Radically Christian

Is spending "the Lord's money" on a church building faithful stewardship, or a distraction from the mission? It's a question that stirs strong feelings, especially for those rethinking what it means to be the New Testament church. Should Christians pool their resources for land, air conditioning, and pews, or does that kind of spending run against Scripture's example? Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson dig into the tension between expedience and excess, weighing house churches, cathedrals, and everything in between. Does the idea that "the church is the people, not the building" actually resolve anything. Along the way, they wrestle...

If all you saw was the American church, you might assume Christianity is dying. Empty pews, culture-war fatigue, a 24-hour news cycle feeding fear about who’s in charge and what’s coming next. But step outside the American bubble and a different story emerges, one where the gospel is spreading faster than almost any point in history. In this conversation with Dan Bouchelle of Mission Resource Network, Wes explores what’s actually happening in the global church, why fear and ethnocentrism keep American Christians stuck in a small, nationalistic view of the kingdom, and how the immigrants and intern...

What actually makes worship "biblical"? Is there a hidden checklist — the right songs, the right order, the right rituals — that separates real worship from the counterfeit? Wes and Marcus dig into Jesus's words in John 4:24 to the Samaritan woman about worshiping "in spirit and in truth," and ask whether we've been misreading that phrase for years. Along the way they explore the idea of "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40), why edification matters more than we realize, and why bringing your whole messy self into a gathering might be the most biblical thing you can do.

Links and Reso...

It’s easy to point out the flaws in your own spiritual family, the blemishes, the baggage, the things you’d change. But when was the last time you stopped to name what you love?

After a summer break, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson return to talk about why, despite its imperfections, the Church of Christ is still the fellowship they call home. Why is a cappella singing spiritually formative? What makes this a surprisingly good moment for churches committed to Scripture over spectacle? Plus, Wes and Marcus share an announcement they’ve been sitting on all summer...

What does the Bible say about the person and work of the Holy Spirit? What if the way you think about the Holy Spirit is quietly shrinking your relationship with God? Most of us have been shaped by a culture that wants to take everything apart; to understand the mechanics, extract maximum value, and move on. But what happens when we bring that mindset to the Holy Spirit? When He becomes a force to harness rather than a divine person to know?In John 14, Jesus doesn't introduce the Spirit as a power source. He introduces him as another Helper...

Can a Christian actually watch a movie to the glory of God? Play a video game in the name of Jesus? It sounds almost absurd until you realize Paul's command in 1 Corinthians 10:31 doesn't stop at the church door, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." That means entertainment too. But what does that actually look like in practice? And how do you avoid the two traps: writing off all entertainment as spiritually dangerous, or treating it as a completely neutral zone where faith has no say? Wes and Marcus have...

"Count it all joy when you face trials," you've probably heard James 1:2 before. However, if we're being honest, it sounds offensive. Maybe even cruel. When life is falling apart, the last thing most of us want is a command to be joyful about it. Our instinct is to escape, to find someone or something that will rescue us from the pain as fast as possible.But what if that instinct — that desperate need to avoid suffering at all cost — is actually leading us somewhere dangerous? What if James, Peter, Paul, and even Job are all pointing to something we're not...

Most of us have been taught to make peace with death: The circle of life. A natural part of things. Even well-meaning Christians sometimes shrug at the grave, "They're in a better place, so I shouldn't be sad." But what if this instinct to soften death actually robs us of something important? Scripture calls death an enemy, one that God himself wept over, one that steals not just a final breath, but everything that was supposed to flourish before that moment.

And yet Scripture also speaks of God wielding death, of the angel of death in Exodus...

You’ve heard it your whole life, “Do not be anxious about anything.” But what happens when that verse makes your anxiety worse? When the command to stop worrying just adds guilt on top of the worry you already can’t shake?

Wes and Marcus get honest about the tension so many Christians feel around anxiety: caught between preachers who call it a sin and a culture that treats it as simply unavoidable. What does the Bible actually say? And is there a way out that doesn’t feel impossible or fake?

This conversation might change the...

What if being human isn’t the problem, but the point?

Wes and co-host Marcus Stenson sit down with Marty Solomon, host of the BEMA Discipleship Podcast, campus minister, and author, to explore his newly released book, The Gospel of Being Human (co-authored with Reed Dent). The conversation digs into one of the most transformative questions in theology: What if the gospel story actually begins in Genesis 1 (with humanity’s creation), not Genesis 3 (with our fall)? Marty challenges the assumption that being human is fundamentally bad news. When we recapture the biblical vision of humanity as image-bearers, it c...

Anxiety is at an all-time high — but Psalm 46 has been speaking into fearful times for thousands of years. In this episode, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson dig into one of Scripture's most powerful psalms about finding refuge in God when the world feels like it's shaking apart. They explore the historical context of siege warfare, what it meant for ancient Israel to declare "God is our refuge," and why that confession is even more radical today. They also unpack the famous phrase "Be still and know that I am God" — and why it may not mean what most of us t...

What does it truly mean to win? In this episode, Wes and Marcus sit down with Chip Pugh, chaplain and director of team development for the Tennessee Titans, to explore his new book, Made to Win: Six Practices of Jesus for a Life on Mission. Chip brings a unique blend of NFL chaplaincy, college coaching, and decades of disciple-making to challenge our culture's distorted scoreboard of success. Together, they unpack how identity rooted in Christ —not performance, religion, or titles — unlocks the life God designed you to live. Chip walks through his SKILLS framework: six practices modeled on Jesus' own...

Has someone told you that the Bible condemns medicine because of the Greek word pharmakeia? Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson dig into this popular claim making the rounds on social media and YouTube — and carefully examine what pharmakeia actually means in its original context. They explain why a word’s etymology doesn’t determine its modern meaning, what sorcery truly looked like in the ancient world, and why this passage has nothing to do with your local pharmacy. Along the way, they tackle how to read the book of Revelation responsibly, why psychedelic drug use is a legitimate modern applic...

Are you caught in the endless pursuit of more — more money, more status, more stuff — without ever feeling like you’ve arrived? In this episode, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson tackle one of the most countercultural teachings of the New Testament: biblical contentment. Drawing from Hebrews 13:5, 1 Timothy 6:6–8, Philippians 4:11–13, and Matthew 13:22, they expose how Western consumerism and “hustle culture” quietly shape our identity and fuel anxiety, comparison, and spiritual emptiness. Marcus shares a powerful personal story from his trips to Kenya that radically reframed his understanding of work, worth, and worship. Wes and Marcus also unpack the critical difference between contentment an...

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." We love quoting Matthew 11:28-30, but what did Jesus actually mean? In this episode, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson dig into the explosive context most people skip — Jesus's sharp rebuke of hard-hearted religious cities and the crushing yoke the Pharisees placed on everyday people. They explore how "yoke" referred to the Torah and how Jesus's invitation was a radical claim to deity, echoing Exodus 33, Numbers 12, and Jeremiah 6. They also unpack why Jesus's yoke is "easy" even though the way is hard, how burnout st...

Are "thoughts and prayers" just empty words, or are they more powerful than we realize? In this episode, Wes and Marcus dive into Romans 12:12 to explore the crucial difference between patience and passivity when we face the brokenness of the world. They discuss why social media and algorithm-driven news leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless, and how virtue signaling can become a substitute for genuine prayer and action.

You'll discover why biblical patience requires agency—not abdication—and how earnest, faithful prayer actually changes things on the ground. Marcus also shares a powerful four-question framework for grounding your...

What if "friendship with the world" in James 4:4 isn't about your music playlist or your movie choices? In this episode, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson reexamine one of the most misunderstood phrases in the New Testament. Drawing on the Greco-Roman patronage system—where wealthy benefactors offered "gifts" in exchange for loyalty and allegiance—they argue that James is confronting something far deeper than a moral checklist. He's warning an oppressed church community against selling their allegiance to rich and powerful patrons instead of trusting Jesus as their sole protector and provider. From Old Testament parallels with Israel's political alliances to m...

What does it actually mean to “not be conformed to this world”? And what if modern neuroscience confirms what the apostle Paul wrote 2,000 years ago? In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson explore the biblical concept of “the world” as a lens, framework, and normalized pattern of rebellion against God. Drawing from Romans 12, the Epistle to Diognetus, and the latest brain science research, they unpack how our thoughts physically reshape our brains—and why that matters for spiritual formation. Discover how the early Christians lived as radical nonconformists, learn to identify the lies that keep...

What if Jesus says “I never knew you” on judgment day—even after a lifetime of ministry? Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson tackle one of Scripture’s most terrifying passages: Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus warns that some who prophesy and cast out demons in his name will still hear “depart from me.” This honest conversation explores the difference between religious performance and genuine discipleship, why self-righteousness is so dangerous, and what it means to truly know Christ. Discover why spiritual “imposter syndrome” might actually be a healthy sign, how the Sermon on the Mount reveals God’s heart, and why our confidence...

Is debt a sin? Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson explore Proverbs 22:7—”the borrower is slave to the lender”—to unpack the biblical wisdom around debt, lending, and financial stewardship. This episode examines how Proverbs offers general truths rather than absolute promises, distinguishing between wise financial decisions and sinful behavior. They discuss Old Testament laws against charging interest, the Year of Jubilee, and how consumer debt differs from predatory lending.

Discover why the Bible focuses more on lenders than borrowers, how perpetual debt stifles spiritual fruit, and what sacrificial generosity looks like in Christian community. Whether you’re wrestling...

Are we living in the last days? Join Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson in this thought-provoking exploration of 2 Timothy 3:1-9, where Paul warns Timothy about “lovers of self” and the difficult times ahead. Discover why this ancient letter is shockingly relevant to our self-obsessed culture—and why that’s not a reason to despair. Through careful biblical exegesis and cultural analysis, Wes and Marcus unpack what Paul really meant by “the last days,” challenge the modern obsession with self-love, and reveal the paradox of the Christian life: losing ourselves to truly find life. This encouraging conversation will equip you to navigate...

Ecclesiastes might be more important and relevant to your life than you think. Does life feel like a relentless grind, work, dishes, routines, repeat? Discover how the ancient book of Ecclesiastes speaks directly to modern anxieties about meaning, success, and fulfillment. Join Wes McAdams and author Michael Whitworth as they explore how this misunderstood biblical book offers surprising wisdom on joy, contentment, and gratitude in everyday life.

Learn why it’s better to go to a funeral than a party, how Ecclesiastes corrects prosperity-gospel thinking, and why this honest, sometimes uncomfortable, book ultimately points us to Jesus. Wh...

In this thought-provoking conversation, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson explore the promises and perils of artificial intelligence from a Christian perspective. They discuss the biggest dangers of AI, including misinformation, relationship replacement, and outsourcing our God-given ability to think deeply. But they also share practical wisdom for using AI as a "coach, not a crutch." Learn how tools like ChatGPT can either help us flourish or participate in our own "self-erasure." Discover why authentic human relationships become a precious commodity in a world filled with artificial intelligence, and get specific guardrails for using AI wisely in your faith, family...

On this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams introduces the show’s new co-host for 2026. Together, Wes and the new host explore what it means to pursue spiritual convictions over mere New Year’s resolutions, emphasizing that transformation comes from becoming who God created us to be rather than just modifying behavior. They discuss the myth of the fresh start, the importance of slowing down to hear the Holy Spirit, and why God’s mercies are new every morning, not just every January. Both hosts share their upcoming writing projects and vision for the year ahead. This conver...

Should Christians celebrate Christmas? In this candid episode, Wes McAdams challenges the idea that celebrating Jesus’ birth violates biblical principles. Drawing from Romans 14-15 and Colossians 3:17, he unpacks why compartmentalizing life into “religious” and “secular” categories misses the point.

Wes encourages believers to see Christmas as an opportunity to welcome those weak in faith—people curious about the manger, hungry for hope, and longing for peace. Rather than pushing seekers away with debates, he invites Christians to make everything about Jesus and use this season to strengthen faith, not squash it.

Plus: An exciting announcement about 2026!<...

How to write sermons with Logos Bible Software just got easier! In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams walks you step‑by‑step through his personal sermon preparation process using Logos’ new AI Study Assistant to unlock the full potential of your digital Bible library.Whether you’re a preacher, Bible teacher, or small‑group leader, this tutorial will help you:• Organize sermon layouts and templates for weekly prep• Research Scripture quickly with commentaries and original language tools• Use Logos’ AI Study Assistant to access your library more effectively• Build slides and preach directly from the Logos iPad appYou’ll...

What happens when you walk in the footsteps of Moses or hold an ancient artifact that validates Scripture? Dr. Jonathan Moore and Dr. Rick Brumback, from Freed-Hardeman University, reveal how biblical archaeology helps transform faith and ministry.

Discover the unique graduate program that takes students to places like Israel, Egypt, and Greece for hands-on archaeological work—excavating at sites like Shiloh, learning stratigraphy and pottery identification—and experiencing the places where biblical events actually occurred. Dr. Moore shares how recent discoveries, including an Assyrian cuneiform fragment from Hezekiah’s time, continue to validate biblical accounts.

Learn...

In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams interviews Dr. Carl Williamson, a church planter and disciple-maker who teaches at Harding University. The conversation explores how disciple-making can move beyond programs into a reproducible, Spirit-led way of life modeled after Jesus. Williamson explains that a disciple is someone “following Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and committed to the mission of Jesus,” and that the goal of his ministry is to help ordinary believers live that out in community.

Williamson describes how he trains students at Harding to form “disciple-making groups”—small, four-person communities patterned after Jesus’ rel...

Baptism according to Scripture is more than a ritual—it is an expression of faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams talks with Dr. Bobby Harrington, founder of Discipleship.org and Renew.org, about what the Bible truly teaches about baptism and why Christians must understand its connection to the gospel.

Dr. Harrington, author of Baptism According to Scripture: A Clear, Short, and Unfiltered Guide, explains why immersion in the name of Jesus Christ is the New Testament pattern (Acts 2:38), how baptism expresses loyalty and allegiance to...

In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams joins Austin McCrickard and Nate Miller on their show The Thinking Kingdom Podcast to discuss 1 Corinthians 13 (often called the “love chapter”). They focus particularly on verse 10, where Paul says, “When the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” The conversation explores what Paul meant by “the perfect,” how the passage fits within the larger context of 1 Corinthians 12–14, and how Christians today should understand spiritual gifts in light of love being the ultimate goal.

Wes explains that the Corinthian church had been divided and worldly, using their spiritual gifts—such as...

In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams sits down with stand-up comedian Brian Bates, co-host of The Nate Land Podcast. They talk about faith, humor, and the surprising ways clean comedy is making a comeback. Brian shares insights from his career in comedy and reflects on how laughter can bring people together in a divided world.

Throughout the conversation, Wes and Brian discuss what it means to be both faithful and funny, where to draw the line between humor and harm, and how authenticity and kindness shape good communication. They explore how comedians and...

In this episode of The Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams concludes the Fruit of the Spirit series with a conversation about self-control. Guest, Guy Hammond, founder of Strength in Weakness Ministries, shares how the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live disciplined, faithful lives in a culture that celebrates self-indulgence.

Guy describes his own journey of transformation—from living as a gay man for fourteen years to following Jesus faithfully for nearly forty. He emphasizes that the Spirit’s work in us is gradual, not instant, and that sanctification involves humility, accountability, and perseverance. He offers practical examples of l...

This episode of the Radically Christian Podcast continues the series on the fruit of the Spirit, focusing on gentleness with guest Tim Pyles. Wes and Tim explore how the Spirit produces fruit in believers’ lives—not through mere willpower but through partnership with God, where He provides the strength for transformation. Tim stresses that gentleness isn’t weakness but “strength under control,” a Spirit-enabled response that looks radically different from the works of the flesh.

Tim describes gentleness as “sweet reasonableness” and connects it to Jesus’ own life—how He was filled with the Spirit and exhibited humility, restrain...

This episode of the Radically Christian Podcast continues the series on the fruit of the Spirit, focusing on faithfulness with guest Bobby Wheat. The conversation begins with the reminder that spiritual growth isn’t automatic—God produces fruit through the Spirit, but believers must also intentionally cooperate, making daily choices that reflect the Spirit’s work. Bobby describes the process as an “upward-moving spiral,” where small, intentional steps, empowered by the Spirit, build into greater maturity over time.

Bobby and Wes both talk about how faithfulness is relational, rooted not in mere church attendance or perfection, but in steadfa...

This episode of the Radically Christian Podcast continues the series on the fruit of the Spirit, focusing on goodness with guest Jordan Arnold, minister at the Church of Christ in Falls Church, Virginia.

Arnold defines biblical “goodness” as more than simply avoiding evil; it is active, courageous, and transformative. It’s goodness “with an edge,” the kind that rolls up its sleeves, risks reputation, and changes lives. They stress that such goodness isn’t meant to draw attention to the individual but to point people toward God. Good works serve as witness, drawing others to glorify the Father. They...

In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams continues his series on the fruit of the Spirit with a conversation about kindness, joined by guest Billy McGuiggan. They begin by reflecting on Galatians 5, emphasizing that the fruit of the Spirit is a single unified work of God, not separate traits we manufacture ourselves. Billy explains that walking in step with the Spirit means surrendering daily to God’s will over our own, nurturing a genuine relationship with Him that empowers kindness and other Spirit-produced qualities.

The discussion explores how kindness differs from mere niceness. They st...

In this episode of the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast, Wes McAdams continues his series on the Fruit of the Spirit with guest Bill Watkins, focusing on patience. They begin by reflecting on the Spirit’s role in forming believers’ character, emphasizing that while people without the Spirit may show love or joy, the Spirit empowers Christians to embody these qualities to a higher degree. The conversation underscores that the Spirit’s fruit is not just for personal holiness but for building relationships within the church and the world. Living selfishly leads to destruction, but living by the Spirit create...

This episode of the Radically Christian Podcast features a conversation between Wes McAdams and Bert Ritchie, a minister from Northern Ireland who has spent decades working toward peace and reconciliation. The discussion begins with Bert recounting his upbringing, his ministry journey, and the backdrop of sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. He describes how religious and political divisions fueled hostility for generations and how the peace accord reduced violence, though tensions remain unresolved.

The heart of the conversation focuses on what it means to pursue peace as a follower of Jesus. Bert emphasizes that peace is not just...

In this episode, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson wrestle with the meaning of the fruit of the Spirit, especially the aspect of joy. They explore the difference between trying to produce fruit by sheer willpower versus recognizing that fruit naturally flows from the Spirit living within. Using vivid metaphors, they contrast the Spirit’s genuine work with the artificial substitutes our culture often accepts. A major focus is the distinction between biblical joy and worldly happiness.

Marcus and Wes discuss how non-Christians may show echoes of love, joy, or kindness, but without the Spirit, these expressions are of...

In this episode, Wes McAdams begins a new series on the fruit of the Spirit, focusing first on love with guest Boo Scott, minister at National Park Church of Christ. They discuss how the fruit of the Spirit is not a checklist of virtues to achieve by sheer willpower but the supernatural result of the Spirit’s presence in a Christian’s life. Using metaphors like a single fruit with many flavors, they emphasize that producing love, joy, peace, and other traits is active but Spirit-powered—requiring intentional submission, alignment, and cooperation without taking credit for the transformation.

They...