Defining and discovering biblical worldview (Ch 2)

Question 1

Worldview is not:

Answer 1

• 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.

Question 2

What is worldview?

Answer 2

what is a worldview?

it is a framework for thinking and decision making, a way of looking at life and world around us.

Question 3

External forces that affect worldview

Answer 3

family, nationality, news/media, songs, movies, peers, school.

Question 4

To understand a worldview one must ask at least these five questions

Answer 4

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?

Question 5

are there multiple biblical worldviews?

Answer 5

No. is it individualized? (yes) because we are all different and God gives and responds to us differently.

Question 6

3 major claims of differing worldviews

Answer 6

Naturalism

Pantheism

Theism

Question 7

Naturalism

Answer 7

only reality in the natural realm exists (Secular Humanist, Atheist) Man is the central focus of decision making; God does not exist.

Question 8

Pantheism

Answer 8

God and the world are the same thing. (eastern religions, Christian Science, The New Age Movement…)

Question 9

Theism

Answer 9

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.)

Question 10

America’s secular ideologies

Answer 10

Materialism

Subjectivism

Hedonism

Pragmatism

Question 11

Materialism

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Subjective

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Hedonism

Answer 13

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!”

Question 14

Pragmatism

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Basic concepts of Christian/Biblical worldview.

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Reason why we need a worldview

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

3 criteria for determining a valid worldview

Answer 17

Coherence

Adequacy

Relevance

Question 18

Coherence

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Adequacy

Answer 19

my answers must deal truthfully and completely with all the facts it encounters. example: the anthropic principle

Question 20

relevance

Answer 20

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?

Question 21

what are two ultimate divisions of world view?

Answer 21

atheism vs theism

Question 22

every worldview is a system and every system should be:

Answer 22

integrated
Coherent
consistent

Question 23

theocentric

Answer 23

The existence of god us center of all values, thinking and decision making.

Question 24

anthropocentric

Answer 24

• thinking with man-centered perspective, value, thinking, decision making.

Question 25

syncretism

Answer 25

the indiscriminate blending of values/ ideas from opposing systems.

Question 26

Nihilism

Answer 26

• there is no meaning, nothingness. there is no God.

Question 27

R. C. Sproul illustrates Nihilism with what?

Answer 27

“The raven” by Edgar Allen Poe.