Grace Before Truth: How Jesus Redefined Holiness Through Radical Hospitality
Voxology
Introduction
October is National Down syndrome Awareness Month. Mike Erie and Andy Laura have a two-year-old daughter with Down syndrome named Sunflower May. Ohio State remains undefeated in the college football season, despite losing three of their first four games.
Re-examining what it means to represent Jesus in a world divided by religion, politics, and identity, Mike and Andy explore Luke 5 and challenge Christians to re-center their faith through grace before truth. This episode grapples with the scandal of Jesus' table fellowship—specifically his choice to associate with "sinners"—and unpacks how modern believers can extend radical grace to LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and anyone traditionally excluded by religious communities.
The discussion also takes a deeply personal turn as both hosts share the profound impact of raising children with Down syndrome. They offer their families' stories as prophetic reminders that human value cannot be measured by productivity or conformance but by intrinsic worth grounded in the image of God.
Key Takeaways: • Grace Leads the Way – Why Jesus always fronted grace before truth and how American Christians have reversed this order to damaging effect. • The Radical Table of Jesus – How Jesus used meals to demonstrate inclusion, subvert purity codes, and disrupt the Pharisaic approach to holiness. • Pharisees vs. Jesus – Unpacking the four ways Jewish sects responded to Roman oppression, and why Jesus' method of association was considered dangerous. • Loving Without Footnotes – How the church's obsession with background checks, moral vetting, and double standards weakens its witness to a hurting world. • Affirming the Prophetic Voice of People with Disabilities – Mike and Andy share about their children with Down syndrome and how they reflect a deeper call to human dignity and resistance against societal pressure to conform or produce.
Guest Highlights: Andy Lara – In addition to being Mike's co-host, Andy recounts the viral adoption of his daughter Sunflower May and talks openly about the journey of welcoming a child with Down syndrome into his family. He offers a beautiful vision of seeing these children as disarming agents of joy and transformation.
Resources Mentioned: • Sunny's Adoption Story – youtube.com/sunnyfundays • Scripture References – Luke 5, Leviticus 11, Exodus 19, Matthew 9, Luke 19 • Roeh Summit's song "Giant" – roehsummit.com/shop
Join the Voxology community in challenging religious norms and rediscovering the subversive power of Jesus' hospitality. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode to help us spread the message of grace without footnotes.
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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
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