Rethinking Evangelism, Discipleship, and the Great Commission - w/ Dr. Timothy Gombis

Aug 31, 2020

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A 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 a call for the church to cultivate lifelong learners rooted in radical kingdom community. • Evangelism Reframed – There are no New Testament commands to evangelize in the modern sense. Instead, the church’s communal life—marked by love, hospitality, and justice—is itself the proclamation. • Witness Through Embodiment – Especially in times of societal upheaval, the church's faithfulness is not shown in arguments but in living out alternative, Jesus-shaped values through care for the marginalized and mutual support. • Reclaiming the Biblical Narrative – A call to shift from a salvation framework centered on hell to one rooted in Jesus, creation, and the holistic redemptive story of God. • Conspiracy vs. Kingdom – Distinguishing between fear-driven reactions to cultural instability and the sober, hopeful posture Jesus calls his people to in chaotic moments.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Timothy Gombis – Biblical scholar, podcast host of Faith Improvised, and author focused on Pauline theology. Gombis lends his voice to reimagining core aspects of Christian practice, inviting listeners to move away from coercive evangelism toward community-based discipleship and kingdom witness.

Resources Mentioned: • Faith Improvised Podcast – Link • Matthew 28:16-20 – The “Great Commission” text in light of Greek grammar and kingdom context. • 1 Corinthians 11 – The church’s shared meal as the proclamation of the gospel. • Mark 13 – Jesus' warnings about upheaval as a call to faithful community. • Books by Tim Gombis on Ephesians and Pauline theology – Amazon Author Page

Reclaim a vision of faithfulness that emphasizes community, humility, and the long road of discipleship over quick conversions. Subscribe to Voxology to continue the journey of reshaping our imaginations around Jesus and his Kingdom. Leave a review and follow along on social to stay connected!

As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue truth together. Email us at hello@voxpodcast.com or connect on Instagram and Facebook.

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Learn more: VoxologyPodcast.com

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Music 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 hello@voxpodcast.com, 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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy