SPRINGFIELD – George Barna and David Barton called believers to make disciples and promote a biblical worldview during the Conservative Americans Club (CAC) “Turning America” conference at Second Baptist Church here, June 26-27.
Barna and Barton are co-authors of the book, U-Turn: Restoring America to the Strength of its Roots, which contains much of what the two men endorsed during the conference. Barna is the founder of The Barna Research Group, and Barton is president of Wallbuilders and a well-known author of books on early American history.
The conference promoted the biblical underpinnings of the nation, according to Alec and Ginny Wade, conference organizers and founders of the CAC.
“I believe we all love America,” Ginny Wade said. “It has been shocking to see the rapid decline of godly morals, principles and values in the past few years. There needs to be a wake-up call to the church.”
According to Barton, America’s Founders—even the “least religious” of them, like Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson—upheld the significance of biblical principles for the new nation.
Yet, in 2015, the nation is at an all-time low when it comes to biblical literacy, he said. Barton and Barna both cited research findings claiming that only 9 percent of Americans—roughly 8 million—have a biblical worldview. Nevertheless, Barna said, God can use this remnant to make a large impact in the nation.
“God never needs a majority to get done what He needs to get done,” Barna said.
But given the state of biblical illiteracy in the United States, Barna and Barton both highlighted the importance of teaching a biblical worldview, especially to children, who are still developing their understanding of the world around them.
Barton reminded his audience that, in the Great Commission, Christ called his followers not to make converts, but rather to raise up disciples who live according to a biblical worldview.
“We’ve changed the way we looked at the Great Commission,” with negative consequences for church and society, Barton said. “Rather than teaching everything He taught us, which would change the culture, we’re just going after ‘fire insurance.’”
“Possessing that worldview makes all the difference in the world,” Barna said, citing findings that suggest how Christians who hold to a biblical worldview live in ways that are notably different than other Americans.
Barna added that church success can, therefore, not be defined by property size, attendance, giving or other such figures.
“The important thing is to be transformed into a new creation,” he said. “If we’re focusing on anything less, we’re shortchanging the kingdom of God and disrespecting the sacrifice of Christ.”