WR Wed

Introduction and Review

So, before we move forward, let’s review what we talked about yesterday.

Yesterday, we established that:

Everyone has a worldview, whether they realize it or not.

Worldviews all answer the same core questions.

Beliefs can shape a person’s behavior, ethics, culture, and laws

Ideas are never neutral—they have consequences.

So, today we will take the next step.

If everyone has beliefs, and those beliefs shape how we live, then the next logical question that I will pose to the class is:

How do we evaluate whether a worldview is true or reliable?

Why Evaluation Matters

Some people believe that all worldviews are equally valid and should never be questioned.

But if beliefs shape actions, then not all beliefs can lead to the same outcomes.

Let me ask you:

Should we evaluate beliefs, or leave them unquestioned?

Is it loving to never challenge peoples ideas even if they may cause harm?

Can something feel meaningful but still be false?

Do you think that truth is objective or subjective?

I would say that if truth exists, then it matters, does it not?

Well then if truth matters, then it must be evaluated.

How Do We Evaluate a Worldview

So I know that at this point you may be wondering “How do I evaluate something to find out if its true or not?”

The easiest way to answer this is: The historical method.

This framework will keep us from making unfair comparisons, and serve as a consistent framework for evaluating religions and perspectives that we study.

This way, we can avoid cherry-picking weaknesses, misrepresenting beliefs, and applying double standards.

The Evaluation Framework

Now I must admit that I did modify the Historical method a bit to make it work for world religions, but once you see how we evaluate, you will see that it is fair.

You will want to write this down, because this is the method we will use:

We will evaluate...

Internal Consistency

By assessing the internal consistency, we can ask does the worldview contradict itself?

If the belief system makes claims that cancel each other out, then it cannot be true as a whole.

For example, can a worldview claim that truth is subjective while also insisting that others must accept their beliefs?

Coherence

By looking at coherence we can ask, do the beliefs logically fit together?

Even if the individual beliefs sound good, they must form a unified and reasonable whole (or conclusion).

Let me ask, do you think that the answers to morality, reality, and meaning actually work together? Or do you think they clash when followed to their conclusion.

Correspondence to Reality

By looking at this we can ask, does the worldview match the world as we actually experience it?

For example we may ask the questions:

Does the view account for moral intuition?

Does it explain why people suffer?

Does it explain human dignity and worth?

A worldview must deal honestly with the world as it is, not just as we want it to be.

Explanatory power

By evaluating this we can ask, does the worldview explain more of reality than its competitors?

Two really big questions that we may ask about a religion is:

Does it answer the big questions clearly?

Or does it leave major parts of the human experience unexplained?

Strong worldviews can explain:

Meaning

Evil

Purpose

Human Value

Hope

Practical Livability

In evaluating this we will ask, can someone actually live consistently within this worldview?

Some belief systems may sound really good on paper, but once you try to live by it, it collapses.

Other questions that we may ask in this part of the evaluation is:

Can people live out what this worldview teaches without contradiction?

Does it lead to human flourishing or despair?

This is the framework that we will apply to each religion. By doing this, we should be able to fairly critique each religion without it devolving into a “I’m right, they’re wrong” type argument.

Activity

Now I want you to group up.

Each group will pick one of the pieces of the framework.

In your group discuss and come up with answers to each of these three prompts:

Define the criterion in your own words.

Come up with a real-world example of how and why this criterion matters.

Be ready to explain why ignoring your criterion would cause problems in evaluation.

Have them share answers and explain logic.

Discussion

Okay, so lets have a quick discussion.

After hearing everyone’s answers, which criterion do you think is the most important?

Do you think that all belief systems would survive this kind of evaluation?

Why do you think people might avoid examining their own beliefs?

Christianity and the Framework

I feel that it is important to say this clearly: Christianity is not exempt from this evaluation either.

Over the last 2,000 years since Jesus, there have been a lot of people who have scrutinized Christianity, and that won’t change for this class.

Christianity makes historical, moral, and truth claims.

That means that it invites scrutiny.

If Christianity is true, it will stand up to the scrutiny.

If it is not, then we should reject it.

See, you guys know that I am a pastor, but what you may not realize is that I have done the scrutiny on Christianity and other religions.

I want you to explore this fairly, because my faith is not a blind faith.

It is trust that I have grounded in truth.

Closing and Preview

So today we established that:

Worldviews can and should be evaluated

There are fair and consistent ways to evaluate them

We will use the same 5 steps on each religion we study

Christianity welcomes honest examination

This framework is what will guide us through the rest of the course.

Tomorrow, we will apply this framework to Christianity itself.

Since we will be comparing each religion back to Christianity it is important to understand:

What Christianity actually claims

What sets it apart from other belief systems

Where its truth claims stand or fall

Then next week we will apply this framework to our first world religion of study: Islam.

PRAY

Our Father in heaven, I thank You for minds that can think, question, and reason. I ask that as we examine beliefs and truth claims, that You would give us clarity, humility, and wisdom. Help us to seek the truth honestly and courageously. Reveal Yourself to us as only You can. In your holy name I pray, Amen.