Throckmorton describes an odd conflict of research in a recent book by George Barna and David Barton, U-Turn: Restoring America to the Strength of its Roots. “U-Turn examines current cultural trends and historical patterns,” the publisher states, “to reveal that America cannot sustain its strength if it remains on its current path. Combining current research with the authors’ trademark insight and analysis, the book gives readers a unique view of the moral and spiritual condition of Americans and provides specific insights into how we can turn our nation around.”
Apparently the research isn’t current enough, because the group that still bears Barna’s name refutes some of it. “Barna in 2011 rebuts the Barna of 2014 (which is really an amplification of Barna of 2006),” Throckmorton explains. “The 2014 Barna says ’61 percent of Christian youth who attend college abandon their faith as a result.’ The 2011 Barna said that statement contains two myths.” Read on to learn about those myths.
“America cannot sustain its strength if it remains on its current path.
– I suppose you realize that most of the world (if not all of it) doesn’t want America to sustain its strength.
I’m confident many in the world are grateful for the strength of the United States. South Korea, for one, still loves us for rebuilding them decades ago. That’s not the point this criticism.
Barna and Barton strike me as a rather unlikely odd couple to team up together.
Barna is known as a serious researcher who’s conclusions are generally regarded as coming from in-depth research and who is followed most intensely by practitioners of the church growth movement.
Barton, on the other hand, is known more as a sensationalist with a devout following among among fundamentalists. His opponents have often accused him of building his case upon questionable research that supports his conclusions rather than building conclusions upon reliable research.
I don’t often find Church Planters and Fundamentalists working hand in hand. More often the one group is detailing how the other group is ruining the church and leading people astray.
I generally agree with you, Greybeard, but I remember that Barna co-authored a book a few years ago with Frank Viola called Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices which was not a even-tempered book. I heard that Frank’s part of the book got a bit wild, so he may have done what you’re describing here once before.