Bishop Barron criticizes ‘tired arguments’ used against Christianity every Easter, offers new sign of hope

Fox News - Apr 6th, 2025
Open on Fox News

Catholic Bishop Robert Barron criticized a recent article in The New Yorker that he claims attempts to debunk Christianity, particularly during the Easter season. The article, titled "We’re Still Not Done with Jesus," reviews Elaine Pagels' book "Miracles and Wonder" and suggests that Gospel stories may be more myth than historical fact. Barron argues that the article fails to include perspectives from orthodox Christians and dismisses the critiques as 'tired' and unfounded, asserting the historical reliability of Jesus compared to other ancient figures.

Barron also challenges claims from the article that Christianity fosters a 'cult of victimhood.' He cites the martyrdom of early Christians as evidence of their genuine conviction and sacrifice. He perceives a global revival of Christianity, especially among young people, contradicting the negative portrayal in the media. Barron's response reflects ongoing tensions between religious and secular narratives, highlighting the enduring debate over Christianity's historical and cultural legitimacy.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a compelling account of Bishop Robert Barron's critique of a *New Yorker* article, focusing on issues of Christianity's historical legitimacy and media representation. While it effectively captures Barron's perspective and the context of the discussion, it falls short in providing a balanced view by not including counterarguments or direct responses from the *New Yorker*. The story is timely and of public interest, particularly for those engaged in religious debates, and it is likely to engage readers and provoke discussion. However, the reliance on a single source and the lack of detailed verification of some claims limit its overall reliability. Enhancing source diversity and transparency would improve the article's quality and credibility.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story appears to be largely accurate in its presentation of Bishop Barron's criticism of a *New Yorker* article. It correctly identifies the main points of contention raised by Barron, such as the timing of the Gospel writings and the historical evidence for Jesus. However, the article's lack of direct quotes or citations from the *New Yorker* piece makes it difficult to verify the claims about its content. Additionally, the assertion that Jesus is the best-attested figure in the ancient world compared to Julius Caesar or Alexander the Great requires further verification through historical scholarship.

5
Balance

The article predominantly presents Bishop Barron's perspective, focusing on his criticisms of the *New Yorker* article without offering a detailed counterpoint or the original article's viewpoint. This creates a potential imbalance, as the reader is not fully informed about the arguments or evidence presented in the *New Yorker* piece. Including input from the authors of the criticized article or other scholars with differing views would improve balance.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through Bishop Barron's arguments. The language is straightforward, making the content accessible to a broad audience. However, the inclusion of more context or background on the *New Yorker* article and its authors would help readers better understand the basis for Barron's criticisms.

6
Source quality

The primary source for the story is Bishop Barron, a credible figure in the Catholic community. However, the story lacks a variety of sources, relying heavily on Barron's interpretations and reactions. The absence of direct quotes or responses from the *New Yorker* article's authors or other experts in religious studies limits the depth and reliability of the reporting.

6
Transparency

The article provides some context for Bishop Barron's criticisms, such as the timing of the article's release around Easter. However, it does not fully disclose the methodology or basis for Barron's claims, such as the historical evidence for Jesus or the lack of orthodox Christian scholars in the *New Yorker* article. Greater transparency about the sources and evidence supporting these claims would enhance the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.foxnews.com/media/bishop-barron-criticizes-tired-arguments-used-against-christianity-every-easter-offers-new-sign-hope
  2. https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/easter-god-love-should-not-be-domesticated-bishop-robert-barron
  3. https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2025/03/20/pondering-the-progressive-catholic-media-meltdown/
  4. https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/barron/the-startlingly-good-news-of-the-resurrection/
  5. https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/barron/the-eloquent-ambiguity-of-i-believe/