Why Did Jesus Have to Die? Understanding the Wages of Sin and Sacrifice (Cruciformity Series)
Release Date: 04/21/2025
When Thoughts & Prayers Are Not Enough
Voxology
In this thought-provoking episode of the Voxology Podcast, Mike and Tim tackle the implications of “thoughts and prayers” in moments of societal crisis to addressing the pervasive dehumanization in modern culture. Mike and Tim challenge listeners to rethink how faith shapes engagement with justice and truth. Through examples like prophetic critique in scripture and the importance of naming reality amidst propaganda, the episode offers actionable insights for embodying Jesus’ teachings in a culture dominated by division and misinformation. The conversation starts with the pressing...
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Lean In: A Conversation About Immigration - What is the Law and How Should the Church Respond? - w/ World Relief
Voxology
Today's episode is audio from last weeks event: "Lean In: A Conversation About Immigration," a cosponsored, free event between VOXOLOGY and World Relief. Mike Erre and Matthew Soerens delve into the church's role and posture on immigration issues, highlighting their collaboration with World Relief. They discuss the importance of moving beyond policy debates to embrace a posture of empathy and advocacy for immigrant and refugee communities. Through events like "Lean In," they aim to foster conversations that address biblical, legal, and social realities, encouraging listeners to engage actively...
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Praying to God as Father
Voxology
In this episode, Mike and Tim tackle the challenges of local advocacy, the ongoing struggle for equity and inclusion within school systems and why we pray to God as Father. Through the lens of cruciformity and the teachings of Jesus, the conversation dives into faith and politics, navigating cultural challenges, and wrestling with the complexities of justice. From celebrating small victories to grappling with discouragement, the hosts reflect on what it means to live out a theology rooted in love, humility, and hope, even in the face of opposition. This episode also touches on the nuanced...
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Understanding Prayer as a Gift, Rather Than a Transaction
Voxology
Why does modern prayer need a serious rethink? In this engaging episode of the Voxology Podcast, Mike Erie and Tim Stafford dive into the complex relationship between prayer, faith, and cultural challenges. From unpacking the transactional mindset often tied to prayer to exploring how the teachings of Jesus reframe this sacred practice, the conversation invites us to reimagine prayer as a transformative act of humility, gratitude, and community. The hosts discuss the role of the church in society, and how faith intersects with politics and justice in today’s world. Drawing from both ancient...
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Teach Us to Pray: How We Pray Reveals How We See God
Voxology
How does understanding ancient, Jewish prayer transform the way we approach our own prayer life? In this thought-provoking discussion, the Voxology Podcast unpacks the profound communal and theological practices of Jewish prayer that shaped the teachings of Jesus and continue to challenge modern, individualistic approaches to Christianity. Join the hosts as they explore how prayer reflects our understanding of God, our faith, and the world around us, offering a deeper lens into themes of cruciformity, justice, and the role of the church in society. By examining the historical context of Jewish...
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The Sacred Nature of Questioning Everything - Nonference 2025
Voxology
Live from the 2025 Nonference, Mike and Tim (In the same room) are joined in studio by Journey Church Pastors Suzie P. Lind and Sam Barnhart. What does it mean to truly deconstruct faith, and how can that journey lead to healing? In this heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation, the hosts tackle the complexities of "deconstruction," exploring disillusionment, doubt, discipleship, and ultimately, the pursuit of Jesus amidst cultural challenges. From addressing church hurt and systemic issues to reexamining theologies and navigating the intersection of faith and politics, this episode...
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When do We Stop Breaking Bread Together? - w/ Dr. Timothy Gombis
Voxology
Why does evangelicalism feel like home to so many, yet leave others feeling out of place? This episode dives into the complexities of navigating faith, politics, and the church's role in society. The hosts explore questions of belonging, the tension between community and cultural critique, and what it means to follow Jesus in a world shaped by injustice and division. From personal anecdotes about introversion to deep reflections on justice, cruciformity, and the teachings of Jesus, this conversation challenges traditional views of Christianity while encouraging critical thinking and humility....
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Disagreeing Well: Exploring, Faith, Community, and the Complexities of Interpretation
Voxology
Join hosts Mike Erre and Tim Stafford as they delve into a thought-provoking discussion on the nuances of biblical interpretation, the role of community in faith, and the challenges of modern Christianity. From exploring the portrayal of masculinity in popular culture to addressing the complexities of communal discernment, this episode offers a rich tapestry of insights and reflections. And Superman :) From judgmental posturing and a lack of authentic community to political alignment and cultural challenges, the hosts unpack how these factors are reshaping the role of the church in society....
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Reflecting On Pastor Ara Torosian's Story
Voxology
In a time of cultural divides and political tension, what is the church's role in bringing healing and truth to a fractured society? This episode dives into the complex intersection of faith, politics, and justice, exploring how Christianity can navigate today's challenges with humility, love, and a commitment to Jesus' teachings. The hosts reflect on the prophetic responsibility of naming reality, addressing idolatrous uses of faith in politics, and embracing cruciformity—a call to sacrificial living that resists cultural compromises. Drawing insights from Pastor Ara’s compelling story...
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A Personal Story of Resistance - w/ Pastor Ara Torosian
Voxology
Pastor Ara Tarosian joins Mike and Tim to share his incredible journey from persecution in Iran to building a vibrant church community in Los Angeles. He went viral a few weeks ago for a visdeo he posted of members of his congregation being abducted by ICE (See our instagram this week for the video). From surviving the Iranian Revolution to smuggling Bibles and leading a massive underground church, Pastor Ara’s story is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. In this thought-provoking discussion, he recounts the challenges faced by Iranian Christians, the cultural and political hurdles of...
info_outlineUnpacking the deep narrative threads that make Jesus’s death not just inevitable, but essential to our human story, Mike and Tim dive into the costs of sin, how death is a consequence—not simply a punishment—and what Jesus’s crucifixion really reveals about God’s nature. This Good Friday reflection brings clarity to questions we’ve inherited or sidestepped: Why did Jesus have to die? Why that way? And what’s the deeper biblical thread connecting Eden, the tabernacle, and the cross?
Follow this continuing journey through the Cruciformity Series as we reframe our view of atonement theology through the lens of relational, embodied love rather than transactional debt. This episode traces the arc from Genesis to Jesus, highlighting scripture’s subversive beauty and its world-building wisdom that invites us to reimagine what it means to live—and die—in union with Christ.
Key Takeaways:
• Death as Consequence, Not Retribution – Sin introduces decay, loss, and exile from creation’s eternal purpose. Jesus, in true solidarity, embraces that outcome fully.
• The Bible's Moral Logic of Life and Death – From Eden through the temple system and culminating in Jesus, we’re always being invited to choose life.
• Crucifixion and the Unmasking of Empire – Jesus’s nonviolent death at the hands of imperial power exposes the futility of violence and reveals the upside-down power of God’s kingdom.
• Sacrificial Systems and Human Imagination – Why animal sacrifice wasn’t divine bloodlust, but a contextual, symbolic reminder of the corruption and gravity of sin.
• Jesus Enters the Realm of Death to Open Eden – The torn temple curtain and the resurrection signify access to the tree of life has been restored—no longer guarded, but freely given.
Resources Mentioned:
• Genesis 1–3 – The foundational story of life, choice, and consequence.
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Paul’s “first importance” gospel creed, spotlighting Jesus’s death and resurrection.
• Leviticus 17 – “Life is in the blood”—understanding why sacrifices pointed to something deeper.
• Daniel 12 – A rare Old Testament glimpse of resurrection hope.
• Philippians 2 (Kenosis Hymn) – Cruciformity and Jesus’s descent through obedience and suffering.
• Rich Villodas (Twitter Reflection) – A poetic thread connecting Eden and the cross: Rich's post
Dive further:
• Catch up on past episodes in the Cruciformity Series for more foundational context.
• Check out our past deep dives on Genesis and sacrificial systems in the “Being Human” series.
Join the conversation and rediscover why Jesus’s death was not a cosmic transaction but the climactic expression of God’s love. Don’t forget to subscribe, write us a review, and share the Voxology Podcast with someone who’s asking deep questions about faith and identity.
As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue these big ideas together. Email your thoughts to [email protected], and engage with us on Facebook and Instagram.
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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford
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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