Fireaway Friday is your chance to ask us your Bible question

>> Jeff Chamblee: It's fireaway Friday on Exploring the Word. This is your chance to ask us your Bible question at 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. You can also email your [email protected] or visit facebook.com exploring the word. Exploring the Word. It's Fire Away Friday on American Family Radio.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, you hear a lot of people talk about re and spiritual awakening. And on fireaway Friday, today, we're going to take any and every Bible question. We look forward to hearing from you.

One of the steps toward spiritual awakening and revival is gratitude

But I want to open up with a verse or two about revival because the word of God has a lot to say about spiritual awakening. And Isaiah 57:15. I love this. It says, for thus says the one who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. And our hearts are humble before God. We worship the Lord. We're grateful for God. I'll tell you one of the steps toward awakening and revival and really kind of getting your spiritual batteries charged is gratitude. And we've got so much for which to be thankful.

Fire Away Friday is the day that we take all questions all the hour

Well, this is Alex McFarland along with Dylan Burroughs and Fire Friday is the day that we take all questions all the hour. So you have lines open, listeners, and you can, get your call in. Here's the number, 885-8984-408885-89840. We welcome your calls, your questions, and if you call now, you will get in because it's the beginning of the show and the lines are open. Well, I want to welcome my longtime friend, colleague, and Bert and I are so grateful for our frequent collaborator, Dylan Burrows. Dylan, thanks for being with us. And you're going to be with us Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of next week as well. But, welcome back to Fire Away Friday.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it's an honor, and this is my favorite day of the week. You never know what people are going to call in and ask about. There are things in the news right now about UFOs, what's happening in the Middle east, so many things going on that we can talk about, but it's really up to you. So pick up the phone. Give us a call at the number.

>> Caroline: Trip.

>> Alex McFarland: as I said, 589-8840 or wordfr.net Alex has been doing this for years. I've been doing this in other contexts, but we are here to serve you, to provide biblical answers as best we can to your questions and to talk more about how Scripture relates to the issues of our time. M and as Alex has just said, revival is where it begins. I was thinking when he read the passage, that he did also in the NewSong Testament, James 4, 8, that reminds us to come near to God and He will come to you. That's the niv it says, wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. This is a call to all of us. As we draw near to him, he comes near to us, gives us the answers when we seek Him. And that's true whether we are seeking him in prayer or whether we are seeking him for answers in God's Word as we are today. So we look forward to talking with you more about it and catching up a little bit on some of the news of the day. Tell ah us a little bit more, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, thanks, Dylan. It's great to have you. We love Charles Spurgeon. And by the way, one of the books I love to recommend, I've owned it for probably 30 years, is morning and Evening Devotions. Ah, by Charles Spurgeon. Fantastic book. But somebody asked Spurgeon one time, what is revival? And he said, well, among other things, revival is a return to reverence for the word of God. And that's one of the things that we really try to champion is the Bible. Because we believe that. I can tell you for Bert, I know for myself, and I know for Dylan Burroughs, that God's word every single day. I mean, Dylan, I think the Bible is like, nutrition for the athlete. I mean, it's the vitamins and nutrition that we need for our heart and soul, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. And for example, in culture today, it's so popular to eat your protein food, your protein drinks, all your nutrition to be properly prepared physically. But spiritually, God's Word is our nourishment. And I think of Jesus when He was tempted 40 days in the desert with no food and he tempted to turn stones into bread. And his response is so powerful, he talks about the word of God being the answer. Not just the food that we eat, but the spiritual food that nourishes us and gets us through the hard times of life. The older I get, the more I think, how would I make it without God and without God's Word in my life? I don't know how people survive without Scripture, without God's Word. In their heart, without Christ in their lives. It's such a vital part of our moment by moment walk with the Lord. And I hope you feel that way as well and look forward to talking with you about that in our questions today.

>> Alex McFarland: Indeed, indeed.

Someone asked about the Amish culture and what do they really believe

Well, I'm going to start with an email question that came in and someone asks about and this is a little bit unusual. We get some questions about denominations and things like that. Somebody asked about the Amish culture and what do they really believe and is it like you know, the rest of NewSong Testament Christianity? so the. It's funny, I've had some students in where I've taught at Liberty and at Charis Bible College that came out of the Amish culture. So Dylan, I don't know that I can speak completely like a blanket assessment. I will tell you. I was speaking in Ohio and we went out to an Amish farm and, and there was a stand that sold a lot of vegetables and things like that. And they actually had an Amish bookstore and there was an Amish study Bible that I looked at. I almost bought it, because I love study Bibles and it looked pretty good. Let me just say that among the Amish folks that I have interacted with and some of whom have come out of the Amish culture, yes, they preach the gospel and yes, there is a Christian heritage there. For many, though not all, but many. From what I've heard, it seems like it's kind of a works based righteousness. I'm not painting with a broad brush, but Dylan, the NewSong Testament gospel is grace, isn't it? It's not the works that we could do, but it's the work that Christ did on the cross. Do you, regarding the Amish culture, do you know anything like beyond that? Dylan?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, there's so much and one thing we have to be careful of is that there are multiple Amish cultures and not just one set of beliefs and Amish traditions. There are those who are in central Illinois, for instance, in northern Indiana and Pennsylvania. And each of those have slightly different takes, just like we would in different denominations. But for the most part they do hold to salvation by grace through faith like we would hold biblically. They have that Anabaptist TR tradition which would believe in baptism by immersion for the believer. And those things are very similar, but there's this very strict separation from the world and sometimes that goes overboard in comparison with what we see in Scripture where they're not only separating from the sinful aspects of the world, but they're separating completely from culture to the point that, it's, you know, seems like they can't have the same impact on the rest of the culture around them. So there are some downsides to it, but at the same time, there are so many benefits when you look at the simplicity, the connection with nature, the community. most Amish groups meet in homes for their church services. So there's that kind of simplicity when it comes to church attendance and connections. So it's really a culture and a set of beliefs, and you have to look at it more specifically where you are to get down to the details. But I would say in general, it's very much a biblical, belief system, but it also has a lot of cultural aspects that you have to be careful of and look at and filter through a scriptural lens as well.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Thank you, Dylan. Well, the number is 888-589-8840. And I bring to the microphone our engineer, Brent Austin. Brent, are you going to queue up the calls for us today, my friend?

>> Alex McFarland: I will do that for you.

Philip in Tennessee has a theological question about marriage and family

Let's go first to Philip in Tennessee. Philip, thanks for calling.

>> Caroline: Okay, well, thanks for taking my call. Gentlemen. I have just a quick theological question for you. Couple of passages. Jeremiah 3 and 14. The NASB refers to, us as being married to Christ. And I don't have the words, per se on that. But then in Ephesians 5:25 through 27, Paul writes to, the emphasis church or the Ephesians, talking about, we are the bride of Christ and those who trust in Jesus as savior, from the crucifixion to the rapture. So my question, is how, in one sense, can we be, married to Christ, but yet also the bride of Christ? And I thank you for taking my call. I'll hang up and listen.

>> Alex McFarland: Good. Good question. And this is one of the unique and very precious realities of the gospel. You know, a, marriage is a ceremony and a covenant, and the bride is one of the participants in that covenant. There's the bridegroom and the bride. And quite a number of verses and places talk about how we are espoused to Christ. And, by the way, you know, in the Jewish culture, the marriage and then the commencement of life together as wife and husband, and then the time the bridegroom calls for the bride to be, with him. Very, very beautiful and frankly, pretty, dramatic. It's a great picture of salvation. So, Dylan, I would say throughout old and NewSong Testament, both Testaments, the concept of salvation as really a union, a covenant, just like marriage. It's very beautiful. I'll say this. I'll throw it to you, Dylan. I think that's one of the reasons that in the last few decades, marriage and family has been so much under attack in the world, is because marriage and family is such a vivid picture of the gospel. Francis Schaeffer, the great Christian thinker of some years past, he said the family is a gospel tract. But, Dylan, comment on this, if you would, sir.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, sure. First, he talks about Jeremiah 3, where we are talking about this context of Israel, or God's people, the Jewish people, as the bride of God. And it's, a different context than we see in the NewSong Testament. But many see this as a foreshadowing as Christ's relationship with the church. And that's what we see in Ephesians 5, where there's this discussion of marriage that the Apostle Paul has. But then he refers to the bride of Christ being the church. So we see it in relationship to Israel in the Old Testament. We also see it in Ephesians, where Paul's talking about the church as the bride of Christ. So it's an interesting take. But as far as what you just mentioned, Alex, the family is the foundational relationship God has designed for humanity. And second only to our relationship with God is our relationship between a husband and a wife, that being the foundation for society and bearing children and a flourishing society. And when we see that under attack, it's our job and our responsibility as believers to respond. And that's true whether it's an attack on a family in a marriage situation and redefining marriage or other factors that may be attacking a marriage relationship. But our goal is to both be an example of godly living when it comes to the marriage relationship, and to be an encouragement to others who may be going through struggles in that area. So it's a very important theme throughout Scripture and a very important one in terms of how it's compared in other areas, such as with Israel and with the church.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Brent Austin, what's next?

Dylan Burroughs answers Isaac's question about heaven after brief break

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, let's go to Isaac in Texas. Isaac, you there?

>> Caroline: Yes, sir, I'm here.

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome. It's good to have you. Hey, Isaac, if you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

>> Caroline: 11, sir.

>> Alex McFarland: 11. Well, thank you for listening. Dylan Burroughs and I, we're very honored that you're listening. What you got for us there, Isaac?

>> Caroline: I was wondering, what's it gonna Be like in heaven. Like, are there gonna be trumpets blaring all day? What's it. What's the feel gonna be like? You know?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. That's a great question. Dylan Burroughs. Hey, hold on. Isaac and Dylan. I hear a break coming. Dylan, this is a great question, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: I love it. Yes. Looking forward to answering it when we come back. Thanks so much, Isaac, for bringing that to us.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, stay tuned, folks. This is Exploring the Word with Dylan Burroughs, and Alex here. The number 888, 589, 8840 will answer more questions, including Isaac's, after this brief break.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: My faith don't flinch at your rap. Devil gon get off of my shoulder. You thought you had the last laugh. You thought this song was over. You ain't my king, though.

Alex and Dylan are talking with Isaac on Exploring the Word

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Dylan are here, and we're talking with Isaac. And, Isaac, in just a second. I want you to repeat your question because the break kind of ran over the top of us. But, Isaac, I got to tell you something. I have a book I want to send you, my friend. you still there, Isaac?

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. I'm here.

>> Alex McFarland: Wonderful. Hey, I've got in my hand a book the Lord allowed me to write a few years ago. It's called Stand Core Truth for an Unshakable Faith. Stand. And it's written for, guys and girls just your age. It's kind of Christianity, 101, and how to Understand the Bible. So after Dylan and I give you an answer, I'm gonna pop this in the mail to you. Would that be okay if I send you this book, Isaac?

>> Caroline: Very welcome, sir.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, thank you. We. We just appreciate you listening now because we just came back from the break.

Isaac: What's heaven gonna look like when I get there

If you would, Isaac, repeat the question you had.

>> Caroline: What's heaven gonna look like? what. What's heaven gonna be like when I get there? Are they gonna be like Trump?

>> Alex McFarland: Fantastic question. Fantastic question. Dylan, I know you and your daughter were just doing a study on this. What do you say, Brother Dylan?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. There's so much that the Bible says on this. It doesn't give us all the details, but some of the things that we can look forward to, especially, are found in Revelation 21 and 22, the last two chapters of the Bible. And for me, I will tell you, the thing I'm most excited about is being directly in God's presence forever. It, talks about that strongly in Revelation 21, about hearing his voice, seeing him. it talks about being with all those who believed in God. From all times past. for me, I've lost my father in the past to cancer years ago. And so I'm looking forward to being with him for all eternity in the future. All of my relatives who have passed before me, my friends, people throughout the ages, from Abraham and Moses through the Reformation to today. So there's so much we have to look forward to just with the relationships around us. But you mentioned stuff like trumpets or music. Well, it seems to be clear there's going to be music, that there will be food, but that there will also be no more death, no more mourning, no more crying, no more pain. Revelation 21:4 says, for the old order of things has passed away and all things will be made new. So we have that to look forward to. And I will mention this, and I'll let Alex respond as well, is that humanity began in a garden, Adam and Eve, with the Lord. At the very end of Scripture, we see God with his people in a city. And you wonder, why did it go from a garden to a city? Well, in the beginning there were only two people. But at the end of time, for all eternity future, it will be all of God's people, all of the redeemed for all eternity future. So we won't be sitting around, we will be worshiping, we will be rejoicing, we will be enjoying the presence of God and his people. And it will be a joyous time that we have to look forward to for all eternity. Alex, what do you have to add?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it's going to be awesome. It is going to be awesome. Really. And you know, there will be the most beautiful music that, that we've ever, ever heard Dylan mentioned food. Yes, we will eat food in heaven. And the great thing about it is that our loved ones will be there. All who love and believe in Jesus. And I hope that's everybody listening. But do you know, it's been said that the English Bible, because you know, the Bible came from Hebrew and Greek, but the English Bible mentions heaven 582 times. Isn't that amazing? So it must be pretty important that the Lord mentions it that many times to us. And how wonderful, how joyful forever heaven will be. Thank you Isaac. And if you would please give Brent and the guys your, your address. And we're going to send you this, this book that I think you're really going to enjoy. That's awesome. Five, eight, triple, eight, five eight, nine eight eight four zero is the number. Mr. Brent Austin, where shall we go next?

>> Alex McFarland: Let's try North Carolina One more time and talk to Jon. Jon, what's your question?

>> Caroline: good afternoon.

Different gospel writers mention different circumstances, remembrances, details

my question is I was asked a question about the book of Jon. that in the garden, of Gethsemane, when Jesus was arrested, a sword was drawn and a servant's ear was cut off. But it does not mention about Jesus, healing that servants ear. But yet in the book of Luke it is mentioned because I know that Luke is doing basically investigative work and talking to first persons or actual people that were there. Jon speaks of it, but does not speak of the healing of the earth. Can you explain why some in some things that are mentioned and then they're not fully mentioned but you find out in another book or chapter of the full detail.

>> Alex McFarland: let me jump in on this great, great question and then I'll throw it to Dylan. You know, I think one of the reasons that Luke might have mentioned the healing of M. Malchus, I think was the servant of Caiaphas. And Luke was a physician, Luke was a medical doctor. And the healing, by the way, this is Jesus last pre calvary miracle. But they're in the garden of Gethsemane. Judas has betrayed the Lord. Soldiers show up. Peter, I guarantee when we get to heaven, you know, Peter is a big, muscular, person. He's going to defend Jesus. He grabs a sword from a Roman soldier. That in itself was pretty brazen and brave. And he cuts off the ear of Malchus. Now Jon mentions Gethsemane, but maybe doesn't mention this one particular thing. Luke the physician does. Here's the thing about the four biographies of Jesus in the NewSong Testament. Matthew, Mark, Luke and Jon. while they're in agreement on all the core details, different gospel writers mention different circumstances, remembrances, details. And I've got two friends I'm going to mention. One is Lee Strobel, who has his law degree from Yale University. The other is my friend Jim Wallace. We've had him on the show J. Warner Wallace, who was a renowned detective. And both of these guys, Strobel with his legal background, Jim Wallace with his crime solving background. Both of these guys have said the complementary yet unique details show eyewitness observance and really add to the credibility all the gospel writers, they're in agreement. Christ is the son of God, rose from the dead, paid for our sins. But yet with the minutiae of some of the details, they do all mention different things, which really says, hey, this is eyewitness account of what they truly did here. And see Dylan, what Say you.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I'll give you one additional aspect that's mentioned in NewSong Testament studies that's not certain, but is an interesting factoid to add to this, is that in Matthew, Mark and Luke, all three of them mention this disciple who cuts off the ear of the high priest, but they don't say who it is. And then Jon comes along and he calls out Peter as the one who did it. There's, one reason that is often mentioned why this might be different, and that is because of the punishment that Peter may have endured when he was still alive. This would have been discovered. And if you think about it from that perspective, Matthew, Mark and Luke were probably the first three written Gospels. Peter was probably still alive when these three gospels were written. And then Jon writes later, perhaps after Peter has passed, has no problem mentioning him by name because there's not that concern that he would receive punishment at that time. That's one theory NewSong Testament scholars have put forth to help explain the difference. But, it is interesting, the relationship Peter and Jon have, because there's one other place in Jon's gospel that you see that as well, and that's at the empty tomb where Peter's going to the empty tomb. But then you see Jon say, but I got there first. You know, I was the faster runner of the two. So there's this interesting relationship between the two that mentioned uniquely in Jon's Gospel that's not mentioned elsewhere, that is in multiple places.

>> Alex McFarland: Fascinating, fascinating.

Are we in revival? Is there a revival? What's going on

Brent Austin, where to?

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, let's stay in North Carolina and talk to Deborah. Deborah, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hey, thank you for taking my call. Alex opened up about revival, and all I could think was, Billy Graham, he had a beautiful ministry. He took advantage of radio and television when it first came out. What is the body of Christ taking advantage of today? And are we in revival? Is there a revival? What's going on? Because I don't see it, and maybe I'm missing something.

>> Alex McFarland: great, great question. Well, you know, I do think the spirit of the Lord is really moving in the world, all around the world. And the Lord is moving here in America. now, are we in the beginning of revival? I'm not for sure. Like a spiritual great awakening like we've read about in times past. By the way, I truly think you mentioned Billy Graham from the immediate aftermath of World War II. And Billy Graham by the 1950s was really big. God used him in a great way. There were a lot of other great people that God raised up. I think about Bill Bright from Campus Crusade. I think about Josh McDowell beginning like in 1964 and then along came Chuck Smith. And I would really encourage people to see the movie Jesus Revolution that came out two years ago. One of the things about Great Awakenings is generally people didn't realize it till it was midway through or even past. When there's a great move of God's Holy Spirit, there's a, repentance of sin, an evangelistic urgency, a return to the Bible. I do think that, you know, they said at Easter just a month ago that on average church attendance is up at least 38% around the country. a lot of the interest in the gospel is coming from young men and young people, especially since the death of Charlie Kirk. I personally, I'm praying for it. I'm, believing God for it. I know things are bad, the world looks pretty rough these days. I kind of believe I see the winds of the Spirit moving and people turning to Christ. But. Dylan, what do you say, brother?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I was thinking a similar thing that about two years ago Jesus Revolution came out and re sparked this idea of revival that took place in the early 1970s. And you saw during that time a movement of baptism that happened in Southern California in the ocean at Pirates Cove. And it's led to this whole movement called, Baptize America, I think, where, thousands of people have been baptized on the same day across the country as churches have worked together. So we're seeing sparks of revival, if not full blown revival. And then you see trends like the Barna Group research this past year that saw that 43% of men are now attending church regularly. The first reversal in years in terms of church attendance in America. So there's some good signs happening, but it's not one of those things where we can sit back and clap and say, yay, revival has happened. we can say it's, there's some good signs, but it's something we need to keep praying for and pursuing and seeking the Lord to do more in the days ahead. We just had National Day of Prayer yesterday, and then this month we have rededicate, 250 as our nation celebrates 250 years and spiritual awakening and rededication to God. So there are a lot of good things, but we're not there yet.

>> Alex McFarland: Like you said, Dylan, I got to tell you, when that movie Jesus Revolution came out, I rented a theater and took several hundred college students. It's a fantastic movie. And so anyway, after it we had a big discussion group and the kids I mean, 99% of the kids were Christians. And they said, wow, God really moved back there in the early 70s. could we not have this again? I was like, absolutely, we could have it again. And, it was kind of like this light bulb came on. God moved in a huge way in that generation. Could it happen in our generation? The answer is yes. And to the Lord, for this revival, we pray. Brent Austin. Where to next?

>> Alex McFarland: Next up is Patty in Missouri. Patty, thank you for calling.

>> Alex McFarland: Hello, good evening. Hi.

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome.

>> Caroline: Hi. I,

Question: If aliens are demons, where will Antichrist come into play

>> Caroline: Okay, I have a question about aliens and people, you know, saying that they think that they're demons. Okay. And I'm just saying if they are, my question is, where does it, where will the Antichrist come into play with the demons? things I've been hearing, it's like they're going to say that, you know, they're the ones that created man and blah, blah, blah. It's kind of confusing. But my question is that, like, where would the Antichrist come into play if that. If aliens are demons?

>> Alex McFarland: Good question. Good question. And this, this is an issue, I'll say this up front, that. But we just don't know. I mean, I think we can make some sanctified guesses. A lot of what we say is going to be rather speculative, at this point. there are five life forms in the universe. First of all, there's God. But then there's plants, animals, humans and angels. And one third of the angels fell to serve Lucifer and became demons. So biblically, the only life forms that God alludes to are plants, animals, humans and angels. Dylan, I personally, and you feel free to disagree. We have not discussed this beforehand. I do not believe there is life on any planet except planet Earth, really. But further, I think a lot of things that people have seen, can be explained in human terms. I do think there are some things that simply defy explanation, except in spiritual terms. One final thing I'll throw it to Dylan Burr, is when people have allegedly communicated with an extraterrestrial. It's interesting, I read several years ago, of people that claim to have communicated with aliens. As far as people knew, they weren't Christians. And I think a spirit indwelt, born again spirit, sealed, believer, probably is shielded and protected from such an encounter. The other thing, when there is alleged communication from an alien, it's always counter to what the Bible would claim. I personally think some of what we think is UFO activity are demons. But, Dylan, what do you say? Feel free to disagree.

>> Alex McFarland: Sure. We're going to break In a moment. But quickly. there are two causes. This is either going to be natural or supernatural. In many cases, there's some natural explanation, but in some cases, there may be some supernatural occurrence. And that would be most likely a demonic type of activity. So we could talk more about that perhaps when we come back. But it's a great question. Thanks for calling in with that today. I appreciate it.

>> Caroline: It.

>> Alex McFarland: We're back after this.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Praising, for friends and family, for the very air, we breathe,

>> Alex McFarland: for

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: having everything we need. Won't somebody come praise the Lord with me? Yeah. Can I get a hallelujah?

Today, the defense department released UFO files from decades past

>> Alex McFarland: Well, welcome back to Explore the Word here with Dylan burrows and Alex McFarland today. And I knew it, Alex. We would have calls about UFOs and aliens. Just today, the defense, department released UFO files from decades past. It's in the news, it's on the headlines. there are people asking about it. We talked about it from the scriptures. Appreciate that today we have so many people calling in. I know we have several more trying to call in. And if you are still interested in calling us today, you can call that number, 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840 or, or email us at word w o r dfr.net and Brent, we're going to go to you for our next caller. Daddy.

Brent: There's a difference between pride and being proud

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, let's talk to Bruce in Arkansas. Bruce, thank you for calling.

>> Alex McFarland: Bruce, welcome.

>> Caroline: Hey, I appreciate y' all talking, taking my call.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, good.

>> Alex McFarland: What do you have for us?

>> Caroline: Well, I'm wondering if there's a difference between pride and being proud.

>> Alex McFarland: Good question. A difference between pride and being proud. Alex, do you want to take that one on for us? Give us a little bit of a biblical description to define the differences between the two?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, well, the Bible tells us that, pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. You know, I'm pretty leery of the word proud. Every now and then I've maybe accomplished something, and I would say I was very proud. I think the healthy, balanced word is maybe gratified, fulfilled, mindful of the fact that, whatever we do, whatever we have, anything we accomplish is just by the grace of God. it's okay to be proud about something. We say I'm proud of m my family. You know, I'm proud of what my child did. But it doesn't mean being prideful. I think about in Isaiah 14, when Lucifer fell, pride was the original sin. Lucifer said, I will, put my throne Above God, I will ascend to the heights of heaven above God. So to be prideful is unhealthy, but biblically, to be pleased, to be grateful, fulfilled, yes. To be proud of something good and godly, I don't necessarily think that's wrong. What do you think, Dylan?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, yeah, I think you addressed it well. The English language doesn't help us out very much here, but James 4. 6 tells us God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. So we see stuff like that in the Bible and we think, oh, pride is all bad. It's about self, sufficiency and arrogance and self boasting and these kinds of things that we would contribute or attribute as sinful. But there are some occasions where we can say that we are proud of our child, we are proud of our spouse, we are proud of something else outside of us, and that's a beneficial thing. So I'm like you, I'm hesitant to use the word pride or proud, but there are occasions where my kids need to hear me say, I'm proud of you for doing something. And there's nothing wrong with that. So as long as we make that distinction, I think we're on the right track. So thanks so much for calling in. That's a great question. We appreciate it.

>> Alex McFarland: Wonderful question, Mr. Brent.

>> Alex McFarland: Where to, guys? We just talked to Bruce, and now we're going to talk to Wayne in Kansas.

>> Alex McFarland: Bruce Wayne. All right, good combo.

>> Caroline: Thanks for taking my phone call, guys. I enjoy this program.

Dylan: The only salvation Jesus offers sinners is repentant salvation

My question has to do about the Great Commission and my studies of Jesus tell me that he offered repentance, salvation, as in the prodigal son story and in the salvation of Zacchaeus. When Zacchaeus burst forth in exuberant repentance, Jesus said, today, salvation's come to this house, for this man is a son of Abraham. So the only salvation I'm aware of Jesus offering sinners in our Gospels is repentant salvation. Should we be preaching the same salvation?

>> Alex McFarland: Great question. And, you know, I, think absolutely, because in Luke 13:3, Jesus said, unless you repent, you likewise will perish further. Let me just say this, like in 1 Corinthians 6, Paul has this list of sins and their immorality and murder and lying and. And a lot of sexual sins. But Paul says, as such, were some of you. Past tense, verb. You're not that way anymore. Now, I know when we preach the gospel, we say, believe in Jesus. Put your faith in Jesus. But Dylan, I personally think that when we preach the gospel, that we really are duty bound to tell people that if you are turning to Christ, that really does mean that you're going to turn away from sin. Now, I want to be clear. We don't have to, like, get ourselves all cleaned up before we turn to Jesus. We turn to Jesus, like now. It's like you don't get well to go to the doctor. You come to the physician. You go to the doctor while you're sick, and we turn to Jesus while we need healing from sin. But I'm, going to say this and I'll throw it to you, Brother Dylan. I've been around a lot and I meet people and they have no fruits of the Spirit. They're not living for Christ, they're not a part of a church. their life is just immersed in unholiness rather than righteousness. And I'll say, if you died, would you go to heaven? Oh, yeah, because at summer camp 30 years ago, I prayed the sinner's prayer. If there's no appreciable life change, I question if their salvation really was real. But what do you say, Dylan?

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, certainly. And one thing that's interesting is this idea. In Greek, the word that's translated repentance, is metanao. it means to change or to rethink or to reconsider. And I think that is the heart of it, that if you repent, you're changing. And I don't know how you can believe in Jesus and then your life not be changed in some way where told in Romans 12 to not be conformed to the image of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So certainly repentance is part of Christian living. But like you said, there is a distinction between believing you come to Christ when you're sick and in need of the physician, not after you've gotten yourself cleaned up or healed. And then as you change from that transformation that God makes in you, then you're transformed, you repent and you live differently. And I think sometimes, that grace message is overblown to the other side, where people teach all you need to do is believe. And that's it. Well, that's it in terms of salvation, but that's not it. As far as Christian living, if we are to be a disciple or a follower of Christ, we are going to love him by obeying his commandments. And that is very clear throughout the NewSong Testament. So thanks for your question. I really appreciate that one.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. One last verse I have to give you. In Luke 6:46, Jesus asked this question, he said, why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things I say. So he's the Lord. he's going to be the Lord, the leader, and we should obey him. Brother Brent, what you got?

>> Alex McFarland: Evidently, we've got your fan club stirred up today. I've got another call from North Carolina. Let's go to Tessa. Tessa, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hi. yes, I met you one time. I was at a conference and I told you about that. My son name was also Alex. And so I'm sure you don't remember, but it's.

>> Alex McFarland: Was that you again? Was that down near the coast?

>> Caroline: It was in North Carolina.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. I think I do remember. God bless you. Well, thanks for listening.

>> Caroline: Yeah, thank you, guys. Ah, Alex and Mr. Dylan. so my question was. So, Alex, he's 12 now, and, he's navigating preteen. He'll be 13 soon. And so I wondered if he had a book recommendation for raising, godly teenagers, because he's dealing with the stress of being a teenager, starting to like girls and stuff like that. So I wanted a book that I could educate and just try to know how to properly speak to him.

>> Alex McFarland: God bless you. God bless you. You know, there was a man that, he was on AFR and he passed away. His name was Brian Fisher. And, a few years ago, Brian Fisher, he wrote a book called the Boy to Man Book. and his name is spelled Bryan. B R Y A N Brian Fisher. F I S C H E R the Boy to Man Book. And it was some really good wisdom. Brian was a journalist on the radio. He was a pastor. That's a really good book about godliness for a boy as you're, you know, maturing into being a young man and setting, the right priorities. And I was very impressed with that book that he did. Dylan, do you have any recommendations?

Dylan: I gravitated more toward books about being a dad

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, man, there are so many. as a dad, I've gravitated more toward books about being a father of kids and teenagers. But, I think especially if you are not familiar with Gary Chapman's the Five Love Languages, that's a great one in terms of understanding how to show love to your children in a godly way. There's also a children's and teens version for your teen if you want them to read and be part of the process as well. And that's been a huge help to me in raising my own children. I have three, one son and two daughters, so highly recommend that. And, the one that Alex mentioned is a great one as well. So thanks so much for calling in. And Alex may not mention it, but he has several books that can help with parenting of teenagers as well. So you can check out alexmcfarland.com and see some of his books on the topic.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you for that, Dylan. To God Be the Glory. Brent Austin.

Claude in Oklahoma wonders about when Adam was created in Garden of Eden

>> Alex McFarland: Where to Our next up is Claude in Oklahoma.

>> Caroline: Hello.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, welcome.

>> Caroline: Thank you. Yeah, thanks for taking my call. And I was in the Deesman's movement in the 70s and we had nightclub in Oklahoma City and one was coffee house called the Burning Bush. While the young Christian got into Frisbees. And also there was the infiltration of the children of God, China of cult trying to move. And also. But my question was when that Adam was created from the dust of the earth and placed in the Garden of Eden. And then when they was cast out and they first house me king Cain killed Abel and then he was sent out to the land of Nod, which I understood to be wondering. And he was afraid that he would be killed. And so he had the mark of Cain. And I just wondered who the people were. I know that Adam lived for a long time and, and instead of addition by multiplication by webman populating earth by addition was by multiplication. That's how the it was, you know, populated so fast. But I just wonder where were these people at? Were they different or were there a time left in between, the age group. And that was always my curiosity. And by the way, I wish you would give us a list of all the books that you have so I could honor some of those great books that you talk about.

>> Alex McFarland: God bless you. God bless you. Thanks very much. Thanks very much.

Genesis 5 talks about the begetting of children and it lists

Well, you know, the. Look, the Bible doesn't completely tell us all about the number of years like from when Adam and Eve had children to when Cain finally killed Abel. but a lot of years had transpired and in Genesis 5 it talks about the begetting of children and it lists Seth as one of the sons of Adam. And so a lot of years had gone by so that people would have populated the earth. Let me say what I don't believe that when Cain, you know, felt like he would be in danger wherever he went, there weren't other races of other human beings. I mean there was only one male, female pair, Adam and Eve that had children populated the earth. By the way folks, we're all siblings, you know, because we're all the children of Adam and Eve. But enough time had elapsed that many, many people had been born. And that's the people that were all over the earth at the time of Cain. Would you agree, Dylan?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I think you handled that well. It's interesting though, people think, oh, how could they possibly have enough family members between Adam and even their children to have a community during that time? And ah, and just to compare briefly, if you think of the population of the US in 1800 just a couple hundred years ago, 226 years ago, the population of our country was 5.3 million. I don't know if you are aware of the population of the USA today. Just 226 years later is 348 million just in our country alone. So if you think that numbers can't grow quickly enough for there to be a family and a town where Cain and Abel lived during that time, definitely ample time, definitely opportunity. So I think that can be well explained by the amount of time that people lived during the time of Adam and Eve and the early descendants. So that's the best explanation. Like you said, it also biblically rules out the need for any other people who would be outside of an Aden Eve. That is sometimes suggested.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. wow. if you look at some of the projections of how many people can grow in say a 50 to 75 year period, it is staggering really. But thank you for that. Really good question, Brent.

22 to 25% of churches don't have a senior pastor right now

who's next?

>> Alex McFarland: I've actually got an email I just received from some members of Salina Church of the Nazarene. They're asking for prayers for a new full time pastor.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, what a valid thing. You know, many churches are looking for staff folks. I read a statistic about a year ago that maybe 22 to 25% of churches don't have a senior pastor right now. And I'm going to say this before I ask Dylan Burroughs to pray, consider that God might call you to the ministry. Dylan, I've participated in the training and ordination of many men that as a second career, maybe they retired in their 50s or even early 60s. I had the great privilege of participating in the ordination of a 74 year old man and he became a great minister in his 70s. Folks, as so many churches don't have a pastor, let's pray. Therefore the Lord of the harvest that he'll send forth laborers. But Brent, give me the name of that church again, if you would, sir.

>> Alex McFarland: It's Salina Church of the Nazarene.

>> Alex McFarland: Dylan, would you pray for them?

>> Alex McFarland: Of course, Father. Thank you so much for this time and for this caller and for the request. We pray today for Selina Church of the Nazarene. they are seeking God's next pastor for their congregation. And we know that you know just the right person and just the right time and pray that you would bring that person to them in a quick and prompt manner and help them to grow as a healthy flock and the Lord. That would make a difference, that would see revival and spiritual awakening and see many come to Christ in their community and beyond through the work of this new spiritual leader and its congregation. We thank you for this caller. We thank you for the opportunity to pray for this need in Jesus name. M Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Dylan, thank you very much. Are you in a pulpit somewhere Sunday?

>> Alex McFarland: Not this week, but no. So maybe she'd go down and visit Selena for a Sunday and help out in the meantime. And, appreciate everybody who's called in today. And I'll be in my home church this Sunday enjoying God's word being taught and look forward to being with my church family as well.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. I'll be at Mount Pleasant Church near Greensboro. A week from Sunday. I'll be at Sakostee Baptist in Revival with Pastor Micah Laine. M. Hey, tell somebody about exploring the Word. But most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. God bless you. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

It's Fire Away Friday! May 8, 2026

 

✍️ Episode References

Isaiah 57:15
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+57%3A15&version=ESV 

James 4:8
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+4%3A8&version=ESV 

Charles Spurgeon
https://www.spurgeon.org/ 

Jesus Revolution (movie)
https://www.jesusrevolution.movie/