Dec. 22, 2025

All in the Family: Why Jesus is Not our Personal Savior

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Show Notes

Join Mike and Tim as they dive into a lively discussion about the essence of family, identity, and faith. In this episode, they explore the concept of "adoption to sonship" and how it redefines our understanding of belonging and community. With humor and depth, they challenge traditional views and invite listeners to consider a broader perspective on what it means to be part of a spiritual family. Tune in for an engaging conversation that blends theology with everyday life, all wrapped in the warmth of the holiday spirit.

In this conversation, the hosts explore the themes of faith, family, and community within Christianity, emphasizing the importance of understanding God as a father and the implications of adoption and sonship. They discuss the cultural context of Jesus' teachings, the role of individualism versus community, and the concept of loyalty to God's family. The conversation also touches on the distinction between bounded and centered sets in faith, ultimately inviting listeners to engage in a communal journey of faith.

Takeaways:

Christian nationalism is alive and well.
Father is a status word, not a gender word.
To be a part of Jesus is to be a part of his people.
Jesus is not your personal savior.
We're playing soccer, not rugby.
The early Christians did not sharply distinguish between commitment to God and commitment to God's family.
Salvation is a social reunification.
You cannot be a part of two groups.
Loyalty to God is loyalty to God's people.
We are playing soccer, not rugby.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Christmas Spirit
03:06 Exploring the Concept of Fatherhood
06:01 Adoption and Sonship in Christian Theology
09:01 The Role of Family in Identity
12:00 Cultural Perspectives on Individualism vs. Community
15:03 The Significance of Group Dynamics in the Ancient World
17:50 Jesus' Redefinition of Family Relationships
29:47 Redefining Family and Kinship
32:21 The New Family of God
35:05 The Cost of Discipleship
37:28 Understanding Jesus' Hard Teachings
40:32 The Nature of God's Will
43:31 Loyalty and Allegiance in the Kingdom
46:22 Social Reality of Salvation
49:13 Choosing Between Two Families
51:02 Bounded vs. Centered Sets in Faith
58:01 Redefining Loyalties: From Ethnic Identity to Jesus
01:00:59 The Early Church: Community Over Individualism
01:03:55 The Role of Gifts: Individuality for the Collective
01:06:59 Loyalty and Discipleship: The Cost of Following Jesus
01:09:57 Invitation to Play: The Soccer Game of Faith
01:13:00 Boundaries and Inclusion: Redefining Church Membership

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.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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