This is the first post of several in this series. I want to take some time to define what is a worldview and why worldviews matter.
James Sire defines a worldview in his book, The Universe Next Door. Essentially, he states that a worldview is a fundamental commitment to the way things are and that a person may hold this commitment consciously or unconsciously. Furthermore, this commitment may be expressed by statements or stories, the content of which may be true, partially true, or entirely false. This commitment forms the basis from which one lives.
Everyone has a worldview. Moreover, worldviews touch five major areas: what is real (metaphysics), what is a human being (anthropology), what is God (theology), how should one live (ethics), and how does one know anything (epistemology). This series will examine each category in a deeper fashion with additional posts.
Worldviews form the framework, or lens, through which one understands the world, or what exists. The categories composing a worldview overlap each other, influencing and being influenced by the other areas.
A few points regarding my working assumptions: the basic laws of logic are true; truth is what corresponds to reality; people are situated within a particular perspective; at least one thing must be absolute. I will be more than happy to try to address any concerns to these assumptions. Moreover, I will try to provide reasons that these assumptions are more likely than not.
Many writers more articulate than I have written on these topics. Nonetheless, these are issues that every must confront in order to live. My hope is that I may cause someone to evaluate his or her worldview honestly. Please stay tuned.
