Bible Study Podcast

Have you ever wondered what the Bible really teaches about the body, soul, and spirit? In this episode of the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast, Chris McCurley and Wes McAdams tackle common misconceptions about these ideas that many Christians assume are biblical but are actually influenced more by Greek philosophy. Diving deep into Scripture, Chris and Wes explain that the soul refers to our whole being, including both physical body and immaterial spirit or breath. This challenges dualistic thinking that devalues the body as disposable compared to an eternal soul. As they unpack verses about resurrection, it becomes clear God intends to redeem us wholly – soul and body. This study brings to life how the doctrine of bodily resurrection should radically reframe how we view life and salvation. Chris and Wes aim to help Christians embrace the full goodness of God’s creation, care holistically for the physical and spiritual needs of people, and live out Jesus’ kingdom mission in the here and now. This is a truly fascinating discussion you won’t want to miss. This episode was originally published on Chris McCurley’s “Dear Church” podcast. Chris graciously allowed us to republish this episode on our podcast as well. If you haven’t done so already, please check out the “Dear Church” podcast. Links and Resources: * Watch This Episode on YouTube * Dear Church Podcast * What is a “Soul”? Is “Soul” Different than a Spirit? * Spiritual Things are Not More Important than Physical Things Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor) CHRIS: Dear Church, let’s talk about body and soul. Hello, and welcome to the Dear Church Podcast. I’m your host, Chris McCurley. My good friend, Wes McAdams, joins us. He’s kind of a regular on here.  We’ve had you on several times, and I’m always excited when you come on. Thanks for joining us, Wes. WES: Well, thanks for having me, Brother. I’m always excited to be with you. CHRIS: Yeah, you know, we’re not as much of twins anymore. People who don’t know the story, we often would get mistaken for each other. Like at the Red River Family Encampment, as I understand it, you had somebody come up to you and ask you how you catch all those fish, and, you know, I’m okay with that. I’m perfectly fine with getting mistaken for Wes McAdams. I think that’s a feather in my cap. But, you know, we had VBS this summer and I challenged the kids to bring so many guests, and if they did, the elders could shave my head, and, you know, I didn’t have far to go anyway. I was losing it anyway. I tell people it was sliding down my back, but, you know, I decided I’m just gonna keep it. I kind of liked it. And I shaved the beard, as well, and so we’re not quite as similar, I guess. WES: I think it’s the glasses, anyway. I think that the glasses were catching people. So we’ll see next year at Red River what people do with that. CHRIS: Yeah, I guess so. I mean,

What does the Bible say about church leadership? That’s what Clifton F. Webb has been preaching about recently at the Wayne Road Church of Christ in Romulus, Michigan. Wes McAdams and Clifton Webb discuss this very important subject in today’s Bible Study Podcast. Clifton and Wes discuss the roles of elders, deacons, and preachers. What qualities or characteristics should these leaders possess? What does it mean for an elder to have faithful children? Why does Scripture say so much about a leader’s family? Should a preacher be considered a leader? In what sense does a preacher have authority? These are some of the questions Wes and Clifton explore. We hope you enjoy this conversation and that it helps you love like Jesus. Links and Resources * Watch This Episode on YouTube * Wayne Road Church of Christ Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor) Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast Studying Church Leadership with Clifton Webb WES: Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast. I’m your host, Wes McAdams. Here we have one goal: Learn to love like Jesus. I want to begin today by reading II Timothy 4:1‑5. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober‑minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” Today I’m visiting with my good friend, Clifton Webb, about Christian leadership. We hope that this conversation, as always, helps all of us learn to love like Jesus.  WES: Brother Clifton Webb, welcome back to the podcast, Brother. CLIFTON: Thank you, Brother. It’s good to be back on with you. WES: It is good to see your face, good to hear your voice, although I’ve been hearing your voice quite a bit lately. Over the last couple of days, I’ve been listening to some of your sermons, and I told you before we hit record that it feels like we’ve been having a conversation already because you’ve been talking to me, but now I get the chance to talk to you. So I’m excited to talk about what you’ve been preaching about, but why don’t you go ahead and tell us, what have you been teaching or preaching lately?   CLIFTON: Well, as of late, I know we just came out of a leadership series on the roles and the responsibility of the elders, preachers, and deacons.  And before I go into that, I just want to say thank you for just having me on this, you know, wonderful podcast. You know, I’ve always enjoyed you. You have been a tremendous encourager to me in my walk. One of the things I could tell you, man, I ‑‑ you’ll recall when we was in a forum that you and I are on, and I was just basically telling you, at one time, my spirit’s kind of low, but it’s been my first work at the Wayne Road Church of Christ,

What is the book of Acts all about? In today’s Bible study Wes visits with Marcus Stenson, Preaching Minister for the Leander Church of Christ. Marcus has been preaching through the book of Acts and has some amazing insights to share. The book of Acts is about the church’s mission to share Jesus with the world. However, on several occasions Christians allowed their prejudices and preconceived ideas to get in the way of that mission. Even the apostle Peter told Jesus, “No.” Jesus had to reshape his people in order for them to take the Good News to the world. Marcus is trying to help people experience that same reshaping. He wants people to ask themselves if there are evangelistic opportunities that God is calling them into that they are resisting. Marcus truly wants to see people be disciples and make disciples. As always, we hope this conversation helps everyone learn to love like Jesus! Links and Resources: * Watch this Episode on YouTube * Acts: A Theological Commentary on the Bible by Willie Jennings * The New Testament in Its World by N.T. Wright * Marcus’ Sermons on YouTube * Leander Church of Christ Website Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor) WES: Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast. I’m your host, Wes McAdams. Here, we have one goal: Learn to love like Jesus. I want to begin today by reading from Acts 1:6‑11. “So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'”  Today we’re going to visit with my friend, Marcus Stenson, about studying the book of Acts, and we hope that this study, as always, will help all of us learn to love like Jesus.  Marcus Stenson, welcome to the podcast, Brother. MARCUS: Thank you so much, Wes. It’s always a pleasure to join you here. I appreciate so much what you do with this podcast, man, so it’s a pleasure, it’s an honor, and I look forward to our discussion today. It should be good. WES: Yeah. It’s been too long since we’ve gotten to visit, so we may just be catching up today. It’s good to see your face. It’s good to have been listening to your sermons. I’ve been listening to a few of your sermons lately, and, man, I just ‑‑ I’ve missed hearing you preach, and I appreciate so much what you’re doing for the kingdom.

The Gospel of Matthew is what Boo Scott has been studying, teaching, and preaching lately. On this episode of the Bible Study Podcast, Wes McAdams visits with Boo Scott, Lead Minister for the National Park Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Wes and Boo discuss the Gospel of Matthew. Boo shares why the Gospel of Matthew is his favorite gospel account. He describes the unique picture and perspective Matthew gives us of Jesus. As a preacher and minister, Boo shares the themes and concepts he is trying to impart to others from this gospel account and how this book is shaping his own life. The Gospel of Matthew can truly change the way you think about Jesus. It can change the way you live your life. We hope this conversation helps all of us as we learn to love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Watch this Episode on YouTube * Boo Scott Sermons on YouTube * National Park Church Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor) WES: Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast. I’m your host, Wes McAdams. Here, we have one goal: Learn to love like Jesus. I want to start today by reading from Matthew 22, starting in verse 35: “One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.'”  Today our special guest is Boo Scott, who’s going to study with us about the book of Matthew. I hope you enjoy this study, and I hope, as always, it helps us all to learn to love like Jesus.  WES: Boo Scott, welcome to the podcast. BOO: Thanks, Wes. Thanks for having me, Buddy. WES: Thanks so much for being here, Brother. I always enjoy spending time with you, and I appreciate the work that you’re doing in Hot Springs. We were just getting to catch up a little bit about that before we hit record. I did ministry in Hot Springs for quite a while, and so we know a lot of the same people and I know that you are blessing them, and it’s always great to know that people that you love are being blessed by other brothers and sisters in Christ, and I appreciate the way you and your family are blessing those good people there. BOO: Thanks, Wes. Yeah, man, we love them. We love it here, and we love you and your family and are so thankful for all the work that you do. I read your blog all the time, just so you know.  WES: Oh, thanks. Thanks, Brother. Well, we’re continuing this series on what people are teaching and preaching, and just kind of catching up with preachers about what’s on their mind, so let’s get into what you’re studying, what you’re preaching and teaching lately. BOO: Yeah. I’ve been preaching over the Gospel according to Matthew. It is one of those gospels ‑‑ it’s my favorite gospel, by the way. I know a lot of people kind of gravitate towards John, which John is great,

What is discipleship? Billy McGuiggan has been studying and preaching on discipleship this year at the Three Chopt Church of Christ in Richmond, VA. In today’s Bible study, Billy and Wes McAdams discuss this topic of discipleship. For Billy, discipleship is about J.O.Y. putting Jesus first, others next, and yourself last. He has been challenging himself and others to consider what their relationship with the God of the Bible looks like in the marketplace. In other words, what does following Jesus look like Monday-Sunday, not just on Sundays. As always, the goal of this Bible study is to learn to love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Watch This Episode on YouTube * The King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight * Love Walked Among Us by Paul E. Miller * I Am Redeemed: Learning to Live in Grace by Mike Weaver Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor) WES: Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast. I’m your host, Wes McAdams. Here, we have one goal: Learn to love like Jesus. I want to begin today by reading from Luke 6, starting in verse 27. Jesus says, “I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” Today, I’m going to visit with my good friend, Billy McGuiggan, about discipleship, and we hope that this study helps all of us to learn to love like Jesus.  WES: Well, Billy McGuiggan, welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast. BILLY: Hey, thanks, Wes. Thanks for having me. WES: So excited to have you, Brother. We get to hang out at the Red River Family Encampment every year, and just being with you, hearing you preach and teach, and just getting to spend time with you is some of my favorite time of the whole year. You are such a tremendous encouragement to me, so I am very excited for other people to get to hear your thoughts on the podcast. BILLY: Thanks very much. I’m very excited. Hopefully, I don’t get too excited. WES: Well, we’ve been talking to various preachers about what they’re currently teaching and preaching or what they’ve been teaching and preaching on recently, so tell us about what you’ve been teaching recently. BILLY: So every year I have a theme of what I...

In today’s Bible study we are studying prayer with Clint Glitner. Clint is one of the ministers at the Sioux Falls Church of Christ. Both new Christians and seasoned disciples struggle with prayer, but are often afraid to talk about this struggle. Few people are willing to say what the disciples of Jesus said, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Why do we struggle with prayer and how can we improve our prayer life? Another important aspect of prayer for Christians is praying in the name of Jesus. But do we know what it means to pray in Jesus’ name? Should we think of the words, “In Jesus’ name, amen” like a postage stamp we put on a letter? Does saying these words ensure God hears our prayer? Or, on the other hand, does forgetting these words ensure God does not hear our prayer? As always, the goal of this Bible study is to learn to love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Three Ways to Make Your Prayer Life More Biblical * Website: Sioux Falls Church of Christ Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor) Studying Prayer with Clint Giltner WES: Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast. I’m your host, Wes McAdams. Here, we have one goal: Learn to love like Jesus. I want to begin today by reading 1 John 5:13‑15, which says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” Today on our podcast, I’m actually going to be visiting with Clint Giltner, the preacher for the Sioux Falls Church of Christ, about prayer. He’s actually interviewing me about prayer because that’s a study that they’re about to do at their congregation, and he graciously allowed us to use this video and this audio for our podcast. So I hope that you enjoy this discussion and Bible study about prayer, and I hope, as always, it helps us all to learn to love like Jesus.   CLINT: All right.  Welcome to our podcast today on prayer, Wes. Thanks for joining us. WES: Well, thanks for having me, Brother. CLINT: It was great to meet you a few months ago when we had you up for a parenting workshop, and we’re in the midst of really getting ready for a month focused in on prayer, and I wanted you to be a part of that. And so when this podcast eventually drops, we’ll be, hopefully, right smack dab in the middle of that month, really hoping to encourage the congregation not only to be individually more prayerful, but as a congregation as a whole, that we are a body praying together, focused in on the things of God. And so we’re trying to provide some resources to everyone throughout that process, and podcasts are going to be one of those, and so I appreciate you joining to do this.  Kind of the focus for us today is on an article you wrote back in 2016, which is ‑‑ it feels like forever ago that that happened,

We are studying idols and false gods on today’s episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Our special guest today is Jordan Arnold. Jordan and his wife, Natalie, were missionaries in the Slovak Republic for 7 years. They now live in Oklahoma, where he preaches for the Hooker Church of Christ. This is the second episode in a series in which Wes interviews preachers about what they have been studying and teaching lately. Jordan has been focusing on the Bible’s massive subtext: God versus the gods, the gods we inherit and forge. Wes and Jordan discuss how studying this topic has impacted him and the congregation.  We hope this study is a blessing as you learn to love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Sermons: Watch Jordan’s Recent Sermons Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor) Studying Idolatry with Jordan Arnold WES: Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast. I’m your host, Wes McAdams. Here, we have one goal: Learn to love like Jesus. I want to start today by reading from Romans chapter 1, starting in verse 16, which says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.  So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever!  Amen.”  Today on our Bible study we’re going to be talking about idolatry, false gods. I’m going to be visiting with my friend, Jordan Arnold, and talking about how he’s been studying and teaching and preaching about how God is so much better than the false gods that we forge and inherit. I hope that you enjoy this Bible study, and I hope that it helps all of us to learn to love like Jesus.  WES: Jordan, welcome to the Bible Study podcast.   JORDAN: Yeah, thanks for inviting me. WES: Well, thanks for being here. I’ve been listening to several of your sermons lately. We met at Red River, and I really enjoyed getting to hear you and Billy McGuiggan teach together, talk about Hosea, and just some of the great points that you brought out ther...

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is the subject of today’s episode of The Bible Study Podcast. Today’s special guest is Chris McCurley, preaching minister for the Walnut Street Church of Christ in Dickson, Tennessee. This is the first episode in a new series in which Wes interviews preachers about what they have been studying and teaching lately. Chris has been studying and preaching through the Sermon on the Mount and has a lot of excellent thoughts to share. Wes and Chris discuss why the Sermon on the Mount is relevant for Christians, what Chris hopes people have been applying to their lives, and what he would do differently if he was preaching this series again. We hope this Bible study is a blessing to you as we all learn to love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * The Words and Works of Jesus Christ by J. Dwight Pentecost * The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah by Alfred Edersheim Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor) Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast WES: Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast. I’m your host, Wes McAdams. Here we have one goal: Learn to love like Jesus. I want to begin today by reading from Matthew 5:3‑12. Jesus says, in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  Today we’re going to begin a new series of podcasts in which I’m going to visit with some preacher friends and talk to them about “What are you studying? What are you preaching? What are you teaching?” And just get their thoughts about what they’re thinking about, what they’re studying, and what they’re preaching.  Today we’re going to talk to Chris McCurley about his current series on the Sermon on the Mount. I hope that this study helps you learn to love like Jesus.  Chris McCurley, welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast. Thanks for being here, Brother. CHRIS: Yeah, thank you. It’s a pleasure. WES: I am really excited to have this conversation. I’ve been actually listening to some of your sermons, and I’m excited to talk about them. We’re doing this new series where we’re talking to preachers about what you’re studying, what you’re teaching, what you’re preaching, what you’re thinking about, and just having you on to tell us about that and just kind of talk through some of that.

How can Christians reach our LGBTQ+ neighbors? In today’s Bible Study podcast, Wes McAdams visits with Guy Hammond, the Executive Director and Founder of Strength in Weakness Ministries. Guy founded Strength in Weakness Ministries in 2006 in order to help same-sex attracted Christians like him. Since that time, he has taught over 100,000 people in churches, universities, and faith-based groups globally. He has written six books and has had a documentary movie made about my life and this ministry called “Finding Guy.” Before becoming a Christian, Guy lived an active gay life until he was 24 years old. After becoming a Christian, he left that life behind forever and God has blessed him tremendously. In 1991 he married Cathy and they have 4 amazing adult children. Sadly, Cathy passed away in 2018 of cancer. By God’s blessing, Guy fell in love again and he married Laura. In this conversation, Wes and Guy discuss Guy’s positive experiences in the church that initially helped him decide to follow Jesus. Guy explains why, in spite of being same-gender attracted, he does not identify as gay. They also discuss the growing number of affirming churches, what arguments are used to support pro-gay theology, and why those arguments ultimately fall short. Most importantly, Wes and Guy discuss how Christians and churches can hold to a biblical sexual ethic while also demonstrating love for our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Guy closes by sharing an encouraging word for those struggling with their own sexuality or those who have family members who are struggling. Guy has an amazing story and an amazing ministry. We believe this conversation and Bible study will help us all to love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Book: Gay and Christian? by Guy Hammond * Video: Christian Chronicle Conversation, “Same-Sex Marriage: How Should Christians Respond?” * Website: Strength in Weakness Ministries Transcript (Credit Beth Tabor): WES:  Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast. I’m your host, Wes McAdams. Here, we have one goal: Learn to love like Jesus. I want to begin today by reading 2 Corinthians 12:7‑10, which says, “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.  But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Today we have a very special Bible study and conversation with Guy Hammond,

Today’s Bible study on Christian sexual ethics was originally taught as a Wednesday night Bible class at the church of Christ on McDermott Road. This was the final lesson in a series entitled, “True Love: The Truth About Sexuality in a World of Competing Ideas.” In this lesson, Wes McAdams discusses how we have ALL tried to substitute true love—God’s love—with lesser loves and we are all suffering the consequences. One of those lesser loves is romantic love, what the Greeks called, “eros.” Like all lesser loves, when it is made an ultimate love, eros becomes a counterfeit god that enslaves and destroys. Jesus frees us from this slavery by connecting us with the love of God. Therefore, the church should be a home for recovering idolaters; a place to continually rediscover the superiority of the love of God. The church should be a community in which we can experience both forgiveness and transformation. In the church, we must maintain a unique perspective on the body, because we believe it becomes a temple for the Holy Spirit. We believe, “The body…is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body” (1 Corinthians 6:13). Links and Resources: * Video: Watch this episode on YouTube * Class: True Love: The Truth About Sexuality in a World of Competing Ideas

Are you a struggling Christian parent? Do you know a struggling Christian parent? Is there a chance you will be a struggling Christian parent in the future? If so, this Bible study is for you. Today’s special guests are Wayne and Tami Roberts. Wayne and Tami travel the country teaching the “His Shoes Her Shoes Seminar.” Wayne and Tami have been married since 1981. They have raised five children and are enjoying ten grandchildren. Their unique, genuine and interpersonal style has made them sought after speakers and teachers. Wes asks Wayne and Tami questions about setting rules and boundaries, having hard conversations, and dealing with technology. If you are struggling, please know that you’re not alone. You are surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ who love you and hear for you. We hope this conversation helps us all to love more like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Website: His Shoes Her Shoes Seminar Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor) WES:  Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible study podcast.  I’m your host, Wes McAdams.  Here, we have one goal:  Learn to love like Jesus.  In today’s podcast, we’re going to talk about some encouragement for struggling parents, so if you are a struggling parent, if you know a struggling parent, if you think maybe someday you will be a struggling parent, this podcast is for you, and we hope that it’s an encouragement.   Okay.  Well, I am superexcited about today’s discussion with Wayne and Tami Roberts.  I was thinking, over the last few weeks, a lot about parenting and family, one, because I was doing a sermon series on parenting and family, and it seems like, as a minister, every time I do a series on family, and especially parenting or marriage, then issues come up in my own family, in my own life, things that I’m struggling with.  And I thought, man, I’m struggling as a dad right now and I really need some encouragement, and I’ve got some questions that I wish I could ask somebody.  And I thought, you know what?  I’m going to ask somebody.  And the first couple that came to my mind was Wayne and Tami Roberts, and so I wanted to have them on the podcast and ask some questions for me, selfishly, but also to share with all of you.   Wayne and Tami, thank you so much for making time for today’s discussion.  WAYNE:  You’re very welcome.  Thanks for having us as the old, old, old wise couple.  I really appreciate that.  Tami:  Speak for yourself.  WES:  I was going to say…  WAYNE:  We’re glad to be a part of it, and, hopefully, we can suggest some things that we’ve been through.  As a family of five kids, we’ve tested the waters a lot of different ways.  WES:  Fantastic.  Well, let’s start there.  Let’s start with you as a couple, you as a family.  Tell us about yourselves and your ministry and why reaching out to and encouraging other families has been so important to...

What is faith? Have you ever wondered how the Bible defines it? Does it just mean believing something is true or is there more to it than that? In today’s Bible study, Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley discuss four related questions from one of our listeners: * What is the definition of faith? * What is the relationship between faith and obedience, or are these two sides of the same coin? * How would you respond to the idea that believers can never fall away, or if they do fall away they were never really believers in the first place? This seems to me to negate free will and contradict the entire narrative of scripture. If a former believer persists in disobedience are they not demonstrating unbelief? * Based upon a biblical understanding of faith, how can believers have assurance? These are excellent questions and they sparked a great conversation and Bible study. We hope you enjoy this conversation and that it helps us all to love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Book: Salvation by Allegiance Alone by Matthew W. Bates

Should Christians use violence to defend themselves and others? This is part two of a two-part series on Christians and violence. If you have not listened to part one, we would encourage you to listen to that conversation as well. In part one, Wes McAdams, Luke Dockery, Brandon Britton, and Steven Cuffle all shared how they came to their current views on Christian and violence. They also discussed what early Christians believed about violence and why beliefs changed around the Fourth Century AD. In part two, Wes, Luke, Brandon, and Steven tackle some common objections to the Christian nonviolence position. Here are some of the objections they discuss: * The Bible is full of God-ordained wars and godly warriors. Doesn’t that prove it is sometimes necessary to use deadly force? * Isn’t it immoral and sinful to allow other people to be hurt if you have the power to prevent it? * Jesus told his apostles to buy a sword (Luke 22:36). Why would he do that if it was wrong for them to use deadly force? * God ordains the government to use the sword to punish evildoers (Romans 13). How can it be wrong for us to participate in violence if God has ordained it? As always, we hope this Bible study helps us all to love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Nonviolence: The Revolutionary Way of Jesus by Preston Sprinkle * The Early Church on Military Service and Killing by Ronald J. Sider * Podcast: The Early Church on Military Service and Killing: Dr. George Kalantzis

Should Christians use violence to defend themselves and others? What does the Bible say? What did early Christians think about violence? In today’s Bible study, Wes McAdams visits with Luke Dockery, Brandon Britton, and Steven Cuffle about this highly controversial topic. In part one of this two-part series, Wes and these three ministers all discuss their perspective on Christians using violence. They first discuss their own personal journey and struggle with this question. Then, they discuss what passages of Scripture have shaped their thinking about violence. Finally, they talk about why Christian thought has shifted on this subject over the last 2,000 years. In part two, some common objections to the Christian nonviolence position will be raised. Questions like: * The Bible is full of God-ordained wars and godly warriors. Doesn’t that prove it is sometimes necessary to use deadly force? * Jesus told his apostles to buy a sword (Luke 22:36). Why would he do that if it was wrong for them to use deadly force? * God ordains the government to use the sword to punish evildoers (Romans 13). How can it be wrong for us to participate in violence if God has ordained it? Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss part two of this conversation on Christians and violence. As always, we hope this Bible study helps us all to love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Nonviolence: The Revolutionary Way of Jesus by Preston Sprinkle * The Early Church on Military Service and Killing by Ronald J. Sider * Podcast: The Early Church on Military Service and Killing: Dr. George Kalantzis

Make the church more masculine? It has been suggested that the church is too feminine and we should make it more masculine, especially if we want to reach young men. For instance, one author wrote: “…a Christ who is all grace cannot stir the masculine soul. Deep down, men long for a harsh affection—the love of a coach who yells at his players to get every ounce of effort; the love of a drill sergeant who pushes his recruits to the limits of human endurance; the love of a teacher who demands the impossible from his students. As Western society feminizes, it’s getting harder for men to find this kind of love. The Lion of Judah offers harsh father-love in abundance—yet he’s becoming an endangered species in the modern church.” – David Murrow, Why Men Hate Going to Church Wes McAdams visits with Chase Turner and Marcus Stenson about this idea. What does it mean for the church to be “too feminine” and what would a more “masculine” church look like? Who gets to define masculinity and are the world’s definitions of masculinity very helpful? Jordan Peterson recently recorded a, “Message to Christian Churches” and said: “The Christian Church is there to remind people — young men included and perhaps even first and foremost — that they have a woman to find, a garden to walk in, a family to nurture, an ark to build, a land to conquer, a ladder to heaven to build, and the utter, terrible catastrophe of life to face stalwartly in truth, devoted to love and without fear.” – Jordan Peterson Is that summary of the church’s message an accurate one? That message may resonate with men, but does it align with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Some churches have gone so far as to incorporate videos of tanks, trucks, dirt bikes, and helicopters into their worship services, designed to reach men. Is this effective? Is this promoting the right sort of masculinity? Wes, Chase, and Marcus discuss all of these questions and more. We hope you enjoy this conversation. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Read: Full Transcript of This Episode (Thanks to Beth Tabor) * Marcus Stenson is the Preaching Minister for the Leander Church of Christ * Chase Turner is the Director of Digital Missions at Herald of Truth