Voxology Faith Over Rulebooks: Centering Justice and Community in the Church (Exile Series)
How the American Church’s focus on right beliefs and institutional preservation has neglected the transformative power of love, justice, and community as revealed through Jesus. In this deeply reflective and wide-ranging conversation, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Hannah Erie (Mike’s daughter) explore the frustrations young people have with modern Christianity, especially its entanglements with politics, legalism, and exclusion. Hannah shares her “horrendous happenings” as a 16-year-old navigating faith in a world where Christian identity often feels synonymous with judgment rather than love.
As the discussion deepens, Mike and Tim move into a profound examination of how churches often claim doctrinal orthodoxy while embodying behavioral heresy—failing to reflect the communal justice, humility, and reconciliation commanded by Scripture. With insights from Ephesians and the work of theologians like Tim Gombis and Richard Hays, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider what faithful biblical interpretation looks like and how theology should always lead to fruit that mirrors the character of Jesus.
Key Takeaways: • Gen Z and the Church – Why the church fails to appeal to young people and how legalism and political identity have distorted its mission. • Faithfulness vs. Fruitfulness – How orthodox belief statements can mask systems of injustice, abuse, and exclusion within churches. • The Bible’s Purpose – Reframing the Bible as a tool to shape a community of justice, peace, and embodied love—not just intellectual assent. • Justice is the Gospel – Exploring how reconciliation across race, economics, and ideology is central to the cosmic victory of Christ. • Community as Theology – Why the true mark of biblical faithfulness is found in the fruit of a church’s communal life, not just its teaching.
Guest Highlights: Hannah Erie – Mike’s teenage daughter brings a candid and fresh voice to the conversation, sharing her views as a thoughtful Gen Z observer wrestling with what she sees in and around modern Christianity.
Resources Mentioned: • Ephesians 2 – Discussing shalom, unity, and the church as temple. • Richard Hays – The Moral Vision of the New Testament • Tim Gombis – Faith Improvised Podcast & works on Ephesians and Romans • Josh Butler – Skeletons in God’s Closet – Book club discussion launching in micro-community • Dallas Willard's Concept of "Joyful Non-Compliance" • Acts 6 & Galatians 2 – Biblical foundations for structural justice as core to the gospel • Unbelievable Podcast – Episode with Justin Brierley & Mark Driscoll • “Self-Segregation” Article – High school class discussion on social media echo chambers
Be part of this rich and multi-layered conversation as Mike and Tim push past dogma toward the dangerous and beautiful heart of a Jesus-shaped church. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on social media to join the journey of questioning, reimagining, and embodying the mission of Jesus.
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 podcast at VoxologyPodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the podcast via Patreon The Voxology Spotify playlist can be found at: Voxology Radio
Follow on Instagram: @voxologypodcast Like on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre Music by Timothy John Stafford – @GoneTimothy on Instagram & Twitter
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 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