Buddhism’s popularity is growing. In 1910, Buddhism had a following of approximately 138 million individuals. By 2010, that number had reached roughly 495 million (Source). From 1990 to 2001, Buddhism grew in the United States by 170 percent and is now the fourth most practiced religion in America. (Source). It’s easy to see why Buddhism is becoming more and more popular. Buddhism offers moral guidance and direction without requiring any accountability or obligation to a god. It offers peace, tranquility and enlightenment through meditation, and it promises additional chances at life through reincarnation.
Are you prepared to talk to Buddhists, or someone who is considering Buddhism? Who was Buddha? What did he teach? How do his teachings line up with what the Bible teaches? Learn answers to these questions and others in the resources below.
FEATURED ARTICLE:
“BUDDHISM: An Overview and Response to” by Charlie Campbell
CONTENT:
— Introduction
— I. Origin and Founder
• Four Troubling Sights
• The “Four Noble Truths”
— II. The Teachings of Siddhartha Gautama
• Life Consists of Suffering
• We suffer because we desire things that are impermanent.
• The way to liberate oneself from suffering is by eliminating all desire.
• Desires can be eliminated, and nirvana reached by following “The Eightfold Path.”
— III. Ideas and Suggestions on Reaching Out to Buddhists with the Gospel
“How is Christ Superior to Buddha?” by Norman Geisler
“22 Important Questions for the Buddhistic Worldview” by J. Warner Wallace
“Jesus: Mankind’s Only Savior” by Charlie Campbell
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES IN ABR’S ONLINE STORE:
BUDDHISM: An Examination of the World’s Fourth Largest Religion
(DVD or mp4 video download)
Siddhartha Gautama (also known as “The Buddha”) was born in approximately 480 BC in present day Nepal. Who was he? What did he teach? Why has Buddhism become so popular? How do Siddhartha’s teachings line up with what the Bible teaches? In this fascinating DVD, Charlie Campbell answers these questions and others. Length: 65 minutes.
JESUS: MANKIND'S ONLY SAVIOR—Answers to Critics' Objections to the Gospel's Exclusive Claims
(DVD or mp4 video download)
Most people in the West think if God and Heaven are real, they are surely on their way to Heaven. When asked why, they often respond with, “I’m a good person!” When asked if they think their friends are going to Heaven, they think they are going also because “He’s a good Buddhist,” or a good Jew, or Hindu, or Muslim! Research has shown that 70% of religious Americans believe that many religions can lead to everlasting life. In this DVD, Charlie Campbell shows why this view is dangerously incorrect and that there is only one way to everlasting life—a relationship with Jesus, mankind’s only Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). But what about people who have never heard of Jesus? Will they end up in Hell? How could Christianity be the only right religion? What about Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims? Might not all religions connect people with God? Get solid Biblical answers to these questions and several more in this 55 minute video.
CHARLIE CAMPBELL'S ENTIRE VIDEO + AUDIO LECTURE COLLECTION on a USB FLASH DRIVE
Amazingly, this tiny USB flash drive contains the entire collection of Charlie Campbell’s 34 DVD presentations (and 37 audio lectures) on a wide variety of issues related to the defense of the Christian faith. And read the reviews—people love these videos! Just plug this genuine mahogany flash drive into the USB port on your television or computer and begin watching any of the videos you'd like. You can also transfer the videos to your iPad, iPhone, or other tablet. We include easy-to-follow directions with your order.
NEW! DAKOTA KNOX & THE ARCHAEOLOGY THIEF (Action-Adventure Novel for Teens)
Priceless archaeological artifacts that verify details in the Bible are missing from the museum in Jerusalem after a brazen nighttime heist. Dakota Knox, a Bible-believing Christian teenager from California who's visiting Israel with his family, stumbles upon a clue that the police ignored. Dakota and his new friend, Afton Hansley, decide to investigate the whereabouts of the missing artifacts, and things get a little bit crazy—actually, downright dangerous! Will the artifacts be found? Why are they important? What did they reveal about the Bible? Find out in Dakota Knox and the Archaeology Thief! The book includes about 60 photographs of artifacts, sites in Israel (Caesarea, Masada, Jerusalem, etc.), surfing, etc. Paperback, 200 pages.
ANSWERS TO THE CULTS' ATTACKS ON JESUS
(DVD or mp4 video download)
Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, and others say Jesus was merely a human prophet, an angel, or some other created being. And they claim to have support for their views in the Bible. Christians believe Jesus was and is the eternal God, the second person in the Trinity, equal in nature with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Who is right? In this video, Charlie Campbell, a Christian apologist, interacts with a formidable Scripture-wielding Jehovah’s Witness (well, a pretend one) in a verse-by-verse examination of the most popular proof texts used to deny the deity of Christ. By answering each of the man’s misunderstandings and mistaken interpretations, Charlie demonstrates that the traditional, historical understanding of Jesus’ deity is the Biblical view. Length: 55 minutes.
ANSWERS TO ATHEISTS' ATTACKS ON JESUS
(DVD or mp4 video download)
When it comes to Jesus, atheists commonly say:
• There’s no credible evidence Jesus existed
• The authors of the Gospels stole their ideas for Jesus’ life from other ancient religions
• The earliest Christians didn’t believe Jesus was God
• The Gospels contradict one another
• There are scientific errors in the Gospels
• The “Gospel of Thomas” and the “Gospel of Judas” give us a more accurate understanding of who Jesus was
• Accounts of Jesus’ miracles are fabrications
Charlie Campbell, an author and Christian apologist, responds to these charges and lays out a compelling case that Jesus really did exist and the Gospels are trustworthy accounts of His life. Length: 52 minutes.
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES: An Examination of the Unbiblical Teachings of the Watchtower Society
(DVD or mp4 video download)
Where, when, and how did the Watchtower Society, popularly known as “Jehovah’s Witnesses,” come into being? What do Jehovah’s Witnesses teach and how do their teachings line up with the Bible? How can Christians best reach out to Jehovah’s Witnesses on their doorsteps? Charlie Campbell answers these questions and others in this hour-long video.
MORMONISM: An Overview of the Origin and Teachings of the Mormon Church
(DVD or mp4 video download)
• Where, when and how did Mormonism begin?
• Who was Joseph Smith?
• What do Mormons believe about God? Jesus? Mankind? Salvation and the afterlife?
• Is Mormonism in harmony with true Biblical Christianity?
• Is the Book of Mormon a trustworthy, authentic revelation from God?
• If not, why not?
• How can Christians be more effective in sharing the truth with Mormons?
Charlie Campbell answers these questions and more in this 70-minute video.