Culture and the Biblical Worldview: a Theological Response to the Question of Truth
TOPIC STATEMENT
How does the question of truth affect the post-modern worldview and what is the response of the Christian worldview?
THESIS STATEMENT
The post-modern worldview questions the ideals, principles, values, and truths of the modern world. Operating from a state of flux, the post-modern worldview is open to critique. This paper offers a brief synopsis of the post-modern worldview’s perspectives on absolute truth, and a theological response that highlights the applications of the Christian Worldview.
THE QUESTION OF TRUTH A Worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in 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 constitution of reality. This story provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being. Understanding the basis of reality and truth is foundational to any worldview and in particular the post-modern and Christian worldviews. The post-modern worldview is constructed upon the sense that the truth about reality itself is forever hidden from mankind. Therefore all we can do is suppose and speculate—there is no substantial self as all human beings make themselves who they are and ethics is whatever society takes it to be. The Christian worldview stands in stark contrast to these suppositions and offers a response and challenge to the post-modern mindset. Without properly addressing the question of absolute truth, once cannot construct an adequate theology, ethos, or morality.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Press, 2004).
John M. Frame, Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction (Phillipsburg, NJ.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1994). Dennis McNutt, Elements of a Christian Worldview, ed. Michael D. Palmer, (Springfield,
How does the question of truth affect the post-modern worldview and what is the response of the Christian worldview?
THESIS STATEMENT
The post-modern worldview questions the ideals, principles, values, and truths of the modern world. Operating from a state of flux, the post-modern worldview is open to critique. This paper offers a brief synopsis of the post-modern worldview’s perspectives on absolute truth, and a theological response that highlights the applications of the Christian Worldview.
THE QUESTION OF TRUTH A Worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in 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 constitution of reality. This story provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being. Understanding the basis of reality and truth is foundational to any worldview and in particular the post-modern and Christian worldviews. The post-modern worldview is constructed upon the sense that the truth about reality itself is forever hidden from mankind. Therefore all we can do is suppose and speculate—there is no substantial self as all human beings make themselves who they are and ethics is whatever society takes it to be. The Christian worldview stands in stark contrast to these suppositions and offers a response and challenge to the post-modern mindset. Without properly addressing the question of absolute truth, once cannot construct an adequate theology, ethos, or morality.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Press, 2004).
John M. Frame, Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction (Phillipsburg, NJ.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1994). Dennis McNutt, Elements of a Christian Worldview, ed. Michael D. Palmer, (Springfield,
Bibliography: James W. Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Press, 2004). John M. Frame, Apologetics to the Glory of God: An Introduction (Phillipsburg, NJ.: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1994). Dennis McNutt, Elements of a Christian Worldview, ed. Michael D. Palmer, (Springfield, Ill.: Logion Press, 1998). Gary North, Is the World Running Down? (Tyler, Texas: Dominion Press, 1988). Taylor B. Jones, Think Biblically, ed. John MacArthur, (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2003). Ronald H. Nash, To Everyone an Answer: A Case for the Christian Worldview, ed. Francis J. Beckwith, William Lane Craig, and J.P. Moreland, (Downers Grove, Ill.: Intervarsity Press, 2004). Gene Edward Veith, Jr., Modern Fascism: Liquidating the Judeo-Christian Worldview, (St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia Publishing House, 1993). Furst, Lyndon G. “Considering Absolute Truth,” Andrews Journal of Research on Christian Education 13, No. 1 (Spring 2004): 1-3. Richie, Tony L. “Approaching the Problem of Religious Truth in a Pluralistic World: A Pentecostal-Charismatic Contribution,” Journal of Ecumenical Studies 43, No. 3 (Summer 2008): 351-369. Chan, Mark L. Y. “Following Jesus as the Truth: Postmodernity and Challenges of Relativism,” Evangelical Review of Theology 31, No. 4 (Oct 2007): 306-319. Nixon, Mark G. “Proclaiming and Performing the Gospel: Language, Truth and Action in Postmodern Christian Faith,” Heythrop Journal 50, No. 3 (May 2009): 380-391 Elwell, Walter Erickson, Millard. Christian Theology. 2d ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998.