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Guest: Dr. George Barna, Director of Research, Cultural Research Center, Arizona Christian University

The Bible says that in the time of the judges in Israel, “every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6). That is another way of saying the people were flagrantly breaking God’s laws and rationalizing their sin. Scripture is clear that all men and women are sinners by nature and by choice.

For example, Romans 3 says:“for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one” (Romans 3:9-12).

Considering all the hate, murder, lying, lusting, stealing, coveting, envying, immorality, blasphemy, oppression, and much more that marks our world, it may seem surprising that Americans don’t see themselves as sinners but as basically good, and thus, do what is right in their own eyes.

In a recent survey released by George Barna, Director of Research at the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, “only half of all American adults (52%) believe that everyone has sinned…and even among theologically-defined born-again Christians, one in four denies personal guilt of sin.” What’s more, “among self-identified Christians, 72% believe that people are “basically good at heart.”

This is troubling and egregious error, especially by those who profess to be part of the church. Today on the program, George Barna joins us to discuss the changing view of sin by Americans and Christians and what has led to it. We will also discuss why conviction over one’s sin is so important because it shows us our need for the only remedy.

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RELATED RESOURCES:

• Report #9: Research Identifies Common Sources of Confusion about Sin 
• Report #8: Millions of American Christians Deny Their Sinfulness