Shepherds College: Homeschool Curriculum. World Religions and Cults (audio and slides)

Contours of a Christian Worldview Loving God With All Our Mind 1 “What is a Worldview?” A worldview is a set of presuppositions which we hold about the basic makeup of our world. James Sire 2 The Questions Answered by a Worldview (according to Sire) • What is real? • What is the nature of the world around us? • What is a human being? • What happens to a person at death? • Why is it possible to know anything at all? • How do we know what is right and wrong? • What is the meaning of human history? 3 Worldview Questions (According to Walsh & Middleton) • “Who am I?” • “Where am I?” • “What’s Wrong?” • “What’s the Remedy” 4 Strange Questions? Even Stranger Answers • Rarely questioned • Usually unconscious • Different “worlds” • Challenges to our answers to these questions are often seen as “contrary to common sense” • Function as lenses • A universal experience • Influences every thought and action 5 Worldviews Lead to Different Behaviours: How Worldviews show up in many areas of life • Philosophy • Arts • General Culture • Politics • Religion 6 7 One Example: A Tale of Two Coffees Philosophy: Coffee to Go No Loitering Trend: Smaller stores, more kiosks & drive—through lanes “coffee as a drink” Philosophy: “Starbucks has long been dedicated to creating a unique ‘third place’ between home and work. We also draw on the centuries-old tradition of the coffeehouse as a place to gather, share ideas, and enjoy delicious beverages. We see this program as an extension of the coffeehouse culture – a way to promote open, respectful conversation among a wide variety of individuals.” -from the website “coffee as an experience” 8 A Tale of Two Coffees Founded 1964 Began in Hamilton, an industrial city at its peak, in the Industrial Heartland Purpose: to provide coffee Founded 1971 Began in Seattle, North America’s West Coast and Cultural Cutting Edge Purpose: to provide an experience 9 But things are really, really different now • At one time, we would expect the old to pass away, and the new to take over – But both brands co-exist, and both appear to be prospering • We are not witnessing a shift from old to new (modernism), but are entering a time of coexisting contradictions (post-modernism) • Tim Horton’s and Starbucks have this in common: – Both work – Both are in it for profit 10 This is an example of Contradictory Coexistence A Contradictory Coexistence occurs when two things exist at the same time and in the same place, when each would seem to invalidate or rule out the other. 11 Some other Examples of Contradictory Coexistence • There exists at this time, more electronic media than at any other time. • But bookstores are multiplying. Magazines and books are being published in greater numbers than at any time in history 12 Another Example • Canadians are getting fatter and are becoming less active. • Canadians are spending more than ever on exercise and diet. 13 Contradictory Coexistence Exists in the Marketplace. We are sometimes overwhelmed by choices. But what about in other areas of life? 14 Apply this to Church Growth • What do all these church “styles” have in common? – Traditional – Baby—Boomers – GenX – Seeker—sensitive – Emerging – Generation Next – Liturgical • They can ALL Work and they can ALL Fail in North America. This is to say that in most cases, churches are “market driven.” • Each “style” caters to its “niche” • The rule of the market, applied to church, has become a part of the North American Christian worldview: it is accepted uncritically, unconsciously, and it is hard to imagine “doing church” without it. 15 So the Really Big Question is. . . “What is the Greatest Influence in North American Christianity?” What “drives” the church? • Consumerism? • Pop Culture? • Scripture? 16 The Brave New World and the Church’s Place in it Why Contradictory Coexistence Cannot Last 17 Contradictory Coexistence Cannot Survive the Battle for Worldviews: One View Will Prevail • Problems here – Human rights – Science – Technology – Education – Philosophy – Religion – The Arts • Will be Answered Differently by – Theism – Atheism – Pantheism – New Age – Mysticism – Postmodernism – Relativism 18 Signs of Worldview Crisis • “That’s your interpretation” • “Don’t seek to impose your beliefs on others” • Gay rights vs Religious freedom • Multiculturalism and Pluralism as philosophy (Philosophical Relativism) • If we fail to understand these “flash points,” we will never understand why the Christian faith finds itself more and more marginalised. 19 And the Winner is . . . • The winning worldview denies that there is a final, knowable truth • The prevailing worldview not only denies that no one person “has the whole picture,” but that “there is no one picture to see in the first place.” • This worldview, sometimes goes by the name “postmodernism” and sometimes “relativism. • All worldviews (theistic, atheistic, mystical, etc.) will be expected to agree that all worldviews are equally valid in order to be “inclusive.” 20 The Little Dictator . . . • Postmodernism and relativism demand total allegiance • That, “no one can claim to know the truth” is itself an all-encompassing truth that trumps all other statements. – The Christian quotes the Bible: “I am the Lord your God . . . You shall have no other gods before me.” – Postmodernism, in the name of pluralism, forbids this statement. 21 . . . Is a Big Liar • Postmodernism claims that all views are equally valid, except those that disagree with relativism and pluralism. That is, “Believe what you want so long as you don’t believe that it is true!” • This is dishonest, because real pluralism must also welcome non-pluralists! • The Christian view of truth is that what God has revealed is true for all people, not just those who happen to believe it. 22 23 The Christian Worldview What God Has Revealed and How the Church Must Express It. 24 “What is Real?” • The physical world is all that exists. There is no spiritual reality – Naturalism • The world may be an illusion – Eastern mysticism and some New Age • Only my experiences are real – Postmodernism 25 How a Christian Worldview Answers When Asked, “What is Real?” The Personal—Infinite God Chasm Man Plant Animal Machine 26 The Christian Worldview on “What is a Human Being?” The Personal—Infinite God Chasm Man Chasm Man Plant Plant Animal Animal Machine Machine 27 “What is the Nature of the World Around Us?” • The universe is a closed system run by blind chance – Atheistic Naturalism • It is only what you believe it to be – Postmodernism • Matter is an illusion. – Eastern mysticism • It is created by God and owned by Him. – Christianity, and all theistic worldviews such as Islam and Judaism 28 “What is a Human Being?” • A product of evolution. – Naturalism • One with the universe and/or God, or gods – Eastern mysticism and New Age thought • Alone in the universe with no one to answer to but oneself – Existentialism • Humans create themselves by the stories they tell – Postmodernism • Created in the image of God and therefore dependent and in obligation to Him. – Christian theism 29 “What Happens to a Person at Death?” • The person is totally extinguished. No one survives the grave. – Naturalism • One thing is certain: No one can know for certain – Postmodernism • Reincarnation – Eastern mysticism and New Age thought • Each person faces God, either as a keeper of His covenant or a breaker of His covenant. Eternal life or eternal death – Christianity 30 “Why is it Possible to Know Anything at All?” • Absolute and certain knowledge is attainable only through rational thought and observation. Spiritual reality by this definition cannot exist. – Naturalism • It is not possible to know anything for certain. – Postmodernism • The world is created as knowable, but knowledge is limited and fallible. Critical Realism – Christianity 31 “How Do We Know Right From Wrong?” • Right and wrong are useful constructs for the preservation of society. These may change as needed. – Naturalism • What is right is what is right for me, from my experience – Postmodernism • It doesn’t matter as long as you take responsibility for your actions – Existentialism • Right and Wrong are illusions – Eastern mysticism and New Age thought. • Right and wrong have been revealed in Scripture and in the heart of every human (innate knowledge of God) – Christianity 32 “What is the Meaning of Human History?” • There is no “meaning” to history—there is only existence. In time, evolution increases complexity – Naturalism • History means what I make it mean. – Postmodernism • History is an endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth – Eastern mysticism and New Age • God is in control of history, which is linear. It consists of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Consummation of Creation. – Christianity 33 “What is the Solution to the Human Problem?” • Education • Income • Genetics • Nurture • What problem? • Redemption and rebirth made possible by God’s gift of Jesus 34 These Questions, and their Answers, Set the Stage for Unlimited Conflict Between Worldviews 35