Transcript

American Family Radio takes your Bible questions next hour

>> Bert Harper: The Bible.

>> Alex McFarland: It's the word of God, sharper than.

>> Bert Harper: Any two edged sword.

>> Alex McFarland: This sacred book is living and active and contains all that's needed for life and godliness.

>> Bert Harper: Stay with American Family Radio for the.

>> Alex McFarland: Next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.

Bert harper: Today marks 24 years since Charlie Kirk was assassinated

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Bert Harper: The Bible has always has something to say, but what we're studying in second Timothy, especially chapter two, we covered it yesterday, but we're still covering some of it today. I just want to share with you you4 phrases that really would be, helpful for us today on 9 11. And then the day after Charlie Kirk was, was tragically shot, assassinated. Listen to them. Second Timothy, chapter two, verse one, Be strong in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. And then in verse three, that same chapter, endure hardships. We have to go through difficulties. But that doesn't end in verse 8 it says, Remember Jesus Christ who is raised from the dead. And then it says in verse 14, remind them of these things now. What things? That he died. That he rose again. That he will reign and he will come back. And he is, faithful still. Well, this is Bert harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland and it's our joy to be with you on Exploring the Word. And out Alex again. It's a pretty heavy day if you look at 24 years ago, 9 11, Charlie Kirk's death yesterday, some days are heavier than others, aren't they?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, they are. And good afternoon Bert. And good afternoon to everybody listening. But you know what? While, Psalm 34:19 says, Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord will free them from all of them because we have hope that we know that Christ is in control, you know, and this world, as we've said many times, look, I love life and there are so many blessings to be excited about. This world is not our home and this world is not heaven, is it? we are, as Chuck Swindoll said, in a battle across raw pagan soil.

>> Bert Harper: We are. And Alex, I appreciate your call. This morning you and I talked and we, we are a Bible study program. But sometimes we interrupt it because we feel like we need to pray sometimes. And sometimes it's interview interviews that we need to have. And on this day, you and I talked about it and so would you mind introducing our guest today? And we welcome him, but we say thank you and we appreciate that. Would you take it away for the. With that?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. Folks, a very special segment right here to, give us some perspective and insights on this day, Dinesh d' Souza is about best selling author, renowned documentary filmmaker. really, when it comes to, the political happenings of the last couple of decades, I would say the most trusted voice of analysis and commentary that I know of. And Dinesh was the very first speaker in our summer speaker series. And Charlie Kirk was the most recent, less than three weeks ago. And just to, give us some words of counsel and insight today, what an honor to have on the line Dinesh J. D'. Souza.

Dinesh Dinesh speaks on campus debate following Charlie Cook shooting

Dinesh, welcome to the American Family Radio Network.

>> Dinesh D'Souza: Hey, thanks for having me. I really appreciate it.

>> Alex McFarland: indeed, indeed. you know, you have spoken at numerous colleges. So have I. I mean, a lot of thoughts have gone through all of our minds in the last 24 hours, but, that could have been you. That could have been me. Dinesh, what were your impressions watching that horrific footage play out?

>> Dinesh D'Souza: Well, it, to me was a dramatic, and, horrific illustration of the degeneration of our public, debate and atmosphere on campus. I started speaking on the campus 1991, when my first book, Illiberal Education, came out, which was about political correctness in universities. And I was very accustomed to students getting agitated and sometimes yelling and sometimes running out of the room. But never once did I get into a physical fight. I would speak three to four times on campuses. I probably covered 300 campuses over the course of a decade. Never, once did I worry about a bullet going through my neck. So when I saw the Charlie Cook video, which is almost unendurable, almost unwatchable, ah, so horrifying. I realize that we are just in a different place in America and it's not a better place.

>> Alex McFarland: Do you believe his death will be a turning point where even maybe the woke left will say, okay, enough. It's time to bring back civility and rational discourse?

>> Dinesh D'Souza: I would like to think so. I do think that there's a certain type of very striking symbolism. I mean, a shooter shooting from a long distance away will normally shoot for the chest. this guy shot for the neck. And so what did he do? He shot Charlie Kirk basically in the throat. And in a way, for me, we shouldn't miss the symbolism of that. They were trying to shut down his voice. Charlie Cook was not a particularly, hateful, incendiary speaker. He liked to engage, he liked to take questions. But he was also willing to do it on controversial issues. Pro life Islam, the trans issue. And I think somebody wanted to shut him up. And not only that, but to send A message to the rest of us that we could be next. So it's very important to make sure that that voice does not, that that attempt does not succeed and that the voice of Charlie Kirk, far from being shut down, is amplified.

>> Alex McFarland: Indeed, indeed. He was a person of good humor. I mean, we had him less than three weeks ago, for our event. And you spoke in that speaker series too. And while, you know, people lined up in the queue for controversial questions and you know, the debate could be spirited. But he was such a nice person. I mean, he wasn't hateful, he wasn't demeaning. he was reasonable and personable. you know, what more could he have done?

>> Dinesh D'Souza: Well, this may actually have been why he was so effective, and it may also be why he was targeted. the most dangerous opponent from the point of view of the left is not the guy who yells and screams and makes threats, but is the guy who actually is persuasive. I mean, Jesus was very gentle. Jesus, was very, generous, with his opponents. He was soft hearted, he was gentle even with the bad guys, so to speak, and look what happened to him. So I'm not trying to say Charlie Kirk is the reincarnation of Jesus. I think you know that. But the point I'm trying to make is that the more effective you are, the more the forces of evil want to bring you down.

Bert Harper: Combination of patriot and Christian is effective

>> Bert Harper: Dinesh, this is Bert Harper, the co host. It's good to have you today. I listen this and I'm just going to make this one comment. And you said it, I wrote it down before you said it, effective. And then combine that with patriot and Christian. You can't, you know, where I'm going. You know, those two things right now are not necessarily that popular. So when you're effective as that and you are communicating it well with a group of people that they, that the woke group thought they had in their hand, he becomes one a person that for their philosophy is someone that, you know, is, is hard to deal with. And so, the effectiveness of him being a patriot and a Christian, that's a strong combination, isn't it?

>> Dinesh D'Souza: It's a strong combination and it's a devastating combination for people who hate Christianity and hate this country. See, in the earlier era when I was debating these issues, we could make the assumption that our opponents and our side, we agreed about our goals, but we didn't agree about the means. We agreed we wanted to go to Chicago. We disagreed about whether to take the airplane or the Bus or the train. so we were arguing about that. I think today, not only are the two sides headed in different destinations, that would be one thing, but they regard each other, as moral inversion. So both sides agree this is a battle of good and evil. Except they think we're evil. we think they're evil. And so when you have this kind of moral clash where we think up is up and down is down, and they think the opposite, and so as a result, it's very difficult to see how you can have a rational debate when there is no independent authority or independent basis of judgment to adjudicate between these competing positions.

>> Alex McFarland: for those just tuning in, the voice you're hearing is that of Dineshtis, bestselling author, commentator.

Dinesh Dinesh shares his thoughts on Charlie Kirk's death

Dinesh, I've got a couple of more questions, but before we go too far, give your website, if you would.

>> Dinesh D'Souza: Well, my website these days is related to my upcoming new film, and it's a good place to watch the trailer. It, by the way, deals with issues of good and evil, but it deals with them in the context of Israel and Palestine and Hamas, radical Islam, but also biblical archaeology and biblical prophecy. Film is the dragon's prophecy, and the film is thedragonsprophecyfilm.com.

>> Alex McFarland: what advice do you have for, you know, not only churches, Christians, patriots, but especially young people, because the momentum that Charlie created, just 31 years old and, three weeks ago, when we were talking, I asked him how many students are engaged in the Turning Point USA chapters? And he said he didn't know, but it was well over 450,000, maybe 650,000. that's wonderful momentum for engaging young people. And I, certainly hope that momentum is not lost, for those that are maybe, silence and, you know, cowering back in the shadows looks appealing at this moment. What advice do you have for those that love God and country? And deep in our soul, we know we need to be bold and speak up. Dinesh, what advice would you give?

>> Dinesh D'Souza: Well, part of what I think we need to do, is to, in a way, take a certain leaf from the left. And here's what I mean. You take a guy like George Floyd, who was a very dubious character. He had a criminal record, when he encountered the cop Derek Chauvin, George Floyd was trying to resist arrest, and that's why Derek Chauvin applied force. You can debate what happened over there. That's not what I'm getting at. What I'm getting at is the left Took this guy and made him into a saint. they had a, massive, memorial. They had the mayor of Minneapolis weeping. They had golden caskets, they had statues. They had marches and demonstrations. they had Nancy Pelosi genuflecting as well as, ah, kneeling along with Chuck Schumer. So they took this guy and elevated him to a sort of Martin Luther King status. Now, we on the right, conservatives, Christians, we never do that. we need to do that with Charlie Kirk. That is the way that we make sure that Charlie lives on, that he is given due recognition, that he becomes a symbol and a kind of a martyr, a political martyr at the very least. So I would say yes, give, the guy the national. Give him the Medal of Freedom, you know, put up a statue of him on the Mall. this may seem over the top, but what I'm saying is that the left has a certain ingenuity in capitalizing on these kinds of incidents. Look what they can do with a guy like George Floyd. And if we can't do the same with Charlie Kirk, that's a reflection of our ineffectiveness as a political movement.

>> Alex McFarland: Indeed, indeed. we're almost coming up on a break, and by the way, I want to say this. We were to have the final installation this Sunday. And, Loren Green of Fox News, we, got a call early this morning that, until further notice, their on air personalities can't, be in a public appearance. So our event, from Sunday night in the conversations, that matter, that's not going to happen. We are going to reschedule and I'll be, talking to people about that. You know, Charlie was to have had an event tonight in Colorado. but Dinesh, I want to ask you this for like yourself and others, I think about Frank Turek and others that we speak on university campuses. you plan to keep on keeping on, I hope?

>> Dinesh D'Souza: Yes, I do think I'm supposed to speak at a youth summit, next week when I get back from Israel. And, my wife is, needless to say, you know, understandably, kind of jittery about it.

>> Alex McFarland: we've got a break.

>> Dinesh D'Souza: We called our local.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you for your time.

>> Bert Harper: We got.

>> Alex McFarland: So sorry. Thank you. God bless you. Stay tuned, folks.

>> Bert Harper: More after this brief break, this Sanctity of Life Month. We honor the over 66 million babies whose lives have been tragically ended through abortion since Roe. Sadly, with the abortion pill accounting for over 60% of all abortions, babies lives are at even greater risk now. But in the midst of this darkness, there is a light that shines, and that's PreBorn. Preborn's network of clinics have rescued over 300,000 babies from abortion and have prayed with over 80,000 women to come to Christ.

>> Caroline: When I heard her heartbeat, I decided to keep her.

>> Alex McFarland: And now my daughter's about to be three. I don't know where my life would be without her.

>> Bert Harper: An ultrasound doubles a baby's chance at life. This is Bert Harper asking you to join PreBorn in protecting life. One ultrasound session costs $28 and $140 will sponsor five ultrasounds. Any gift will help. $100, $200, $1,000. To donate securely, dial pound 250 and say the key word baby. That's pound 250, baby. Or go to preborn.com that's preborn.com afr that's preborn.com afrr.

>> Alex McFarland: All my life you have been faithful.

>> Alex McFarland: All my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able.

Alex McFarland: On this 24th anniversary of 9 11

Welcome back to Exploring the word. Alex McFarland, Bert Harper here on the American Family Radio Network. We are in second Timothy, chapter two. And you know, Bert, before the break, and by the way, later on, folks, we will get to calls and questions. We would love to hear from you if you. On this, 24th anniversary of 9 11. Let's not forget that. And of course, you know, a lot in the news if you just, need, to talk a little bit, we're, going to open up the phones in a while.

Bert says we need to endure hardness because Jesus was raised from the dead

But Bert, I want to share something with you. You were talking about, endure hardness and then remember, Jesus was raised from the dead. Verse 8. Of course, you know, down there in verse 12, well, 11, it is a faithful saying. For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we believe not yet he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himself. about being dead in Christ. One of the great, great missions stories like ever, John Calvert and John Getty, who went to the Fiji Islands and they won the cannibals to Christ. And of course there was this monument that when they came, there were no Christians. When they died, there were no cannibals. But they were on this ship to the Cook Islands down in Fiji. And, they had booked passage to get down there to evangelize these people in the Fiji Islands. And this, captain, he said, why do you want to go there? Don't you know? If you Go down there among those people, you'll be a dead man. And, Calvert and Getty said, well, we died before we ever got on this boat. And, Bert, isn't that the attitude that, I am dead to the world because I'm living in and for my savior Jesus Christ.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex. It reminds me of missionaries, back in the 1800s, mostly, when they would go to a country, they would pack their belongings in a casket because they knew that's how they would come back. they went there to give their lives to. To make Jesus known. And this is the whole thing. This is what really, as we was talking about Charlie Kirk, I mean, most of the time it came across, his. His walk with Christ was a priority. And, so that was so important, and so we need to do that. And we need to remember this, Alex, that Jesus has raised from the dead. And there are some things we need to remember. there's a song, it's some of our bumper music. Every once in a while, we will remember the works of your hands. And during times like this that we're going through, and we get into the scriptures here in 2 Timothy, in verse 8, remember that Jesus Christ of the sea, David was raised from the dead according to the Gospel. Alex, I just say we need to remember, and. And we need to stand on that, stand firm in the calling that we've been called into. And you was talking to Dinesh about, what are you going to do with this? That's happened to Charlie Kirk. Are you going to, you know, cut back? He said, I'm going to be at this, meeting. I'm going to hold it now, again, greater precautions may need to be made, and I believe that with all the heart. But you don't turn back. It's time to go forward. And so we need to remember, when I read Hebrews, chapter 11, and I see that all the things that God brought a lot of people through, but I also see in the latter part what a lot of people had to go through. You catch? I'm playing on words. He brings us through. Now, we're always going to. If we are a follower of Christ, we're going to be in heaven. But he brings us through some trials here upon earth, even threats and. And hardships. But also, listen, we know that we may have to go through these things, and, martyrdom is part of that. And so, listen, we remember, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, we do. We really do. And so there's this call to endure hardness and let me say, Bert, I've had people ask me the question, you know, times are tough. am I in sin or something? Well, maybe, if you're in a state of sin or you have unconfessed sin, obviously, we need to deal with it when the Holy Spirit reminds us. But I believe some of the most godly, most obedient, most faithful believers have it hard sometimes. Because, listen, if you're standing strong for Jesus, the devil's going to attack you now. We are victors in Christ. We're in a fallen world. There is Satan in the darkness, and then there are the fallen world systems that oppose God and his church. So sometimes hard times or an indication you're actually doing what you're supposed to do as a Christian.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Preach it, brother. And that's why you remember. But the other R that you find in verse 14 is remind. you remember, but you also remind, and you've already said it. Verses 11, 12, and 13. This is what. Notice what it says in 14. It says, remind them of these things. What things? Those things that I've done just shared with you in verses 11, 12, and 13. For if we died with him, we shall also live with Him. We need to be reminded of that. Listen, this world is not our home. We've got a. We've got a. A home in glory where Jesus is going to prepare that he'll come and get us. Or that at one time, if we die, then we go to be that place. It also says if we endure, we shall also reign with Him.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Listen, what is that scripture? Is it in Ephesians where it says, this present suffering has nothing to compare with the glories that's waiting on us?

>> Alex McFarland: Alex, I love the way the King James renders it. Temporary light affliction. The afflictions we have, and there are many, are the afflictions of the righteous. That's Psalm 34:19. But it's temporary, and it's really light. And, Go ahead. I didn't mean it.

>> Bert Harper: No, hey, listen, this is a discussion. You're doing good.

Alex: Remember the last line in verse 13, and I want you to comment on it

Now, the middle part of this is. Is. Is. Is one of a warning. But remind us of the warning. If. If we deny him, he also will deny us. No, we're with Christ. We stand for Him. We're his witnesses. Be witnesses and share Christ. That's what Charlie Kirk did.

>> Alex McFarland: Listen.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, he would not back down on that. I heard several. A lot of his, you know, videos. He's come and every one of Them, man, he doesn't back down from his faith in Christ. But then he finishes up and I love 13. It's one of my favorite verses in all the Bible. And the King James says it this way. If we are faithless, he remains faithful. Listen, why, why would he always remind faithful the last line in verse 13, and I want you to comment on it. He cannot deny himself.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. yeah, and that's why we often talk about the security we have in Christ, that, if you're a believer, so many things happen. Your sins are washed away. Your name is written in the Lamb's book of life. You're indwelt and sealed with the Holy Spirit. And, you know, the Bible uses the term the earnest of our salvation, like the down payment. And, understand your salvation is not based on works and your preservation is not based on works. Now, we should be faithful and we should stay true to Christ. But even if we stumble, or like it says in verse 11 or 13, rather, faithless, he's not going to deny himself. Jesus doesn't, preserve us because of some good thing that we're doing. It's because he is in us and he's invested in us. And just like I've given this illustration, but when you're going to buy a house, you put a down payment, earnest money. Now, the closing date is 30 days away, but you're not going to bail out on that contract because you're. Your name is on the document. Your resources, even your integrity is on the line. And regarding our salvation, the day we meet Christ face to face and we get that glorified body. Hey, Bert. The closing date is yet ahead, but when you trust Jesus, you're under contract.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: He's not going to abandon you.

>> Bert Harper: It is assured. Now, one more thing, and I just, This is a great chapter, and you can really dig in. But notice there's another B in verse 15. You know, be strong in verse one, but listen to verse 15. Be diligent. You remember over in Deuteronomy, chapter six, when God, tells them, be diligently in training your children. Be, diligent in what you do. Whatever your hand find to do, do it with all your might. Do it with everything you have. So here. Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God. A worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Now, again, this is it. we are to be diligent to present yourself approved to God. there's nothing wrong with wanting to serve God so that when you stand before him, you can hear his approval. Now, again, I've been a student and I know what it is I want to be approved of. My professor, I know what it is as a child and my dad or mom telling me something to do, and I want their approval of a job well done. And, and so, Alex, listen, this is where we are. We're to be diligent to do that.

Alex Meshake: To empty the waste baskets for Jesus is a high calling

With that in mind, I want to ask a question. Are you going to do it half heartedly? Are you going to do it with just nonchalantness? Or you better do it with diligence? Which one would you say you're going to have to do it with?

>> Alex McFarland: Better do it with diligence. And I would say even enthusiasm, you know? And I know, look, you think about a preacher or a speaker or somebody in the limelight or something like that, but to empty the waste baskets at the church for Jesus is a high calling. I mean, it really is. Honestly. I often say this because sometimes I've been in big churches and things like that, and very, very, very often I've been in small rural churches and somebody will say, wow, thanks for coming out here to the boonies. And I always say, and I really mean it, for a safe sinner to open the scriptures anywhere is a profound honor.

>> Bert Harper: Listen, if you're where I'm from, the boonies, you're at home there, you know, not quite. But have you ever heard about the guy, no matter which direction they leave home, they're going toward town.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly, exactly. So listen to this. I love verse 15 because, you know, we were talking about enduring and remembering and believing. Well, verse 15 is about equipping. Study to show yourself approved. A workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. And the word there for rightly dividing is like, it means to make a straight cut, you know, Right. It's, it's fascinating word.

>> Bert Harper: is that like the plumb line, you know, you know, you judge it straight, but also you cut it straight, don't you?

>> Alex McFarland: Did you ever hear that saying? And, we were always having to build things growing up on the farm. Measure twice, cut once.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, I did.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, just to be careful. And folks, study, study to show yourself approved.

>> Bert Harper: That word means diligence. In other words, it's not like, okay, I'm going to study for a test. No, it's being diligent to do so. You don't do it, you know, accidentally. Alex, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and Let me, invoke another of Paul's writing. I love the apostle Paul. I think he's the greatest Christian that ever lived. if there were a Mount Rushmore for Christians, I think the Apostle Paul should have his image up there. But in Philippians 3:10, Paul wrote this about being a Christian, that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, that being made conformable unto his death. Now, we often say that I may know Jesus and the power of his resurrection. Yay. But there's the fellowship of his sufferings. Look, life is good. The Christian walk is joyful. God is so good to us. But even, the believer in the absolute center of God's will might go through sufferings. And it, like Philippians 3:10, makes us conformable. In other words, every hard time is an opportunity to be more like Jesus. I think about, Joni Eareckson. I think about her husband, Kentada, with her disabilities. But yet how joyfully, consistently, for decades, she's represented the gospel. Bert, I've talked to people who maybe for years and years, they're married to a spouse who's not a believer, and they've endured verbal abuse and things like that and prayed. And it is not easy. I know that. But do you know what? For one thing, very often, God does give great victory, and people eventually come to the Lord. But I guess I would say whatever we endure for Jesus and with Jesus, and we glorify God, even when times are very hard, it's worth it. You, will be blessed. It does conform us to the image of Christ. And I think that's just part of the journey and the assignment for a disciple, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really is, Alex. Go back to that fellowship of his suffering. In other words, we enter in with him. Okay. It's not the suffering. Apart from him, the fellowship is entering this difficulty, the suffering with him. I'll never leave you. I'll never forsake you. I am with you. That is the promise. But also that is the power that the indwelling Holy Spirit of God in us is working. And so this fellowship, it is an awesome fellowship. I couldn't. I can't help but think of the three Hebrew children, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Guess what?

>> Alex McFarland: In the furnace.

>> Bert Harper: In the furnace. Guess. There's a fourth man in there. They joined him in the furnace. Okay. That God is there. He goes before us. And so listen. What a great savior. So we're to remember him. We're to remind ourselves and others what he's done. And we're to be diligent to present ourselves what God wants us to. Well Alex, we're going to take phone calls and that number 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840. We would love to hear from you today.

The God who speaks is a 90 minute documentary that proves God is real

>> Alex McFarland: As we watch world events unfold and fulfill scripture, it's hard to believe anyone could doubt God and his word are real. And yet there are so many who.

>> Bert Harper: Either question or completely refuse to believe it.

>> Alex McFarland: The God who speaks is a 90 minute documentary that hits the doubt head on with evidence that proves God is real and His Word is the ultimate authority. Watch it anytime and invite others to watch with you. Just visit stream.afa.net that's stream.aca.net what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard and what no human mind has conceived.

>> Bert Harper: The things God has prepared for those who love him.

>> Alex McFarland: First Corinthians 2. 9American Family Radio where sin runs deep your grace is more.

>> Bert Harper: Where grace is found is where you are.

>> Alex McFarland: We want where you are.

>> Bert Harper: Lord, I am free.

>> Alex McFarland: Holy name is Christ in me. Lord, I need you. Oh I need you Every hour I need you my.

>> Dinesh D'Souza: Right.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Ah, I want to thank Brent for putting that in. We were talking about what song could we play that would help us and we went in there and looked at all the songs that are available and I he, he and I both thought man, we need you Lord.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Father, I pray that right now, right now you would touch our lives. We're in need of you for encouragement and what we've done today in second in two Timothy about being reminded of you overcoming death and sin, reminding us that we are ah. And even when we don't live it out for faithfully you are faithful still. So Father, help us to remind ourselves and remember that. Help us to proclaim you as Lord in Jesus name. Amen. Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, yeah, we got calls all over 589-8840. We'd love to hear from you. And yeah we, we do have some people calling in so you want to get right to it?

Bob asks what part of our government is influenced by lobbyists

>> Bert Harper: Let's go to Ohio. Bob, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yeah, thank you for taking my call, Bert. Alex, I listen to you almost every day.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you.

>> Caroline: And I know that appreciate the life of Charlie Kirk and what a great patriot he was. And there's a question that I actually wrote to him. I never got an answer from him. So I'm going to fire that question to you? because it has to do with the government. And I know he talks a lot about government.

>> Caroline: But what part of our government are lobbyists? Because they seem to be great influencers in our, Congress.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. Let me share this with you. Government is from God. It is one of his institutions. And I use this illustration. There's many others. But before the children of Israel were to go into the promised land that God had given to Abraham and he hadn't taken it away, God gave that to them. That's when he gave them government governance. And he shared that. Now, again, it can get out of balance. It can go. And, lobbyist. well, hey, Alex, they've been there a long time, from what I've understood and know, but can things get out of balance in governance?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, they really can. and I'm glad he's bringing this up, because really, you know, God instituted three things, for one thing, the home, the church, and good civil government. And of course, we've often quoted Romans, 131 7, where it talks about, let everyone be subject to the governing authorities. Romans 13:1 7. But I want to give a couple of verses. lobbyists, Deuteronomy 16:19 says this. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe. For a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. And Exodus 23:8 seems to say the same thing. And I know, look, people send delegations to Washington or to the state capitol to sit down and have a conversation with, an elected official. I'm not against that at all. To go and make the wishes of the constituency known. But, Bert, we've lived in a time, and I think, big pharma. I've interviewed people, in fact, one of the, heads of the health department under Trump's first administration, who told about the billions and billions, of, money that really is used to buy different votes and to things like that. And so whether it's the overwhelmingly secular teachers union or whether it's some corporation or, heaven forbid, foreign interests like Islamic care, the Council on American Islamic Relations, we need elected officials that cannot be bought.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: No matter what the lobbyist might dangle in front of them. We need elected officials that, Well, I'll put it this way. Jesse Helms said it years ago, a politician looks at the next election. A statesman looks at the next generation.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Good word, Bob. We understood. And again, out of balance. It's like freedom, freedom without limits. We talk about freedom, but it has to have limits. And so all of this, and it's so hard. And Abraham Lincoln said it's the great experiment. And we're still going, but we're praying that God would help us intervene and give us, ah, close 250 more years, until Jesus comes back. That number. If you want to call, Triple 858-98-8840. Let's go to Tina in Louisiana. Tina, thank you for calling.

I teach Bible to high school students in Louisiana about 9 11

>> Caroline: Hi, I don't have a question. I just, I've been listening to you guys and I've heard a lot of verses, but I just wanted to bring up this one verse. I teach Bible to, some students, high school students and Christian school here in Louisiana. And I brought up, you know, we, a lot of them, of course all of them were not born yet during 9 11. But this verse kept coming up and it was just so emotional to me to share with them about some testimonies of some survivors in 9 11. But it really got to me about, you know, Charlie Kirk and the survivors in the last plane. You know, the verse just comes alive to me in John 15:13. Greater love has no one in this to lay down their lives. One's life for one's friends. And I think about how, you know, Charlie Kirk going to these campuses and speaking to these students that, you know, these parents have children at these campuses that they are praying for. You know, some. Some of their children that have not come back to the Lord have been raised in families, you know, that have gone astray. And they're just praying for someone to speak the truth to their children. And then, you know, these the last words that were spoken on that plane. Let's roll. And how it just, it just, it meant so much more back then. It got to our hearts knowing what these people were about to do, laying down their lives for so many of their friends, not knowing where that plane was, about the direction that, it was trying to take out some others. So that verse just came so alive. And I shared that with my students today. So I just wanted to share that verse.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Tina, for sharing it with us. Right on. let's roll. The book's been written if you. Probably in the archives somewhere. I read that and what a statement. It was. A lot of heroes. 9 11. I was watching some videos today of it. And you saw people running away. But guess who I saw running toward it? Those policemen and those firemen. They were running into it while others were Running out. And we owe a lot. Thank you, Tina.

Lindsay calls American Family Radio to ask for help with Christian apologetics

Let's go to Arkansas. Lindsay, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. first of all, I just enjoy listening to both of you and American Family Radio is, this ministers a lot to my heart. so I have, this past weekend I heard Frank Turek and Sandra Fulbright, I think, and they had advertised and apologetics for children and youth. And then with this happening, obviously it just, you know, strikes a chord in me with my children, to be able to defend the faith that they have. so I was calling to see if you gentlemen would recommend for me an apologetics course, curriculum study book, or just an overall discipleship book for my 13 year old daughter and my 16 year old son.

>> Bert Harper: Lindsay, thank you and I'll let Alex answer, but I heard that as well. Frank Turek interviewing this, and it was powerful and good. And Alex, I, know Frank's a friend of yours and I've met him and talked with him. But Lindsay, thank you for that. Alex, can you give a response to Lindsay?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, yeah, Frank and I have been friends for well over 30 years and let me just say we are really living in the golden age of apologetics. forgive me for referencing something that I did, but I wrote a book called the 10 most common objections to Christianity. And, it's written at a seventh grade reading level. In the book is a 12 week small group study guide. There's also an appendix for parents on how to really use the study guide. And we talk about God exists, creation, the Bible is true, Jesus Christ is the son of God and he rose from the dead. All the big topics. it's a black cover with a red X on the front like a Roman numeral 10. The 10 most common objections to Christianity and how to answer them. And then if you, Google my name on Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble, there's 21 books. And let me just say Bert and I have another book coming out, the third I've done with Bert Harper coming out next month. But, Frank, Josh McDowell, Sean McDowell, J. Warner Wallace. There are a lot of good books out there on so many topics of defending the Christian faith.

>> Bert Harper: Lindsay, thank you for desiring to do that and do it. And I appreciate that and thank you for listening. Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Greg. Greg, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hey guys. Appreciate you taking my call. Yes, sir. I always admired brother Charlie. Kurt. he made the statement one time that we're not freed from the battle, but we're free to the battle. And I just always kind of kept that in my heart as a true believer in my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. And I don't know, I just, I had a physical go through the other day. I'll make it real quick. But anyway, I go in there and there's about 15 kids looking at your phone. Get a sandwich, go in there. 15 kids, 20 kids looking at your phone. And I'm really worried. And, I just, just give it to the Lord. But we, we got to run a, maybe have to run a broomstick up her back to give us a spine there with this generation. But I just give it to the Lord and I thank you guys for taking my call.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Appreciate it. Listen, guess what a lot of these kids are listening to there. They were listening to Charlie Kirk. That's what's amazing. I was listening to a program yesterday and she was going to get on to her child for being on the Internet. And she looked over and he was listening to Charlie Kirk. And she said, I take that back. So there are some great things going on and I appreciate that so much.

James: If the Lord doesn't come back, we'd have 250 more years

Alex, let's go to Tennessee. James, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. Thank you all for taking my call. I was just about, maybe about five or seven minutes ago. I don't know, I think it was one of, one of y' all there said on station that, you was, you wish God would just give us some, an intervention. Intervention, basically for at least another 250 years before Christ comes back. Is that what I understood?

>> Bert Harper: Well, I'm the one that said it. I said, if the Lord doesn't come back, we'd have 250 more years as a nation. But come quickly, Lord Jesus. Go ahead, James.

>> Caroline: So, so where, what I was kind of lost on was where the 250 come from. Could you further explain? I'm just trying to learn.

>> Bert Harper: Americ. America has 1776. So next year in 200, 2026, we'll celebrate 250 years as a nation. That's where it came from.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, doubling that.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Caroline: I was over here like, hang on. You know, I went back to Matthew, Mark.

>> Bert Harper: I wasn't, I wasn't cutting a thousand year reign short. James. Yes, sir. Come, quickly, Lord Jesus.

>> Dinesh D'Souza: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: thank you, James, for calling. Okay, let's go to Rebecca. Rebecca, are you from Charleston, South Carolina?

>> Caroline: No, Florence.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, I didn't know Florence. okay, well, go ahead, Rebecca. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yeah, Prior for, Charlie, personal family. I've been buried just like everybody else.

>> Bert Harper: Well, we are, Listen, I, I, I don't know if he said it or somebody said it about him, but Alex, I caught this too about it says we're look, don't look to the left or the right. Now that's talking about politically. Okay, left or to the right, look up and, and I think that was the heart of the first heart of Charlie Kirk because he looked up to God and in his word, the biblical worldview came through.

>> Alex McFarland: Didn't really did. And you know, I was with him a number of times and we had him in a big event just three weeks ago. And I will say this every time I was ever with him. Listen on stage, backstage all the time. He constantly talked about Jesus and he told every audience be born again. He said this. He said politics is boring. That's what he said. He said I only talk about politics because I have to. But he said the real message is Jesus and if you've never been saved. And we were on stage, he and I, and he mentioned to our audience 17 states were represented at this thing we did three weeks ago. And he said, if you've never been saved, look, forget all this other heavy details, get saved. Give your life to Jesus Christ. And I piped up and I said, Jesus is as close by as a prayer. We have the gospel on the website, you know, we want everybody to be saved. So Bert, isn't that a reminder? I know you and I do this, but look, everybody, our message is Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Christ alone. We've got a lot going on. There's family, there's job, there's our nation. A lot to be, conversant on. I get it. But really, Bert, I spoke at Columbia Bible College down in South Carolina. And on the back wall of the auditorium in gigantic letters, this is it. To know Christ and make him known.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: That's our mission, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: That is simple as you can get and it is true. Hey, if you want to send in a lesson listener story how AFR exploring the word other program has blessed you, you can do that by calling this number 877-876-838893. Let me do it again. I stumbled over it. 877-87-68893. Give a call. Leave a testimony about what God has done for you using afr. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. We pray that you would have a great evening and may you tell somebody about the Lord Jesus Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Caroline: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.

>> Bert Harper: The American Family association or American Family Radio.