Introduction: Write an essay where you identify and evaluate a presupposition or set of presuppositions in your discipline in light of the worldview of Christian theism. To accomplish this purpose, complete the following tasks:

  • Identify specific beliefs or ideas (presuppositions) in your discipline.
  • Choose one presupposition or a set of presuppositions to examine in detail.
  • Identify the worldview that the presupposition represents.
  • Examine its validity in light of Christian theism.

Directions:

  • View: How to write a documented worldview essay http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/iz1k7 [28 mins.]
  • Read: C.S. Lewis, “The Poison of Subjectivism,” pp. 163-171
  • Read: Worldviews by Jerry Solomon http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/w-views.html
  • Read: Comparing five worldviews by Dennis McCallum https://www.xenos.org/essays/five-worldviews
  • Organize your essay by dividing it into three parts:

o In your discipline of Ministry and Leadership with a concentration on Evangelism and Outreach, examine a specific worldview and its underlying presuppositions. You may select more than one. Remember to refer to a worker in the discipline using the third person (doctor, teacher, accountant…). Choose a worldview that is antithetical (or at least is not accommodating) to Christianity; a worldview with which you disagree. This can be determined by asking the following questions:

  • §§  What do the presuppositions say about meaning?
  • §§  How is evidence approached and evaluated?
  • §§  Should the presuppositions and the subsequent theory or assertion be rejected by the

Christian theist?

  • §§  Should the belief or theory be accepted by the Christian theist at all? If so, in what

manner?

  • §§  Can the theory or position be modified to fit a Christian theistic worldview? Describe

the worldview in detail; you must use the correct philosophical terms (metaphysics,

epistemology, axiology).

o Show how and why the worldview is flawed.

  • §§  Use the tests of reason, experience, and practice to analyze the presuppositions of the worldview.
  • §§  Use presuppositional apologetics as a means to evaluate how a particular worldview stands on its own merits. In other words, examine the validity of the basic assertions of an argument.
  • §§  Discuss the ramifications for the discipline if the worldview is carried to its logical conclusion.

o Assert the correct worldview as it relates to Christian theism.

  • §§  Indicate the reasons this worldview and its presuppositions are valid.
  • §§  Discuss the ramifications of this worldview in the discipline you have chosen.
  • §§  Explain how the Christian perspective would direct the theories or ideas espoused as

well as guide the activities of the researcher or scientist. How would the field change?

  • §§  In what ways could your faith in Christ enrich your discipline?
  • §§  How could Christianity ensure the validity and correctness of the actions taken as a

result of the discoveries of the discipline.