Voxology Voxology

To Be Human - Part Nine: Fight The Power. Today, Mike and Tim conclude the topic of power in the church. They reflect on the dangers of power over and the need for leaders to resist it. They also explore the idea of fundamental goodness in humans and the role of hierarchy in the church. Jesus' teachings on power and the misuse of titles are examined, emphasizing the importance of humility and servanthood. The conversation challenges traditional views of power and encourages a more communal and egalitarian approach in the church.


What is the importance of resisting power over in the church and embracing power with and power under?
Why the need to abolish status markers and privileged hierarchy, refuse to build platforms of social prestige, and avoid public performance of piety?
Why highlight the significance of mutuality, plurality, weakness, vulnerability, and humility in creating healthy church communities?

We encourage everyone to find churches that prioritize these values and resist the temptation to settle for religious communities that reflect American values rather than the values of the upside-down kingdom.

First, Tim asks Mike a question about the Pope's recent CNN interview where he said that "people are fundamentally good..." Are we born evil (as many of us were told our whole lives) or are we fundamentally good in a world of powers and principalities that breed chaos and power over?

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.

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

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Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

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Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

To Be Human - Part Eight: The Two Powers. After a couple of weeks of hijinks, we're back to your regular scheduled programming. Today we further explore the misuse of power and the difference between power over and power with or under. What about the idea of entitlement and the need to relinquish rights and privileges for the sake of others? What is the concept of power and its role in the church? What is the difference between power over and power with, and how can the church to embrace power with and forsake power over? The examples of Jesus and Paul are highlighted as models of power with, where weakness, cooperation, and relationship are valued over coercion and control. We also look at the question of whether Christians can ever use power over, with different perspectives presented.

First, Tim asks Mike to clarify the meaning of cruciformity, which is living in a self-expenditure and other-oriented way, following the example of Jesus. How can we understand it as more than a rhetorical idea and not as a call to martyrdom, but a way of living?

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.

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

Mental Illness & Spiritual Formation. Today, Mike talks with guests Lauren King, Dave Verhaagen and Kevin Dixon about mental health in the Christian environment.

You can learn more here: www.southeastpsychnashville.com

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.

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

Power in Weakness. As you can hear, we are not alone... Mike and Tim are in studio! In person! With friends! It's chaos of the best kind... This week, Mike and Tim are in Nashville for the VOXOLOGY Nonference, which awards them some rare in person time and they are joined by Pastor Suzie P. Lind and Dr. Timothy Gombis to discuss a myriad of things... Power in Weakness! Discipleship as dehumanization! How we show up in our uniqueness to communal events, how different that can be and how we can be prepared to see each other fully! We cover a range of topics under the banner of rehumanizing ministry and church. It's fun and a rare gift.

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.

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

To Be Human - Part Seven: Not So With You. Misuse of power? Misunderstanding power? Non discerning power? Today, we explore the idea that Christians should not seek worldly power, but instead focus on loving their neighbors and embodying the teachings of Jesus. There are two types of power: power over and power with. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of power dynamics in future episodes.

This episode, Mike and Tim explore the concept of power and distinguishes between power over and power with: Power Over is the ability to control or influence others, whether through force, expertise, or social systems. Power With, on the other hand, is relational power that works in cooperation and mutuality. Jesus exemplifies power with, as he serves and empowers others instead of exerting power over them. The conversation also highlights the dangers of using power over, as it inhibits God's work in the world and goes against the nature of the kingdom of God.

Further, as we explore the difference between power over and power with, what is the importance of power under (with), which is exemplified by Jesus? What of the temptation to use power over and the need for discernment in using power in a way that aligns with the teachings of Jesus? The conversation touches on topics such as Christian nationalism, the role of the church, and the importance of community and shared power.

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.

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

To Be Human - Part Six: Power Over vs. Power With. Today, Mike and Tim discuss the concept of gatekeeping and the misuse of power in various contexts, including the church and society. They explore the idea of ruling and having dominion over creation, emphasizing the importance of modeling God's rulership, which is based on love, humility, and invitation. This opens us up to our main topic: power over vs. power with. Mike and Tim highlight the need to hold convictions in a way that promotes curiosity, conversation, and hospitality, rather than using them to exclude or shame others. Further, they discuss the concept of power and how it is used by God, the idea of power over versus power with, and how power with is invitational and cooperative, while power over is hierarchical and coercive. How does this play into the importance of environmental stewardship and how is it a way of bearing the image of God?

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.

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