Bible Study Podcast

Racism, classism, and other forms of discrimination have plagued our world for centuries. Not only is the church wrestling with these issues today, Christians in the First, Second, and Third centuries dealt with them as well. On this week’s episode, Wes discusses racism in the early church with Andrew, the host of the popular “Post-Apostolic Church” YouTube channel. Quotes from church leaders, living in the first few centuries following the apostles, can be incredibly helpful for those of us trying to live out the Gospel today. One of the quotes Andrew shares in this episode is from an early Christian named Lactantius (AD 310): Therefore, the other part of justice is equity. It is plain that I am not speaking of the equity of judging well, though this also is praiseworthy in a good man, but of making himself equal to others, which Cicero calls equability. For God, who produces and gives breath to men, willed that all should be equal, that is, equally matched. He has imposed on all the same condition of living. He has made everyone to seek wisdom. He has promised immortality to all. No one is cut off from His heavenly benefits. For as He distributes to all alike His one light, He sends forth His fountains to all, He supplies food, and He gives the most pleasant rest of sleep. So He bestows on all equity and virtue. In His sight no one is a slave, no one a master. For if everyone has the same Father, by an equal right we are all children. No one is poor in the sight of God, except he who is without justice. No one is rich, except he who is full of virtues. No one is excellent, except he who has been good and innocent. No one is most famous, except he who has abundantly performed works of mercy. No one is most perfect, except he who has filled all the steps of virtue. Therefore neither the Romans nor the Greeks could possess justice, because they had men differing from one another by many degrees: from the poor to the rich, from the humble to the powerful, from private persons to the highest authorities of kings. For where all people are not equally matched, there is not equity. And inequality of itself excludes justice–the whole force of which consists in this: that it makes those equal who have by an equal portion arrived at the condition of this life. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss next week’s conclusion to this conversation. Click here for a full transcript of this conversation. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for making this transcript available. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software

On this episode of the Bible Study Podcast, Travis and Wes discuss a listener’s question about the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation. Is there a difference? Wes walks through the parable of the Unforgiving Servant, which reminds us that when we have an opportunity to forgive, we are being given the chance to reenact the forgiveness Christ has given us. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

On this episode of the Bible Study Podcast, Travis and Wes discuss two questions from listeners that both revolve around the issue of death and resurrection. If our bodies will be raised and transformed, is it wrong for a Christian to be cremated? Also, between death and resurrection, where do our spirits reside? Though these are sensitive questions, we pray you find encouragement and hope from this study. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing the audio for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

In today’s Bible study, we continue to discuss our hope for “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the first episode in this “New Heavens, New Earth” series or to last year’s conversation with Joshua Pappas, you might want to listen to those conversations as well. Here are links to those episodes: * New Heavens and New Earth (Part One) * New Heavens, New Earth – CrossTalk S4/E3 (Interview with Joshua Pappas) This topic is so incredibly important because understanding Jesus’ promises about the future make a huge difference in our present lives. We hope you are encouraged by this Bible study. Finally, as I mentioned last week, this conversation was recorded long before the current COVID-19 pandemic. I held off publishing this conversation because I didn’t want to introduce anything even remotely controversial, but have decided to release this conversation because we need hope. We need biblical hope. We need hope for a new world, a world without disease and death. While I sincerely hope this will not be controversial, I know that as brothers and sisters in Christ, we can disagree and still love each other. Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing the audio for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

This conversation was recorded long before the current pandemic. I held off publishing it because I didn’t want to introduce anything even remotely controversial. I sincerely hope this will not be controversial. If you disagree with my conclusions, you are welcome to your views and I wish you grace and peace. However, in our current situation, we need hope. We need biblical hope. We need hope for a new world, a world without disease and death. In today’s Bible study, we explore the biblical phrase, “New heavens and new earth.” It may surprise you to learn that the Bible never says Christians are waiting to go to heaven, but it does say we are “waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). This is the first part of a two-part series, so make sure you subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss the second part of the “new heavens new earth” series. Also, if you missed it, you might want to go back and listen to last year’s conversation with Joshua Pappas on this topic. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing the audio for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

In today’s Bible study, we continue to discuss Jesus’ favorite title for himself, “Son of Man.” If you haven’t had a chance to listen to the first episode in this series, make sure you go back and listen to that episode as well. Understanding Jesus’ humanity and his role in our lives, as well as his role in the Universe, is of the utmost importance. We hope you are encouraged by this Bible study. Some of the Bible passages we studied in this episode include Hebrews 2, Psalm 8, Daniel 7, and 1 John 2. Jesus’ humanity is tied to his rule and reign, but also his role as our “advocate.” If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing the audio for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

In today’s Bible study, we talk about Jesus’ favorite title for himself, “Son of Man.” In the Bible, what does “Son of Man” mean and, specifically, what does it mean for Jesus to be the “Son of Man”? Most importantly, what relevance does Jesus’ humanity have to our lives today? This is the first of a two-part series. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast, so you don’t miss the second part of this series. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Full Transcript Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing the audio for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

Today’s Bible study question comes from a listener named Charles, who asks, “Wes, Is it right or wrong for women to serve the communion, as long as they are not leading prayer or reading scripture?” Wes and Travis discuss this issue. We hope this discussion is unifying, rather than divisive. As Wes and Travis study and discuss the issue of roles in the worship assembly, they primarily focus on 1 Corinthians 14:26–40 (ESV): 26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. 38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Full Transcript There is no transcript available for this episode.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

In today’s Bible study, Wes and Travis discuss an email from a listener named Gayla, who wants to know about various applications of 1 Timothy 3:2. Does being the husband of one wife disqualify men who have been divorced? What about men who have been widowed? This discussion impacts many churches and we hope it is helpful. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Full Transcript Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing the audio for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

In today’s Bible study, Wes and Travis discuss a listener’s question about obesity, gluttony, and overeating. What does the Bible say on this issue? Is overeating a spiritual issue? How might our relationship with God help us deal with this issue? We hope you find this study and discussion helpful. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Full Transcript Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing the audio for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

Welcome back to the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast! In the first Bible study of 2020, Wes and Travis discuss a listener’s question about faith, baptism, and salvation. In part, the listener would like to know how to respond to those who believe a person is saved before baptism. Hope you find this conversation helpful and encouraging. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

Travis and Wes want to thank you all for listening and participating in these Bible study conversations. This will be the last episode for 2019, but plans are already being made for more Bible studies in 2020. Stay tuned. If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

In today’s Bible study Wes and Travis talk about each individual Christian’s obligation to the local church family. Should we try to be at every church service? Is it wrong to be out of town on the weekends, leaving our church family’s short-handed? What should leaders in small congregations do to encourage participation in church events and gatherings? If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Full Transcript Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing the audio for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

In today’s Bible study, Wes and Travis discuss Paul’s instructions about hair length and head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11? Should men not have long hair? Should women cover their head in church? Were these simply cultural issues that have no modern application, or are there lessons and principles from 1 Corinthians 11 that still apply today? If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Full Transcript Unfortunately, there is no transcript available for this particular episode.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams

In today’s Bible study we answer a voicemail question from Rachel about celebrating religious holidays, like Christmas and Easter. Is there a biblical precedent for celebrating these man-made religious holidays? Should Christians be in favor, opposed, or indifferent to the celebrations? And perhaps, most importantly, how do we treat those with whom we disagree? Wes also dealt with this topic in a blog post, “Is It Wrong to Celebrate Religious Days Like Christmas and Easter?” If you have a passage or topic you would like us to study, please send Wes an email or call and leave a short message at 707-238-2216. We may play your message on an upcoming episode of the Bible Study Podcast. Full Transcript Click here for the full transcript of this episode. Special thanks to Beth Tabor for transcribing the audio for us.           Audio Book If you enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the audio version of Wes’ book, Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time.  And if you’re new to Audible and choose this book as your first book, you can listen to it for free! Logos Bible Software You can help support this podcast by checking out Logos Bible Software. Logos has partnered with us to give our listeners a great discount. Just visit RadicallyChristian.com/logos. Connect: If you enjoyed the Radically Christian Bible Study podcast, be sure to check out: www.facebook.com/radicallychristian www.facebook.com/theccmr www.twitter.com/wesmcadams