How the perception of evangelical Christianity in American culture has become a point of crisis, and why it's worth engaging in honest self-examination. In this first episode of the Vox Mailbag Series, Mike Erre and producer Andy Bear tackle a flood of listener questions, critiques, and encouragements—ranging from Rob Bell's theology and Paul's role in shaping gospel narratives, to how Christians are perceived in politics and the media.

This episode explores how the Vox community wrestles with heavy accusations against the evangelical church, including charges of hypocrisy, cruelty, and sociopathic behaviors. By reading listener emails directly and offering raw responses, Mike and Andy create a brutally honest and empathetic space to ask who really represents Jesus—and whether "loving your enemies" and "making Jesus beautiful" can still be the defining markers of the church.

Key Takeaways: - Evangelicalism Under Fire – Responding to critiques that evangelical Christianity is toxic, damaging, and irreparably harmful to outsiders and marginalized communities. - The Paul Conundrum – Why the letters of Paul may have been misused to overshadow the message of Jesus and how modern interpretations can distort the gospel. - Rob Bell and Christian Orthodoxy – Exploring whether Rob Bell's ideas still align with Christianity or represent something new entirely—and why hosting such voices matters. - Ableism, Racism, and Prejudice – Clarifying how inherited bias distorts how we interact with others, and why comparing struggles (e.g., ableism to racism) requires careful nuance and humility. - Jesus Always at the Center? – Wrestling with listener concerns that some theological discussions seem to minimize Jesus, and debating whether every conversation must end with a Gospel bow.

Resources Mentioned: - Isaiah 55:9-10 – Divine wisdom vs. human understanding. - Matthew 10 – On relationships and loyalty to Jesus. - Romans & Ephesians – Paul's major theological contributions. - "A Thicker Jesus" – (Referenced jokingly, but highlights interest in deeper Christology) - Psychology Today – Definitions and traits of sociopathic behavior, discussed through the lens of evangelical conduct.

Call to Action: Join the ongoing conversation and help shape future mailbag episodes by sending your feedback to [email protected]. If you've resonated with this series or want to hear more listener-driven content, leave us a review, subscribe, and engage with us on Facebook or Instagram.

As always, we welcome thoughtful disagreement, kind critique, and radical honesty.

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

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