Does the concept of worldview have a fatal flaw baked into the premise? Could the Christian worldview actually be leading kids away from the faith?

David Richardson, author of Transparent: How to See Through the Powerful Assumptions That Control You, reveals the shocking origin of the term “worldview” in the episode 115 of CHRISTIAN PARENT/CRAZY WORLD and challenges the way it is used by almost everyone in our culture. 

Those of us who profess a Biblical worldview recognize the underlying concept of absolute truth. However, inherent in the term “worldview,” which was coined by the German philosopher Immanuel Kant, is the idea that the way each individual person views the world is where truth is found. Reality is defined by what we perceive. It is defined by our senses. It is defined by the worldview glasses we choose to put on. So, in other words, reality is defined by our worldview and our worldview is what we choose for it to be. That makes truth subjective, even if our particular worldview maintains that truth is universal.

We have to realize that subjectivity is baked into how most people use the term worldview. We’re not on the same page. We’re not even in the same universe. 

I’ll be honest, moms and dads, I have studied Christian apologetics for years, and the information that Dave reveals in this episode is shocking to me. We could be inadvertently shooting ourselves in the foot by continuing to use “worldview” (i.e. “subjective”) terminology. And yet, as we discuss in this episode, the term is ubiquitous even in Christian circles. It seems impossible to eliminate it from the cultural consciousness. I’m not sure that we can. But at the very least… we must be aware of the inherent flaw in the term “worldview” and make sure that our kids don’t fall for it. 

A biblical worldview boldly declares that what is true for me is true for you, and what is true for us is true for everyone else. Truth doesn’t change. There is no such thing as “my truth.” There is just “the truth.” But if we are not careful to explain what we mean by the term worldview, our kids may adopt the individualized use of “worldview” in our culture, and they may buy into the lie that truth is subjective. 

You can listen to this vitally important conversation on Life Audio by clicking on the image below:
 

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Guest bio: David Richardson is the founder of the Assumptions Institute and its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to founding the Assumptions Institute, Richardson served for 30 years on the staff of Cru, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ, devoting most of his ministry to university professors. He holds a B.A. degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Portland, and an M.A. degree in Theological Studies from the International School of Theology. Richardson also holds an MTh. degree in Applied Theology from the University of Oxford. His dissertation,

“Accepting Christian Faith in the Academy” was an important exploratory study of the religious attitudes and beliefs of university professors and how to reach them for Christ. He understands education and educators very well. Richardson’s first book, Transparent: How to See Through the Powerful Assumptions That Control You released from Clovercroft Publishing.

Dave’s Website: Learn to Discern

EPISODE RESOURCES & LINKS:

Barna Research: American Worldview Inventory 2024 (Release 3) – Explaining America’s 40-Year Drop in Biblical Worldview- And How to Reverse that Decline

Barna Research: American Worldview Inventory 2024 (Release 2) – Millions of Americans Embrace Common Unbiblical Perspectives, Survey Shows

Barna Research, American Worldview Inventory 2024 Release 1) – America Needs Spiritual Renewal More than a Political Majority

Barna Research: “Emerging Gen Z May Deliver Huge Blow to Religion in U.S.” (6/8/18)