Age of FaithAge of Faith

God governed the universe. God governed the universe.

““Knowledge was divine light Knowledge was divine light infused into man by God.”infused into man by God.”-AugustineAugustine

Age of ReasonAge of Reason

Knowledge not of divine origin, discovered Knowledge not of divine origin, discovered naturallynaturally

Natural law works without GodNatural law works without God

The idea of a spiritual universe is replaced The idea of a spiritual universe is replaced by the idea of the world as a machineby the idea of the world as a machine

Worldview as glasses . . . Worldview as glasses . . .

Pair of glasses that filters what you seePair of glasses that filters what you see

Some elements are in focusSome elements are in focus

Some elements are blurrySome elements are blurry

Some disappear completelySome disappear completely

What is a What is a worldview?worldview?ReligiousReligious

NonreligiousNonreligious

ReligiousReligious Allows or embraces supernatural concepts of Allows or embraces supernatural concepts of

the general order of existence the general order of existence

Important throughout recorded historyImportant throughout recorded history Universal spirit, god, deityUniversal spirit, god, deity

Established moral order that can be known Established moral order that can be known

People have duty to follow moral dictatesPeople have duty to follow moral dictates

Human conduct has significance beyond deathHuman conduct has significance beyond death

NonreligiousNonreligious

In general, a In general, a nonreligious nonreligious worldview is worldview is absent supernatural interpretations.absent supernatural interpretations.

A nonreligious framework for human living A nonreligious framework for human living is void of any divine entity or deity’s is void of any divine entity or deity’s involvement in human life or of involvement in human life or of considerations of existence after death.  considerations of existence after death.  Perspectives on morality are naturalistic.Perspectives on morality are naturalistic.

www.teachingaboutreligion.orgwww.teachingaboutreligion.org

““A worldview consists of basic A worldview consists of basic assumptions and images that assumptions and images that provide a more or less coherent provide a more or less coherent though not necessarily accurate, though not necessarily accurate, way of thinking about the world.” . . .way of thinking about the world.” . . .

More than culture . . . More than culture . . .

A.F.C. Wallace (1970) noted, “ A A.F.C. Wallace (1970) noted, “ A worldview is the very skeleton of worldview is the very skeleton of concrete cognitive assumptions on which concrete cognitive assumptions on which the flesh of customary behavior is hung.”the flesh of customary behavior is hung.”

Developing a worldviewDeveloping a worldview

Takes shape over timeTakes shape over time Based upon experiences and Based upon experiences and

surroundingssurroundings Family has powerful influence in Family has powerful influence in

formative yearsformative years Media has growing influence in present Media has growing influence in present

cultureculture