INTRODUCTION
Have you ever seen a Coexist bumper sticker? They were far more popular 20 years ago but I still see them on occasion. Traditionally, the sticker contains the word “Coexist” in white lettering on a blue background. Upon closer inspection, one notices that the letters in the word “Coexist” are made up of various symbols from world religions. The “C” is made of the crescent moon of Islam, the “O,” a peace sign, “E” is the Hindu symbol for the mantra “Om,” the “X” is a Jewish Star of David, “I” is a Satanic pentacle, ying-yang for the “S,” and a Christian cross for the “t.”
On the one hand, the sticker makes sense. We should want the various religions of the world to be at peace with one another. On the other hand, the sticker deserves copious amounts of mockery and derision, for the sticker assumes that there is enough in common between these worldviews that they can be put side-by-side in harmony with one another. They cannot.
For the next several weeks I will be using these letters to explain why these religions cannot simply “coexist.” This is because they all represent diverging worldviews. What is a worldview? That’s the purpose of this initial letter in the series. Let’s begin by getting our definitions straight.
WHAT IS A WORLDVIEW
In my opinion, the single greatest introduction to the subject of worldview is The Universe Next Door by James Sire. If you do not own it, buy it now, or ask to borrow one of my copies. I first read Sire’s book in my undergraduate studies and his framework has guided my thoughts ever since. Here is how Sire defines worldview:
A worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions that we hold about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being.[1]
Let’s break down Sire’s definition into a few bite-sized chunks. First, Sire says that a worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart. In other words, a worldview isn’t just a set of truths in the mind, worldviews go deeper into our heart and direct our lives, actions, and attitudes. Second, worldviews can be expressed in a story or set of propositions about the basic constitution of reality. For instance, the Christian worldview is the story of God, the Creator, redeeming fallen humanity through the work of his Son. Lastly, that story, or set of propositions provides the foundation on which we live.
Sire’s book goes on to survey the most prominent worldview in the world today. They are Christian Theism, Deism, Naturalism, Nihilism, Existentialism, Eastern Pantheistic Monism, New Age Spirituality, Postmodernism, and Islamic Theism. He proceeds to “ask” each worldview 7 basic questions. They are:
- What is ultimate reality? (What is really real?)
- What is the nature of the world around us?
- What is a human being?
- What happens to a person at death?
- Why is it possible to know anything at all?
- How do we know what is right and wrong?
- What is the meaning of human history?
Most people cannot fully articulate a cohesive philosophy of life, but everyone has a worldview. We all have basic assumptions about reality, humanity, and morality. And the way that we answer the 7 questions above orients our lives in vastly different directions. Studying worldview (and the various worldviews around the globe) helps us understand both ourselves as well as our neighbors.
WHY WORLDVIEW MATTERS
Worldview matters because our nation, and the world, are in a time of violent transition. Western nations, having embraced secularism have lost their grip on reality. We do not know what a woman is anymore. We do not know what a human life is anymore. These extreme and antihuman ideas on gender and the family are no longer confined to obscure departments in Ivy League schools. They are front and center on aisle 5 at the grocery store.
Much like Daniel and his fellow exiles, we are being compelled to eat the king’s meat (see Daniel 1), and out of faithfulness to the Lord of Heaven and Earth, we must decline. We simply cannot go along with the insanity, and we don’t really care what the king thinks about our rejection of his table. Our responsibility is to seek God’s approval, no man’s
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
We must also take responsibility to teach our children the truth and help them to discern error on their own. They are being forced to navigate a world we couldn’t have imagined 20 years ago. Parents, you are the primary evangelist in your home. God has given you the weighty and glorious duty of training your children in Godliness and proclaiming the gospel of Christ to them. Your pastor and our children’s ministry are only supplemental to your leadership in the home. We are here to help you, but the next Christian generation depends upon you.
We also have a responsibility to explain to the world (our neighbors and visitors to our church) the distinctiveness of the Christian worldview. Why are our values and behaviors so different from the surrounding culture? Why do we oppose transgenderism, abortion, inflation, and evolution? The answer is that the Christian worldview sets a foundation beneath our feet which orients our lives in an opposing direction to the surrounding culture.
SUMMARY
In the coming week we’ll spend time further explaining why worldview matters. We’ll summarize the main competing worldviews in our culture today, apply worldview thinking to the family, church, and our public life. Between now and the elections in November, I expect the volume of our national disagreements to only increase. Christians must be prepared with the truth, and we must be prepared to endure persecution for the sake of Christ.
My prayer is that you will both read and share these posts with other Christians. I pray you will read Scripture and pray daily. I pray that you will prioritize gathering with the church on the Lord’s Day for worship. I pray for your endurance in the faith.
P.S. If you would like a hardcopy of this letter, it will be available near the bookstall in our sanctuary at Lake Wylie Baptist Church.
[1] Sire, James W.. The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 5th Edition . Kindle Edition.