How do we carry truth and love in today's complex conversations around sexuality, identity, and faith? This episode explores one of the most sacred cows in the modern church: how Jesus might engage with both affirming and non-affirming sides of LGBTQ+ conversations, while staying rooted in his Jewish context and countercultural message of surrender and grace. With raw honesty and biblical depth, Mike and Andy wade through questions from the Vox Mailbag on everything from Christmas decorations and the "war on Starbucks cups" to the deep waters of sexual ethics, divine identity, and church leadership. Featuring a guest appearance by JJ Carroll (and his mustache), this wide-ranging conversation unpacks how Christians should think about desire, orientation, ministry qualifications, and being disciples in a pluralistic democracy. Key Takeaways: • Embracing Jesus's Jewish Context – Jesus didn't appear in a vacuum. His cultural context informs how he would likely have engaged sexual ethics. • Challenging All Sides with Grace – Jesus calls both affirming and non-affirming believers to repentance, humility, and the worship of God over desire. • Worship and Sexuality – Our culture's elevation of sex as a marker of identity and fulfillment is idolized—Jesus invites us to a greater identity. • Desire vs. Surrender – Jesus doesn't call us to unfiltered authenticity but to joyful surrender, denying ourselves and finding life in him. • Leadership and the Heart – Church leadership isn't about perfection or sexual orientation, but about humility, repentance, and a heart that seeks Jesus. • Four Hats of Christian Life – How we speak and act on LGBTQ+ questions depends on whether we're being disciples, pastors, reconcilers, or citizens. • Vox's Statement on Gay Marriage – Mike reads the working draft of Vox's public posture on sexuality that affirms both a high view of Scripture and an unwavering commitment to loving our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Resources Mentioned: • Vox Statement on Marriage and Sexuality – Subversive Kingdom • 2 Corinthians 5 – The ministry of reconciliation • Matthew 19 – Jesus on divorce and interpretation of Torah • Genesis 1–2 – Foundations of sexual ethics in creation • The Church's Approach to LGBTQ+ Inclusion – Pastoral reflections Call to Action: Join us in rethinking what it means to follow Jesus with compassion, conviction, and courage. Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and let us know how you're navigating these topics in your own community. As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue the way of Jesus together. Email us your thoughts at hello@voxpodcast.com, and engage in the conversation on Facebook and Instagram. We're on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Our Merch Store: ETSY Learn more at voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the podcast via Patreon Voxology Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast and "like" us on Facebook Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikeerre 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. 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 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