What 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 prayer reflects our assumptions about control, pain, and God’s character.

Key Takeaways: • Challenging Conventional Prayer – Why most of our prayers don’t align with Scripture, especially when driven by comfort, fear, or certainty. • The Power of Lament – Re-centering our prayers on lament, mercy, grief, and solidarity with a creation groaning for redemption. • How God Intervenes – Exploring the provocative claim that God’s primary intervention is through human agents pursuing justice and healing—not supernatural micromanagement. • Prayer as Participation in God’s Mission – Viewing prayer not as a tool to control outcomes, but a means of joining God’s sorrow and hope. • Rethinking God's Sovereignty – Is God “in control” as we imagine—or is he grieving with us, stunned and heartbroken by the choices of humanity?

Guest Highlights: Dr. Timothy Gombis – Theologian, author, and professor who returns in this follow-up episode with penetrating insight and a brand-new theological “gut punch.” Gombis challenges easy answers about divine intervention and invites us to press deeper into mystery, solidarity, and kingdom community.

Resources Mentioned: • Romans 8 – On creation groaning and the Spirit interceding. • Psalm 44 (via Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase) – Inspiration behind U2’s “Wake Up Dead Man.” • Tom Wright – Article in TIME Magazine on the role of lament in the church. • “Faith Improvised” Blog by Timothy Gombis – faithimprovised.blogspot.com • U2’s “Wake Up Dead Man” and “Yahweh” – Songs capturing lament and the cry for divine presence in the dark. • Genesis 1–3 – The tension between transcendence and intimacy in God’s nature.

BONUS: Delightful tangents about Bob Ross calendars, lockdown reboots of “My Sharona,” and barefoot Seth Erie sightings in the rain—just another day in the Voxology universe.

Join us as we reimagine what faithful prayer can sound like in a broken world, and discover how God's people are meant to be his hands—and heart—in the middle of it.

Subscribe, leave us a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social media to keep these conversations going.

As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue. Email your thoughts or questions to [email protected] and engage with us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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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.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

A 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 a chaotic world. Drawing deeply from Genesis, Revelation, and Pauline theology, the conversation lays a powerful foundation for understanding God's complex relationship with human freedom, suffering, and control.

Key Takeaways: • Understanding God’s Sovereignty vs. "Control" – Why the phrase “God is in control” oversimplifies the theological richness of scripture and misrepresents God’s relationship with creation. • The Human Role in God’s Kingdom – How Genesis portrays humans as image bearers empowered to extend God’s shalom, and what happens when we opt for chaos instead. • Suffering, Chaos, and the Illusion of Safety – Distinguishing between God’s kingship and the unpredictability of a broken world, especially for middle-class Western Christians who may be shielded from suffering. • The Church’s Projection of Power – Exploring how Western theology’s emphasis on control, knowledge, and safety reflects our cultural desires more than God’s nature revealed through Christ. • A Biblical View of Grief and Hope – Why the appropriate response to suffering isn't false assurances but grieving alongside a God who suffers with us—while still planting hope in the future resurrection.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Tim Gombis – New Testament scholar, regular guest of the Voxology Podcast, and insightful voice on the intersection of theology, scripture, and lived faith. His controversial blog post “God is Not in Control” sparked deep conversations about divine sovereignty during times of crisis.

Resources Mentioned: • Genesis 1–3 – Humanity’s original vocation and fall. • Romans 8 – God’s Spirit groaning with us in suffering. • Mark 13 – Jesus' warning against reading events as divine judgment. • Job – A biblical critique of formulaic thinking about suffering and divine logic. • Exodus 34 – God’s self-revelation to Moses. • Revelation – God's identity as the one who is coming to reclaim his world. • Tim Gombis’s Blog – [Available on Facebook] for ongoing posts and dialogue.

This is Part 1 of a four-part arc. Tune in next week as we continue the conversation with Tim Gombis in Part 2 and explore the implications for how we read the Bible with Pete Enns.

Join the discussion—email your thoughts or questions to [email protected] and connect with our micro communities on Facebook.

We encourage you to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on your favorite platform to stay connected with the journey.

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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.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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How viewing Jesus through the lens of first-century Judaism can enrich faith, correct common misconceptions, and reshape our understanding of the New Testament. In this highly engaging and eye-opening episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie are joined by New Testament scholar and Jewish academic Dr. Amy-Jill Levine (aka “AJ”) to explore how Jesus’ Jewish context clarifies theology, deepens spiritual practice, and invites a reexamination of the Christian narrative.

Dr. Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University, offers an extraordinary blend of deep scholarship, humility, and humor, challenging long-held assumptions about the law, women in Judaism, Paul, and more. The conversation spans Jesus’s teachings in the Gospels, Paul’s relationship to Torah, Christian misconceptions about ancient Judaism, and the modern relevance of recovering Jesus' historical Jewish identity.

Key Takeaways: • Jesus Was Fully Jewish – Understanding Jesus as a Torah-following first-century Jew radically reorients modern Christian interpretations of his teachings, particularly around ethics, law, and salvation. • Common Misreadings of Judaism – Dr. Levine debunks ideas like legalism, harsh treatment of women, and spiritual emptiness often wrongfully attributed to Jewish practice, demonstrating how these misperceptions distort the gospel. • Paul Within Judaism – Instead of abandoning Judaism, Paul’s teachings are shown to operate within Jewish thought, especially as he addressed Gentiles exploring Jesus without converting to Judaism. • Seeing the Law as Freedom, Not Burden – Obedience to Torah, from AJ’s perspective, is joyfully communal and rooted in identity—not in fear or a merit system. • Reading Scripture with Nuance – Whether it’s parables or Jesus' sayings in the Sermon on the Mount, AJ highlights the importance of literary context, intention, and the Jewish practice of "building a fence around the law." • Rethinking Christian Spirituality – Jesus’s moral teachings point toward tangible actions and transformation now—not just salvation later.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Amy-Jill Levine (“AJ”) – A world-renowned Jewish scholar of the New Testament, AJ’s groundbreaking work (including The Jewish Annotated New Testament, Short Stories by Jesus, and children’s books on parables) bridges interfaith dialogue, clears up centuries of misunderstanding between Judaism and Christianity, and offers fresh insight into the life and teachings of Jesus.

Resources Mentioned: • The Jewish Annotated New Testament – Oxford University Press • Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi – Amazon • The Book of Legends (Sefer Ha-Aggadah) – A collection of Jewish midrashic stories, recommended for deeper understanding of Jewish spiritual storytelling. • Nathan Eubank's work on Ransom Theory – Exploration of the economic motifs behind atonement metaphors in ancient scripture. • Children’s book by AJ: Who Counts? 100 Sheep, 10 Coins, and 2 Sons – Amazon

Join the journey of unlearning and rediscovering: Subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social media to help reclaim Jesus' cultural and historical context as central to Christian faith.

As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue truth together. Send in questions to [email protected] and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

Watch full episodes on VOXOLOGY TV.

Support the podcast and shop the Vox Merch Store on ETSY

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Music 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.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How the ancient themes of Passover, liberation, and wilderness speak directly into our lives during a global pandemic. Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev joins Bonnie, Mike, and Tim for a powerful and timely conversation that explores the Hebrew prophetic tradition and how its liberative framework can offer hope, transformation, and solidarity in the face of disruption and isolation. Drawing from his book, The Liberating Path of the Hebrew Prophets Then and Now, Ward-Lev invites listeners to rediscover the biblical wilderness as a space of creativity, growth, and divine intimacy.

Key Takeaways: • Rediscovering the Wilderness – How the biblical concept of “midbar” (wilderness) as the “wide place” is not just a location of hardship, but a sacred space where healing, creativity, and relational connectedness emerge. • Liberation as an Ongoing Spiritual Journey – Passover isn’t just a historical event, but an invitation to engage in continual internal and communal transformation, especially in times of collective crisis. • God of the Margins – Understanding the divine identity rooted in liberation theology: “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of bondage,” highlighting God's preferential option for the oppressed. • From Pharaoh’s Pyramids to the People’s Tabernacle – A compelling contrast between oppressive structures built by forced labor and communal spaces birthed from mutual creativity, justice, and shared story. • Darkness as a Place of Birth and Revelation – Reframing the “plague of darkness” and quarantine as womb-like—spaces where new imagination, connection, and justice-centered community can be born.

Guest Highlights: Rabbi Nahum Ward-Lev – Spiritual director, retreat leader, and author of The Liberating Path of the Hebrew Prophets Then and Now. Based in New Mexico, he leads the multi-faith study group Baymidrash and offers spiritual guidance nationwide. Rabbi Ward-Lev shares how Jewish spirituality holds a deep call to moral awakening, emphasizing that justice, relational wholeness, and co-creation with God are central to our human vocation.

Resources Mentioned: • The Liberating Path of the Hebrew Prophets Then and Now – Order the Book • Walter Brueggemann – Writings on prophetic imagination and resisting royal narratives • Children's Book: “God Must Be Like That” – Illuminating how we see God through justice, kindness, and love • Ezekiel 37 – The dry bones as a metaphor for spiritual rebirth and collective awakening • Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Beloved Community” – A vision rooted in mutuality, justice, and compassion

Let’s continue to walk this liberating path together. Subscribe, leave us a review, and share this conversation with someone needing hope in the wilderness.

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.

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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.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How embracing the Enneagram as a tool for spiritual formation and self-understanding can deepen your empathy, reshape your identity, and lead you toward relational and emotional wholeness.

Bonnie and Tim are joined by Enneagram coach and spiritual director Annie Dimond, who brings a rich, narrative-based understanding of the Enneagram to this dynamic conversation. Broadcasting from her farmhouse in Scotland—where she moonlights as a yoga teacher and soon-to-be lambing shepherdess—Annie dives deep into how the Enneagram can be more than just a personality tool. From understanding childhood survival strategies to engaging with the "false self vs. true self" dynamic, this episode explores how spiritual direction, emotional integration, and body awareness come together to form a holistic approach to transformation.

Key Takeaways: • The Narrative Enneagram Tradition – A method that emphasizes stories, body awareness, and personal experience over rigid typology. • False Self vs. True Self – How the Enneagram reveals not just who we are but how our survival strategies have shaped us—and how we can grow beyond them. • The Spiritual Roots of the Enneagram – Exploring its origins in Jesuit formation, Jewish mysticism, Sufism, and early Christian monasticism. • Holy Ideas and Core Struggles – Each type holds a divine spark and a distortion of that holy idea (e.g., Type 4’s longing for uniqueness vs. envy). • Using the Enneagram in Crisis – How different types are experiencing the pandemic and how compassion, not judgment, helps us better respond. • The Enneagram as Invitation – A call to listen to the emotions we normally suppress (like envy, fear, and grief), not as enemies, but as teachers.

Guest Highlights: Annie Dimond – A spiritual director, yoga teacher, PhD student, and certified Enneagram coach in the Narrative Tradition, Annie helps individuals and communities use the Enneagram for deeper healing and holistic spiritual formation. Her theological work bridges psychology, mysticism, and Christian discipleship in ways rooted in community and transformation.

Resources Mentioned: • Annie’s Website – enneagramforwholeness.com • Contact Annie – [email protected] • Beatrice Chestnut – The Complete Enneagram – A comprehensive book exploring 27 subtypes and the psychological and spiritual roots of the Enneagram. • Upcoming Podcast – Annie's new show (title TBD), launching Fall 2024, will explore the Enneagram in the context of religion and spirituality.

Discover new invitations toward healing and wholeness by understanding your story—and others’—through the lens of the Enneagram. Ready to go deeper? Make sure to subscribe to Voxology, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram or Facebook to engage with our growing community.

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.

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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

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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.

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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

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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

Responding to a cultural moment that disrupted daily rhythms, community gatherings, and global certainty, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie Lewis come together in a special quarantine episode to ask four essential questions: What do we believe God is doing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic? What is being exposed in us, our culture, and the Church? What does faithful witness look like right now? And how can communities like Voxology step up during a crisis?

Exploring both personal and theological layers, the conversation examines old views of judgment vs. participation, public theology vs. quiet presence, and how to engage empathetically when isolation looks different for each person. And yes—there are moments of humor, real talk, and even a surprise cameo from a passing train.

Key Takeaways: • Rejecting a Narrative of Judgment – Unpacking why attributing the pandemic to divine punishment misrepresents the character of God, especially in light of Jesus’s covenant and ministry. • Seeing God in Slowness and Solidarity – Discovering how global slowing and human connection reveal God’s presence through relief work, neighborly compassion, and personal introspection. • Faithful Witness Looks Like Action – Decentering Sunday services and rediscovering the roots of the Church through proximity to Jesus, supporting the vulnerable, and advocating for justice. • The Church Beyond the Stage – Challenging the church's over-reliance on Sunday gatherings and inviting a radical reformation of resources and priorities, especially for those most impacted by isolation or poverty. • When Home Isn’t Safe – Acknowledging victims of domestic abuse, the immunocompromised, and the economically marginalized—groups whose struggles are amplified in lockdown.

Resources Mentioned: • Matthew 25 – Exploring Jesus’ call to serve “the least of these.” • Acts 4 – Centering the conversation around the disciples' transformation and faithful boldness under pressure. • The Book of Ruth – An example of partnering with God in the midst of uncertainty. • Sunday Spiritual Direction w/ Bonnie Lewis – 8:30am PT on Instagram & Facebook Live. • Facebook + Instagram Live Chats w/ Mike Erre – Starting April 1 (Wednesdays and Fridays at 12pm ET). • Voxology Community Zoom Call – April 7 at 9pm ET / 6pm PT – Stay tuned for signup info.

Join us in building a faithful, creative and compassionate church for right now. Subscribe to the Voxology Podcast, leave a review, and follow us on social media to stay connected.

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.

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Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and “like” us on Facebook

Follow Mike on Twitter: 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.

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Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

We are thrilled to have the one and only Mike Erre on back on the show today! After three months dedicated therapy, healing and re-orientation, Mike is back to share more of his story. In this episode, Bonnie and Tim talk with Mike as he updates everyone on where he has been, what he has been doing and learning. Mike highly recommends OnSite Workshops, a therapeutic retreat center in Nashville, TN and has found great growth and solace in both the Enneagram and Spiritual Direction. Mike also gives an update on Justina and the family, and

Tim and Bonnie share some of their own learnings from the past few months.

In addition, we also answer the burning question, “Is Mike back for good?”

If you are a newer listener and aren’t sure what we are discussing, you may want to visit Episode 224 “Together, In Process” which explains Mike’s reason for spending time away from the podcast.

We are excited for the road ahead, and how the new growth of the team will help continue to serve you. We can’t thank you enough for sticking with us these past three months and we are excited to all be recording together once again!

If you have any questions or comments, please email us at [email protected]

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www.timothyjohnstafford.com

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A powerful and deeply personal follow-up to episode 224 ("Together in Process"), this conversation invites listeners into the real-time journey of healing, restoration, and redemption. Mike Erre returns to share openly about his months-long process of owning his failures, confronting entrenched patterns of shame, and embracing the hard work of inner transformation. With contributions from co-hosts Bonnie and Tim, this episode models courageous vulnerability, celebrates emotionally healthy spirituality, and illuminates what it means to be pursued—even when exposed.

Hear how Mike’s journey has been shaped through therapy, spiritual direction, tools like the Enneagram, and a deeply impactful experience at Onsite—a secular therapeutic program that helped reveal the sturdy presence of Jesus in unexpected spaces. The team reflects on the role of shame, the difference between sharing wounds and scars, and the powerful grace of being sung back into wholeness by a supportive community.

This episode is for anyone navigating failure, hiding in shame, or yearning to believe redemption is possible—even in ministry spaces. It’s a story about how the grace of Jesus finds us in the dark and how true community helps us walk in the light.

Key Takeaways: • Healing Requires More Than Behavior Management – True transformation isn’t about quick fixes but uncovering deeper wounds and habituating new patterns of living. • Holistic Growth Through Unlikely Tools – From the Enneagram to secular therapy, Mike shares how unexpected resources aligned with the gospel to bring genuine change. • Vulnerability and Boundaries – The wisdom of sharing scars, not open wounds, and how premature vulnerability can masquerade as authenticity. • Pursued in Our Shame – A reassuring reminder that Jesus doesn’t recoil from our brokenness. Instead, he meets us there—with grace. • Doing the Inner Work in Community – How friendships, relational accountability, and being truly known create the space for sustainable growth.

Resources Mentioned: • Episode 224 – “Together in Process” • Onsite Workshops (Residential Therapy Programs) – onsiteworkshops.com • The Wisdom of the Enneagram by Don Riso & Russ Hudson • Poem: “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters” by Portia Nelson • Spiritual Direction info – voxologypodcast.com/resources • Dallas Willard’s Teachings on Formation • VOXOLOGY TV – YouTube

Join our evolving, grace-filled conversation and help us cultivate spaces where honesty, healing, and discipleship grow together. Don’t forget to rate and review, subscribe, and follow us on social media—we’d love to hear your story and walk alongside you.

As always, we encourage and welcome discussion. Email us at [email protected] or engage with us on Facebook and Instagram.

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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.

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Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

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The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

How the theology of “hopeful inclusion” and a reimagined understanding of judgment can expand your vision of redemption, freedom, and the character of God. In this eye-opening conversation, author and theologian Brad Jersak joins Voxology to discuss his acclaimed book, “Her Gates Will Never Be Shut,” which explores biblical and historical perspectives on hell, divine judgment, and the ultimate redemption of all things.

Brad shares how a deeper dive into scripture, the early church fathers, and the layered symbolism of Revelation shifts our understanding of God’s justice from punishment to purification, and hell from eternal torment to transformative love. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has wrestled with fear-based theologies, inherited beliefs about hell, or the unsettling silence around what judgment really means.

Key Takeaways: • The Spectrum of Hell Theology – Breaking down common views including eternal conscious torment, conditional immortality (annihilationism), and ultimate redemption (a form of hopeful universalism). • Reorienting Judgment Through Love – Understanding God’s fire not as vengeance but restoration, drawn from numerous passages like Malachi 3 and 1 Corinthians 3. • Hope After Death – Revelation’s final chapters suggest the gates of the New Jerusalem are never shut, symbolizing ongoing invitation—even post-judgment. • Jesus in Hades – Exploring early Christian traditions of Jesus descending to Hades, setting captives free, and what it means for God’s victory over death itself. • There’s No Doctrine of Hell in the Creeds – Why hell was not considered a core requirement of Christian belief for the early church, and what that means for us today. • A Gospel of Love, Not Fear – Why the early Christian evangelists never used hell to convert, and how re-centering on Christ’s love transforms how we live and share our faith.

Guest Highlight: Brad Jersak – Reverend, theologian, and author of more than 20 books including “Her Gates Will Never Be Shut.” Brad serves as Dean of Theology & Culture at St. Stephen’s University and offers a compelling vision of God’s restorative love, grounded in scripture and the teachings of the early church.

Resources Mentioned: • Her Gates Will Never Be Shut by Brad Jersak – Amazon • St. Stephen's University – ssu.ca • Book: Jesus Showed Us (children’s book by Brad Jersak) • Ephesians 2, Malachi 3, 1 Corinthians 3, Revelation 20–22 • The Gospel of Nicodemus – Early Christian writing referenced in discussion

Join the community of listeners engaging in conversations that challenge, affirm, and ultimately point us to the radical love of Jesus. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social media to be part of the evolving conversation.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected], and 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: Voxology Radio

Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast "Like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: 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

How artifacts like broken pottery, ancient bread ovens, and fingerprints in clay awaken us to the real lives and faith of biblical peoples—and what that means for us today. Tim and Bonnie welcome Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott, professor of Hebrew Bible and archaeology at William Jessup University, to talk all things context—biblical genre, ancient family structures, and why daily life matters just as much as kings and temples when reading scripture.

Dr. Cynthia brings fresh perspective through her academic work and archeological field experience in Israel, digging into Iron Age homes from the time of Hezekiah and Isaiah. You’ll hear what she's learned from excavating ancient kitchens, how she distinguishes mythic genres from historic timelines, and why focusing on the “mundane” aspects of life radically reframes our understanding of God’s people in the Old Testament.

Key Takeaways: • Valuing the Mundane – Why archeology focuses less on big discoveries and more on everyday items that reveal how people lived, worked, and worshiped. • Genre Shapes Meaning – How understanding biblical genres—like mythical history or household narratives—can transform how we interpret Old Testament passages. • Rethinking "Biblical Households" – Exploring how ancient Israelite households functioned under survival conditions with shared authority between matriarchs and patriarchs. • Women’s Roles in Ancient Culture – How archaeology challenges assumptions about patriarchy by revealing the essential role of women in food preparation, trading, and household leadership. • Living Faith in Dirt and Clay – What ancient fingerprints on pottery can teach us about God’s ongoing work through real human lives.

Guest Highlight: Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliott – Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible and Archaeology at William Jessup University. With excavation experience at multiple sites in Israel and a specialization in daily life in ancient Judah, Cynthia brings both scholarly depth and tangible insight to the biblical text.

Resources Mentioned: • NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible – [Link] • New Oxford Annotated Bible (NRSV) – [Link] • William Jessup University – jessup.edu • Bible for Normal People Podcast (Pete Enns, Jared Byas) – biblefornormalpeople.com • BibleProject – bibleproject.com

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Follow Mike on Twitter: @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