Session 5

Topic: What’s in a Worldview?

If the Bible is primarily God’s self-revelation – the information God wants us to know about Himself – then that implies certain ways He wants us to think. For example, He wants us to think about and know that He is holy (Lev. 11:44-45, 1 Pet. 1:16), and that He is love (1 John. 4:16). The Bible, then, helps us to think according to the ways of God.

So, how does God want us to think about the world and even about our studies at CCU? Does the Bible speak to those practical and real-life places where we live and work? It definitely does! And the place where all that comes together – God’s Word speaking to our life, world, and work – is what we call a Christian worldview. Short definition: A Christian worldview is seeing the world through the lens of God’s presence and will, according to what He’s revealed in the Bible.

In your studies at Colorado Christian University, you will encounter multiple opportunities to analyze and explore your own worldview. The purpose of this session is to clearly present the worldview of Colorado Christian University, specifically, the Christian worldview that is based in specific biblical truths.

One author who has made worldview, and the definition of worldview, accessible is James Sire (see The Universe Next Door and Naming the Elephant, which are two books you may encounter as a student later in your program). He poses several questions that he claims all worldviews must answer:

1. What is Prime Reality, or specifically, what is really real?
2. What is the nature of the world around us?
3. What is a human being?
4. What happens to a person at death?
5. Why is it possible that we know anything at all?
6. How do we know what is right and wrong?
7. What is the meaning of human history?

Each worldview must answer these questions. In this session, we are going to explore specifically how Colorado Christian University answers these questions in being consistent with a biblical worldview, and give you an opportunity to further explore how to find key ideas and values in scripture that will help you when we ask you to look at something in light of a biblical worldview. In your reading assignment for this session, you have a table you may use as a reference that outlines the answers to these seven questions from different worldview perspectives. Keep in mind that the worldview that CCU ascribes to, specifically is a theistic worldview, but for the sake of simplicity, in your classes and in your programs, you will see the worldview referred to as Christian or biblical.

Topic Outcomes:

By the end of this session, students will be able to:

• Describe the foundational importance of the Bible to a Christian worldview.
• Apply biblical concepts to course content.
• Identify key components of a Christian, or biblical worldview, and how Colorado Christian University chooses to articulate that worldview.
• Discuss how a biblical worldview informs calling.

Reading and Viewing Assignments

Please complete the following before this session:

Reading:

Smith, G. T. (2011). Courage and calling: Embracing your God-given potential (Revised and expanded ed.). InterVarsity Press.

• Chapters 2, 3

Please complete the following before this session:

Reading:

What are Some Christian Worldview Essentials?

What are Some Elements of a Christian Worldview?

What’s a Christian Worldview

Colorado Christian University Strategic Priorities

Worldviews Table (Word) Worldviews Table (Word) – Alternative Formats

Session 5 Final Assignment

This course has several purposes, all of which are intended to prepare you to be as successful a student at Colorado Christian University as possible. The purpose of this course is to introduce you more deeply to Colorado Christian University, the beliefs that it holds as a faith-based institution, and how that will impact your experience here at CCU. Respond to the following questions:

1. In Session 1, you were asked to read CCU’s Strategic Priorities. Review the Strategic Priorities again in light of what we have talked about thus far in the course. Identify two of the Strategic Priorities that reflect a biblical, or Christian, worldview and explain how you see the elements of the worldview exemplified.
2. After you have identified how the Christian worldview is evident in two of the Strategic Priorities, reflect on what you have learned throughout this course by answering the following questions:
   • What did you discover about CCU that expanded your understanding of what it means to attend Colorado Christian University?
   • What did you discover that may have the greatest impact on your approach to your education at Colorado Christian University?

Please refer to the Session 1, 2, and 3 Assignments to see how to appropriately cite any references you make in your paper. You must incorporate references from the Biblical Perspectives and our textbook readings.

Click on the Session 5 Final Assignment link to submit your final assignment by the posted due date. Review the rubric available in Due Dates and Grades for specific grading criteria.