Libsyn Directory

Two Christianities: Cruciform Love vs. Power and Culture Wars w/ Dr. Timothy Gombis (Cruciformity Series)

Release Date: 04/07/2025

A Near Life Experience: The Theology of Disability and Punk Rock Prophets - w/ Dr. Timothy Gombis

Voxology

What does punk rock have to do with the heart of the Gospel? In this episode, the Voxology team, joined by the Dr. Timothy Gombis, dives deep into the unexpected intersections of radical community, inclusivity, and the teachings of Jesus. From punk rock's raw authenticity to the profound ministry of disability-focused communities that Mike recently experienced at the "Hope Heals" camp. The conversation explores how cruciformity—the self-giving love of Jesus—emerges in unlikely places. Along the way, they unpack the role of the church in society, faith and politics, and navigating cultural...

Roman’s 13: Give to God What is God’s

Voxology

Is Romans 13 being misused to justify political or social agendas? In this intellectually rich yet accessible discussion, the hosts tackle the challenges of interpreting Romans 13 in the context of faith, politics, and justice. Exploring the tension between government authority and the church's mission to love one's neighbor above all, they delve into nuanced themes like "cruciformity," cultural challenges, and the role of the church in society. Through a thoughtful lens, the episode contrasts Paul's teachings on governance with Jesus' profound declaration to "give to Caesar what is Caesar’s...

What About Romans 13... Joyful Non-Compliance: Faith in Action Today

Voxology

What does "Joyful Non-Compliance" look like in today’s world? In this thought-provoking episode, the hosts explore how faith intersects with politics, justice, and cultural challenges. Diving into Romans 12 and 13, they discuss the biblical posture of joyful, peaceful non-compliance, emphasizing the church's role in society as a force of love, justice, and truth. From the complexities of navigating immigration issues to the tension between idolatry and injustice in government, this conversation unpacks what it means to live out cruciformity—a life shaped by the cross—in a chaotic world....

Joyful, Peaceful, and Gracious Noncompliance

Voxology

How should Christians approach immigration, justice, and faith in today’s cultural climate? In this episode of the Voxology Podcast, Mike and Tim dive into "Joyful, Peaceful, and Gracious Noncompliance," exploring what scripture teaches about welcoming the stranger, showing compassion, and advocating for justice. Drawing on the work of experts like Matthew Soerens and their own reflections, they tackle the complex intersections of cruciformity, faith and politics, and the role of the church in society. Through real-life stories, scripture analysis, and discussions on cultural challenges,...

The World of, Behind and In Front of the Text: Navigating Biblical Interpretations

Voxology

In this episode, Tim and Mike continue the conversation about the complexities of biblical interpretation, exploring how various contexts—textual, cultural, and personal—shape our understanding of scripture. What does "biblical" really mean, and why does it matter in today's world? Mike and Tim explore the "world of the text," the cultural and historical contexts "behind the text," and the modern assumptions we bring "in front of the text." With humor, humility, and intellectual depth, they examine how varying social locations, traditions, and cultural frameworks shape our understanding of...

The Bible as a Cross Cultural Experience

Voxology

Is the label "biblical" helping or hurting how we approach faith, church, and cultural challenges? In this thought-provoking episode of the Voxology Podcast, Mike and Tim explore the pitfalls of using "biblical" as a rigid brand, how it impacts theology, and its effects on navigating issues like justice, community, and interpretation of Scripture. They discuss the importance of reading the Bible in community, embracing humility, and fostering critical thinking to form faithful and wise communities. Drawing on listener feedback, they tackle how Scripture has been used both to liberate and to...

Why 'Biblical' Might Not Mean What You Think

Voxology

Is "biblical" always what it seems? In this thought-provoking episode, the hosts unpack why the word "biblical" might not mean what you think and explore its misuse across faith, politics, and cultural issues. From examining how "biblical" has become a branding tool to discussing its role in sociological stress tests and power dynamics, this conversation challenges us to rethink how we approach scripture and the teachings of Jesus. The discussion delves into the complexity of interpreting the Bible, emphasizing the need to consider the text itself, the cultural context behind the text, and our...

Discernment: Cruciformity is Active, Not Passive

Voxology

Discernment: Cruciformity is Active, Not Passive. On this episode of the Voxology podcast, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford focus on discernment in faith, the essence of Christian identity, and the importance of critiquing ideologies rather than individuals. They emphasize the need for community engagement and humanizing conversations across divides, particularly in the context of immigration and societal issues. Further, Tim and Mike explore the complexities of homelessness, systemic issues, and the role of faith in addressing societal challenges. They discuss the importance of understanding the...

The Corruption of Biblical Leadership (Cruciformity Series)

Voxology

What does leadership shaped by the cross really look like in today’s church—and how far have we drifted from it? Mike and Tim continue the Cruciformity Series with a raw, revealing, and intensely personal reflection on their own experiences with American evangelical leadership culture. From megachurch strategy to influence-based platforms, they unpack how conventional models of “biblical leadership” often mirror corporate America more than Christ. This episode challenges deeply ingrained assumptions about success, authority, platform, and power, and proposes a radically different path:...

Prophetic Resistance: Challenging the Status Quo (Cruciformity Series)

Voxology

How the church responds when Jesus is co-opted by political power, and what it means to faithfully resist using cruciform love. In this latest installment of the Exile Series, Mike and Tim explore recent headlines where government leaders invoke Christianity as a means to assert national identity and justify coercive policies. Rather than offering partisan critique, they unpack the deeper spiritual crisis at work—when the name of Jesus is taken in vain to baptize authoritarianism and cultural dominance. Rooted in Walter Brueggemann’s prophetic framework of “reality, grief, and hope,”...

More Episodes

How a cruciform vision of faith challenges cultural Christianity obsessed with dominance, political power, and exclusion. Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and special guest Dr. Timothy Gombis kick off a new Cruciformity Series by wrestling with the relational and theological tensions between two distinctly different expressions of Christianity. They dive into Gombis’ definition of a cruciform (cross-shaped) life, the way Paul consistently connects theology to social justice, and what faithful biblical interpretation actually looks like in polarized times.

This episode brings incisive insight and honest reflection into how Christians should engage others who claim Christ while promoting ideologies antithetical to his way. How do we differentiate between authentic discipleship and a power-driven counterfeit? When is it time to lovingly confront, and when is it time to focus on being a joyful presence even amid disagreement?

Key Takeaways:
• Understanding Cruciformity – Drawing from Philippians 2, Dr. Gombis defines cruciformity as using privilege, position, and power to sacrificially serve others, modeling the path of Jesus.
• Scripture and Social Justice – Why the Bible inherently speaks into issues of race, class, gender, and justice, and how ignoring these themes distorts the gospel.
• Faithful Interpretation vs. Literalism – A breakdown of how Paul’s creative use of the Old Testament—and early Christian interpretation—calls us to a living, theological engagement with Scripture rooted in love and justice.
• Interacting with Other Christians – Strategies for responding to uncruciform expressions of Christianity with grace, humility, and clear relational boundaries.
• Why Joyful Presence Matters – Finding the balance between calling out harmful theology and being a source of light, joy, and kindness without compromising the gospel.

Guest Highlight:
Dr. Timothy Gombis – New Testament scholar, professor, and host of the Faith Improvised podcast. With a Ph.D. from St. Andrews and decades of scholarly work, Gombis specializes in Pauline theology, cruciformity, and interpreting the Bible through a justice-centered lens. He brings deep nuance and practical wisdom to contemporary issues of faith and community.

Resources Mentioned:
• Faith Improvised Podcast by Tim Gombis – Link
• Power and Weakness by Timothy Gombis – Link
• Drama of Ephesians by Timothy Gombis – Link
• Michael Gorman – ‘Reading Revelation Responsibly’ and teachings on cruciformity – Link

Let’s keep reimagining and embodying a Jesus-looking faith. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone questioning the difference between cultural Christianity and the invitation to cruciform living.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to [email protected] and 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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode 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 [email protected], 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 Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

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