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Why My Worldview Matters

This document discusses the importance of having a coherent worldview and examines how different worldviews answer life's fundamental questions in different ways. It defines a worldview as a framework for understanding reality and notes that worldviews determine decisions and life goals. The document warns that worldviews with inaccurate or harmful principles can have negative consequences, as seen in the rise of Nazism. It analyzes Christianity as offering a comprehensive worldview and argues this worldview satisfactorily addresses life's key questions of origin, meaning, purpose and morality. The study will continue in future sessions to further examine determining what is true.

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134 views

Why My Worldview Matters

This document discusses the importance of having a coherent worldview and examines how different worldviews answer life's fundamental questions in different ways. It defines a worldview as a framework for understanding reality and notes that worldviews determine decisions and life goals. The document warns that worldviews with inaccurate or harmful principles can have negative consequences, as seen in the rise of Nazism. It analyzes Christianity as offering a comprehensive worldview and argues this worldview satisfactorily addresses life's key questions of origin, meaning, purpose and morality. The study will continue in future sessions to further examine determining what is true.

Uploaded by

bigcheapfun
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Why My Worldview Matters

Koinonia Bible Study April 13, 2007


*Adapted from Colson & Warrens Wide Angle: Framing Your Worldview

Worldview Definition
DVD Clip from Wide Angle
A worldview is simply the way we think the world works, and how we fit into it.
[Chuck Colson, Wide Angle DVD]

Importance of a Road Map


e.g. Driving to New York city

Need Road Map for Life


Worldview Lifes Road Map Our worldview determines our: Decisions Our life goals What we think will make us happy How we spend our money How we treat others Really difficult to live according to what you dont think!
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What is My Worldview?
Everyone already has worldview Picked up from
Parents Friends & neighbors School TV & movies

Hidden Worldviews
All around us: Canon: Image is everything. Image is more important than substance Sprite: Thirst is everything. Obey your thirst Follow after your desires. Volkswagen: Jaded is overrated. Dare to be happy. Material possessions can bring happiness
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Need to Consider
All Worldviews are not equal Just like there are good/bad road maps there are: Good Worldview vs. Bad Worldview Accurate Worldview vs. Inaccurate Worldview

Questions of Life
Four Big Questions of Life
Where did I come from? Why is the world such a mess? Is there a solution? What is my lifes purpose?

Worldview affects how you answer these questions Your worldview is very practical!
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Worldview Matters!
Ideas Consequences e.g., Viktor Frankl (19051997)
Holocaust survivor of Auschwitz concentration camp

Frankls Warning
I am absolutely convinced that the gas chambers of Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Maidanek were ultimately prepared not in some ministry or other in Berlin, but rather at the desks and in lecture halls of nihilistic scientists and philosophers.
[Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live without God?, p.25]
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Nihilistic Worldview
Nihilism: A worldview that denies any objective ground of truth and especially of moral truths Hitlers boast: I freed Germany from the stupid and degrading fallacies of conscience and morality . We will train young people before whom the world will tremble. I want young people capable of violence imperious (dominant), relentless and cruel.
[Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live without God?, p.23]
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Why Worldview Matters


Worldview Framework for Understanding Reality Physical Laws e.g., Gravity Moral Laws
e.g., Adultery

Wisdom Aligning ones life to Reality Folly is a stubborn swimming against the stream of the universe spitting into the wind.
(Chuck Colson, How Now Shall we Live?, p.17)

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Many Worldviews
Atheism Existentialism Hedonism Humanism Materialism Nihilism Pantheism Polytheism Postmodernism Pragmatism Socialism Theism

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Worldviews in Conflict

A man said to the universe: Sir, I exist. However, replied the universe, The fact has not created in me a sense of obligation.

Stephen Crane, War is Kind and Other Lines.


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Worldviews in Conflict

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5
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Examples of Worldviews
Naturalism - The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be. (Carl Sagan, astronomer)
Existentialism- it is meaningless that we are born; it is meaningless that we die. (Jean Paul Sartre, author) Hedonism- Whoever dies with the most toys winsAnonymous

Contradicting worldviews cannot all be correct!

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Christianity Is a Worldview
Failure of the Christian mind:
We limit Christian thinking to a very narrow slice of life Personal morality and devotion

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Christianity Is a Worldview
Biblical Framework: God created the Universe & Nature Natural Laws & Environment God created People Moral laws God made us Social Beings Social Justice & Political Principles God gave us Minds Education
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Christianity Is a Worldview

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Loving God with Our Minds


Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Romans 12:2 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.
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Questions of Life: Revisited


Four Big Questions of Life
Where did I come from? Why is the world such a mess? Is there a solution? What is my lifes purpose?

Christianity satisfactorily answers all 4


of the Big questions of life!
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Upcoming Weeks
Next Week: How Do We Know Whats True?
Roessler 66, Friday @ 7pm Come join us for 5 more lessons on Worldview!

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