Buddhism is one of the world’s major religions, with hundreds of millions of followers around the globe. Founded on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as “the Buddha,” Buddhism offers a path that seeks freedom from suffering through enlightenment, the elimination of desire, and practices associated with the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
But how do Buddhist teachings compare with the Bible? Is suffering really caused by desire? Are reincarnation and karma true? What is nirvana? And how does the Buddhist path to enlightenment compare with the salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life offered through Jesus Christ?
Whether you have a Buddhist friend or family member, are talking with someone who is exploring Buddhism, or simply want to better understand this influential worldview, the resources below will help you understand its major beliefs, evaluate them in light of Scripture, and graciously share the hope of the gospel with those who follow the teachings of Buddhism.
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)
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.
EVIDENCE FOR THE BIBLE: Compelling Reasons the Bible Can Be Trustedd
Can the Bible really be trusted? Critics of Christianity often claim the Bible is nothing more than an ancient collection of myths and legends. But does the evidence support that conclusion? In Evidence for the Bible, apologist and speaker Charlie Campbell presents ten compelling lines of evidence for the trustworthiness of Scripture in a clear, accessible, and engaging way. Explore evidence for the Bible through:
• Historical Sources that Verify Biblical Events
• Scientific Discoveries
• Archaeological Evidence
• Fulfilled Prophecies
• Ancient Scrolls and Manuscripts
• Answers to Skeptics’ Objections and Questions
• Questions for further reflection and small group discussion
ONE-MINUTE ANSWERS TO SKEPTICS: Concise Responses to the Top 50 Objections & Questions
Could you use help answering atheists, skeptics, and agnostics’ top 50 objections and questions about God and the Bible? Objections like:
• “Why doesn’t God just appear to us in a public setting and prove He exists?”
• “The New Testament authors stole details for Jesus’s life story from religions that were around long before Christianity!”
• “The God of the Old Testament commanded the Israelites to commit genocide!”
• “The Bible condones slavery! Only evil, selfish men would concoct a book like that!”
• “You think Christianity is true because you live in the West and were brought up in the Christian faith. If you had been born in India, you’d be a Hindu!”
Learn how these and other objections and questions can be answered.
EVOLUTION—Following the Evidence: Fossils, DNA, and the Question of Origins
Where did we come from? For more than 150 years, the theory of Darwinian evolution has been presented as the scientific explanation for the origin and diversity of life. From school textbooks to nature documentaries, it is often described as settled science. But is it? In this clear and engaging investigation, Charlie Campbell examines some of the most important lines of evidence related to origins—fossils, DNA, biological complexity, natural selection, and human uniqueness—and asks a simple but profound question: What best explains what we actually observe? Rather than asking readers to ignore science, this book invites them to look more closely at it. Along the way, it explores whether the evidence more naturally fits an unguided evolutionary process, or the idea of intentional design by a Creator. Each chapter is written in an accessible, step-by-step style, helping readers follow the reasoning without requiring a scientific background. The goal is not confusion or controversy, but clarity. Whether you are a committed Christian, a skeptic, or simply curious, this book encourages you to think carefully about one of life’s biggest questions—and to follow the evidence wherever it leads.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE BIBLE:
Archaeologists have unearthed thousands of ancient artifacts, documents, and inscriptions that verify details in the Bible. Join Charlie Campbell for a journey through the ancient land of the Bible (Israel, Egypt, Jordan, etc.) to learn about dozens of these fascinating discoveries. This updated edition features:
• New discoveries
• Concise explanations of finds
• 100+ color photographs
• Bible-history timeline
• Subject and Scripture index
• Questions for discussion
• 300+ footnotes for further study
• Q&A with the author
CHARLIE CAMPBELL'S ENTIRE VIDEO LIBRARY
This tiny USB flash drive contains all 35 of Charlie Campbell’s videos (approx. 50 mins. each) on a wide variety of issues related to the defense of the Christian faith. Just plug it into the USB port on your television or computer (Mac or PC) and begin watching. Click here to order or for more details.
CHRISTIAN FICTION: Spy Thrillers • Military Stories • Romance • Sci-Fi • Comedies + More
Love a good story? Whether it’s a fast-paced spy thriller, a clean slow-burn romance, or gripping historical fiction, you’ll find something you love in ABR's online store. Each novel weaves apologetics naturally into the plot—making these stories not just entertaining, but also great conversation starters with your non-Christian friends. Browse our fiction titles here. Looking for YA fiction for TEENS? Click here. For KIDS, click here.
APOLOGETICS QUOTES: Words That Will Strengthen Your Faith & Equip You to Answer Critics of the Bible
This updated edition now includes more than 500 faith-strengthening quotes by leading defenders of the Christian faith . . .
• Norman Geisler
• Lee Strobel
• John Lennox
• Ron Rhodes
• C.S. Lewis
• Josh McDowell
• Frank Turek
• J. Warner Wallace + lots more
Includes author, subject, and scripture index.
YOUTH APOLOGETICS COURSE
Many teens growing up in Christian homes have not been exposed to the wealth of evidence and good arguments for God’s existence and the trustworthiness of the Bible. Under-equipped and weak in their faith, many young adults walk away from the Christian faith after they move out of the house, if not before. ABR hears this sad story from heartbroken parents over and over. Well, we would love to help prevent this from happening to your son or daughter. Charlie Campbell, the founder of ABR, has developed a “Youth Apologetics Course” that will help EQUIP your son or daughter to STAND STRONG in the truth and “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3). It consists of 10 videos, 2 books, and a fill-in-the-blank workbook that your teen can watch, read, and complete at their own pace at home. Learn more here.