Worldview

Considering the OptionsWith a Focus on Postmodernism

Wisconsin Pathfinder Leaders12-14 October 2012

John Matthews, PhD

Worldview: 6.7 Billion Options

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Worldview: Theism

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Worldview: Pantheism

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Worldview: Philosophical Naturalism

http://skychasers.net/ Photo by Bobi KuzmanoskiComet 17/P Holmes; Location: Skopje, Macedonia

Worldview: Theism

What is Theism? . . . Does it Make Sense, & Is

It Consistent & Defensible?

Worldview: Christian Theism

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Christian Theism: Who is God?

The Christian God: Who is he/what is he like?• Holy, omnipotent, omniscient,

omnipresent, immanent, sovereign, good, etc., etc. . . .

• Job 38-42 • How much do we know about God?

Christian Theism: Challenges

• Can a God who transcends nature be proven?

• If God is omnipotent, is he responsible for both good and bad? Why is there suffering? [Potentia absoluta & ordinata]

• If God is omniscient (knows past/present/future), is the universe determined & freedom an illusion?

Christian Theism: Strengths• Theism allows for the possibility of

rational thought , in an ordered but open universe

• Theism gives meaning to life because it gives purpose to the universe (teleology)

Consider: “God is dead!” Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900

• Theism allows for a coherent system of ethics. C. S. Lewis

Theism: Why I am a ChristianChristianity offers hope for the human dilemma

Worldview: Pantheismand New Age

Eastern Thought and Its Influence in the

West

Worldview: Eastern Monistic Pantheism

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Pantheism: Who Are Eastern Pantheists?

A Simplistic Response to the Question Above: • Hindus• Buddhists• Taoists• Etc., [as there is a myriad of western ideologies,

so is there a myriad of Eastern philosophies and religions]

Pantheism: Basic Questions

In Eastern Monistic Pantheism:

• What is real cosmically?• What is real in terms of human

existence?[Atman is Brahman]

Pantheism: Challenges

If one accepts Eastern Monistic Pantheism, how does one explain: • the need to develop positive karma in

an amoral universe?• the fact that, as the essence of an

amoral monistic universe, and therefore “god,” an individual is capable of doing bad things

Pantheism: Strengths

Eastern Monistic Pantheism• allows humans to control their own

destinies• offers hope to all, in that all paths lead

to the “divine,” i.e., to achievement of Nirvana

• encourages peace, harmony, and positive relationship

• encourages a positive ecology

Worldview: New Age

4 DIMENSIONs: Length, breadth, height, time (the “natural” world as normally experienced)

http://skychasers.net/ Photo by Bobi KuzmanoskiComet 17/P Holmes; Location: Skopje, Macedonia

5th DIMENSION: Spiritual (but in the box, not supernatural)

Worldview: New Age

Three versions of New Age “reality”:

• Occult • Psychedelic• Conceptual Relativistic

New Age: Challenges

If one accepts New Age, how does one explain: • The conflict that arises in the natural

or spiritual realms if I am the god of my world & you are the god of yours

• moral behavior in a system made of individual kingdoms

New Age: Strengths

New Age • allows humans to direct their destinies

by tapping the power of the “5th Dimension”

• offers hope to all, in that the individual soul is indestructable

• builds on relational aspects of eastern philosophy without losing individuality

• encourages a positive ecology

New Age: Influences

How has New Age Changed the World? • Anthropology & Ecology• Natural Science (the prophetic nature

& influence of Sci-Fi) • Health (alternative medicine)• Religion (spirituality, as opposed to

religion)• Entertainment

Worldview: Philosophical Naturalism

What is Philosophical Naturalism? . . . And Why

Should I Care?The Secular Option

Worldview: Philosophical Naturalism

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Worldview: Philosophical Nihilism

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Worldview: Philosophical Nihilism

Edvard Munch, The Scream”

Worldview: Atheistic Existentialism

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Worldview: Humanism – Transcending beyond the box

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Worldview: Humanism – Transcending within the box

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Worldview: Humanism – Tne Quantum leap

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Worldview: Postmodernism – Is their a box ?

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Philosophical Naturalism: Challenges If one accepts philosophical naturalism, how does one explain: • human freedom in a closed system?• moral behavior in an amoral cosmos?

[What can be done with the problem of guilt?]

• Evolutionary natural selection (survival of the fittest) in a world that argues for the rights of the oppressed & marginalized?

• the postmodern dilemma (everything is a lie)

Philosophical Naturalism: Strengths

Philosophical naturalism in its humanistic form • allows humans to be responsible for

their own destiny (good or bad)

• Gives the appearance of being logical, rational, consistent, coherent, & scientific (with one “little” faith-based presuppositional exception)

NewAge

Idealism

Xtianity

Realism

Postmod Xt Exist

NihilismSecHum

AthExist

Hindu

Buddha

Etc

Deism

Judaism

Islam Worldview: Which Option?

Worldview: Which Option?

• Theism? Believed but not proven – it requires faith because its concept of reality cannot be empirically verified

• Philosophical Naturalism?

Apparently logical but – it requires faith because of an epistemological conundrum

• Pantheism? Offers hope to all but – it requires faith in an inconsistent axiology (ethical framework)

Worldview: Engagement Strategy

1. Know your story, both as an ideology & a lived experience

2. Know the strengths & challenges

of the story of those whom you wish to engage, so you may dialogue about their story, exploring its challenges

3. “Capture” your audience, retelling the story, to show how the challenges of their story are met by the strengths of your story

Curtis Chang, Engaging Unbelief