This document summarizes a workshop on defending the Christian faith and studying worldviews. It includes:
1. An introduction where participants share their backgrounds and expectations for the course.
2. A review of the syllabus and discussion of key concepts like what is a worldview and different approaches to truth and knowledge.
3. An exploration of major worldviews including naturalism, monism/transcendentalism, theism, postmodernism and pragmatism. Each worldview is examined based on its perspectives on important questions.
4. A discussion of why studying worldviews is important and a defense of the coherence and comprehensiveness of a Christian worldview.
Genesis 1:10 || Meditate the Scripture daily verse by verse
REL228Workshop1
1. Workshop 1
Truth & Worldview
REL 228 - Defending
The Faith
The Impact of a
Christian Worldview
Glenn Johnson
2. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Who are you?
Who are your people?
What is your spiritual history?
What do you expect from this course?
You go first………
Defending The Faith
6. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your
ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths
straight.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you
have. But do this with gentleness and respect…
BIBLICAL WISDOM & PRAYER
10. IN-CLASS
WORLDVIEW
INTERVIEWS
Take a few moments to interview each
other asking these questions:
1. What is your major source of news?
2. Does it have a bias? If yes, what is it?
3. What is your major source of
entertainment?
4. Does it have a bias? If so, what is it?
5. What do you think of the news article
the facilitator distributed?
Take About 15 minutes and then we’ll discuss as a class….
13. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your
ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths
straight.
1 Peter 3:13-16 Who is going to harm you if you are
eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for
what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they
fear; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart
Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the
hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and
respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who
speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ
may be ashamed of their slander.
Why should we study a Christian
Worldview?
14. J PAUL GETTY MUSEUM….”The Getty Kouros”
WHAT IS TRUTH?
15. What is a Worldview?
• Beliefs we hold
• Mental mindset about the way the
world functions
• Our understanding about how we fit
into the world
• How we go about discovering truth
16. The Early Church & Its Worldview Impa
• Patria Potestas/Manus (total control of father over wife/daughter)
• Polytheism
• Emperor worship
• Abortion
• Infanticide
• Child abandonment
• Human sacrifices
• Suicide considered honorable
• Slavery widespread
• Worthlessness of human life
• Fornication rampant
• Religious prostitution
• Homosexuality widely practiced
• Pedophilia/Pederasty
• Lack of rights for women
• No care for aged, sick, or handicapped
These practices were eliminated from Roman Civilization
by Christianity
Under The Influence – by Alvin Schmidt
17. Worldview Great Questions
• What is truth?
• Where did we come from?
• What has gone wrong with the
world?
• What can we do to fix things?
• How now should we live?
QUESTIONS THAT CONCERN
US…
18. The Problem of KNOWLEDGE
EPISTEMOLOGY: Study of the Theory of
Knowledge
QUESTIONS: What is Mind? What Can Be
Known? What is True? What is the Process of
Knowing?
KNOWLEDGE: Justified True Belief
CRITICS: “Truth as criterion for knowledge is too
rigid” b/c yo can never have absolute certainty
about anything
19. The Problem of KNOWLEDGE
RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE
• PREMISE: “I believe there is a God.”
-QUESTION: How does one know that one
knows?
-ANSWER: Bible says so.
• STATEMENT: “I have had an experience with
Jesus.”
• STATEMENT: “Behind creation, there must
be a Creator.”
• STATEMENT:
“God has a hold on my life.”
APPEAL TO
AUTHORITY
APPEAL TO
EXPERIENCE
RATIONALISM
APPROACH
EXISTENTIAL-
PRAGMATIC
20. What Is Truth?
• Classical/Traditional View
• Postmodernism/Relativism
• Pragmatism
21. Classical/Traditional
View of Truth
Something is true if and only if it
conforms to what is real or actual.
“Jesus is the Son of God”, is a true
statement
only if Jesus is actually the Son of
God.
22. Postmodern View of Truth
Truth is relative. What may be true
for you might not be true for me.
Each person or culture determines
their own truth.
“There is no Lord God”, “God is in all
things”, “Allah is Lord”, and “Jesus is
Lord.” are all true statements if the
person speaking these statements
believes that they are true.
23. Pragmatic View of Truth
Truth is found when something
works to bring about results that are
good or positive.
Declaring, “Jesus is Lord” is true for me if
it
results in my living an ethical and fulfilling
life.
However, if saying “There is no god”
results in my living an ethical and
fulfilling life then it is also true.
24. Classical/Traditional View
Approach to Truth
Naturalism – The material universe
is all there is and can be explained
without a belief in God.
Theism – There is a personal God
that is actively involved in the affairs
of this world.
Monism/Pantheism – All is one. There is
one reality. Our senses simply perceive
different aspects of it and are unreliable.
25. Forms of Naturalism
• Atheism
• Agnosticism
•Humanists
• Transhumanism
• Church of Scientology
FRANK TIPLER
ARTHUR C. CLARKE
JOHN ADAMS
ALDOUS HUXLEY
BERTRAND
RUSSELL
CARL SAGAN
TOM CRUISE
L RON HUBBARD
27. Forms of Theism
OT Yahwism (also referred to as Judaism)
Christianity
Islam
Mormonism
28. Naturalism Worldview
Where did we come from?
Matter is eternal. World and life came
about through innate, physical laws that
govern the universe.
What has gone wrong with the world?
People have not yet evolved to a state
where their behavior is always rational.
29. What can we do to fix things?
Scientific discovery, technology, and
evolutionary development can solve
all problems.
How now should we live?
Survival of the species is critical and
all behavior should be governed in a
way that ensures survival and quality
of life. Whatever pleases us but
doesn’t harm anyone else is
permissible.
Naturalism Worldview
30. Monism/Transcendentalism
Worldview
Where did we come from?
The world and matter are just an
illusion—the universe is one. Matter
recycles itself.
What has gone wrong with the world?
People are ignorant of the state they
are in… they must discover the
mystical, good, or oneness that exists
in the universe.
31. What can we do to fix things?
Self-discovery, meditation, mystical
rituals, good works
How now should we live?
Works are important but there is no
basis for determining what is good or
bad. In general, what seems to
disturb oneness or harmony in the
universe is bad.
Monism/Transcendentalism
Worldview
32. Theistic Worldview
Where did we come from?
Theistic religions agree that God
created the universe, world, all life, and
man and woman in His own image.
33. What has gone wrong with the world?
Theistic Worldview
YAHWISM/Judaism—Humans were
created good but are fallen because of
the disobedience of Adam & Eve.
Christianity—Humans were created
good but are fallen because of
disobedience of Adam & Eve.
Islam—Humans are not affected by the
sin of Adam & Eve. All good is from
God and all evil is from Satan and the
fallen angels.
34. What can we do to fix things?
YAHWISM/Judaism—Salvation
comes through performing good
deeds. Follow the law.
Christianity—Salvation is a gift
offered by God because of his grace
and love. Christ paid the penalty for
our sin and we must simply follow
him & become like him.
Islam—Salvation comes through
good deeds and we can never be
sure if a person has done enough
good deeds.
Theistic Worldview
35. Theistic Worldview
How now should we live?
YAHWISM/Judaism—Stress on following the
law and intellectual attainment.
Christianity—Love for God is expressed in our
behavior toward God and people. We are to
strive to apply God’s teaching to the world in an
attempt to redeem the world. As our love for
God grows we love and serve a broken world in
desperate need of God’s redemption
Islam—Submission to God is at the core of
Islam. Submission means that all must submit—
as defined by Islamic Law—even government,
commerce, and society.
36. Postmodern Worldview
Where did we come from?
There is no God—thus no
standards outside the person.
Looks for natural explanation of
creation.
What has gone wrong with the
world?
Our judgment of right or wrong, and
good or evil is based on our
cultural context and personal view
of reality.
37. What can we do to fix things?
Learn to accept things as they are.
Be tolerant of all views, don’t project
your values on others.
How now should we live?
Live however you want as long as it
doesn’t conflict with the lives or
needs of other people.
Postmodern Worldview
39. Pragmatist Worldview
Where did we come from?
The existence of God and the world
are only relevant in so far as they help
us better understand our world and
create the best outcomes for humanity.
What has gone wrong with the world?
Because people fail to pursue a
purely logical decision making
process. we see evil result. Evil is not
doing the greatest good for the
greatest number.
40. What can we do to fix things?
Concentrate on discovering what best
improves the condition of people. Religion
is fine when it results in positive outcomes.
Naturalism is fine when it brings about
scientific and technological developments
that benefit people.
How now should we live?
Use logic that results in discovering ways
to maximize the best for the most. Develop
our minds so that we can achieve these
results.
Pragmatist Worldview
41. Why Discuss Worldview?
• 91% of Born-Again Teens Believe in Absolute Truth
• 9% of Born-Again Christians Hold to
Orthodox Christian Beliefs
• Global Economy; Military Entanglements;
Religious/Non-Religious Options Available; 1 Billion+ are
Non-Religious
• It Affects the Way We Live and the Way We Impact Our
Culture
•We Tend To Take Our Own Solutions For Granted; Live
Out Our Commitments In The Practical Arena of
Everyday Life
•We’re Intuitively Aware of Depth/Meaning To Life
42. Each Worldview Has Own Internal Logic
1. COHERENCE
2. CORRESPONDENCE TO FACTS
3. COMPREHENSIVENESS
4. APPLICABILITY TO LIFE
5. UNIVERSALITY
43. The Case For A Christian
Worldview
KEY: A Christian Worldview Is Not Mere
Intellectual Affirmation…Emerges From A
Relationship With Christ & Others
ORIGIN: From Resurrection Belief
APOSTOLIC WITNESS IN N.T.- Church’s
Contact With Historical Life of Jesus Christ
CHRISTIAN FAITH: Personal Relationship of
Trust in Christ; New Way of Life (Kingdom
Living: Matt. 5-7); Expanding Insight Into the
Mystery of Existence
CENTRAL MARK: Commitment To Love All As
We Have Been Loved By God
44. THE CHALLENGE OF JESUS IN A
PLURALIST WORLD
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and
the truth and the life. No one comes
to the Father except through me.
45. Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in
view of God's mercy, to offer your
bodies as living sacrifices, holy and
pleasing to God—this is your
spiritual act of worship. 2
Do not
conform any longer to the pattern
of this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind. Then
you will be able to test and approve
what God's will is—his good,
pleasing and perfect will.
46. Application of Worldview Lesson
1. Christianity Explains: Human Life and Destiny; Understands
Material World; Responds to Deepest Existential Anxieties
2. REALISTIC: Corresponds To The Facts We Now Know
About Life and the Universe
3. INTERNALLY COHERENT: Irreducible Explanation of WHY
There Is A Universe and Why We Are Who We Are
4. GREATEST CHALLENGE: Problem of Evil
5. COMPREHENSIVE: Incorporates Full Range Of Human
Existence and Experience; It’s The Integrating Key to All
Knowledge and Experience; True and Fulfilling When Put To
The Tests of Life
6. Absolute moral truths exist and are self-evident. We know
this because God has placed these truths in our conscience.
7. Counter postmodernism with the statement that there are no
absolute truths by pointing out that the statement is an
absolute.
8. Point out to pragmatists that their view undercuts basic
human value. The Nazis were pragmatists.
50. TIME WITH LEWIS
•HIS INTELLECT
•ENCOUNTER WITH HOLINESS
•ELECTED TO OXFORD IN 1916
•BECOMING A THEIST
51. TIME WITH LEWIS
• LEWIS AS AN APOLOGIST….
1. Present the Christian faith to unbelievers
2. Defend the Christian faith on behalf of uneducated believers
3. Defend traditional orthodoxy
52. TIME WITH LEWIS
MERE CHRISTIANITY: Book 1
First Point: a universal moral sense, an agreed-upon standard of
morality runs throughout the human race
There are certain things that people have always regarded as
honorable or desirable behaviors
53. TIME WITH LEWIS
MERE CHRISTIANITY: Book 1
In 1943 England, he gave a series of radio
addresses focusing on the issues of
Christianity.
Spoke of the Law Of Nature
(objective right/wrong)
ROMANS 2:14-15; 3:20 and 23
-When Gentiles who have not the law do by
nature what the law requires, they are a law to
themselves, even though they do not have the
law. They show that what the law requires is
written on their hearts, while their conscience
also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts
accuse or perhaps excuse them . . . . For no
human being will be justified in [God’s] sight by
works of the law, since through the law comes
knowledge of sin . . . All have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God. (Revised Standard
Version)
54. TIME WITH LEWIS
MERE CHRISTIANITY: Book 1
Lectures later published as 3 books
and combined into “Mere
Christianity”
C.S. Lewis proves that "at the center
of each there is something, or a
Someone, who against all
divergences of belief, all
differences of temperament, all
memories of mutual persecution,
speaks with the same voice,"
rejecting the boundaries that
divide Christianity's many
denominations.
55. TIME WITH LEWIS
LEWIS REACTION: WHAT DO YOU
THINK?
What about Lewis’ observations of
universal Law of Nature?
Do you agree with Lewis when he
says that none of us are keeping
that Law of Nature?
How do you think that Lewis would
respond to contemporary moral
relativism of today (i.e., that
actions are right or wrong insofar
as they benefit me and “hurt” no
one else)
56. Workshop 2…Next Week
Where did we come from?
The Christian view of creation
-How Now Shall We Live? – Chapters 5-14
-Mere Christianity – Book Two, Chapters 1-5
-Divide out chapters in Mere Christianity to groups to prepare for
leading discussions in next week’s class
-Write news article analysis about Creation
-Start on worldview interviews and movie papers
