Description
Book SynopsisEveryone has a worldview. A worldview is the lens through which we interpret the cosmos and our lives in it. A worldview answers the big questions of life: What is our nature? What is our world? What is our problem? What is our end? As Anderson, Clark and Naugle point out, our worldview cannot simply be reduced to a series of rational beliefs. We are creatures of story, and the kinds of story we tell reveal important things about our worldview. Part of being a thoughtful Christian is to understand and express the Christian worldview. It also means developing an awareness of the variety of worldviews. An Introduction to Christian Worldview explores answers to questions such as Why do worldviews matter? What characterises a Christian worldview? How can we analyse and describe a worldview? What are the most common secular and religious worldviews? Well organised, clearly written and featuring aids for learning, An Introduction to Christian Worldview is the essential text for either the classroom or personal study. ‘Readily accessible . . . a valuable resource for all Christians who desire a deeper understanding of the conceptual foundations of our faith.’ Steve Wilkens, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, Azusa Pacific University
Trade ReviewIt's all here: a stellar introduction to (1) the concept of worldview, (2) the contour, content, and defense of the Christian worldview, and (3) explanation and critique of alternate secular and religious worldviews. There is little new here, but new notions of basic Christian belief and practice are often misleading and sometimes profoundly false. Here the truths of Christian faith gleam with clarity and conviction. I'm impressed. * James W. Sire, author of The Universe Next Door and Apologetics Beyond Reason *
This book offers a refreshing update of Christian worldview teaching for students of Scripture. It is rigorous and deep for serious students, yet accessible for the popular reader who wants to live a muscular Christian faith in our pluralistic marketplace of world-and-life views. One of my favorite aspects of this book is its real world examples of worldview thinking and analysis from Scripture, life, entertainment, and culture—especially movies! * Brian Godawa, author of Hollywood Worldviews *
It's become fashionable in some circles to downplay the importance of worldview. An Introduction to Christian Worldview counters this tendency by offering a clear apologia for the value of thoughtful worldview construction and evaluation to Christian faith. Moreover, it provides a concrete comparison of a Christian worldview to alternative models found in philosophical systems and world religions. The authors make their ideas readily accessible to readers, and it is a valuable resource for all Christians who desire a deeper understanding of the conceptual foundations of our faith. * Steve Wilkens, professor of philosophy and ethics, Azusa Pacific University *
Table of ContentsIntroduction: worldview matters Part One: Introducing worldview 1. What is worldview? 2. The importance and impact of worldview 3. Worldview analysis Part Two: Contours of Christian worldview 4. The narrative contours of a Christian worldview 5. The propositional contours of a Christian worldview 6. Testing a Christian worldview Part Three: Analyzing worldviews 7. Western philosophical alternatives (deism, naturalism, postmodernism) 8. Global religious alternatives (Hinduism, Islam) 9. Conclusion
