How Do We Know The Resurrection Happened Or That The Bible Is True? | Dr. George Barna

Jul 4, 2025

In this engaging conversation, Dr. George Barna, a veteran researcher and director at Arizona Christian University, delves into faith and cultural trends. He discusses the growing skepticism around traditional beliefs and the importance of genuine discipleship. Barna highlights the disconnect in church effectiveness, the evolving spiritual landscape of Gen Z, and the vital role of hope tied to the resurrection. He also explores the uniqueness of Christianity and emphasizes instilling a biblical worldview in children, aiming to inspire and empower listeners in their faith.

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INSIGHT

True Disciples Are Only 3%

About 66% of Americans claim to be Christians but only about 3% meet Jesus' criteria for discipleship.
This stark difference reflects a cultural shift away from true biblical teachings in America.

INSIGHT

Why Skeptics Doubt Christianity

Skeptics doubt Christianity mainly because they see Christians not living by their professed values and distrust the Bible.
Only 18% of Americans consistently rely on the Bible for moral decisions, preferring to trust their feelings.

ADVICE

Use Relationship & Questions

Build relationships and start conversations by asking questions to understand others' beliefs and struggles.
Encourage people to come to biblical conclusions themselves for lasting ownership of their faith.

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Raising Spiritual Champions

George Barna

Raising Spiritual Champions explores the critical aspects of discipling children to help them develop a strong biblical worldview. It highlights the importance of parents' role in shaping their children's beliefs and values from a young age. The book discusses practical strategies for teaching children about God, the Bible, and the Christian faith. It emphasizes the significance of modeling a consistent Christian lifestyle for children to emulate. It aims to equip parents with the tools to guide their children towards a deeper understanding of their faith and purpose.

How Now Shall We Live?

The Rise of Christianity in a Post-Christian World

Charles W. Colson

Harold Fickett

Nancy Pearcey

In 'How Now Shall We Live?', Charles W. Colson, Nancy R. Pearcey, and Harold Fickett offer a transformative framework for Christians to confront the deepest moral and ethical questions of modern society. The book emphasizes the importance of a holistic Christian perspective that addresses every sphere of life, from family and education to politics, science, art, and music. It compares and contrasts Christianity with secular humanist worldviews, providing tools for believers to understand, engage, and shape the world around them in truth, justice, and compassion.

The Bible

Various Authors

The Bible is a comprehensive collection of texts that form the central religious text of Christianity and Judaism. It is divided into the Old Testament, which includes books such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and others that narrate the creation of the world, the history of the Israelites, and the prophetic messages. The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with the early Christian church and its spread. The Bible contains a wide range of genres, including historical narratives, poetry, wisdom literature, prophetic writings, and epistles[2][3][5].

Dianetics

The Modern Science of Mental Health

L Ron Hubbard

Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, written by L. Ron Hubbard, presents a pseudoscientific system aimed at treating mental and physical health issues. The book posits that the human mind consists of two parts: the 'analytical mind' and the 'reactive mind'. The reactive mind, according to Hubbard, stores traumatic memories called 'engrams' which cause aberrations and various health problems. The book describes 'Dianetic auditing' as a method to eliminate these engrams, leading to a state called 'Clear', characterized by superior IQ, moral purity, and improved mental and physical health. Despite its claims, Dianetics has been widely criticized by scientists and medical professionals for lacking scientific evidence and being pseudoscientific[1][2][4].

1 John

John the Apostle

The Book of 1 John is a pastoral and polemical letter aimed at combating the heresy of Gnosticism, which was emerging in the early Christian church. John writes to reassure believers of their faith in Jesus Christ and to provide clear guidelines on what it means to be a true follower of Christ. The letter emphasizes the importance of fellowship with God and with other believers, the necessity of confessing sins, and the assurance of salvation through faith in Jesus. It also warns against false teachers and antichrists, and it underscores the principles of love, holiness, and security in the Christian life[1][2][3].

The Case for the Bible

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Lee Strobel

The Case for the Resurrection

Gary Habermas

Michael Lacona

The case for Christ

a journalist's personal investigation of the evidence for Jesus

Lee Strobel

In 'The Case for Christ,' Lee Strobel, a former atheist and investigative journalist, conducts a comprehensive investigation into the claims of Jesus Christ. Using his background in law and journalism, Strobel interviews over a dozen experts with doctorates from prestigious institutions like Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandeis. He delves into questions such as the reliability of the New Testament, the existence of evidence for Jesus outside the Bible, and the validity of Jesus' resurrection. The book is a detailed and readable exploration of the evidence for Christ's divinity, making it a compelling resource for apologetics and those seeking to understand the Christian faith.