What in the World is a Worldview?

Ms. Ablon does not seem to understand what a worldview is. She seems to think it is where one seeks to understand the "reality of a world beyond Ashland" --something you might do in a National Geographic special.

But for Ms. Ablon's and other's sake: A worldview is one's belief system. It is the foundational principles by which one understands the world in which we live and how this world operates (or how it is supposed to operate).

For instance, I hold to the Christian worldview. Briefly put, I see the world as created by the Triune God out of nothing in the span of six days by the power of His word. As God He is sovereign over all things and is the sole determiner of right and wrong. Someone else might hold to a Hindu worldview or a secular, humanist worldview, etc.--each espousing their own beliefs and understanding the world differently.

Basically, a worldview has five elements. It answers questions dealing with...

1. Metaphysics: What is one's basic view of reality? Is it material only? Is there a spiritual world? Where did it come from?
2. Epistemology: How do we know what we know? Is knowledge obtained by reason or revelation (e.g. the Bible)? Can we trust our senses? Or are we to know everything like Luke Skywalker did--by "letting go" and feeling the force around us?
3. Theology: Is there a God? If so, what is he like and what is his relation to man and nature? Is he personal?
4. Anthropology: Is man just material, or does he have an immortal (mortal?) soul? Is there life after death? If so, what is it like?
5. Ethics: Are moral laws the same for all people? Who determines these laws (God? man? something else?)? Do morals change from age to age, culture to culture? or are they universal in nature and transcend these boundaries?

Of course, these questions may or may not be answered consciously. But they are answered nevertheless. And how you answer them determines how you live (and die).

We just finished a worldview series in our Sunday evening study. It was entitled "How to Watch a Movie Like a Christian." In the study I emphasized the point that all movies communicate elements a worldview and are made by people who hold worldviews. This being so, the Christian needs to be aware that these "messages" are being sent through the silver screen. If one does not watch their movie with discernment, one may be duped and embrace beliefs contrary to Christianity. Therefore compromising his/her faith.

(The book I used for the basis of my study was Brian Godawa's Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment. The book was excellent! Well worth the price and time to read!)