What is a Worldview?
The concept of worldview has gained much attention over the past few years. Though it seems a bit formal and academic, truly everybody has a worldview. While some are very philosophical and well thought out, others are very informal and emotional. Worldviews matter because not only do they direct our thoughts, they also direct our actions. As an example, suppose that you've been told your entire life that America is a racist, unjust nation and that life is hard and unfair. You've come to believe this because its what you've been told and what you experienced as a child. It's almost certain that this would have an effect on your chances of going to college and becoming a successful entrepreneur. It's safe to say that your odds would be better if you were told your whole life that this is the land of opportunity and that the American dream is achievable. As another example, imagine a homeless person asleep on a bench covered in newspaper. As pedestrians walk by, opinions on the matter will vary drastically. Some will claim he is the product of an unfair capitalist system, some will claim he is lazy, others will believe he is the product of demon possession, while others will claim he is the product of racism. The fact that we have two very diverse political parties in America attest to the fact that worldviews matter.
According to author James W. Sire, worldview is a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true, or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic makeup of our world. A worldview is not only the way we perceive the world and interpret it, but it also provides the framework for how we live out what we believe. Worldviews are important because they shape actions.
Below we will define worldview more specifically, determine what makes a worldview valid, and then take a look at some competing worldviews. Finally we will discuss the uniqueness of the Christian worldview and some of its important components.
What a Worldview Must Answer
What a worldview must answer (more simply)
What Must a Worldview have in Order to be Valid?
A strong foundation in correspondence
A high degree of coherence
Explanatory power
More than one line of evidence
One way of testing religious worldviews is found in Deuteronomy 18. Do the words of their prophet come to pass?
“Nobody is without a worldview: the question is whether it is a good one or a bad one. On the basis of the worldview we make the momentary judgments of life.” —Ravi Zacharias
Basic Assumption of Competing Worldviews
Some Worldview Perspectives
Below we take a look at several world religions and some of the fundamental components of these worldviews. Because this ministry revolves around evangelism, we provide several questions the reader can pose to proponents of these religions.
Judaism
Evangelizing a Jewish skeptic
Atheism
Evangelizing an atheist
Questions for the atheist skeptic
Hinduism
Evangelizing a Hindu
Question for the Hindu skeptic
New Age Movement
Evangelizing someone from the New Age
Questions for the New Age skeptic
Mormonism
Evangelizing someone from the Mormon Faith
Questions for the Mormon skeptic
Islam
Evangelizing someone from the Muslim Faith
Questions for the Muslim skeptic
Buddhism
Evangelizing someone from the Buddhist faith
Questions for the Buddhist skeptic
Scientology
Uniqueness of the Christian Worldview
Below is a list of things that separate the Christian worldview from all others. Because they are unique to Christianity the evangelists should always keep them on the forefront of their conversations with skeptics.
Main components of the Christian Worldview
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:1-4
I am totally convinced the Christian faith is the most coherent worldview around. Everyone: pantheist, atheist, skeptic, polytheist has to answer these questions: Where did I come from? What is life's meaning? How do I define right from wrong and what happens to me when I die? Those are the fulcrum points of our existence. I deal with cultural issues whether they be in the Middle East, Far East, the Orient or the West. You broach questions in the context of their culture and then present the Christian answers. Ravi Zacharias
Articles
What in the World is a Worldview? Kenneth J. Samples
What is a Christian Worldview? Del Tackett
What's Your Worldview Dr. John MacArthur
Worldview in a Nutshell: Everything You Need to Know T. M. Moore
What is a Worldview James Sire
Mormon Beliefs, are they Christian? Matt Slick
How the Muslim Concept of God Fails William Lane Craig
According to author James W. Sire, worldview is a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true, or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic makeup of our world. A worldview is not only the way we perceive the world and interpret it, but it also provides the framework for how we live out what we believe. Worldviews are important because they shape actions.
Below we will define worldview more specifically, determine what makes a worldview valid, and then take a look at some competing worldviews. Finally we will discuss the uniqueness of the Christian worldview and some of its important components.
What a Worldview Must Answer
- How did we get here?
- What is the nature of the world around us?
- What is a human being?
- What happens when I die?
- How do we know right from wrong?
- What is the meaning of life?
What a worldview must answer (more simply)
- Where did we come from and where are we going (creation/afterlife)?
- What’s wrong with the world (fall)?
- What can we do to fix it (redemption)?
What Must a Worldview have in Order to be Valid?
A strong foundation in correspondence
- Does it provide factual support and agreement with the real world?
- Problem: Relativists believe truth is relative but know they can't pay their bills without money in their back account.
- Problem: Hindus believe that the material world is an illusion, but run from a charging elephant.
A high degree of coherence
- Can you apply it consistently and does it contain internal contradictions?
- Problem: Atheists believe cave drawings are the product of design, but cannot apply the same principles when discussing the solar system or the human eye which is far more complex.
- Problem: Book of Mormon (Alma 7:10) states Jesus was born in Jerusalem, while the Bible (Matthews 2:1) states he was born in Bethlehem.
- Problem: There are so many contradictions in the Quran that Surah 2:106 states: nothing of our revelation do we abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but we bring in place one better. Philosopher Abu Al walid Muhammad Ibn-rushd developed the theory of double truth in the 12th century to solve the contradiction problems in the Quran.
Explanatory power
- Does it connect the dots of life?
- Problem: New agers believe we are gods; atheists believe we are apes; the Bible claims we are made in the image of God, yet fallen. Which explains mankind best?
More than one line of evidence
- Do we find support in experience, science, philosophy, etc.?
- Problem: The answer to most questions put to the Muslim is “because the Quran says so.”
- Problem: Many atheists believe science is the only source of truth. Book of Mormon lacks archaeological support.
One way of testing religious worldviews is found in Deuteronomy 18. Do the words of their prophet come to pass?
- And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’ when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him (Deuteronomy 18:21-22).
- Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons: “it was the will of God that they should be ordained to the ministry and go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, for the coming of the Lord, which was nigh - even fifty six years should wind up the scene.” (History of the Church, Vol. 2, page 182). Fifty six years passed in 1891.
- Charles Russell, founder of Jehovah’s Witness, "The seven times will end in A.D. 1914; when Jerusalem shall be delivered forever ... when Gentile Governments shall have been dashed to pieces; when God shall have poured out of his fury upon the nations and they acknowledge him King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Bible Examiner October, 1876 "Gentile Times: When Do They End?" pp 27–8:
“Nobody is without a worldview: the question is whether it is a good one or a bad one. On the basis of the worldview we make the momentary judgments of life.” —Ravi Zacharias
Basic Assumption of Competing Worldviews
- Agnosticism – Belief that knowledge of God’s existence is not knowable.
- Atheism/Naturalism – Material world is all there is.
- Animism – Everything is spiritualized.
- Pantheism – Everyone and everything is god.
- Polytheism – The many gods are the source of life and truth.
- Monism – God is an unknowable, impersonal oneness.
- Relativism – Individual’s perceptions and beliefs are the source of truth.
- Skepticism – Everything must be questioned.
- Theism – Existence of a transcendent personal God.
- Multiculturalism – All cultures are an equally valid source of truth.
- Pluralism – All religious paths lead to god.
- Pragmatism – Whatever works best is right.
- Utopianism – Enlightenment notion that human nature is essentially good and consequently can reach perfection: personal or societal.
Some Worldview Perspectives
Below we take a look at several world religions and some of the fundamental components of these worldviews. Because this ministry revolves around evangelism, we provide several questions the reader can pose to proponents of these religions.
Judaism
- God – Is personal and relational.
- Creation – In the beginning, image of God.
- Problem of mankind – Sin.
- Redemption – Keep the law, sacrifice at Temple.
- View of the world – Good and evil, right and wrong.
- Adultery example – Sin, judgment.
- Afterlife – Varies among the different sects.
Evangelizing a Jewish skeptic
- General Rule: Focus on the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and the Messianic prophesies.
- Common Ground: Old Testament, Jesus followed Jewish tradition.
- Do you believe your Hebrew Bible as the word of God?
- Do you follow the Law of Moses every day?
- How do you deal with sin now that you no longer sacrifice at the Temple?
- Did you know that the Hebrew prophets promised a Messiah would come?
- Have you read Isaiah 53?
- Did you know Jesus claimed to be the Jewish Messiah?
Atheism
- God – Does not exist.
- Creation – Multi universe - Natural selection/primates.
- Problem of mankind – Society and bad government.
- Redemption – Good government/science.
- View of the world – Good or bad government.
- Adultery example – Enhancing our survival.
- Afterlife - Grave.
Evangelizing an atheist
- General Rule: Focus on the cosmological and teleological (design) arguments. First move them to the existence of God, then Jesus and the Bible. (Unless the Holy Spirit says otherwise)
- Common Ground: The universe, solar system and life are very complex.
Questions for the atheist skeptic
- How did the universe begin?
- Does evolution explain the origin of life, the laws of physics and the universe?
- How can science disprove God’s existence?
- How do you get conscious life from a non-conscious material world?
- Can chance answer for all the complexity and design we see in the universe?
- If all life emerged by chance (random mutations), wouldn’t the evolution of an eye be in the same category as a miracle?
- Can you point to one experiment where we witness the emergence of a new species (evolution)?
- What would you say is the greatest weakness of evolutionary theory?
- If science disproves God, why do so many scientists still believe in God (52%)?
Hinduism
- God – Brahma is Ultimate Reality, not a person, not relational.
- Creation – From a flower that came from Vishnu’s navel, Brahma slit in three.
- Problem of mankind – Ignorance/ego
- Redemption – Escape the cycle of birth and rebirth by releasing ourselves from the individual ego: three distinct paths. Example: The Upanishads state that whoever becomes fully aware of the ātman as the innermost core of one's own self, realizes an identity with Brahman and thereby reaches moksha (liberation or freedom).
- View of the world – All is an illusion.
- Adultery example – Adultery is wrong, but polygamy was acceptable in India until 1954. Many incarnations of Vishnu were polygamists.
- Afterlife – Reincarnation/Karma or moksha.
Evangelizing a Hindu
- General Rule: Because the Law of Karma and liberation is so hopelessly remote, keep the idea of forgiveness through Christ at the forefront of all your conversations with Hindus.
- Common Ground: Law of Karma (penalty for sin), mankind is broken.
Question for the Hindu skeptic
- If this is all really just an illusion, why look both ways before crossing the street?
- How do you know the Vedas are sacred?
- How do you explain all the different versions of Hinduism? Which one is right?
- If Brahman is Ultimate Reality, why is he impersonal and far off?
- Does Brahman offer love and forgiveness?
- If this is the religion from God, why is there so much poverty in India?
New Age Movement
- God – Is everything and everyone. He is a Cosmic Mind or Consciousness.
- Creation – All is god and all is eternal.
- Problem of mankind – Ignorance of our divine nature.
- Redemption – Find your own path, which should include getting in touch with and raising of consciousness.
- View of the world – We are all gods, all part of Oneness.
- Adultery example – No moral issue, could be our inner voice or love.
- Afterlife – Reincarnation or nirvana
Evangelizing someone from the New Age
- General Rule: The New Ager will not find comfort in their impersonal Cosmic Mind; therefore, focus on a personal God who is able to care for us and guide us. Also,question the authority of their source.
- Common Ground: Love as the cardinal virtue.
Questions for the New Age skeptic
- If we are in fact gods, shouldn’t we at least have the ability to perform small miracles?
- Is your god a god of love? Why is he so far off?
- You say you don’t believe in hell, but isn’t coming back as a fly or in poverty much like Hell?
- By what authority are these gurus teaching? Can’t they be wrong?
- Aren’t there conflicts between many of the views of New Agers?
- I see so much evil in the world: if all is god, then isn’t god evil too?
- How do you attain Enlightenment (salvation)? Isn’t this based on human effort rather than on forgiveness?
- You say you don’t like a judgmental God, but isn’t your concept of reincarnation judgment, rather than forgiveness?
Mormonism
- God – Many gods with one central god over this planet.
- Creation – Intelligent matter always existed. Father-God was one of the intelligences that progressed from spirit to a human body. He died, was resurrected, and now reigns from a star called Kolob.
- Problem of mankind – Disobedience/ignorance.
- Redemption – Accept Joseph Smith as a prophet of god, tithe, follow ordinances and laws, participate in Mormon rituals and subsequently become a god.
- Adultery – Sin, but polygamy was accepted until 1890. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young were both polygamists.
- Afterlife – After death, those who have followed Mormon doctrine enjoy a state of being known as the Celestial Kingdom. They are exalted to godhood and have the opportunity to continue the cycle by creating their own spirit children.
Evangelizing someone from the Mormon Faith
- General Rule: Focus on Biblical and Mormon scripture.
- Common Ground: The Bible
Questions for the Mormon skeptic
- How can you be sure Joseph Smith was a true prophet?
- How would you compare Joseph Smith to Jesus?
- 2 Nephi 25:23 states “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” Ephesians 2:8 states: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Mormons believe marriage is eternal while Jesus stated we won’t be married in Heaven. How do you resolve the conflicts between the Bible and the Book of Mormon?
- How do you resolve the claims in the Book of Mormon of African elephants living in North America, American Indians being descendants of the Jewish people, large cities that have never been discovered, and so forth?
- Are there any prophecies to support the Book of Mormon?
- Mormon doctrine states that the Bible was corrupted, yet we have manuscripts from the second century, when was it corrupted?
- 2 Nephi 26:12 states that Jesus is the eternal God; if he is eternal how is it that Mormons claim he was created?
- How do you explain changing doctrines such as polygamy and formal ban on black priests?
- I Nephi 18:25, II Nephi 12:7, and other verses refer to horses and cattle in the Americas during the first century, yet we know they did not get here until the Europeans brought them in the 1500s ….how do you explain this?
Islam
- God – One god, but not knowable or relational.
- Creation – Creation in seven days.
- Problem of mankind – Disobedience.
- Redemption – Accept Mohammed as a prophet of god and our good deeds must outweigh our bad deeds on the Day of Judgment or die in holy war. Follow the Five Pillars of Islam.
- View of the world – Muslim and non-Muslim, Sunni and Shia.
- Adultery – It is sin but different consequences for male and female. Polygamy is permitted.
- Afterlife – Heaven and hell.
Evangelizing someone from the Muslim Faith
- General Rule: Focus on the forgiveness of God; don’t be critical of the Quran or Mohammed.
- Common Ground: Jesus as prophet, one God and a day of judgment.
Questions for the Muslim skeptic
- How can you be sure you will be going to heaven?
- How do you think you will do on the Day of Judgment?
- What is it about Mohammed’s life that would lead one to believe he was a prophet?
- The Quran says Jesus performed miracles and was born of a virgin; have you read about his life in the New Testament?
- The Quran states that the New Testament was corrupted, and yet we have manuscripts from the second century; when was it corrupted?
- Does the Quran contain prophesies like the Bible?
- Why do you think God blessed Christian nations with so much scientific and medical discoveries rather than Muslim nations?
Buddhism
- God – Does not necessarily exist, rather life and the universe is a cycle.
- Creation – Universe is eternal and always existed.
- Problem of mankind – Desire which leads to suffering.
- Redemption – Release ourselves from desire through meditation and following the eight-fold path, rituals, etc. Redemption is freedom from suffering.
- View of the world – Our existence is suffering.
- Adultery – Wrong because it disrupts family and society.
- Afterlife – Reincarnation or nirvana.
Evangelizing someone from the Buddhist faith
- General Rule: Because the Law of Karma and liberation is so hopelessly remote, keep the idea of forgiveness through Christ at the forefront of all your conversations with Buddhists. Also, focus on a personal, knowable God.
- Common Ground: Law of Karma (penalty for sin), mankind is broken.
Questions for the Buddhist skeptic
- Is there forgiveness for bad Karma?
- How many people in existence do you know that have obtained nirvana?
- How much Karma have you accumulated?
- How can you be sure Buddha’s message is true?
- Is desire really a bad thing: aren’t there good desires?
- Will eliminating desire really eliminate suffering?
- Hasn’t science proved that the universe had a beginning?
- Are there any prophesies in the Buddhist texts to authenticate it?
Scientology
- God – Eighth Dynamic or Supreme Being is revealed personally through each individual. There exists a life energy or force (Theta) beyond and within all.
- Creation – Supernatural souls called "thetans" created the world. According to Scientology, our innermost selves are in fact these same souls that have since lost those remarkable creating abilities of the past. Then 75 million years ago there existed an entire Galactic Confederation composed of 76 inhabited planets and led by an evil ruler named Xenu. Xenu decided to mass murder trillions of these Galactic Confederation people and then had them shipped here to the Earth. So the dead space aliens were put into volcanoes and blown up. Then the spirits of the space aliens started infesting these bodies.
- Problem of mankind – Experience, in this or in previous lives, is recorded in the brain as a series of "engrams" which prevent us from achieving one with god.
- Redemption – It is achieved with proper counseling. The goal is to erase these deposits (engrams) and therefore release the essential, spiritual self or soul.
- View of the world – Good may be defined as constructive behavior or enhancing survival. Evil may be defined as destructive.
- Adultery example – According to Hubbard, it is “undesirable activity, since it is non-survival not to have a well ordered system for the creation and upbringing of children, by families."
- After Life - Rebirths continue until one consciously confronts all pre-birth, current-life, and previous-life traumas and subsequently realizes one's true nature as a "thetan," an immortal spirit …becoming one with god. Found in the seventh dynamic.
Uniqueness of the Christian Worldview
Below is a list of things that separate the Christian worldview from all others. Because they are unique to Christianity the evangelists should always keep them on the forefront of their conversations with skeptics.
- God is knowable, close and comprehendible, not abstract and distant.
- God is personal and relational.
- He is a God of justice and love.
- The problem of sin and a bad conscience is dealt with decisively.
- It is grounded on historical events rather than mythical stories.
- Our sacred text is confirmed by fulfilled prophesy.
- The authenticity of our Founder is supported by signs and wonders.
- Salvation is based on grace, not human effort.
- The Christian worldview is supported by science, logic and philosophy.
- Christianity is livable and reflects reality.
Main components of the Christian Worldview
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:1-4
- God is the transcendent Creator - Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
- Mankind has unique value - Genesis 1:27 In the image of God He created him male and female. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son.
- Biblical foundation - John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word …and the Word was God.
- Deity of Christ - John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
- Exclusivity - John 14:6 I am the way the truth and the life no one come to the Father except through Me.
- Relationship based on covenant - Genesis 9:9 I will establish My covenant with you … Mark 14:24 …is My blood of the New Covenant
- Redemption based on grace - Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead you shall be saved. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves it is a gift from God.
- Duty - John 15:12 Love one another. I John 5:2 Love God and keep His commandments. James 1:27 Care for orphans and widows.
- Virtue - John 15:12 Love one another. I Peter 1:15 …you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written “be holy, for I am holy.”
- Afterlife - John 3:15 Believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
I am totally convinced the Christian faith is the most coherent worldview around. Everyone: pantheist, atheist, skeptic, polytheist has to answer these questions: Where did I come from? What is life's meaning? How do I define right from wrong and what happens to me when I die? Those are the fulcrum points of our existence. I deal with cultural issues whether they be in the Middle East, Far East, the Orient or the West. You broach questions in the context of their culture and then present the Christian answers. Ravi Zacharias
Articles
What in the World is a Worldview? Kenneth J. Samples
What is a Christian Worldview? Del Tackett
What's Your Worldview Dr. John MacArthur
Worldview in a Nutshell: Everything You Need to Know T. M. Moore
What is a Worldview James Sire
Mormon Beliefs, are they Christian? Matt Slick
How the Muslim Concept of God Fails William Lane Craig