Radically Christian

<p>Has someone told you that the Bible condemns medicine because of the Greek word pharmakeia? Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson dig into this popular claim making the rounds on social media and YouTube — and carefully examine what pharmakeia actually means in its original context. They explain why a word’s etymology doesn’t determine its modern meaning, what sorcery truly looked like in the ancient world, and why this passage has nothing to do with your local pharmacy. Along the way, they tackle how to read the book of Revelation responsibly, why psychedelic drug use is a legitimate modern application of the warning, and how Christians can wisely navigate questions about medicine, mental health treatment, and reliance on God. If you’ve seen these videos online and wondered whether to take them seriously, this episode will help you think clearly, biblically, and without unnecessary fear or guilt.</p><p>Links and Resources:</p><p>* Sponsor: Freed-Hardeman University (<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&#38;redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2hmYVBRLVZKY0Q4SEx3Q0hqMTZFYjZYVk5JQXxBQ3Jtc0trMjZ2NDFmZnpLSjBBLWw2cTZ1WXhPb1U2dlBaVjQxRzN4Rm1HNjd3QTVmNkhjOGRpcHJqQTV3SUdJSWtiUUpQWXNQMUVSQU1HM1BNRVdSUTFremo4X3BfX0JzcXpqRU54QkJsSFRNTTZ0S0NqX2VYdw&#38;q=https%3A%2F%2Ffhu.edu%2Fgradtheology&#38;v=8uitfIhIzfU">https://fhu.edu/gradtheology</a>)</p><p>* Loyal to the Lamb (<a target="_blank" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBQdH3PVR_dTBkZFOUaASa3QwTm6KoP5u&#38;si=lMh3rV4NJSenDdhN">Revelation Sermon Series</a>)</p><p><em>Note: This podcast description may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, Radically Christian may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend resources we genuinely find helpful. Thank you for supporting Radically Christian!</em></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.radicallychristian.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.radicallychristian.com</a>

<p>Are you caught in the endless pursuit of more — more money, more status, more stuff — without ever feeling like you’ve arrived? In this episode, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson tackle one of the most countercultural teachings of the New Testament: biblical contentment. Drawing from Hebrews 13:5, 1 Timothy 6:6–8, Philippians 4:11–13, and Matthew 13:22, they expose how Western consumerism and “hustle culture” quietly shape our identity and fuel anxiety, comparison, and spiritual emptiness. Marcus shares a powerful personal story from his trips to Kenya that radically reframed his understanding of work, worth, and worship. Wes and Marcus also unpack the critical difference between contentment and complacency — and offer practical steps, including praying the Lord’s Prayer as a daily reset, to help you stop chasing the world and start resting in what God has already given you.</p><p>Links and Resources</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.logos.com/radicallychristian"><strong>Logos Bible Study Software</strong></a> (Free Trial)</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.vidangel.com/?promo_code=radically"><strong>VidAngel</strong></a> (Free Trial) — Filter your streaming movies and television shows.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.radicallychristian.com/p/are-thoughts-and-prayers-sufficient"><strong>“Are Thoughts and Prayers Sufficient?” (Radically Christian Podcast)</strong></a> — Referenced in this episode for the discussion on patience vs. passivity. </p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.radicallychristian.com/p/what-is-ecclesiastes-all-about"><strong>“What is Ecclesiastes All About?” (Radically Christian Podcast)</strong></a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.radicallychristian.com/p/what-is-ecclesiastes-all-about"> </a>— Closely related episode on contentment, meaning, and the “chasing after the wind” theme.</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082158/"><strong>Chariots of Fire</strong></a> (1981 Film) — Mentioned for the contrast between Harold Abrahams’ identity-driven running and Eric Liddell’s worship-fueled running: <em>“I believe God made me for a purpose. God made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.”</em></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454921/"><strong>The Pursuit of Happyness</strong></a> (2006 Film) — Referenced as a cultural example of the “success at all costs” narrative and the true cost of the American Dream.​​</p><p><em>Note: Some links in our show notes may be affiliate links. This means if you choose to make a purchase through those links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend resources we genuinely find helpful. Thank you for supporting the Radically Christian Podcast!</em></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.radicallychristian.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.radicallychristian.com</a>

<p>"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." We love quoting Matthew <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atzgNI5HjMQ&#38;t=688s">11:28</a>-30, but what did Jesus actually mean? In this episode, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson dig into the explosive context most people skip — Jesus's sharp rebuke of hard-hearted religious cities and the crushing yoke the Pharisees placed on everyday people. They explore how "yoke" referred to the Torah and how Jesus's invitation was a radical claim to deity, echoing Exodus 33, Numbers 12, and Jeremiah 6. They also unpack why Jesus's yoke is "easy" even though the way is hard, how burnout stems from serving the wrong masters, and why the gospel transforms duty into choice. If you're exhausted from carrying the wrong yoke, this episode is for you!</p><p>Links and Resources:</p><p>* The BEMA Podcast by Marty Solomon — https://bemadiscipleship.com</p><p>* Virtual Jewish Library (Referenced for rabbinic theology on the yoke metaphor) — https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org</p><p>* Pirkei Avot 3:5 (Mishnah) — "Whoever takes upon himself the yoke of the Torah, they remove from him the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly concerns.”</p><p>* "Love Constraining to Obedience" — Hymn by William Cowper (Olney Hymns, No. 55) — "Changes a slave into a child, and duty into choice"</p><p>* Camp Blue Haven — https://campbluehaven.com</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.radicallychristian.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.radicallychristian.com</a>

<p>Are "thoughts and prayers" just empty words, or are they more powerful than we realize? In this episode, Wes and Marcus dive into Romans 12:12 to explore the crucial difference between patience and passivity when we face the brokenness of the world. They discuss why social media and algorithm-driven news leave us feeling overwhelmed and powerless, and how virtue signaling can become a substitute for genuine prayer and action. </p><p>You'll discover why biblical patience requires agency—not abdication—and how earnest, faithful prayer actually changes things on the ground. Marcus also shares a powerful four-question framework for grounding yourself when life feels out of control. If you've ever wondered whether your prayers really matter, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.</p><p>Links and Resources:</p><p>* Freed Hardeman University — Doctor of Education (EdD): <a target="_blank" href="https://www.fhu.edu/edd"><strong>fhu.edu/edd</strong></a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.radicallychristian.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.radicallychristian.com</a>

<p>What if "friendship with the world" in James 4:4 isn't about your music playlist or your movie choices? In this episode, Wes McAdams and Marcus Stenson reexamine one of the most misunderstood phrases in the New Testament. Drawing on the Greco-Roman patronage system—where wealthy benefactors offered "gifts" in exchange for loyalty and allegiance—they argue that James is confronting something far deeper than a moral checklist. He's warning an oppressed church community against selling their allegiance to rich and powerful patrons instead of trusting Jesus as their sole protector and provider. From Old Testament parallels with Israel's political alliances to modern applications in the workplace, online tribalism, and partisan politics, this conversation will challenge you to ask: Can my loyalty be bought? </p><p>Links and Resources</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4tJBaXd"><em>Beyond the Verse: What I Discovered Reading the Bible One Book at a Time</em></a><a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4tJBaXd"> by Wes McAdams</a>​</p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://www.radicallychristian.com/p/how-partisan-politics-are-harming-christians">How Partisan Politics Are Harming Christians</a></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://www.radicallychristian.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">www.radicallychristian.com</a>