a-pol’o-get‘ics, n.; Apologetics is the discipline which deals with a rational defense of Christianity; giving a reason or justification of one’s beliefs; use of evidences and sound reasoning to reach individuals for Christ.
Introduction:
ALEX McFARLAND is a speaker, writer and advocate for Christian apologetics. He serves as director of the Center for Christian Worldview and Apologetics at North Greenville University, a leading Christian college in the United States. He has spoken in hundreds of locations throughout North America and internationally and has preached in more than 1,300 churches. Alex has been featured at conferences such as The Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Focus on the Family’s Big Dig and California’s Spirit West Coast, sharing the platform with Chuck Colson, Dinesh D’Souza, Josh McDowell and many others. Alex is the author of several books, including the best-selling 10 Most Common Objections to Christianity. He is a graduate of Liberty University and lives in North Carolina with his wife.
Complete Bio:
As a speaker, writer, and advocate for Christian apologetics, Alex McFarland has spoken in hundreds of locations throughout the US and abroad. He has preached in over 1,350 different churches throughout North America and internationally, and has been featured at conferences such as The Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Focus On The Family’s Big Dig, and California’s Spirit West Coast, sharing the platform with leaders such as Chuck Colson, Josh McDowell, Dinesh D’souza,and many others. Currently, he serves as Director of Christian Worldview and Apologetics at North Greenville University, a leading Christian college in the United States. North Greenville provides integration of academic discipline, a Christian lifestyle, and an enriched cultural experience while offering students the best opportunities for spiritual growth, academic training, and Christian service. North Greenville University offers a quality education in a biblically sound, Christ-centered environment. Alex is honored to be a part of a university so dedicated to Christ.
He has been interviewed on Fox News’ “The Strategy Room” and “God Talk,” Billy Graham’s Decision radio broadcast, by James Dobson (Focus On The Family radio), NPR’s All Things Considered, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Chuck Colson’s Breakpoint broadcast, CBS, NBC news, SRN news, the Associated Press (AP) wire service, LA Times, Boston Herald, the BBC, OK- Celebrity News Magazine, Prime Time America, CBN, CSPAN, Bible Broadcast Network, La Vie (France), Christianity Today, Charisma, On Mission, and by numerous other media outlets as well. In a 2009 story, CNN called Alex McFarland, “an expert on world religions and cults.” “Truth For A New Generation” and “National Conference On Christian Apologetics” events, eagerly learning from scholars such as Josh McDowell, Ravi Zacharias, Lee Strobel, and others.
During the 1990’s (at a time when it was predicted that that the need for apologetics was waning) Alex pioneered apologetics conference formats designed to equip teens and adults to defend their faith. Attendees of all ages began to attend Alex’s “Truth For A New Generation” and “National Conference On Christian Apologetics” events, eagerly learning from scholars such as Josh McDowell, Ravi Zacharias, Lee Strobel, and others.
In 2006, Alex was named third president of Southern Evangelical Seminary. During his tenure of almost 5 years, Alex led the school through a number of important initiatives. These included fund-raising and construction of a new classroom building, development of a national marketing strategy (which contributed to a doubling of student enrollment), creation of several new degree programs, expansion of staff, and the launching of an online bookstore for the school. Prior to this, Alex had served as Focus On The Family’s first “Director of Teen Apologetics.”
In his home state of NC, Alex McFarland was named one of “Forty Leaders Under The Age of Forty,” by the Jaycees. Alex is the only evangelist known to have preached in all 50 states in only 50 days, through his “Tour Of Truth.” This crusade across America included 64 evangelistic services, became the subject of Alex’s first book, and was used by God to bring many people to personal faith in Christ.
Alex McFarland has written over 150 published articles and is author of such books as STAND: Core Truths You Must Know For An Unshakable Faith, and STAND STRONG in College (a resource to help teens prepare for the ways that college life can challenge their faith), and The Ten Most Common Objections to Christianity- and How To Answer Them (Regal). Tyndale publishing recently released three new titles by Alex in his “STAND” series. These are: STAND: Diving Into God’s Word (a look at Psalm 119); STAND: Unleashing the Wisdom of God (a look at the book of Proverbs); and STAND: Seeking the Ways of God (a look at the life of Joseph). These books combine easy-to-read devotional thoughts with solid apologetics content designed to get readers (especially youth) into study of the Bible.
In 2011, two new books were released by Alex McFarland, 10 Questions Every Christian Must Answer (co-authored with Dr. Elmer Towns, Dean of Liberty University), and 10 Answers For Skeptics (Inside the Mind of the Skeptic), by Regal.
During the past decade, Alex has hosted two nationally syndicated radio broadcasts,Truth Talk Live, and SoundRezn. In 2011, Alex became co-host of Explore the Word, which is heard daily (M-F) in over 150 U.S. cities. As a broadcaster, Alex provides on-air teaching, fields live questions from listeners, and has interviewed hundreds of notable guests. These have included a variety of Christian leaders (such as James Dobson, Chuck Colson, George Barna, Tony Campolo, Ravi Zacharias, Franklin Graham, and others), political newsmakers (such as Mike Huckabee, Michelle Bauchman, Rick Santorum, Maggie Galagher, and Judge Roy Moore), skeptics (Christopher Hitchens, Michael Shermer), and musicians (such Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Grammy winners Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr., and others).
Alex McFarland attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and earned a Master’s degree in Christian Thought / Apologetics from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Southern Evangelical Seminary in May, 2006, awarded, “In recognition of significant accomplishments in the fields of evangelism and apologetics.” In 2009, Alex became a participant in Developing Young Leaders In Higher Education, a “by invitation only” study program at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Alex and his family currently live on a NC farm that has been in the McFarland family for several generations. Alex’s passion in life is to promote spiritual awakening in America, especially through equipping youth and college students to better understand the Christian faith. When not traveling and speaking, Alex spends as much time as possible working on his farm, driving a 1952 Ford tractor.
You must be logged in to post a comment.