God Is Not In Control? Exploring Suffering, Sovereignty, and Chaos - w/ Timothy Gombis

A candid and provocative conversation with theologian Dr. Tim Gombis kicks off a special four-part series unraveling one of Christianity's most common yet misunderstood phrases: "God is in control." In this first episode, Mike Erre, Tim Stafford, and Bonnie Lewis explore what it actually means to say that God is sovereign, and why saying "God is in control" may hinder rather than help a healthy understanding of suffering, divine action, and human vocation. Gombis challenges us to take seriously the biblical portrayal of God as king, not controller, and to reimagine what divine sovereignty looks like in a chaotic world. Drawing deeply from Genesis, Revelation, and Pauline theology, the conversation lays a powerful foundation for understanding God's complex relationship with human freedom, suffering, and control. Key Takeaways: • Understanding God's Sovereignty vs. "Control" – Why the phrase "God is in control" oversimplifies the theological richness of scripture and misrepresents God's relationship with creation. • The Human Role in God's Kingdom – How Genesis portrays humans as image bearers empowered to extend God's shalom, and what happens when we opt for chaos instead. • Suffering, Chaos, and the Illusion of Safety – Distinguishing between God's kingship and the unpredictability of a broken world, especially for middle-class Western Christians who may be shielded from suffering. • The Church's Projection of Power – Exploring how Western theology's emphasis on control, knowledge, and safety reflects our cultural desires more than God's nature revealed through Christ. • A Biblical View of Grief and Hope – Why the appropriate response to suffering isn't false assurances but grieving alongside a God who suffers with us—while still planting hope in the future resurrection. Guest Highlights: Dr. Tim Gombis – New Testament scholar, regular guest of the Voxology Podcast, and insightful voice on the intersection of theology, scripture, and lived faith. His controversial blog post "God is Not in Control" sparked deep conversations about divine sovereignty during times of crisis. Resources Mentioned: • Genesis 1–3 – Humanity's original vocation and fall. • Romans 8 – God's Spirit groaning with us in suffering. • Mark 13 – Jesus' warning against reading events as divine judgment. • Job – A biblical critique of formulaic thinking about suffering and divine logic. • Exodus 34 – God's self-revelation to Moses. • Revelation – God's identity as the one who is coming to reclaim his world. • Tim Gombis's Blog – [Available on Facebook] for ongoing posts and dialogue. This is Part 1 of a four-part arc. Tune in next week as we continue the conversation with Tim Gombis in Part 2 and explore the implications for how we read the Bible with Pete Enns. Join the discussion—email your thoughts or questions to [email protected] and connect with our micro communities on Facebook. We encourage you to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on your favorite platform to stay connected with the journey. We're on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Our Merch Store: ETSY More from the Voxology Podcast: voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support us on Patreon Follow us on Instagram: @voxologypodcast "Like" us on Facebook Mike on Twitter: twitter.com/mikeerre Music 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 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