The Connections between “Roots” and “Fruit” Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only 1

Uproot for analysis… Roots = inward beliefs Branches and “fruit” = outward behavior Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only2

Points to consider Definitions of worldview Why should I be interested? Major elements of a worldview What are the basic worldviews? What is the connection between worldviews & values? What is the Christian worldview? What is the importance of all of this to the individual Christian? Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only3

Definitions of Worldview Sum total of propositions a person believes (Jay Wegter) A set of presuppositions (or assumptions) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously) about the basic makeup of our world (James Sire) An explanation and interpretation of the world… an application of this view to life (Phillips and Brown) A developed worldview supplies answers to questions of origin, purpose, and destiny (James Orr) Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only4

Definitions continued… A set of assumptions that people make about the nature of reality (Freddy Davis) A faith position which is the organizing principle for an individual’s understanding of how the real world operates (Freddy Davis) Every Worldview IS a FAITH position. Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only5

Why should I be interested? Personal development and self-reflection provides the quality of the foundation for professional development ERI Ethical Professionals Responsive Professionals Informed Professionals Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only6

Recall the basics… A worldview (ROOTS) guarantees adherence to some system of thought and so outcomes (FRUIT) A worldview provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world, and the relationship of people to God and the world. (David Noebel) Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only7

Seeing clearly… Worldview is like an invisible pair of eyeglasses-glasses you put on to help you see reality clearly. If you choose the right pair of glasses, you can see everything vividly and can behave in sync with the real world. But if you choose the wrong pair of glasses, you may find yourself in a worse plight than the blind man - thinking you see clearly when in reality your vision is severely distorted. ( Jeff Baldwin ) Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only 8

Commonalities of all Worldviews reference: Jay Wegter Ultimate reference point or authoritative vantage point Law of non- contradiction (not relativistic) Worldviews Presupposes certain things to be true without absolute proof Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only9

Major Elements of a Worldview One organizational structure theology metaphysics epistemology ethics anthropology Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only10

Theology What is God’s relationship with nature? Is God personal? Can He be known? If so, how may He be known? What are God’s attributes? What does the person believe about the existence of God? Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only11

Metaphysics Is the universe created? What is God’s relation to the universe? Is the universe co- eternal with God? Is the universe mechanistic, solely material, non- purposeful, closed? What is the nature of ultimate reality? Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only12

Epistemology Can man trust his senses? Does man’s abstract reason correspond with the physical universe so that meaning is possible? Is all truth relative and none absolute? What is the proper role of reason? What is the source of man’s innate ideas? Can God reveal Himself? What is the ultimate authority in the realm of knowledge? Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only13

Ethics Are moral laws the same for all people? Are moral laws to be discerned by investigation? Are moral laws constructed by humans? Are moral laws always changing? Do morals transcend culture, history, and individual boundaries? Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only14

Anthropology Is man material only, or does he have a soul? Does man’s existence end at death or is there an afterlife? Is there a heaven and a hell where individuals are conscious and physically present? Are humans “pawns” controlled by deterministic forces? Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only15

NaturalismAnimism Far Eastern ThoughtTheism Basic Worldviews Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only16

WorldviewBasic AssumptionsAssociated Belief Systems NaturalismThere is no supernatural existence. Only matter exists which is eternal & evolving. Secular Humanism, Atheism, Existentialism, Marxism, Agnosticism Far Eastern ThoughtEssence of all existence - impersonal life force. Pieces of the life force are consistently working towards merging with main body. Hinduism, Hare Krishna, Transcendental Meditation, Buddhism, Taoism, Jainism, Sikhism Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only17

WorldviewBasic AssumptionsAssociated Belief Systems TheismInfinite & transcendent (supernatural) God- Creator & Sustainer of the material universe Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism Animism Universe contains both material & immaterial parts. Spirits exist in separate places from physical human beings; interaction in a symbiotic relationship Astrology, Spiritism, Native American Religions, Witchcraft/Wicca, Japanese Shinto Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only18

Implications of the different worldviews on resultant values? Worldview Power Achievement Hedonism Self- direction BenevolenceTradition Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only19

Seeing clearly: Roots & Fruit Recall: A developed worldview supplies answers to questions of origin, purpose, and destiny (James Orr) Colossians 2:6-8 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only20

II Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only21

What is the Christian Worldview? “The Christian worldview stands or falls on the accuracy of the Bible” (Noebel, 2002, p. 15) God made the world, ordered man’s place in it, and redeemed it. God is Creator The Gospel Message Christ’s return and End times God’s ultimate authority - Scripture Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only22

Consider… All branches of knowledge are connected together, because the subject matter of knowledge is intimately united in itself, as being the acts and the work of the Creator. (John H. Newman) Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only23

How does the Christian worldview answer the following… Theology: Is there a God, and what is God like? Philosophy: What is real, and what is true? Biology: What is the origin of life? Psychology: What is the basic nature of man? Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only24

Additional disciplines… Ethics: What is right? Sociology: How should society be structured? Law: What is the basis for law? Politics: What is the purpose of government? Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only25

Finally, consider how the Christian worldview answers the following… Economics: What produces a sound economy? History: How should we interpret human events? Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only26

Importance for the Individual Christian? Worldview is a FAITH position The organizing principle for an individual’s understanding of how the world operates We think & act based on these beliefs. Personal faith life Our Witness Jurchan/2009 Use with Permission only27