A Near Life Experience: The Theology of Disability and Punk Rock Prophets - w/ Dr. Timothy Gombis
Release Date: 07/07/2025
From "So That" to "And Yet:" A Theology of Suffering
Voxology
What is God's will for humanity? Is it found in Genesis 1 and 2, or does Genesis 3 reveal something deeper? In this episode, Mike and Tim tackle "The Mystery of God's Will" by unpacking Genesis 3 and exploring how God's ideal will contrasts with the realities of a fallen world. With a focus on themes like cruciformity, faith, and navigating cultural challenges, the conversation dives into questions about suffering, the role of ideologies, and how theology shapes our understanding of justice and faith. The hosts discuss how God's will operates within suboptimal conditions, the complexities of...
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Punk Rock Will Save the World: Resistance, Lament and Idolatry
Voxology
Join the Voxology Podcast for an engaging exploration of "Lament & Hope: Resisting Christian Nationalism." Hosts Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive into the pressing issue of Christian nationalism, discussing its implications for Christianity, faith, and the role of the church in society. With a focus on cruciformity and the teachings of Jesus, they unpack the cultural challenges of political idolatry, the misuse of theology, and the erosion of justice. They reflect on lament as a spiritual practice, addressing its power to navigate cultural issues and foster humility amidst complex and...
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This is God’s Will?
Voxology
Has Christian nationalism gone too far? In this lively yet thought-provoking conversation, we explore the tension between faith and politics, the role of the church in society, and how cultural challenges shape the way Christians embody the teachings of Jesus. From examining controversial trends like the rise of extreme Christian nationalism to unpacking theological nuances such as cruciformity and the kingdom of God, this discussion invites listeners to wrestle with what it means to live faithfully in a complex world. With humor, personal stories, and deep theological insight, the hosts...
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Does Prayer Work? How God Relates to His World
Voxology
Join Voxology in celebrating 10 incredible years of thought-provoking conversations on faith, culture, and the role of the church in society! In this milestone episode, Mike and Tim reflect on the journey from humble beginnings in October 2015 to today, exploring the impactful discussions that have shaped this community. From the concept of cruciformity to the intersection of faith and politics, they dive into navigating cultural challenges and addressing critical topics like Christian nationalism, biblical authority, and justice through the lens of Jesus' teachings. With humor, humility, and...
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He Knows Your Needs: Prayer in a Consumer Culture
Voxology
What happens when punk rock meets modern faith trends? In this episode, the hosts dive deep into the cultural and spiritual dynamics shaping contemporary Christianity. From the consumer-driven "revival" narrative—marked by increased Bible sales and app downloads—to the troubling intersections of faith and political ideologies like Christian nationalism, they explore what genuine spiritual renewal really looks like. Highlighting the concept of cruciformity, they discuss how the church's role in society should reflect Jesus' teachings of love, justice, and humility, rather than power and...
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Away With the Noise of Your Songs: A critique of Christian Cosplay
Voxology
What is the church’s role in justice, and are we missing the mark? In this thought-provoking conversation, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford dive deep into the intersection of faith and politics, examining how the church engages (or fails to engage) with justice in today’s world. From exploring the misuse of Christian imagery in political discourse to reflecting on cultural issues like immigration and systemic injustice, this episode challenges us to reconsider what it means to truly embody the teachings of Jesus. The discussion highlights the dangers of "Christian cosplay"—performing...
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Is The Gospel Offensive?
Voxology
Why does the gospel offend? In this deep dive into a crucified Messiah's challenge, the Voxology hosts unpack the cultural and theological significance of the offense of Christianity. Exploring themes of cruciformity, faith and politics, and navigating cultural challenges, they focus on how the message of Jesus subverts worldly power, redefines wisdom, and invites radical humility. Together, they examine what it means to embody the gospel in a society steeped in division, and how the church's role is to reflect the countercultural, self-giving love of Christ. From redefining power and wisdom...
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Is This the Turning Point? When the Church Becomes Empire
Voxology
What is the hidden danger of Christian nationalism, and how does it challenge the integrity of faith, the church, and the teachings of Jesus? In this thought-provoking episode of the Voxology Podcast, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore the troubling intersections of faith and politics, examining how concepts like cruciformity and the role of the church in society are being distorted by cultural narratives. Through engaging dialogue, they reflect on the dangers of syncretism, the idolization of political power, and the tension between justice and tribalism in today's cultural landscape. From...
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Charlie Kirk & Christian Martyrdom
Voxology
What happens when faith, politics, and cultural divides collide? In this thought-provoking conversation, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford explore Charlie Kirk as a person, a symbol, and a cultural marker. Is he a champion for Christian values or a polarizing figure in today's culture wars? This episode dives into the complexities of navigating cultural challenges, the role of the church in society, and the nuanced intersections of faith and politics. The hosts critically examine Turning Point USA's mission, its connections to Christianity, and the implications of blending biblical principles...
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Gun Violence, Charlie Kirk & Affirming Human Dignity
Voxology
How should Christians react to political violence? In this deeply reflective episode, Mike Erre and Tim Stafford tackle hard questions about faith, politics, and the role of the church in society. With a week marked by tragedy, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk and a series of shootings, the hosts explore what a kingdom response looks like in these turbulent times. From condemning all acts of violence equally to affirming the dignity of every human being, they emphasize the need for a cruciformity—a life shaped by the values and teachings of Jesus. They discuss navigating...
info_outlineWhat 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 challenges with humility and curiosity. By reflecting on the ways marginalized voices reveal the Gospel's power, the team challenges traditional notions of faith and invites listeners to reimagine how justice, community, and theology come alive in everyday life. Whether discussing mutual ministry, the prophetic edge of punk culture, or stories of transformative love, this episode is a powerful reminder that the Gospel is both disruptive and healing.
We encourage and would love for you to join this conversation. Share your thoughts on how faith intersects with culture and community on Facebook and Instagram, or email us your questions as we pursue deeper understanding together. Let’s journey forward in learning, dialogue, and the radical love of Jesus.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introducing Dr. Timothy Gombis
01:57 - Tim Stafford's Punk Band
05:58 - Catching Up with Dr. Timothy Gombis
11:39 - What's New in Theology
16:00 - Hope Heals Camp Overview
25:30 - White Evangelicalism Culture
27:43 - Mutuality in Ministry
30:16 - Lessons from Prisons and Bars
31:37 - Theology of Disability Insights
32:40 - Near Life Experience Reflections
35:00 - Understanding Second Naivete
41:32 - Tim Gombis Discussion
47:55 - Recounting God’s Actions
51:30 - Insights on Theology
54:14 - Evangelicalism as a Marketing Strategy
58:45 - Exploring Evangelical Theology
01:01:09 - Historical Figures in Theology
01:02:50 - Preview of Next Episode
01:04:10 - Support the Podcast
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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