interview with Bill Campbell of Scripture Awakening

CNG radio for today's culture and timeless truths come together is reasoned, relevant content, apologetics, worldview and answers to the questions that you need to know need to know from Alex McFarlane ministries. This is true for a new generation radio and now the man who preached in 50 states and 50 days speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarlane, the great reformer Martin Luther was once talking with somebody and they said you were such a leader, the great leader of the Reformation and Luther said no. The greatest reformer would be he who sets the church to pray that's true prayer is such a powerful thing in the body of Christ needs to be much about prayer.

Let me paraphrase Luther a bit if I may hear for our own times and let me say what a great Reformation, it would be if we could call the church back to Scripture reading the word of God hi Alex McFarlane to you listening to truth for a new generation and was so glad that you're listening and I'm thrilled folks I'm here talking with a kindred spirit. I've got a brother with me name William Campbell Bill Campbell and he leads a ministry called Scripture awakening and then this brother lives to get people in the word of God and we we share that passion as well. If you listen to the programmer. If you follow our ministry.

My preaching and are teaching you know that we believe in the word of God. I think about someone 19 verse 93 which says I will never forget thy words for through them.

I found life, so suffice it to say Scripture is huge and I it would not only change lives. It would change our nation and world. If people everywhere would get into the word of God but out Bill, thank you for making time to be with Suntory for new generation and we want to meet you and learn a little bit about your background, I do want to learn about your passion for the word of God but out welcome to TNG and just tell us a bit about yourself. Thank you Alex. It's a great joy to be with you. I grew up in the home that was focused on the word.

My parents found a community Bible study and I saw their first hand through the years. How much impact can occur if someone is really getting deep in word and understanding the main themes of planetary life and I know America is inundated with Bibles with churches with seminaries and Bible colleges but we find the trend is that the average person doesn't know the word. The not live in it and so were trying to turn around.

Think about this if if you've never read the word of God cover to cover and I give God the glory that is something Angie and I did early in our marriage in our first year of marriage we decided we were going to try as a couple to read the Bible all the way through. From Genesis to Revelation. And we did that a bit for a lot of people that's daunting to me that sounds kind of maybe an impossible thing you're doing something phenomenal and people are reading the Bible, not in a year, but in three months. So tell us about that bill how how did you get this vision and what is God doing through it really a man named Ted Cooper about 20 years ago in Houston, Texas as an agnostic said I need to read this book at least wants how can I speak against it when my children are learning about the stuff in church. I need to know what it's about in any of you listening can say why not me as well mean this is the book that helped shape Western civilization. A lot of the idioms we have today are from the Bible. It used to be the primary text is a printer to learn English in this country. And nowadays, words used to be the Ivy League schools are sending Christian missionaries the Ivy leagues are sending us in another direction, as is the whole of society. We've lost this footing.

This grounding and so Ted Cooper again.

He said I should read at least wants this things a classic.

I think I'll give it a try is in the county decided 12 pages a day to get me through three months I can do it in secret. He found a really easy to read Bible, no commentary, no footnotes. He said I'll do this. I'll bring it to work. Read at lunch breaks and he is. He started reading his wife and also an agnostic said you're crazy what you do but he got into the major prophets and he was converted as he's reading. He gets to the book of Ezekiel is he best remembers brings in a major prophets and he found salvation, and so we kept running all the way to the end. He was so excited he brought to his church.

He said pastor I like to introduce us to the church to see how many would would read it with me in 90 days. Pastor said don't even try at work and he didn't get permission eventually in about 100 people joined him on the journey.

90% got through and that's about the rate today after all these years. It is gone in the 25 nations. It's part of our product line, but people to the rate of 90%. If they do it. Not alone, but also meet with the group once a week they get cover to cover and they remember when they end the reading and revelation were they started in Genesis and with the reading program. We have a study program and tools for helping people live the words that Scripture awakening reach study live but Ted. He is an example of what anyone can be. You may be listening and you have not just not read the Bible you don't really believe it's inspired by God maybe don't believe there is a God. I challenge you read the book will change your life. I haven't done the math but wait a minute, though, you're saying if I read 12 pages a day. I could read the entire word of God in 90 days. Yes, less and of course it's we have a Bible formatted.

We have the NIV is a primary version but it's helpful to have a reading Bible a Bible related that formatted to help you not be distracted by all the various topics you might when I get into if your goal is to just read the whole thing I think is a good idea for everyone to do it. You know, the main principle in but say the Reformation in terms of biblical interpretation is the Bible interprets itself what you don't know the whole you can have a hard time. Therefore, understanding the parts you listening to trade for new generation radio Alex McFarlane here with Bill Campbell of Scripture, awakening, and they also publish the journey Christian magazine, which have the privilege of writing an article for every month and many view of pricing that we've given away copies of some of our conferences, stating TNG radio will be back with more Bill Campbell right after this from.

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If you read a chapter a day and said to many and atheists of said just say God God. If your real show me and I've had an atheist, or to say why I don't even believe that as it will just do it.

Just say God if your real show me and read the Gospel of John, now that prayer. I base that prayer on Psalm 119 verse 18 which says open my eyes, Lord, that I may behold wonderful things from by law. I honestly believe in, and I want you to speak to this bill that the Bible is the only book in the world that the author comes alongside to tutor you through it. The Holy Spirit of God gave the words of Scripture. And if you're coming seeking God the Holy Spirit will impress on you the reality of not only these truths God's word but the author himself, God, and of course the theme of the book, Jesus the Savior. I think that one of the best evangelism methods is simply getting people into the word of God. Would you agree yes you know and also I'd like to go along with what you're saying about the Lord coming along, helping us to understand as we read. That's the promise Gospel of John that the Holy Spirit will teach us and as a young man I gave member the day I gave my life to Christ is about seven years old I went to my room and open the Bible and it's like someone turn the light on for the first time, because now the Holy Spirit lived inside of me and the whole book came to life and again I just want to save someone's listening and it doesn't seem to mean much to you, pray for the Lord to come into your life and for the Holy Spirit to teach you.

You know St. Augustine. He seen as one of the brightest minds in Christendom and we know the story. How was converted he heard his voice taken retake and he opened the book and read you know in my own life. Bill I had prayed and asked Christ in my life but I felt so burdened for my sin and I mean I had taken the Lord's name in vain and I sand and I just felt like.how could God love me and I was reading the Bible one day and I came to Isaiah chapter 1, and I've heard of Isaiah and I thought one might read this verse 18 of chapter 1 really spoke to my heart. It says come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool and I thought about God invites us to come and think this through. Let's reason together, and though our sins are grave the grace of God is infinite, the mercy of God. The righteousness of God. He is a holy God and everyone listening on to say that God is righteous and holy. He doesn't sweep any sand under the rug.

However, he's a merciful God and because of that he sent his son, perfect holy, righteous, Jesus went to the cross. And here's what Jesus did on the cross, the appropriate measure of God's wrath that you and I deserved was put onto Jesus and we could pay for our stands.

But that would mean separation from God eternally.

But you can accept that Jesus paid for your sin. The punishment was deflected onto Jesus and forgiveness restoration complete salvation. That's your free gift to feel accepted and it was the word of God that set me free bill because I realized that yes, my sins were serious but they were paid for by Jesus. He had forgiven me and I could forgive myself and I truly could be set free from this burden of guilt because my burden of guilt was was born by Jesus now so I just say you know the word of God not only sets us free initially from slavery to sin into our selfish nature. We would get would receive salvation, but every day it transforms us.

So for example if someone says well I'm not cannot worship the Bible. That's not God. You know were not talking about that, however, without the Bible we can start worshiping the wrong god it's so easy for me to get led astray into my own emotions my own depression into spiritual inclinations are not right so the Bible is meant to lead us to God, and that's the key it's not God. We don't worship the Bible but if you really want to know God and grow deeper. The Bible is critical to the process along with prayer and you know the Bible touches the lives of individuals bill.

What does the Bible do for the body of Christ corporate what what is the role of the Bible in the life of the church. I do want to say that I just praise God for so many good churches around the country that preach the word where the Bible is central and in teaching and understanding.

We are blessed in this country truly blessed and we should bring those resources out and around the world, but for the many churches that are not. It's it's really good to remember that the when God moves greatly and empower it.

As we look through history. If Scripture is central to what God is doing tends to stay on track and be sustained when it's not central. We get off track and get in trouble and and so I just want to say commending everyone who's living in a word, the pastor is preaching at the teachers teaching it. Everyone of us has a responsibility to keep our focus and you know I I love how Jesus said in Matthew 16, I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. And you know when Jesus was tempted and that the wilderness he he rebuke the devil and said man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God without the Scripture in the life of the Christian we become anemic and malnourished. Only yes so I will just say for myself. I know that's very true. It's interesting all excitement pastor 18 years made a switch in with that switch. No longer did I have the discipline of having to teach others and preach on a constant basis in the word get it through myself and pointed out I had to learn what the average person has to do every day. I do learn to stop and take time aside and get into the book and for a little while.

I wasn't doing and I kind of dried up spiritually and again I'm appealing to everyone listening. If you're not spending time every day in this book.

I'm not please don't make it out like a robust thing or something required to do the effects. If you're coming to be. Nurse spiritually every day will change your life and that's what I'm looking for my life.

Constant transformation state and more with Bill Campbell and how you can get in the word of God daily on this edition of tricks for new generation were back after this, the TMG unashamed conferences coming to Richmond, Virginia, October 11 and 12. Experience core truths that make for an unshakable faith with Tina Marie Griffin Todd Starks Kemal Schilling wiki Addison Chuck Chris Myers and William Fetter. Romans 116 says I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes come to the truth for new generation conference get equipped, empowered and inspired to confidently share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is committed to impacting our nation for Christ and the future and equipping you to be a difference maker. Register now by calling 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God, and the number one or visit the tmgwebsite@truthforanewgeneration.com. The TMG unashamed conference, Richmond, Virginia, October 11 and 12th dive deeper into your faith if you're a Christian parent. You of course want to instill a biblical view of life in the hearts of your children, your pastor, you want to offer ministry that draws young families to your church. This is Alex McFarland encouraging you to check out my new book and video curriculum. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask about Christianity. I interviewed hundreds of children ages 5 to 12 and we address actual questions from actual children. The spiritual issues that are on the minds of your kids the book and video lessons are great for groups of any size and was produced with the goal of equipping kids to stand strong for Christ in any situation. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask the book study guide and video series. You'll find it@afastore.net that AFA store.net in the midst of a culture obsessed with relativism. Alex McFarland is a voice you can trust to speak the timeless truths of Christianity in a timely way.

You're listening to the truth for a new generation radio. Welcome back to TMG radio Alex McFarland here and I remind you please pray for us and go to our website, you can either one my own name which is Alex Farland.com or truth for a new generation.com on my website.

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You see and hear people like Todd Starnes and Josh McDowell Ryan Blomberg are one of the great pro-life speakers Abe Hamilton so much going on. So pray promote plan to attend.

Go to truth for a new generation.com and the link arms with us as we are calling our nation back to Jesus. Well somebody's given his life to do that, not only as a minister missionary publisher but as a pastor is my dear friend Bill Campbell of Scripture awakening and Bill were talking about reading the Bible and 12 pages today. Read the Bible in 90 days before get too much for the what what is your website Scripture awakening.com. I like that. What is meant by that name Scripture awakening. How did you come up with that will sky what I've been saying in this interview, it's that we desperately if someone asked me what is the greatest need in America today. I'd say we need an awakening but not just a revival awakening based on human effort were not one based on an emotional excitement, one based in the word of God, in which, for example the great awakening you had the theologian Jonathan Edwards writing out his long sermons and then and you had, you know Wesley helping organize but bring in pithy understanding and then Whitfield was preaching traveling from sea to sea, and the word of God is going forth, and I like to think of all the awakenings in the Western world. That's the big bucket on which everything has come, and we need that again Scripture awakening as affluent and posh as America is, and we really are blasted in no it doesn't. You don't have to travel far to realize how blessed and opulent. Our life is here in America.

Could it happen though because were you know were were rich well increase in goods and think we have need of nothing could our affluence and apathy be broken through by God again you absolutely and you hate to think that God might have to break us down, you know, for example, if we had a real economic hardship. It might really get our attention. Often, awakenings historically come with an economic collapse like a the North New York for a revival 1857 or or before Azusa Street. He had the earthquake in San Francisco.

You know, often got gets her attention and wouldn't it be great if we just were all look up right now and humble ourselves and get right with him and pray until her neighbors about Jesus sent and live in holiness's Alex. That's kind of in God's part.

It isn't his part to making this happen is he knows what is best. I think our part is to get right with him today and develop those patterns that will help us become more like Jesus to the watching world.

I know we have a lot of ministers that listen and you. The Lord used you mightily as a pastor.

How did you as a pastor. Keep your flock in the Scripture will actually along with the reading program.

We have a program that I've been developing for like 20 years of study program and the idea being is I would teach the word we had handouts.

This is not an unusual idea that could be used in small groups and synergistically use in people's devotional life. All tied to the sermon. So the sermon is been carried home into the hearts of the people all through the week, but now we develop these resources to make it easier to do the obvious good thing for any church, the Groner website and hit the be next tab the read goes, read, study live, so the study or be next. You have a wealth of resources to help you if you're a pastor if you're an educator.

If you just have a small group your teaching study guides can take you all through the Bible, whether exegetical, he topically whatever that's I found that was key. It was very helpful for me what you say to a mom and a dad that there you know kids appearances. I want my child to be a Bible reader.

How can I get my children to thirst for the word of God. What you say you know it's it's always tough is in Alex. The first thing is, we've got to live it when I see that we are humble enough to admit our weaknesses and that we desperately need God they're likely to follow her example.

But if were not living it there likely not to go that direction will follow are bad example. So talking about it, commanding them to do it, pushing them into a routine is not as good as doing it ourselves. If they see you and quiet on your knees in prayer. If they see you early in the morning with the book open because it's your life source. It's going to be marked in their character and in our hearts and minds don't ever forget that and they're going to know what you believe in. That speaks louder than your words, you're right on that.

You know we been talking with Bill Campbell and I love the word of God as I know you do. Early in my Christian life. God just gave me this insatiable desire to read the Bible was not an especially you know studios are well written person but I begin to read the Bible and read the Bible and it's gone on for 30 years and I think that the Bible is like my dear's closest friend is Jesus. Obviously, that I think about Jerome in the third century who said knowledge of the Scriptures is knowledge of Christ. So I commend you for getting people everywhere into the word of God.

You've been listening to truth for Nguyen, a radio and let me say this, folks. It's one thing to know about Jesus but God's plan for you is that you know Jesus that you have a relationship with Jesus and we often say this case is closed buys a prayer and if you've never experienced the love of Jesus salvation that relationship, you can begin that today if you will turn to Christ, he will receive you and if you need help. There's a tab on our website. What does God say about my relationship with him trying to Christ, the son of God and as we said earlier as a child of God daily. Read the Lord of God. TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarland ministry, PO Box 10231 is Burrell, NC 27404. That's PO Box 10231, Greensboro, NC 27404 call us at 877 yes God one that's 877 yes, God, and the number one or give online@alexmcfarland.com while you're there, listen the program archives. Read Alex's blog invite Alex to speak at your event or contact Alex with a question or comment, Alex McFarland.com. Thanks for listening today and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation fund TMG radio