Worldviews
Continuity and Monism
02/28/21
Continuity and Monism In today’s lesson we examined a variety of world views that share the aspect of continuity. What was the overwhelmingly dominant worldview confronted by God’s people in the Bible? What do we mean when we refer to continuity as a worldview? What is the opposite of continuity? Where do polytheism, pantheism, and monism fit into this worldview and how do they relate to each other? How was Eastern Pantheistic Monism adapted to the Western mindset in the New Age phenomenon? Who were some of the influential figures in this movement? In monism, how does one achieve enlightenment? What do we mean when we say that continuity is a “seller’s market?” Why are spirit guides so much a part of monism/continuity? (60 min)Lesson 23: Review Questions
Lesson 23: Lesson Notes
Atheism and Naturalism
02/21/21
Atheism and Naturalism In this lesson we consider atheism and the worldview of naturalism. What is the difference between atheism and naturalism? What is atheism? Why is atheism not simply not believing in God? What is a precise definition of atheism? Why does the atheist bear a burden of proof for his or her assertion? What is wrong with the claim that you can’t prove a negative? What is naturalism? How did naturalism rise to its present prevalence in our culture’s outlook on reality? How did the Enlightenment contribute to a naturalistic worldview? How does a naturalistic worldview think about things like reality, knowledge, ethics, and humanness? (59 min)Lesson 22: Review Questions
Lesson 22: Lesson Notes
Islam (part 2)
02/07/21
Islam (part 2) In this lesson we continue our consideration of the worldview of Islam by using James Sire’s eight worldview questions. How does Islam view the nature of humanness? What happens after death? What determines a person’s destiny at the judgment? How do people know anything? How do they view history? What are the five pillars of Islam and what are the six essential beliefs? How are Islam and Christianity similar? What are some of the crucial differences between Islam and Christianity? How can we a Christians respond to the Islamic worldview and effectively share Christ with Muslims? (60 min)Lesson 21: Review Questions
Lesson 21: Lesson Notes
Handout: The Quran and the Bible
Islam (part 1)
01/31/21
Due to a recording error during today's class, this recording is from last year's class. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Islam, (Part 1) Continuing our study of various worldviews, in today’s lesson we began a two part consideration of Islam. What central aspect of Islam is revealed in the very name of Islam? What is a Muslim? What was the context of the birth and early development of Islam that profoundly shaped the religion? What does the Islamic concept of Allah’s Tawhid tell us about their view of God? What is the sin of Shirk? What is Qadar and how does it affect a Muslim’s view of his or her destiny after death? What do Muslims believe about the knowability of God? How is the Quran (Koran) linked to Islam’s view of Allah? (55 min)
Lesson 20: Review Questions
Lesson 20: Lesson Notes
Islam, (Part 1) Continuing our study of various worldviews, in today’s lesson we began a two part consideration of Islam. What central aspect of Islam is revealed in the very name of Islam? What is a Muslim? What was the context of the birth and early development of Islam that profoundly shaped the religion? What does the Islamic concept of Allah’s Tawhid tell us about their view of God? What is the sin of Shirk? What is Qadar and how does it affect a Muslim’s view of his or her destiny after death? What do Muslims believe about the knowability of God? How is the Quran (Koran) linked to Islam’s view of Allah? (55 min)Lesson 20: Review Questions
Lesson 20: Lesson Notes
Theism and Deism
01/24/21
Worldviews of Theism and Deism After our introduction last week to the concept of worldviews, in this lesson we begin by considering the worldviews of theism and deism. Why do I not include polytheism in this discussion of theism? What are the primary theistic worldviews? What do theists, in general believe about God, man, the world, life after death, and other matters? What is the evolutionary model for the history of religion and the development of monotheism? What are the assumptions which underlie the evolutionary model? What are the five chief stages in the evolutionary model? What are some of the difficulties faced by the evolutionary model which account for why it is not openly defended any more by ethnologists? How does the anthropological, ethnological, and contemporary evidence point towards monotheism as the religious belief of very early cultures? How is deism distinct from theism? Why is deism considered a transitional or bridge worldview? Why is deism “unstable?” What are some current expressions of deism?Lesson 19: Review Questions
Lesson 19: Lesson Notes
Introduction to Worldviews
01/17/21
Introduction to Worldviews With this lesson we launch into a new module of lessons on the subject of worldviews. What is a worldview? Why is it helpful to have an understanding of various different worldviews? Who has worldviews? Is a person’s worldview static or does it change over time? What are some of the things that influence our worldview? Is a worldview only shaped by a person’s religion or faith, or are there other factors that influence a worldview? What are some questions we can use to get an understanding of a particular worldview? How does an understanding of someone else’s worldview help us to be more Christlike in our interactions with them? (55 min)Lesson 18: Review Questions
Lesson 18: Lesson Notes
What is Your Worldview? questionnaire