Radically Christian

How much of your spiritual life happens on a screen? Wes and Marcus turn the podcast on itself this week, asking hard questions about online worship, podcasts, and social media (the very tools they’re using to talk to you right now). Is live-streaming church a gift for the homebound and a front door for the curious, or a subtle invitation to become a spiritual consumer instead of a disciple? They dig into what happens when anyone can be a teacher with no elders holding them accountable, why comfort and discipleship rarely coexist, and what gets lost when friction and pushback disappear from our spiritual conversations. This isn’t a rulebook for what to do or not do online; it’s an honest look at what these platforms are forming us into, and whether that’s actually making us more like Jesus.Links and Resources* The Democratization of American Christianity by Nathan O. Hatch — Referenced as background on why the restoration movement’s anyone-can-preach spirit took hold in American evangelicalism.* The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society by Lesslie Newbigin — Cited for Newbigin’s insight on adapting the gospel’s presentation to different audiences and contexts.* Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture by Lesslie Newbigin — Cited alongside the above for Newbigin’s work on Paul’s strategy of contextualizing the gospel.* Extended Free Trial of Logos Bible Study Software* Books by Wes McAdams* VidAngel Special OfferThis description contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend resources we genuinely believe in. 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

Is spending "the Lord's money" on a church building faithful stewardship, or a distraction from the mission? It's a question that stirs strong feelings, especially for those rethinking what it means to be the New Testament church. Should Christians pool their resources for land, air conditioning, and pews, or does that kind of spending run against Scripture's example? Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson dig into the tension between expedience and excess, weighing house churches, cathedrals, and everything in between. Does the idea that "the church is the people, not the building" actually resolve anything. Along the way, they wrestle with what "the Lord's money" really means, who gets to decide what's wise, and why the real answer might have less to do with square footage than with the heart behind it.Links and Resources:* Radical Restoration: A Call for Pure and Simple Christianity by F. LaGard Smith * Extended Free Trial of Logos Bible Study Software* Books by Wes McAdams* VidAngel Special OfferThis description contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend resources we genuinely believe in. 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 actually makes worship "biblical"? Is there a hidden checklist — the right songs, the right order, the right rituals — that separates real worship from the counterfeit? Wes and Marcus dig into Jesus's words in John 4:24 to the Samaritan woman about worshiping "in spirit and in truth," and ask whether we've been misreading that phrase for years. Along the way they explore the idea of "decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40), why edification matters more than we realize, and why bringing your whole messy self into a gathering might be the most biblical thing you can do.Links and Resources* Extended Free Trial of Logos Bible Study Software* Books by Wes McAdams* VidAngel Special OfferThis description contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend resources we genuinely believe in. 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

Are we living in the last days? Join Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson in this thought-provoking exploration of 2 Timothy 3:1-9, where Paul warns Timothy about “lovers of self” and the difficult times ahead. Discover why this ancient letter is shockingly relevant to our self-obsessed culture—and why that’s not a reason to despair. Through careful biblical exegesis and cultural analysis, Wes and Marcus unpack what Paul really meant by “the last days,” challenge the modern obsession with self-love, and reveal the paradox of the Christian life: losing ourselves to truly find life. This encouraging conversation will equip you to navigate our cultural moment with hope, wisdom, and confidence in Christ’s ultimate victory.Links and ResourcesBooks Mentioned:* The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Truman​* Why Liberalism Failed by Patrick Deneen​* Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland​Bible Software:* Logos Bible Software - Try free at https://logos.com/radicallychristian​Affiliate Link Disclaimer: This podcast may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely use and believe will benefit our listeners. Your support through these links helps make this podcast possible. 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 thought-provoking conversation, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson explore the promises and perils of artificial intelligence from a Christian perspective. They discuss the biggest dangers of AI, including misinformation, relationship replacement, and outsourcing our God-given ability to think deeply. But they also share practical wisdom for using AI as a "coach, not a crutch." Learn how tools like ChatGPT can either help us flourish or participate in our own "self-erasure." Discover why authentic human relationships become a precious commodity in a world filled with artificial intelligence, and get specific guardrails for using AI wisely in your faith, family, and work. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or skeptic, this episode will help you think critically about how AI fits into a life devoted to loving like Jesus.Links and Resources:Logos Bible Study SoftwareTechnopoly by Neil PostmanAffiliate Link Disclaimer:Some links in these show notes may be affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. We only recommend products and services we genuinely use and believe will benefit our listeners. 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