Defining and discovering biblical worldview (Ch 2) Flashcards
Worldview is not:
- not just a perception of the world.
- Our perception or opinion is not our worldview, but rather it is the result of our worldview.
It is not limited to those who study philosophy.
No one should say, ‘I don’t have a worldview.” That is not to say that everyone has a well-established worldview and operates consistently within its framework.
What is worldview?
what is a worldview?
it is a framework for thinking and decision making, a way of looking at life and world around us.
External forces that affect worldview
family, nationality, news/media, songs, movies, peers, school.
To understand a worldview one must ask at least these five questions
Origin - How did life begin in the first place?
Identity - what does it mean to be human? Am I more than an animal?
Meaning - why are we here? why am I here?
morality - what is meant by right and wrong? How should I live?
Destiny - is there life after death? what will happen to me when I die? will I have to answer for the choices I have made and how I have lived?
are there multiple biblical worldviews?
No. is it individualized? (yes) because we are all different and God gives and responds to us differently.
3 major claims of differing worldviews
Naturalism
Pantheism
Theism
Naturalism
only reality in the natural realm exists (Secular Humanist, Atheist) Man is the central focus of decision making; God does not exist.
Pantheism
God and the world are the same thing. (eastern religions, Christian Science, The New Age Movement…)
Theism
God exists, was the creator of the world, and is personally/intimately involved with his creation. God operates through the natural law but can and does intervene in the affairs of mankind. (Examples: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.)
America’s secular ideologies
Materialism
Subjectivism
Hedonism
Pragmatism
Materialism
Philosophical concept: reality is based in what we can know through our senses.
Social application - absolute truth is non-existent or irrelevant to society. mankind seeks satisfaction and meaning in external things such as position, wealth, accomplishments.
Subjective
philosophical concept: there is no absolute truth.
social application: everyone is entitled to their own opinion. feelings become authoritative! individuals make moral choices based on what makes them happy. Moral and social chaos ensues, for there are no absolutes of right and wrong.
Hedonism
Philosophical concept: Defines pleasure and pain according to the human condition and sensory input alone, no other measure of good + evil.
social application: Pursuit of pleasure, comfort, safety and security in human terms. all struggle and pain are defined as evil. delayed gratification is considerest to be evil. “if it feels good, do it!”
Pragmatism
Philosophical concept: utilitarian philosophical belief that the ends justify the means.
Social application: The key concept is doing what works for them. the focus is upon intentions rather than upon right and wrong. if one’s “intentions” were good, it does not matter what they do/did. It can be an individual or societal approach to morality.
Basic concepts of Christian/Biblical worldview.
God exists - (genesis 1:1)
God has revealed himself to mankind - (Hebrews 1:1-2)
Jesus is God’s son who is the redeemer of the world - (John 3:16)
why would you build a relationship with someone? because you love them!!!
The bible is God’s word - (2 Tim. 3:16 , 2 peter 1:20-21)
Christian are to follow the teachings of the bible.
Reason why we need a worldview
based on God’s word
a worldview helps us integrate biblical principles with daily life.
a clear understand of our worldview is essential because of an overt challenge from the secular world.
A coherent worldview gives us a more effective witness in the marketplace.
A clear understanding of the Christian worldview is essential because he world has become our neighborhood.
we must clearly understand the Christian worldview because it is commanded in scripture.
3 criteria for determining a valid worldview
Coherence
Adequacy
Relevance
Coherence
my answers to the above questions must be consistent with one another; they must not contradict each other. Example: the questions of origin and identity.
Adequacy
my answers must deal truthfully and completely with all the facts it encounters. example: the anthropic principle
relevance
my worldview must make sense if the emotions and feeling i have as i interact with the world around me. Example: why do I feel guilt, sadness, joy?
what are two ultimate divisions of world view?
atheism vs theism
every worldview is a system and every system should be:
integrated
Coherent
consistent
theocentric
The existence of god us center of all values, thinking and decision making.
anthropocentric
- thinking with man-centered perspective, value, thinking, decision making.
syncretism
the indiscriminate blending of values/ ideas from opposing systems.
Nihilism
- there is no meaning, nothingness. there is no God.
R. C. Sproul illustrates Nihilism with what?
“The raven” by Edgar Allen Poe.
