Worldviews - What and Why

Part 2: Christian Theism & Deism
Part 3: Romanticism, Naturalism & Nihilism
Part4: Existentialism & Postmodernism

‘…when they became discontented…their discontent led no where, because, being without general ideas, they could only focus it on petty, specific grievances. The larger evils invariable escaped their notice,’

George Orwell, author of the provocative book 1984, correctly diagnosed one of the greatest problems in the strategy of those who seek to reform their cultures. Too many would-be world changers do not grasp what it is they are seeking to change. It is not enough to recognize that society needs help or to notice specific problems. In order to effect lasting change, people must know how to think in terms of worldviews, large scale belief systems that color everything humanity believes and does. Christians, especially, will not be able to influence and relate to unbelievers until they can intelligently articulate their own worldview and understand the worldviews of others. Only by strategically incorporating worldviews into the way they think can Christians hope to have the far-reaching evangelistic success for which they hope.

In the words of author James Nickel, a worldview is ‘a network of presuppositions, not authenticated by the procedures of natural science, a perspective through which everything in human experience is interpreted and human reason is guided.’ This network sets the boundaries for everything an individual considers possible; it is the structure within which he lives his life. The assumptions that make up this network relate to three different areas: metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics, or, more simply, the nature of God (ultimate reality), man, and morality.

A worldview structures an individual’s life in three ways. First, a worldview provides a thought paradigm. Presuppositions about reality dictate what information a person feels is important and in what order he will process facts that his mind receives. Second, a person’s worldview is responsible for his method of interpreting information. The facts do not speak for themselves – instead, worldviews cause people to interpret facts the way they do. Humans all observe the same physical world, but their worldviews cause them to come to very different conclusions about its origin and function. Third, a worldview provides the basis for individual decision-making and action. Actions spring from thoughts, and since worldviews control what and how people think, they determine actions as well. Given the paramount importance of worldviews, Christian reformers must operate in terms of them. As Os Guinness writes, ‘to think intelligently today is the think worldviewishly, to come to terms with the mosaic of meaning systems that make up modern thinking.’

There are two parts to thinking ‘worldviewishly.’ The first part is to understand Christian theism well enough to articulate and defend it. Christians trained in their own worldview are confident that they possess truth. Then they are able to live in harmony with their presuppositions and to defend them. Christians need to know Christianity to live out their faith and present it to others.

Christians need to study worldviews not only for their own sakes, but for others as well. Worldview study enables Christians to recognize when society presents them with unchristian ideas and to reject untruth rather than be confused by it. Worldview knowledge is also a primary tool Christians ought to use to influence others. Unless Christians can recognize it when they meet someone whose life is ruled by different presuppositions, they cannot to expect to change those presuppositions. Worldview study is about having a broad view of the many elements that influence and control society. It is abut giving people the tools to look beyond the ‘petty, specific grievances’ so they can confront the larger evils.