Voxology Christians Lost the Culture War, and Why That's a Good Thing - w/ Rick McKinley
How the metaphor of exile helps the American church rediscover its identity, purpose, and practices for a polarized and post-Christian culture. Mike Erre is joined by Rick McKinley—pastor, author, and co-creator of Advent Conspiracy—to explore themes from Rick’s book, Faith for This Moment: Navigating a Polarized World as the People of God. Together, they discuss how exile offers a hopeful biblical framework for living faithfully as Christians in a divided and shifting cultural landscape.
Key Takeaways: • A Modern Exile Paradigm – Understanding exile as a metaphor for the American church's loss of place, influence, and clarity in a polarized culture. • Three Responses to Exile – The options of "baptizing" culture, "burning it down," or embracing a posture of “bless and resist” as seen through Daniel, Jeremiah, and Jesus. • The Power of Discernment – Recognizing the need to go beyond behavior modification and embrace discernment informed by scripture, story, and the Spirit. • Five Prophetic Practices – Hospitality, generosity, vocation, celebration/Sabbath, and obedience to Word and Spirit as counter-cultural rhythms that shape Christian identity and integrity. • Reclaiming the Christian Story – Why knowing and living out the biblical narrative offers resilience and imagination in uncertain times.
Guest Highlights: Rick McKinley – Founding pastor of Imago Dei in Portland, Oregon, and co-author of the Advent Conspiracy movement. Rick shares insights from his latest book and his church’s tangible expressions of "blessing and resisting," including courageous generosity and the faith community’s engagement in citywide foster care reform.
Resources Mentioned: • Faith for This Moment by Rick McKinley – Amazon • The Bible Project – bibleproject.com • Advent Conspiracy – adventconspiracy.org • Embrace Oregon – everychildoregon.org
Pick up Faith for This Moment and explore how living faithfully through the lens of exile could transform your witness in today’s polarized world. If the episode challenged or encouraged you, consider subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform.
As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue truth together. Email us your questions or comments at hello@voxpodcast.com, and continue the conversation with us on Facebook and Instagram.
We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV
Check out our Merch Store: ETSY
Learn more about the Voxology Podcast: voxologypodcast.com
Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify
Support the Podcast on Patreon
Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook
Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre
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 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