George Barna - America at the Crossroads: Explosive Trends Shaping Americas Future and What You Can Do about It

2016 by George Barna

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Ebook edition created 2016

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4934-0486-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The author is represented by The FEDD Agency, Inc.

George Barna has been tracking the subtleties and nuances of American culture for more than three decades. In this book he paints a vivid but sometimes disturbing portrait of a nation in turmoil, using the most current national statistics as his color palate. His work is a call to action for Christ followerspeople born for such a time as this who must understand the signs of the times in order to know what do. America is at a crossroads, and this book will help us navigate the future with greater confidence, wisdom, and authority.

Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker , lead pastor , National Community Church

The only way to make the best decisions for your future is to understand the trends of the present. George Barna has summarized an enormous amount of data about Christianity and America that lays out all the important realities, positive and negative. America at the Crossroads is clear, practical, and ultimately hopeful. You owe it to yourself, your family, and your future to read this book.

Dr. John Townsend , New York Times bestselling author, leadership consultant, and psychologist

America at the Crossroads is more than just a valuable and reliable collection of facts from Barna. It offers a panoramic view of the progressive collapse of American society while Christians stand by and watch with seeming indifference. His book provides a necessary prescription focusing on defining a clear vision, restoring a biblical worldview, and embracing personal brokenness before God. How could America go wrong with such a strategy for the future? Given the diagnosis laid out in this book, Crossroads provides a wise and much-needed action plan for reviving America.

David Barton , historian, bestselling author, and founder of WallBuilders

Its no news flash that American culture and values have undergone massive and unprecedented changes. In America at the Crossroads , George Barna dissects these major transformational changes and explores where were likely headed next. Frankly, it doesnt matter whether we agree with all of his interpretations or prescriptions for turning the ship around. What matters most is that we get our heads out of the sand and honestly grapple with the hard facts and data he presents, because how we respond will shape the future of the church and American society as we know it.

Larry Osborne , author and pastor, North Coast Church

A fascinating look at where we are and where we are going in America. George goes inside and outside the church to give the reader a comprehensive study on what makes our country tick and what could be her demise should we not reverse our course. We dont need any more ignorant Christians, and George has done his part to make sure we dont have any.

Tim Wildmon , president, American Family Association

Some of us remember the old E. F. Hutton commercials: When E. F. Hutton speaks, people listen. I hardly need to say this, but when George Barna writes, wise people read it! I have no idea how many times I have quoted George Barna. Some contend he is the most quoted Christian in the nation. Get the book. Dont put it on a shelf. Read it. Mark it up. Memorize the key pieces of information that can equip you to give perspective on contemporary culture. I will. When George writes, I read.

Dr. Jim Garlow , senior pastor, Skyline Church

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Dickenss famous opening to A Tale of Two Cities offers an intriguing juxtaposition of the good and the bad: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Despite the relative freedom and comfort that most Americans experience these days, surprisingly few would contend that they are living in the best of times. Millions of people would submit that these may well be the worst of times for a nation that has been extraordinarily blessed for more than a quarter of a millennium.

From the most hardened social critic to the most optimistic church lady, Americans recognize that they are living in dangerous and bewildering times. The evidence is everywhere, and it is undeniable. The gulf in perceptions and probable responses between elected officials and those who elected them is wider than at any previous time in memory. The possibility of terrorism striking near home has created substantialand increasinganxiety. Fewer American parents than at any time since scientific polling began believe their children will have a better life than they did. Violent crimes have become commonplace, while confidence in the police has plummeted. Distrust of government, social institutions, and businesses is at record-setting levels. Peoples sense of victimization, powerlessness, and social detachment is unprecedented. Climate change and other environmental challenges baffle people and add to their impression that the world is out of control. The nuclear armament of America-hating nations like Iran, Russia, and North Korea adds to the publics sense of fear. Religion has shifted from providing a sense of peace, purpose, and order to becoming a source of division and confusion.

As the nations leaders try to make sense of the turbulence and chart a course forward, the United States is mired in an uncomfortable transitional era. Nobody knows how long the transition will last or exactly what the next era will be like because the country is still immersed in an internal battle to define the new America. Nations tend to change incrementally, but some of those increments have a shorter shelf life than others. It may be that the new era will be upon us faster than many expected.

This is a book designed to help you understand some of the key hinge points in that transition, what kind of nation the new era will likely bring about, and how you can influence that outcome.

Why Pay Attention to Trends?

America has become a culture that seems more interested in being in the moment than one that focuses on understanding the connections between past, present, and future, and how peoples choices can and should influence the future. While being in the moment may be the flavor of the month, it may not advance the countrys long-term interests.

The very concept of being in the moment is drawn from the Buddhist philosophy of mindfulness. That concept promotes awareness of what is happening in the here and now, overcoming the natural human tendency to default to living in accordance with habits and routines that can deaden our senses and block our ability to be thoroughly alive to every experience. Being more fully present as we go through our day is a way of experiencing reality to its utmost potential.

Its not necessarily wrong to live completely in the moment, especially if the alternative is remaining oblivious to the important facets of reality or operating with a dulled capacity. However, many people have run with the concept to the extent that they believe living in the moment is all there is, severing any ties between what happens in this moment and what will take place in the moments (and days, weeks, months, years) to come as a result of their immediate decisions. One can certainly become too obsessed with the future, investing too much time and energy into simply daydreaming or compulsively preparing for what is to come. The ideal is to seek a balance between grasping the historical realities that brought us to this moment, experiencing what is taking place now as fully as we can, and preparing to build a bridge from the past and present to a desired future.