Radically Christian

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 conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking deeper spiritual growth and authentic discipleship in the new year.​Links and Resources:* The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis​* The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer​Affiliate Link Disclaimer:This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend resources we genuinely believe will benefit our listeners. Thank you for supporting Radically Christian. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com

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!Scripture References:* Romans 14-15* Colossians 3:17* 1 Corinthians 10:31* Galatians 5 (works of the flesh and fruit of the Spirit)* James 3:17-18 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com

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 also learn how Wes integrates Proclaim for seamless sermon slides on Sunday morning.If you’ve been thinking about trying Logos, this video will show you how it can transform your Bible study and sermon writing.Links & Resources:* Extended Free Trial of Logos: Logos.com/radicallychristian* Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley* Freed‑Hardeman University Counseling Program: fhu.edu/counselingNote: Some links on this site may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com

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 why geography gives the biblical narrative its shape and archaeology gives it texture. Whether you’ve dreamed of visiting the Bible lands or want to understand how archaeology illuminates Scripture, this episode will strengthen your confidence in the Bible’s historical reliability and inspire you to see Christianity as real events involving real people in real places.​Links and Resources* Sponsor: Freed-Hardeman University Graduate School of Theology (https://fhu.edu/academics/graduate/graduate-school-of-theology/) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com

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’ relationships with Peter, James, and John. These groups meet for about a year to a year and a half, following a rhythm of studying Scripture, eating, serving, resting, and praying together. Dr. Carl Williamson is first and foremost a follower of Jesus. He has spent his life sharing the gospel with non-believers and training disciple makers in central New Jersey. He has been instrumental in establishing 2 new churches and working with 2 different church planting teams. He received a Doctorate of Ministry degree from Harding School of Theology in 2018. He is the Distinguished Andy T. Ritchie Chair for discipleship and church planting at Harding University. Links and Resources* Trust and Follow Jesus by Carl and Alicia Williamson & Bobby Harrington* Dr. Carl Williamson Harding University Faculty Page* Logos Bible Software — Free trial at logos.com/radicallychristianAffiliate notice: Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to buy something through these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com

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 King Jesus, and why it is wrong to separate baptism from faith in Christ. Together, Wes and Bobby explore the restoration movement perspective, early church history, and common misunderstandings in evangelical circles. This conversation will help you: * Understand baptism as an expression of saving faith * See why passages like Acts 2:38 and 1 Peter 3:21 are central to this teaching * Learn how the early church viewed baptism* Grasp what it means for baptism to be “normative”If this episode encourages you, like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s continue to help others understand Scripture and love like Jesus!Links and Resources:* Baptism According to Scripture: A Clear, Short, and Unfiltered Guide by Bobby Harrington* DiscipleShift by Jim Putman and Bobby Harrington* Baptism in the Early Church by Everett Ferguson* Gospel Allegiance by Matthew Bates* Renew.org and Discipleship.org websites for further study and resourcesSome links may be affiliate links. This means if you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com

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 prophecy and tongues—for self-promotion rather than for the common good. Paul’s corrective was to teach a “cruciform way of thinking,” where love, not power or eloquence, defines spiritual maturity. Extraordinary gifts were temporary, serving a purpose in the early church, but love, faith, and hope endure. Paul’s message, Wes argues, is not about when or how gifts will cease, but about how Christians must use their gifts in love and unity.Wes concludes that regardless of how someone interprets, “the perfect,” Paul’s point remains: love is the measure of Christian maturity. He cautions against forcing passages to say what we want merely to guard against theological extremes, noting that the Spirit equips each generation according to its needs, and the permanence of love outlasts all temporary gifts.Links and Resources* The Thinking Kingdom Podcast (hosted by Austin McCrickard and Nate Miller)* Logos Bible Software — extended free trial at logos.com/radicallychristian* What is the “Perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10?Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com

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 preachers can both learn from each other about connecting with audiences, telling stories well, and being real about life’s imperfections.Brian also opens up about his journey as a Christian in the entertainment industry, his self-deprecating style of comedy, and the importance of being honest and relatable, on and off stage. He reminds listeners that bringing joy, laughter, and light into people’s lives can be a meaningful form of ministry.Links and Resources* Brian Bates Comedy* The Nate Land Podcast* VidAngel — Use promo code “radically” for an extended free trialSome links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com

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 living “on purpose,” setting healthy boundaries, and surrounding oneself with trusted Christians who provide encouragement and light when temptation arises.The conversation closes with a reminder that self-control is not repression but true freedom—freedom to live joyfully and peaceably under the Lordship of Christ. Both Wes and Guy stress that while the cost of following Jesus is high, the cost of not following Him is far greater. The fruit of the Spirit produces not perfection, but faithfulness, as believers learn to walk by the Spirit each day.Links and Resources* Strength in Weakness Ministries – Guy Hammond’s organization providing biblical help and support for Christians with same-sex attraction.* Following Jesus in an LGBTQ+ World: A Guide for Embracing Hard Teachings & Embracing Hurt People by Guy HammondNote: Some links may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com

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, restraint, and compassion even when confronting sin. They address common objections, such as whether gentleness always applies or whether Jesus’ cleansing of the temple justifies harshness. Tim Pyles grew up in a minister’s family, spent part of his childhood in Liberia, and served in ministry in places like Australia, Hawaii, and Dallas, including as the first preaching minister at McDermott Road. He has been with the Broken Arrow Church of Christ for over sixteen years. Links and Resources Freed-Hardeman University - https://www.fhu.edu/gradtheology This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.radicallychristian.com