Radically Christian Crosstalk Podcast: Christianity | Church Of Christ | Bible Discussion

Is there a sin that is unforgivable? What did Jesus mean when he said, "Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:32)? Wes, Travis, and Caleb Kirkwood discuss a question from a listener concerning, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the unforgivable sin.

Concerning the Lord's Supper, or Communion, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself" (1 Corinthians 11:29). What does it mean to discern the body? Are we to think about the body of Christ on the cross or the body of Christ, the church? Is "Communion" about communing with the Lord or communing with each other? These are the questions we consider and study in today's Bible Study Podcast.

Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley discuss a listener's question concerning Romans 5:3-5, which says, "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." They compare Romans 5:3-5 with a well-known saying, "Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny" (Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching).

Reading a whole book of the Bible in one sitting is easier, and more rewarding, than you might think. After all, if you received a letter from a friend, you would likely not read it one sentence at a time, but rather the entire letter all at once. The vast majority of New Testament books are letters, written to individuals and church families. They were intended to be read in one sitting. Travis and Wes discuss the power of reading books this way and also read through the book of Philippians from beginning to end. 

In this sixth and final episode of our series, "What is the Kingdom of Heaven?" Wes and Travis discuss Jesus' words in Matthew 13:52, "Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” What does Jesus mean by treasure that is new and treasure that is old? What is a scribe that that has been trained for the kingdom of heaven?

As Jesus continues to unfold hidden truths about the nature of heaven's kingdom, he describes the kingdom as a net that is spread across the whole world. What does this parable reveal about God's kingdom? What does this parable reveal about the way God deals with evil? How would this parable change our lives if we took its implications seriously? We hope you enjoy this Bible study discussion with Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley.

As we continue our ongoing discussion about the nature of the kingdom of heaven, Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley discuss Jesus' parables about the hidden treasure and the pearl of great value (Matthew 13:44-46). What do these two parables teach us about the nature of the kingdom? What do these two parables teach us about how we are to receive the kingdom?

As Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley continue their series on, “What is the Kingdom of Heaven,” they discuss the parables of the mustard seed and the leaven (Matthew 13:31-33). What does it mean that the kingdom of heaven is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into a large tree? What does it mean that […]

In the second episode of our series, "What is the Kingdom of Heaven?" Wes and Travis discuss Jesus' parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). Perhaps the most surprising feature of the kingdom of heaven is that it will overlap the kingdoms of the world for a period of time. Though the kingdom of heaven has come, we continue to deal with the seeds the evil one has sown in the world.

What is the kingdom of heaven? Over the next several episodes, Wes McAdams and Travis Pauley will discuss several parables from Matthew 13, which reveal the nature of the kingdom of heaven. On this episode, Wes and Travis discuss how we should think about parables, as well as the first parable in Matthew 13, “The […]

In this episode of the Bible Study Podcast, Wes and Travis continue their discussion on asking better Bible questions. What is an assumption? What assumptions do we make when we study the Bible? What can the Sadducees teach us about making assumptions when we study the Bible? How can we develop better assumptions?

On this episode of the Bible Study Podcast, Travis and Wes discuss how to ask better questions when we are reading and studying the Bible. How are we supposed to approach scripture as followers of Jesus? What's the difference between deductive and inductive Bible study? Does the Bible answer all of our questions?

In this week’s episode, Wes continues his conversation on racism in the early church with Andrew, the host of the popular “Post-Apostolic Church” YouTube channel. 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. We will allow some of the theologians and leaders from the early church to help us think through how we should treat one another as followers of Jesus. If you missed Part One of this conversation, you can find it here.

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 centuries following the apostles, can be incredibly helpful for those of us trying to live out the Gospel today.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.