Bible Study Podcast show

Bible Study Podcast

Summary: Study the Bible with Travis Pauley and Wes McAdams. Whether you are a seasoned Christian or a new Christian, you will enjoy these Bible studies. Each week, Wes and Travis study another biblical topic, exploring the relevance Scripture has for our lives today. Though the topics vary greatly from week to week, the goal of every Bible study is the same, learn to love like Jesus. These Bible studies are brought to you by Radically Christian and the church of Christ on McDermott Road in Plano, Texas.

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Podcasts:

 If Anyone Will Not Work, Neither Shall He Eat | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:04:40

“If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). These are words the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, but what do they mean in context and how do we apply them today? What was going on in the Thessalonian church that Paul had to tell them, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat”? Were the people being lazy? Were they convinced the second coming of Jesus was imminent? Or were there other reasons people were not working? In today’s Bible Study, Wes McAdams, Brandon Britton, and Chase Turner discuss the interpretation and application of 2 Thessalonians 3:10. They discuss how these words should rightly be applied. But they also discuss how these words, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” have been abused and weaponized by Christians. We hope this discussion helps you love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Read: Full Transcript of This Episode (Thanks to Beth Tabor) * Chase Turner is the Director of Digital Missions for Herald of Truth * Brandon Britton is the Preacher for the Pleasant Valley Church of Christ

 How Are We Led by the Spirit? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 52:58

Galatians 5:18 says, “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” So, how are Christians led by the Spirit? In today’s episode, Wes McAdams and Chase Turner discuss that question.  This is the first time Chase Turner has joined us on the podcast. He is the Director of Digital Missions for Herald of Truth and the author of, T.R.I.A.L.S.: A Journey from Anxiety to Peace. Chase is someone in whom you can certainly see the fruit of the Spirit. Chase and Wes begin today’s Bible study by introducing listeners to the themes and purposes of Galatians. They discuss the particular issues Paul was addressing with the Galatian churches. And they get into what it means to walk by the flesh, instead of being led by the Spirit.  In addition to the phrase, “led by the Spirit,” Paul also uses several similar phrases in Galatians 5: * walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) * live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25) * keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25) Chase and Wes discuss how we can obey Paul’s instructions to walk by, live by, keep in step with, and be led by the Spirit. How do we know when the Spirit of God is leading us versus our own thoughts and desires? Is it possible for this idea to become subjectivism? What does it look like to really be Spirit-filled people? We hope you enjoy this Bible study and that it helps you love like Jesus. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Read: Full Transcript of This Episode (Thanks to Beth Tabor)

 Whatever You Bind on Earth | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 52:51

“Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,” these are the words Jesus to Peter and his apostles. Jesus also went on to say, “and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” What does it mean to bind or loose? Does it mean the apostles had the authority to create their own rules and regulations? What sort of authority was Jesus giving his followers and why? In today’s Bible study, Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley discuss both Matthew 16:13-19 and Matthew 18:15-20. Both of these passages contain the promise, “Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” It is also helpful to know that this phrase can be translated, “Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” In most Bible translations there is a footnote that indicates this alternative rendering. This Bible study was prompted by one of our listeners, who wrote in: Message: Hello, love your podcasts and blogs! They have helped me see some things and understand things that growing up in the church, I always had questions about, but never heard good explanations of the text (ie new heavens, new earth). My question is, what does it mean “whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will  be loosed in heaven? I appreciate if you can clarify what Jesus is talking about.  God bless you both in the work you do in your service to our King. – Scott Wes and Travis not only discuss what it means for something to be bound on earth, but also what relevance this promise has for our lives today. We hope you find this Bible study encouraging and helpful. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Read: Full Transcript of this Episode (Thanks to Beth Tabor)

 What is Heaven Like? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 1:04:54

What is heaven like? That is the question Kenny Embry and Wes McAdams discuss on today’s episode. This episode originally aired on Kenny’s podcast, “Balancing the Christian Life.” He graciously allowed us to republish it for subscribers of the “Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast” to hear as well. While exploring this topic, Kenny asked Wes questions like these: * What is “eschatology”? * Why don’t you think we have more of a picture of Heaven other than some very symbolic language in Revelation? * What makes heaven good? * Can we still get in trouble in heaven? * How should we think about eternity? * Is heaven a place? a relationship? both? * Will we spend eternity singing? * Why is thinking about heaven good? If you enjoy this conversation about heaven, you might also enjoy Wes’ blog series, “What the Bible Says About Heaven.” Links and Resources: * Read: Full Transcript of This Episode (Thanks to Beth Tabor) * Podcast: Will We Have Free Will in Heaven?

 How to Live as Unashamed Christians | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 54:29

How to live as unashamed Christians. In this episode of the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley respond to an email from a teen listener who wrote, “I was wondering if you could talk about teenagers and being proud of being a Christian. I know a lot of teenagers these days hide the fact that they are Christian or lie and say they aren’t because they fear they’ll lose their friends or be made fun of. I know personally I struggle with this, because from time to time religion comes into the conversation and I know a lot of teenagers and some adults fear they’ll be judged based on their religious beliefs.” Wes and Travis discuss why some segments of secular culture seem to be hostile toward the Christian faith. In a culture that emphasizes tolerance and diversity, why are Christian beliefs sometimes deemed intolerable? More importantly, how should Christians respond when they feel they are being mistreated or looked down upon for their faith? How can we live as unashamed Christians in today’s world? As always, the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast has one goal: “Learn to love like Jesus.” We hope you enjoy this conversation. Special Note: There was an unfortunate mixup last week with the audio files. The audio for this episode was accidentally linked to last week’s post (Issues We Deal with in the Church Today). We have corrected the problem, but if you are subscribed through a podcast app, like Apple Podcasts, you may have delete last week’s episode and download it again to access the correct audio file. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Read: Full Transcript of this Episode (Special Thanks to Beth Tabor) * Blog Series: Honor and Shame

 Issues We Deal with in the Church Today | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 49:15

Today’s episode first aired on The Wise Disciple Podcast, hosted by Logan Judy. Wes McAdams and Logan Judy discuss biblical literacy, political partisanship, and how to navigate controversial issues in the culture. We appreciate receiving permission to publish this episode on our channel as well. If you want to find out more about The Wise Disciple Podcast, you can visit wisedisciple.org. They also feature YouTube videos and blog posts as well.  Links and Resources: * The Wise Disciple Podcast with Logan Judy * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube

 How to Ask Better Questions of the Bible | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 45:07

Asking good questions of the Bible is a more challenging task than many suppose. When we have a question about something, it seems pretty straightforward to simply ask, “What does the Bible say about this?” But if we are not careful, the answers we find might say more about our own assumptions than they do the will of God. What is the difference between inductive and deductive Bible study? How can we be more aware of our biases and assumptions? How can we make sure the answers we find are not taken out of context? These are some of the questions Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley discuss in today’s Bible study. This episode was inspired by an excellent video entitled, “How to Ask the Bible a Question.” Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Read: Full Transcript (Special Thanks to Beth Tabor) * Podcast: Asking Better Bible Questions (Part One and Part Two)

 Does God Do Evil? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 45:48

Does God do evil? Today’s Bible study revolves around two related questions from listeners. The first is, “How would I answer an unbelieving neighbor who asked, ‘How does your God get all credit and none of the blame?'” And the second question is: “Recently, my brother gave up his old life and rededicated his life to Christ. Since then, he has asked me some questions that have been very good but challenging questions. One of his questions was, “does God do evil?”. He brought up stories like the Egyptians dying in the Red Sea. Then I thought of stories like The Great Flood or when God commanded King Saul to kill all of the Amalekites. So I would like y’all’s take or opinion on the question of “does God do evil?” In response to these questions about God and evil, Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley discuss passages like Isaiah 45:7, which says in the King James Version, “I form the light and create the darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.” But rather than “evil,” the ESV translates the same word, “calamity.” Wes and Travis discuss the part God plays in calamity, suffering, and tragedy. Is God to blame for these things? How should we think of God’s role in the world, when these “evil” things happen? Some of the Bible passages discussed in this conversation are: * Isaiah 45:7 * James 1:17 * Romans 8:21 * 2 Peter 3:8-13 * James 1:2-4 * Romans 8:28 Links and Resources: * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Full Transcript (Special Thanks to Beth Tabor)

 Better Safe Than Sorry Theology | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 47:43

A better-safe-than-sorry theology is one that wants to do what is right and good. But, unfortunately, it also tends to portray God as being a God of technicalities, who punishes people for making honest procedural mistakes. Furthermore, these procedures are often not based on the explicit teaching of Scripture, but on certain assumptions that are made. A better-safe-than-sorry theology also tends to operate in a state of fear of accidentally doing something wrong. Wes McAdams and Steven Cuffle discuss both the positive and negative aspects of this sort of theology. Upon what passages of Scripture is this way of thinking based? Is it a healthy lens through which to read Scripture? And most of all, does playing it safe, in this way, help us love God and love our neighbor? Some of the passages discussed in this Bible study are: * Nadab and Abihu from Leviticus 10:1-3 * Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant from 2 Samuel 6:5-7 * Ananias and Saphira from Acts 5:1-11 * Jesus’ parable of the talents from Matthew 25:24-30 We hope you enjoy this Bible study. Links and Resources: * Video: Watch this Episode on YouTube

 Was Jesus All-Knowing (During His Earthly Ministry)? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 44:21

Was Jesus all-knowing? Or, to put it another way, was Jesus omniscient? That is the question Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley discuss in today’s Bible study. Jesus is fully God and Jesus is fully human. These two realities are affirmed many times in Scripture (John 1; Colossians 1; Hebrews 1; Philippians 2). It is difficult for us to wrap our minds around both the deity and the humanity of Jesus. Because Jesus experienced all that being human entailed, he was once an infant, without the ability to walk, talk, or even feed himself. So, how could the omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omnipresent (present everywhere at the same time) God be unable to walk, talk, and feed himself? Furthermore, when Jesus began his ministry, he got tired and slept and he got hungry and ate. But did Jesus have to do other things like study? Did he have to prepare his sermons the way other preachers and teachers had to prepare their sermons? It is very possible that he did. But if Jesus had human limitations, how did he know people’s hearts and minds? How to exercise authority over the winds and waves? How did he heal the sick and raise the dead? Where did this power come from if Jesus experienced human limitations during his earthly ministry? This Bible study, asking, “Was Jesus all-knowing?” was prompted by a listener who had a question about a recent FB post from Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen. Our listener asked: Wes, I thought this may be an interesting topic for your podcast sometime. I think I’ve always assumed Jesus knew everything and thoughts while he walked earth but Dallas made some good points that have caused me to look at that differently. Curious what you’d think. We hope you enjoy this Bible study. Links and Resources * Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Referenced: Dallas Jenkins FB Post

 Will We Have Free Will in Heaven? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 43:19

Will we have free will in heaven? Or, as one of our listeners worded it very well, “On the new earth after judgment will we still have free will? If so, would there ever be a danger of rebelling again?” Whether you put it in terms of “free will in heaven” or, “free will in the new heavens and new earth,” we believe this Bible study will be helpful. Wes and Travis discuss, what is free will? To what extent do we have free will right now? Are we really able to be and do everything we want? But they primarily discuss why people struggle with sin in the first place. Is free will the only reason we sin or is there more to it? Is it possible to have free will and not sin? One of the primary passages discussed in today’s Bible study is Romans 7:9-25, in which Paul discusses why people struggle with sin in the flesh. He wrote, “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” What does this passage have to do with free will now and free will in eternity? We hope you enjoy this Bible study. Links and Resources: * Watch: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Read: What the Bible Says About Heaven (Blog Series) * Listen: What the Bible Says About the Flesh and the Spirit (Podcast)

 Give Thanks in All Circumstances – Practicing Gratitude | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 40:38

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). These are the words Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica. But what does it mean to give thanks in all circumstances? What about when we are hurting or suffering? Are we really supposed to give thanks in those circumstances? Is it naive, or cruel, to expect people to give thanks in these painful circumstances? In today’s Bible study, Wes and Travis discuss the connection between grace and gratitude. They also discuss how gratitude was understood in the ancient world and how that perspective can help us today. Most importantly, they discuss how gratitude can help us love like Jesus. This Bible study is a response to a listener’s email. Peggy wrote in asking if we could talk about practicing gratitude when facing struggles. If you would like to submit a question or comment for discussion in a future Bible study, send us an e-mail. Links and Resources: * Watch: Watch this episode on YouTube * Read: There is no transcript available for this episode

 Common Misunderstandings About Evangelism | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 44:24

In today’s Bible study, Wes McAdams visits with Jacob Hawk about evangelism. What is evangelism? What are some common misunderstandings about evangelism? What passages of Scripture should shape our thinking about evangelism? Jacob also shares about, “Telling the Story: Conference on Evangelism and Church Growth.” This conference is being held at the Prestoncrest Church of Christ in Dallas on February 3-5. Some of the speakers at the conference will be: * Shelton Gibbs III * Dr. David Duncan * Dr. Howard Norton * Paul Shero * Dr. Bruce McLarty Special note, we apologize for the lack of video in today’s episode. This was due to some unforeseen technical issues. Links and Resources: * Telling the Story: Conference on Evangelism and Church Growth * Blog Post: What Is the Primary Goal of Evangelism?

 How to Tell if Something is Biblical | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 48:56

What do we mean when we call something biblical? What does biblical mean? How can you tell whether or not a certain behavior is biblical? In this Bible study, Wes McAdams and Matt Mead discuss how certain “summary texts” can help us better define what is or isn’t biblical. Matt Mead is the Family Life Minister at the church of Christ on McDermott Road. Some of the texts discussed in this study are * Matthew 22:34-40 * Mark 12:28-34 * Matthew 7:12 * Galatians 5:14 * Galatians 6:2 We hope you enjoy this Bible study. Links and Resources: * Watch: Watch this episode on YouTube * Read: Transcript Not Available Yet * Related Podcast Episode: A Cruciform Hermeneutic

 Christian Nationalism: What Is It and Is It a Problem? | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 56:51

In today’s Bible study, Wes McAdams discusses Christian nationalism with special guest, Jacob Rutledge. What is Christian nationalism and is it a problem? Are Christianity and nationalism compatible or are they antithetical worldviews? What does the Bible teach us to help us navigate this issue? These are some of the questions we explore in today’s Bible study. Special note from Wes: When I recorded this conversation, I had not yet finished reading, “The Case for Christian Nationalism” by Stephen Wolfe. Now that I have completely read Wolfe’s book, I am even more strongly opposed to Christian nationalism. Stephen Wolfe believes the United States should be an Anglo-Christian nation in which only Anglo-Christian people have full citizenship. He believes violent revolution to create a Christian nation is warranted, religious heretics can be executed by the state, and people of different ethnicities should not and cannot live together well. One of the most important themes of the New Testament is that Jesus has created a multi-ethnic family, the church. Paul spent his entire ministry insisting that Christians of every other nationality should live TOGETHER in love and harmony. Paul did not believe people needed to share cultural or ethnic identity and customs in order to live together as family. In fact, Paul even rebuked Peter when Peter showed preferential treatment toward people of his own ethnic group (see Galatians 2:11-14). We hope you enjoy this Bible study and discussion. Links and Resources: * Watch: Watch This Episode on YouTube * Read: Transcript Not Yet Available * Video: Christians and Politics: Living in Community (Interview with Dr. Trey Orndorff) * Blog: Christian Nationalism: What Is It and Why Is It Concerning?

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