Lamenting with the Sorrowing: The Need for Public Grief in Times of Tragedy

How the biblical practice of public lament can help us confront communal tragedy, own our complicity, and embody compassionate presence in a hurting world. In this emotional and reflective episode, Mike Erre and Andy process an extraordinarily painful week of violence, including the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. They explore the responsibility of Jesus followers to grieve publicly, speak honestly, and lament alongside marginalized communities rather than hijack grief for politics or theology. Mike deeply unpacks the biblical tradition of lament, offering insights into how grief is a spiritual pathway for protest, solidarity, and ultimately hope. Drawing from scriptures, Jewish mourning practices like sitting Shiva, and reflections on fear-driven cultural responses, the dialogue calls Christians to a new ethic of presence and repentance in times of suffering. Key Takeaways: • Grief Before Action – Public tragedy demands grief before reaction; Jesus followers must give permission for pain before offering answers. • The Power of Public Lament – The Bible models bold, honest lament that directs sorrow toward God, resists polite clichés, and names injustice without offering theological band-aids. • Fear and Blame Hijack Grief – How religious and political reactions quickly turn to fear, defensiveness, and outrage, masking the vulnerability of grief. • The Church's Prophetic Role – Christians are called to embody peace and security, even amid violence, reflecting the counter-cultural posture of Jesus. • Don't Hijack the Grief – Avoid theological posturing, political arguments, and "I told you so" tones in moments that should be sacred expressions of collective mourning. • Why We Sit Shiva – The practice of sitting Shiva invites Christians to be with the suffering, acknowledge their world has changed, and listen before speaking. Resources Mentioned: • Lamentations, Psalms of Lament, and Habakkuk – Foundational texts modeling biblical lament • Matthew Vines – Article on Christian responses to LGBTQ+ tragedies • Dallas Willard – Reflections on joyful non-compliance and Christlike resistance • Russell Moore – Article on weeping with those who weep • "Fade to Black" by Metallica – Referenced symbolically as a picture of grief Join us as we learn to lament well—without qualifications, without hijacking, and with deep compassion. Black out your social media profile with us as a small symbolic act of sitting Shiva with the LGBTQ+ and Orlando communities. Let's become a people shaped not by fear, but by love and sorrow that speak honestly and prophetically in a broken world. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast as we question, listen, and wrestle together in pursuit of the true mission of Jesus. 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: Voxology Podcast Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Support the Podcast: Patreon Check out our curated Spotify music channel: Voxology Radio Instagram: @voxologypodcast Facebook: facebook.com/voxologypodcast Follow Mike: 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