The Universe Next Door—Viewing The Worlds’ Worldview
God
World
Truth
Human Nature
Body/Soul
Reality of Death
Ultimate Destiny
Source of
Authority
Evil
Salvation
History
Jesus Christ
Christian Theism
Humanism
Pantheism
Creator
. . . distinct from man
Creation
. . . controlled by God
Creature
. . . man is his own god
Result of Evolution
. . . random chance – matter is all there is
Creation
. . . all is god
Result of Spiritual Evolution
. . . the universe has always been and will be
Absolute
. . . God has spoken
Like God
. . . made in God’s Image
Unity
. . . Holy Spirit’s Temple
Resurrection
. . . life beyond the grave
Glorification
. . . eye has not seen nor ear heard 3
Revelation
. . . Creation, Conscience, Christ, & Content of
Scripture . . . I believe
Rebellion
. . . issue of man’s heart
Redemption
. . . free the soul
. . . for God so loved the world 4
Linear
. . . From Eden to Calvary to the New Jerusalem
Relative
. . . that’s your truth—it is all relative
Like Animals
. . . ―A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy.‖ 1
Body Only
. . . chemical reactions
Annihilation
. . . the grave is the end
Extinction
. . . one life to live—go out with gusto
Reason & Experience
. . . I know
Personal
. . . in my opinion
Is A Part of God
. . . ―I am God‖ – Shirley McClain 2
Soul Only
. . . one with the earth
Reincarnation
. . . the grave
Absorption
. . . return to Mother Earth
Reason & Experience
. . . I feel
Ignorance
. . . issue of man’s mind
Education
. . . free the mind
Illusion
. . . issue of man’s perception
Meditation
. . . free the psyche
Chaotic
. . . random chance & molecules
Cyclical
. . . as it has been it will be
God Incarnate
. . . in Him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily 5
Moralist
. . . great teacher but only a teacher
Enlightened Being
. . perhaps an enlightened being
. . . god like you and I
Ingrid Newkirk, President, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), http://www.peta.org/about/why-peta/why-animal-rights.aspx.
Shirley MacLaine and John Heard. "Out On a Limb" - 1987, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccb2GsnOoBM.
3 1 Corinthians 2:9
4 John 3:16
5 Colossians 2:9
1
2
This chart adapted by Z. Vester from Dr. Jim Bennet’s lectures presented at Northland International University, Dunbar, WI.
1 Peter 3:13-17 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for
what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake,
you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in
your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to
make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that
is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good
behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for
doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
What is a Worldview?
■ Basic Definitions:
— ―The way one views the world.‖
— ―The lens by which we see and make sense of
the world.‖
— ―Our core assumptions about life and reality‖
■ Detailed Definition:
—―A world view is a set of presuppositions
(assumptions which may be true, partially true or
entirely false) which we hold (consciously or sub
consciously, consistently or inconsistently) about
the basic make-up of our world.‖
Why is Worldview Thinking Important?
■ Worldview Thinking helps us “renew our minds.”
■ Worldview Thinking helps us treasure truth.
■ Worldview Thinking helps us discern lies.
■ Worldview Thinking gives us precision in missions
& evangelism.
■ Worldview Thinking gives us compassion.
■ Ideas have consequences.
Basic Questions of Life:
■ Who am I?
■ Where did I come from?
■ Why am I here? Or What is the meaning of life?
■ Where am I going?
■ What is really real?
3 Primary Worldview:
■ Theism: There is a God.
■ Humanism: Man is God.
■ Pantheism: Everything is God.
Testing Worldviews:
■ Test of Logic: Does it agree with itself?
■ Test of Facts: What do the facts support?
■ Test of Explanation: Does it explain everything it claims
to explain?
■ Test of Practical Relevance: Does it meet man’s needs?
Practical Helps:
■ Know “what” and “why” you believe.
■ Think “big picture.”
■ Look for “root issues.”
■ Ask questions.
“Questions:
1. Open the baggage of assumptions.
2. Determine an entry point.” – Ravi Zacharias
■ Listen & learn.
■Plan on & prepare for situations.