Episodes

Oct. 1, 2023

Debunking the Rapture: Understanding Judgment Through Jesus's Teachin…

Discover how deconstructing Rapture theology and embracing Jesus's teachings on loving our enemies can free us from fear-based beliefs and promote a more compassionate faith. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into misinterpret...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 25, 2023

Rethinking Revelation's Judgments: Unveiling the Cycles of Seals, Tru…

Discover how the cycles of seals, trumpets, and bowls in Revelation offer a symbolic and repetitive portrayal of God's judgment, reflecting patterns from the Exodus and the prophets. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the ...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 17, 2023

Unveiling Revelation: The Day of the Lord and Old Testament Imagery (…

Discover how understanding the Old Testament concept of the Day of the Lord unlocks the meaning of Revelation 6 and beyond. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the depths of prophetic imagery, exploring how themes from Exod...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 10, 2023

Unveiling the Slain Lamb: Redefining Victory Through Sacrifice (Revel…

Explore how the surprising imagery of the Lion and the Lamb in Revelation 5 transforms our understanding of power, victory, and sacrifice. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive deep into the subversive message of Revelation, discus...

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 3, 2023

Worship as Resistance: Reimagining the Throne Room of Revelation 4 (R…

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into Revelation 4, exploring how the throne room scene redefines worship as an act of political resistance against oppressive systems. By unpacking the rich Old Testament connections and the s...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 27, 2023

Subverting Empire: Revelation's Throne Room Vision (Revelation Series)

Mike and Tim explore how Revelation chapters 4 and 5 present a subversive vision of God's throne room that challenges the imperial claims of Domitian and the Roman Empire. Unpacking the historical context of the imperial cult, they reveal how early...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 20, 2023

Center Set Sexuality: Rethinking Sexuality Beyond Purity Culture - w/…

Explore how moving beyond restrictive narratives can lead to a healthier, more holistic understanding of sexuality rooted in wisdom and discernment. Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Suzie Lind dive deep into the "angel," "animal," and "human" stories of...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 13, 2023

Scripture's Use and Abuse in American Politics: A Conversation with K…

Explore how Scripture has been used and misused in American politics as Mike and Tim sit down with author Kaitlyn Schiess to discuss her new book, 'The Ballot and The Bible'. They delve into historical and contemporary implications of bringing faith...

Listen to the Episode
Aug. 6, 2023

Beyond Purity Culture and Individualism: Forming Desire in the Way of…

Explore how moving beyond purity culture and expressive individualism can lead to a healthier, wisdom-based, centered-set approach to sexuality rooted in the image of God. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into how the church can reimagine sexual...

Listen to the Episode
July 30, 2023

Three Men & a Barbie: Unveiling Male Fragility - w/ Dr. Timothy Gombis

Discover how the "Barbie" movie brilliantly exposes male fragility and the contours of patriarchy, prompting us to rethink control, mutuality, and the church's role in today's society. Mike Erre, Tim Gombis, and Tim Stafford dive deep into the film's...

Listen to the Episode
July 23, 2023

Affluence and Spiritual Blindness: Lessons from Laodicea and Smyrna (…

Exploring how recognizing spiritual poverty amidst material wealth can awaken the church from complacency, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive deep into the contrasting messages to the churches of Smyrna and Laodicea in Revelation. They examine the...

Listen to the Episode
July 16, 2023

Challenging American Civil Religion: Embracing the Kingdom over Natio…

Explore how the intertwining of faith and nationalism can obscure the true mission of the church. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve into the concept of civil religion, using the Roman Empire as a backdrop, and critique the ways American culture has...

Listen to the Episode
July 9, 2023

Resisting Cultural Assimilation: Unveiling Modern Idolatry Through Pe…

Discover how the challenges faced by the churches in Pergamum and Thyatira reveal the pitfalls of cultural assimilation and idolatry, and learn how to identify and resist the modern-day idols of money, sex, and power. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive...

Listen to the Episode
July 2, 2023

Unmasking the Powers: Rethinking Spiritual Warfare in Ephesians - w/ …

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by biblical scholar Dr. Tim Gombis to explore how reimagining the powers and principalities in Ephesians transforms our understanding of spiritual warfare and the church's mission in the modern world. Delving into...

Listen to the Episode
June 25, 2023

Reframing Victory: Lessons from Ephesus on Resisting Empire (Revelati…

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford continue the Exile Series by delving into the letter to the church in Ephesus from Revelation. They explore how early Christians redefined victory, contrasting it with Roman imperial narratives, and discuss what it means for...

Listen to the Episode
June 18, 2023

Challenging Gender Norms: Women in Leadership and Lessons from the Se…

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive into the recent debates surrounding women's roles in church leadership, examining the Southern Baptist Convention's decision on female pastors and critiquing arguments against women in ministry. They explore how these...

Listen to the Episode
June 11, 2023

Rediscovering Dangerous Jesus: Kevin "KB" Burgess on Faith, Justice, …

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford engage with rapper and author KB to explore how embracing the "Dangerous Jesus" can reignite the church's mission by confronting issues of justice, race, and cultural complacency. They delve into KB's faith journey, his...

Listen to the Episode
June 4, 2023

Unmasking Empire: How the Roman Imperial Cult Sheds Light on Revelati…

In this episode of the Exile Series, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford delve deep into the Roman imperial cult to uncover how the official narrative of Rome influences the understanding of the Book of Revelation. They explore the parallels between ancient...

Listen to the Episode
May 28, 2023

Unveiling Jesus: Understanding Revelation Chapter 1 Through Old Testa…

Discover how decoding the symbols and Old Testament references in Revelation Chapter 1 can transform your understanding of Jesus and the Book of Revelation. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive deep into the rich tapestry of apocalyptic literature, Roman...

Listen to the Episode
May 21, 2023

She Deserves Better: Empowering Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings in th…

Explore how harmful messages from purity culture have impacted women in the church and how we can do better. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by authors Sheila Wray Gregoire and Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach from Bare Marriage to discuss their...

Listen to the Episode
May 14, 2023

Flood, Fury, and the Shalom of God: Navigating Old Testament Violence…

Delve into the complexities of Old Testament violence and discover how reframing these challenging narratives reveals the Shalom of God. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by Dr. Matthew Lynch, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Regent College...

Listen to the Episode
May 7, 2023

Embracing the Body: Feminist Theory, Theology, and the Future of the …

Explore how incorporating feminist theory and a renewed understanding of the body can reshape the church's approach to gender, community, and intergenerational relationships. Mike and Tim sit down with theologian and author Kaitlin Schiess to discuss...

Listen to the Episode
April 30, 2023

Breaking Down the Divide: Phil Vischer on Evangelicalism's Past and F…

Mike Erre and Tim Stafford sit down with Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales and co-host of the Holy Post Podcast, to explore the historical roots of the current fractures within American evangelicalism and what this means for the future of the...

Listen to the Episode
April 23, 2023

Navigating Christian Nationalism and Polarization: Skye Jethani on th…

Learn how to lead and engage in an increasingly polarized church environment as Mike and Tim celebrate their 400th episode with guest Skye Jethani. They explore practical insights on confronting Christian nationalism, adapting to technological...

Listen to the Episode