking about Paul's opening rhetorical move in Romans 1:18-32.
I also mention the following podcasts and books:
"The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill"
"The Ezra Klein Show"
Stanley Stowers, A Rereading of Romans: Justice, Jews, and Gentiles (Yale University Press).
Sigve K. Tonstad, The Letter to the Romans: Paul Among the Ecologists (Sheffield Phoenix Press).
2021-08-031h 29Faith ImprovisedPaul Greets The RomansIn this episode, I recommend Chuck DeGroat's timely and wonderful book, When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community from Emotional and Spiritual Abuse, and I talk about the introduction of Paul's letter to the Romans.
I also talk a bit about identity politics, responding to Charles Murray's article, “Identity Crisis: How the Politics of Race Will Wreck America,” published this month in The Spectator.
2021-07-271h 43Faith ImprovisedAn Overview of RomansIn this episode I recommend David Fromkin's masterful and fascinating work, A Peace To End All Peace: The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East, and I give an overview of how I see the major movements of Paul's argument in his letter to the Roman house churches.
2021-07-201h 13
VoxologyRebuilding Biblical Imagination: A Fresh Way to Read Scripture - w/ Dr. Timothy Gombis (Understanding the Bible Series)How the Bible's diversity of genres, cultural contexts, and ancient languages shape our spiritual understanding—and how to rediscover scripture as a life-giving, imaginative world. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford kick off a brand new series on the Bible with special guest Dr. Tim Gombis, diving deep into how the Bible can move from confusing and discouraging to enlightening and liberating. This episode is the beginning of a multi-part exploration aiming to help listeners reapproach the Bible with fresh eyes and renewed confidence. Key Takeaways: • Breaking Free from "The Bible Says It, That Settles It" – Why simplistic readin...
2021-07-191h 05Faith ImprovisedWandering Through RomansI recommend Lisa Bowens's compelling new book, African American Readings of Paul: Reception, Resistance, and Transformation (Eerdmans), and I talk about where I intend to go with the podcast in this third season (and beyond), reporting on my research in Paul's letter to the Romans.
2021-07-131h 06
VoxologyCelebrating 300 Episodes: Lament, Hope, and the Birth of Voxology - w/ Bonnie Lewis, Shane Claiborne & Dr. Timothy GombisHow the voices of lament, deconstruction, and justice led to a renewed vision of the church and the launch of Voxology. In this monumental 300th (and now Voxology's first!) episode, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford pause to reflect on six years of podcasting and the journey that brought about the transformation from The Vox Podcast to Voxology. This episode is a heartfelt collection of gratitude, vision-casting, and a look ahead. Joined by special guests Bonnie Lewis, Shane Claiborne, and Tim Gombis, the conversation dives deep into themes of church trauma, nationalistic Christianity, systemic brokenness, and the audacious...
2021-06-142h 00Faith ImprovisedThe Church Is God's Social JusticeIn this episode, I recommend a great new book by Brian Brock called, Disability: Living Into The Diversity Of Christ's Body, and I talk about social justice, the gospel, and how the church does not merely have some kind of relationship to social justice, but rather, according to Paul, the church is God’s social justice.
2021-06-081h 43Faith ImprovisedDeath of God, Etc.I have a discussion with my friend Steve Watkins about a load of stuff, but especially about some of the impulses behind death of God thinkers, which I find really fascinating.
2021-06-021h 17Faith ImprovisedThe Grammar of the GospelI recommend an excellent new book, Reparations: A Call for Repentance and Repair, by Duke L. Kwon and Gregory Thompson, and I talk about the grammar of the gospel and compare that to the grammar of evangelicalism.
2021-05-251h 14Faith ImprovisedThe Problem of Men in MinistryI recommend Ijeoma Oluo’s new book, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America, and I respond to a question about women in ministry by sort of flipping the script and reflecting on the problem of men in ministry.
I also recommend Nijay Gupta's excellent blog series, "Why I Believe in Women in Ministry," an index to which is found here (https://www.patheos.com/blogs/cruxsola/2019/06/why-i-believe-in-women-in-ministry-gupta/).
2021-05-182h 07Faith ImprovisedLove the Evangelical, Hate the EvangelicalismI recommend a magisterial work by Frances FitzGerald, The Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America, and I reflect a bit on some recent articles on the cultural dynamics of evangelicalism.
I refer to these three articles:
Timothy Dalrymple, "The Splintering of the Evangelical Soul: Why We're Coming Apart, and How We Might Come Together Again," Christianity Today, April 16, 2021.
J. Kameron Carter, "Behind Christianity Today’s Editorial is a Deeper Crisis of America’s Religion of Whiteness," Religion News Service, December 24, 2019.
Isaac B. Sharp, "Race, Gender, and the Limits of Evangelical Identity," Berk...
2021-05-111h 18Faith ImprovisedThinking Again, AgainI recommend Ta-Nehisi Coates's brilliant book, Between the World and Me, an absolutely powerful memoir that’s a personal letter to his son, and I intended to talk about a few recent articles on the contemporary state of American evangelicalism, but ended up extending some thoughts on the sorts of things I routinely re-think.
2021-05-0458 minFaith ImprovisedWhat Did Jesus Know & When Did He Know It?I recommend Jared Yates Sexton's compelling new book, American Rule: How A Nation Conquered the World but Failed Its People, and I talk about reckoning with the narrative shape of the Gospels, how they theologize about Jesus as a character, and how certain theological conceptions can get in the way of our understanding, especially an assumption about God's "omniscience."
I also mention Jeannine Brown's excellent book, The Gospels as Stories: A Narrative Approach to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
2021-04-271h 00Faith ImprovisedThe Joy of Being WrongI talk about Adam Grant's new book, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know, and how it sheds light on creative Christian postures of humility and curiosity. I also mention Beth Allison Barr's new release, The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth. And I make minor note of Daniel Boorstin's classic work, The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America.
2021-04-201h 16Faith ImprovisedBaseball & Golf, Science & FaithIn this short episode I talk about the Cubs' brutal start to the season, the Masters tournament from last week, and I recommend Edward Larson's brilliant book, Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion.
2021-04-1313 minFaith ImprovisedReconnecting with a FriendI reflect a bit about why this is my favorite week of the year, I talk about Molly Worthen’s book, Apostles of Reason: The Crisis of Authority in American Evangelicalism, and I share a personal story about reconnecting with an old friend.
2021-04-0650 min
Crackers and Grape JuiceEpisode 302 - Tim Gombis : Power in WeaknessTim Gombis joins the pod to talk about his newest book, 'Power in Weakness: Paul’s Transformed Vision for Ministry.' Tim and Teer explore a model for church leadership as old as Paul's letter to the Romans.From the publisher:After Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he turned from coercion and violence to a ministry centered on the hope of Christ’s resurrection. In earthly terms, Paul had traded power for weakness. But—as he explained in his subsequent letters—this “weakness” was actually the key to flourishing community that is able t...
2021-04-0239 minFaith ImprovisedExvangelicals & DeconstructionI recommend a powerful new book by Anthea Butler called White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America, and I reflect for a bit about the terms “exvangelical” and “deconstruction.”
I also mention a few other books: Adam Grant, Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know; Crystal M. Fleming, How To Be Less Stupid About Race: On Racism, White Supremacy, and the Racial Divide; Ijeoma Oluo, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America.
2021-03-301h 12Faith ImprovisedThe Church as God's Public JusticeI share some random observations from the past week, I recommend Educated: A Memoir, which is a brilliant and quite compelling coming of age narrative, and I talk about Paul’s vision of the church as God’s public justice.
2021-03-231h 11Faith ImprovisedThe Conversion of Paul's Ministry ImaginationI share some thoughts from the past week, I recommend Heather McGhee's brilliant new book, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, in which she elaborates the zero-sum logic that distorts our racial and political imaginations, and I share some ideas from my book, Power in Weakness: Paul's Transformed Vision for Ministry, especially how Paul experienced a conversion of his ministry imagination.
2021-03-161h 14
VoxologyPower in Weakness: Power, Prestige, and the Path of Cruciform Ministry - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisHow Paul's transformational journey from religious dominance to cruciform humility offers a radical blueprint for reimagining ministry leadership in today's churches. This episode dives deep into the themes of power and weakness, drawing from Dr. Tim Gombis's book, Power in Weakness: Paul's Transformed Vision for Ministry. Join Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Dr. Gombis for a wide-ranging and raw conversation about toxic leadership, authentic community, and how the New Testament calls us to something far more disruptive—and liberating—than a leadership pipeline or performance metrics could offer. Key Takeaways: • Paul's Transformation of Leadership – How Paul reoriented his enti...
2021-03-151h 17Faith ImprovisedWhite Evangelicals & Abortion PoliticsIn this episode I share some random observations, I recommend Jason Hickel's brilliant book, The Divide: Global Inequality from Conquest to Free Markets, and I talk about the politics of abortion and how this issue has shaped the culture of white evangelicalism in America.
2021-03-091h 12Faith ImprovisedJust BrieflyIn this brief episode, I share some thoughts from the past week and I recommend Jason Stanley's fascinating book How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them.
2021-03-0220 minFaith ImprovisedSovereignty, Suffering, Sports, Etc.I offer some reflections on music, sports, and the challenge of self-awareness among athletes, I recommend Daniel Radosh's fun and enlightening book, Rapture Ready!: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture, and I respond to some questions about what I've been saying about God's sovereignty and what that looks like in our world.
2021-02-231h 22Faith ImprovisedMore on Sovereignty and SufferingI respond to a bunch of questions I received based on the previous episode, and I recommend Kate Bowler's wonderful memoir, Everything Happens for a Reason: And Other Lies I've Loved, which is a personal and theological reflection on so many of the poor ways Christians have come to think about God in relation to human suffering.
2021-02-161h 18Faith ImprovisedGod's Sovereignty and Human SufferingI reflect on the character of antagonism and how patterns in evangelical culture make evangelicals susceptible to being drawn easily into antagonistic postures and patterns in the larger culture. I also recommend Manoush Zomorodi's fascinating book, Bored and Brilliant: How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self, and I talk about how the Bible depicts God's sovereignty and how that relates to human suffering, among other dynamics in our experience.
2021-02-091h 21Faith ImprovisedPappy O'Daniel Power HourI have a conversation with my friend Steve Watkins about a variety of topics: how our thinking has developed over the years, what to do about misinformation and conspiracy theories, and we drop some Coen references along the way. I also recommend Anne Applebaum's important new book, Twilight of Democracy.
2021-02-021h 01Faith ImprovisedThe Importance of Listening to *Others*I offer some ruminations from the past week, I talk about Bruce Longenecker's wonderful book, The Lost Letters of Pergamum, which is one of the best resources for getting into the world of the New Testament, and I reflect on the strategic importance of listening to those our culture *others*, especially when it comes to realities like cruciformity.
2021-01-261h 11Faith ImprovisedIt's a Putsch!In this first episode of season 2, I answer a question about evangelical engagement with the Bible, I talk about my new book, Power in Weakness, which is about Paul as a pastor, and I reflect a bit on current events, especially the attempted putsch on January 6 and what that portends for America in coming days.
2021-01-191h 05VoxologyThe Church in Crisis: Reclaiming a Kingdom Imagination for Politics and Community (Post-Insurrection Conversation) - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisHow can the Church respond faithfully to modern political chaos without getting entangled in the power structures of empire? In a powerful, raw reflection following the January 6 insurrection, Mike and Tim welcome Pauline theologian Dr. Tim Gombis to unpack how the Apostle Paul might interpret and respond to the events that unfolded in the U.S. Capitol. This episode invites listeners into a deep, sobering conversation about Christian nationalism, fear-fueled political movements, and how the Church can—and must—rediscover its identity as a cruciform, counter-cultural kingdom community. With an urgent call to reject ideological captivity, reclaim gosp...
2021-01-181h 21Faith ImprovisedPaul's Apparently "Clear" Teaching About Christian FamiliesI offer a few observations and reflections from the past week, I recommend Seth Dowland's fascinating book, Family Values and the Rise of the Christian Right, and I talk about the Household Code in Ephesians 5-6 as an instance of how modern Bible readers can misread an apparently clear passage when they don't understand ancient and modern historical contexts.
2020-12-2242 minFaith ImprovisedThe (un)Gospel of Mark, Pt. 8I reflect a bit on evangelical faulty logic that keeps us from loving our neighbors, I talk about a wonderful resource for understanding Mark in its Jewish context, and I conclude my series on Mark's Gospel.
2020-12-151h 05Faith ImprovisedRace, Patriarchy, the SBC, and Lessons We Don't LearnI talk about the statement issued by SBC seminary presidents rejecting Critical Race Theory and why that signals a resistance to the difficult but life-giving work of gospel-oriented justice. I also talk about Beth Allison Barr’s upcoming book, The Making of Biblical Womanhood, which is a brilliant analysis of how evangelical patriarchy uses the Bible to endorse gender hierarchies that the gospel deconstructs.
2020-12-0853 minFaith ImprovisedThe (un)Gospel of Mark, Pt. 7I offer a few reflections and observations from the past week, I recommend Luke Timothy Johnson's new book on Paul's letters and theology, and I talk about the narrative dynamics of what is going on in chapter 14 of Mark's Gospel.
2020-12-011h 05Faith ImprovisedThe (un)Gospel of Mark, Pt. 6I talk about some events of the recent week, along with offering a few other random thoughts, I recommend Scot McKnight's book, Reading Romans Backwards, and I explore some of what is going on in Mark 13, which has huge implications for being Christian while a pandemic is raging.
2020-11-241h 01Faith ImprovisedThe (un)Gospel of Mark, Pt. 5I share some thoughts about the bizarre nature of the past week, I commend Esau McCaulley's excellent new book, Reading While Black, and I talk about some of the narrative dynamics of Mark 11-12.
2020-11-171h 10Faith ImprovisedThe (un)Gospel of Mark, Pt. 4I share some reflections from the past week's events, respond to an interesting question about relating to God, talk a little about Grand Rapids Theological Seminary where I teach, and I draw out some of the narrative dynamics up and running in Mark 8-10.
2020-11-101h 39Faith ImprovisedThe (un)Gospel of Mark, Pt. 3I reflect a bit on events of the past week, I recommend Jill Lepore's excellent and insightful work, These Truths: A History of the United States, and I talk about the narrative dynamics of Mark 4-8.
2020-11-031h 24Faith ImprovisedThe (un)Gospel of Mark, Pt. 2I recommend Jeannine Brown's excellent new book on the Gospels and I continue talking about the subversive Gospel of Mark, focusing on how Jesus's parable of the sower and the seed in 4:1-20 sets the table for the rest of the narrative.
2020-10-271h 14Faith ImprovisedThe (un)Gospel of Mark, Pt. 1I talk about Matthew Avery Sutton's brilliant book, American Apocalypse, which is now the standard work on the history of modern fundamentalism / evangelicalism in America, and I start a series exploring Mark's mystifying and thoroughly unsettling Gospel.
2020-10-201h 02Faith ImprovisedHow Christian Identity Works, Pt. 3I share some random thoughts and reflections, answer a few emails, talk about Harry Frankfurt's brilliant book, On Bullshit, and wrap up a discussion of how cruciformity determines the identity of Christians.
2020-10-1358 minFaith ImprovisedHow Christian Identity Works, Pt. 2I share some reflections, including a lament about the Cubs' early departure from the baseball postseason, I talk about Pankaj Mishra's excellent and insightful book, Age of Anger, and I continue describing the way Scripture constructs Christian identity, focusing on cruciformity.
2020-10-061h 09Faith ImprovisedHow Christian Identity Works, Pt. 1I offer a few random observations, recommend Robert P. Jones's excellent new book, White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, and begin a series about Christian identity, focusing on cruciformity.
2020-09-291h 14Faith ImprovisedThe Powers and Authorities and Christian Discernment of CultureI share a few random observations, I talk about a lovely book I've read recently, and I elaborate on the larger theological framework that shapes my engagement with cultural criticism and gives some background as to why I think Critical Race Theory is so helpful for Christians.
2020-09-221h 38Faith ImprovisedCritical Race Theory and Evangelical FearI respond to an interesting question about my posture toward the church, I talk about probably my all-time favorite book, and I elaborate a bit on Critical Race Theory, why evangelical leaders are sowing fear about it, and why Christians have nothing to fear about this or any other analytical tool for discerning power dynamics of oppression in our culture.
2020-09-151h 12Faith Improvised“Make America Great Again” is a Call to Turn Our Backs to the GospelI respond to a question about the nature of salvation, I talk about Nijay Gupta's great new book on how Paul uses "faith" language in his letters, and I reflect on how the resonance among white evangelicals with the current president's campaign slogan reveals something fundamentally problematic about the culture of white evangelicalism.
2020-09-081h 12Faith ImprovisedHow To Be HumbleI catch up on some discussion and questions about evangelism, talk about Tom Nichols's wonderful book, The Death of Expertise, and I reflect a bit on the character of humility and arrogance.
2020-09-011h 43VoxologyRethinking Evangelism, Discipleship, and the Great Commission - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisA 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...
2020-08-3153 minFaith ImprovisedAlpha Male Myths & Violence in Our WorldIn this episode, I reflect on the role that "the Great Commission" plays in evangelical culture, I talk about Sarah Posner's brilliant new book, "Unholy: Why White Evangelicals Worship at the Altar of Donald Trump," and I share a conversation with my friend Steve Watkins. He's a former Navy SEAL whose experience and study has changed his thinking about the military and violence. We also talk about Alpha & Beta males and there's a Fargo reference dropped in for good measure.
2020-08-251h 22Faith ImprovisedIs the “Great Commission” Even a Thing!?A conversation with Kristen Johnson on the surprising history of the phrase that has been so central to evangelical identity, mission, and practice. It's perhaps time to reassess the outsize role Matthew 28:19-20 plays in our thinking, and just as importantly, to actually look at what the passage says!
2020-08-181h 17Faith ImprovisedJesus and John Wayne, with Kristin Du MezThis week, I respond to a few questions about individualism, I talk a little about Bruce Longenecker's book, In Stone and Story, and I have a discussion with Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of the new book, Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.
2020-08-111h 11Faith ImprovisedChristian Nationalism is IdolatryIn this episode I respond to some questions I received, commend the super-fun book Cringeworthy: A Theory of Awkwardness, by Melissa Dahl, and talk about the idolatrous notion that America is a Christian nation.
2020-08-041h 16Faith ImprovisedBLM, the Kingdom of God, and White Evangelicalism's Gospel ProblemIn this episode I share a few ideas in response to a question asking what we can do about our individualized gospel, I recommend Lee Camp's sparkling new book, Scandalous Witness: A Little Political Manifesto for Christians, and I elaborate some of the dynamics of the Kingdom of God in Scripture that conservative white evangelicals are missing, captive as that culture is to a shrunken version of the gospel.
2020-07-281h 03Faith ImprovisedChristian Identity & RaceIn this episode I respond to some questions I received about evangelism from the first episode, I talk about Kristin Kobes Du Mez's wonderful new book Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, and I share a conversation I had about race with Max Botner, my New Testament colleague at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. We hit a few things we've learned from the book White Fragility and about some criticisms of it, and we touched on some aspects of Christian identity that drive us to learn about and discuss matters of race.
2020-07-211h 09Faith ImprovisedHere Goes Nothin'In this first episode, I explain why I’m jumping into podcasting and what I hope to explore. I talk a little about Chanequa Walker-Barnes’s new book, I Bring the Voices of My People, and I explore a bit further how I came to change my thinking about a Christian posture toward others, both at an individual level and cultural one.
2020-07-1441 minVoxologyFaith Improvised: Faith, Justice, and the Power Structures We Ignore - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisHow 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 Te...
2020-07-061h 00VoxologyWake Up Dead Man: God is Not in Control, part 2 - with Tim GombisWhat if the chaos we fear is part of the invitation? In part 2 of this conversation with Dr. Timothy Gombis—aka "Freaking Gombis"—we go deep into the mystery and discomfort of prayer during crisis. Picking up where Part 1 left off, Gombis stuns the crew with a bold observation about God's posture in the midst of suffering and unanswered prayer, leading to a rich exploration of lament, divine sovereignty, and the church's calling in a broken world. From Romans 8 to Psalm 44 to punk bands and Bob Ross, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, Bonnie, and Gombis uncover how deeply our theology of p...
2020-04-2738 minVoxologyGod Is Not In Control? Exploring Suffering, Sovereignty, and Chaos - w/ Timothy GombisA candid and provocative conversation with theologian Dr. Tim Gombis kicks off a special four-part series unraveling one of Christianity's most common yet misunderstood phrases: "God is in control." In this first episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie Lewis explore what it actually means to say that God is sovereign, and why saying "God is in control" may hinder rather than help a healthy understanding of suffering, divine action, and human vocation. Gombis challenges us to take seriously the biblical portrayal of God as king, not controller, and to reimagine what divine sovereignty looks like in...
2020-04-2044 minVoxologyPracticing Political Faithfulness in Polarizing Times - w/ Dr. Timothy GombisHow the local church can embody the reign of Christ through self-giving love, radical hospitality, and a commitment to justice in the face of national political chaos. This powerful conversation with New Testament scholar Tim Gombis unpacks how Christians can resist cultural currents shaped by sin and death—instead bearing witness to the kingdom of God through embodied practices rooted in community. Tim Stafford, Bonnie Lewis, and Tim Gombis wade through important (and often overwhelming) questions about national politics, collective Christian identity, denominational history, modern evangelicalism, and the ripple effects of our everyday actions. But don't worry—befo...
2020-01-271h 20VoxologyTim Gombis Absolutely Blew Our Minds About Why Jesus Had to Die: Jesus and the Cosmic Mission of GodHow the Apostle Paul's cosmic vision of salvation reshapes everything we thought we knew. Mike, Bonnie, and Tim sit down with Pauline scholar Dr. Tim Gombis to talk about one massive question: why did Jesus have to die? What begins as a conversation about atonement turns into an hour-plus deep-dive into how Paul viewed salvation, sin, and the church—not as individual concerns, but as cosmic realities. Gombis pulls back the curtain on distorted gospel narratives common in modern Christianity and reframes salvation not as ledger-clearing, but as the liberation of all creation from enslaving cosmic powers....
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