Prophecy 101Part 2: A video series of 3 lectures by Dr. David Noebel.  Notes & Links for Summit Ministries Worldview excellent resources.“A worldview is, first of all, an explanation and interpretation of the world and second, an application of this view to life. In simpler terms, our worldview is a view of the world and a view for the world.”1

“The term worldview refers to any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement, or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God and the world. Specifically, a worldview should contain a particular perspective regarding each of the following ten disciplines: theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, sociology, law, politics, economics, and history.”2

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:1-9

From Summit Ministries

Worldviews in Conflict – Part 2 of 3 – Dr. David Noebel

deanbible.org
chafer.edu

Worldview Chart Source

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: Theology

Trinitarian theism (one God exists as three persons)

Worldview: Islam
Discipine: Theology

Unitarian theism (one God exists as only one person)

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: Theology

Atheism (there is no God)

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: Theology

Atheism (there is no God)

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: Theology

Pantheism (God is everything, and everything is part of God. However, He is not personal.)

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: Theology

Atheism (there is no God)

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: Philosophy

Supernaturalism (the physical and spiritual exist)

Worldview: Islam
Discipline: Philosophy

Supernaturalism (the physical and spiritual exist)

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: Philosophy

Materialism (the world is only physical)

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: Philosophy

Dialectical materialism (reality is in a constant state of struggle, conflict, and change)

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: Philosophy

Spiritualism (the world is entirely spiritual, and what you see is only an illusion of what is really there)

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: Philosophy

Anti-realism (we make the universe in our own image)

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: Ethics

Moral absolutes (specific rules exist that are true for everyone, at all times, and in all places and situations)

Worldview: Islam
Discipline: Ethics

Moral absolutes (specific rules exist that are true for everyone, at all times, and in all places and situations)

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: Ethics

Moral relativism (morality changes from person to person, or from culture to culture)

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: Ethics

Proletariat morality (whatever is good for the working class, or proletariat, is good)

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: Ethics

Moral relativism (morality changes from person to person, or from culture to culture)

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: Ethics

Cultural relativism (morality changes from culture to culture)

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: Biology

Creationism (God created the heavens and the earth)

Worldview: Islam
Discipline: Biology

Creationism (God created the heavens and the earth)

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: Biology

Darwinian evolution (creatures evolved over time through random genetic mutations and natural selection)

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: Biology

Punctuated equilibrium (long periods of no evolution are followed by rapid, short periods of change)

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: Biology

Punctuated equilibrium (long periods of no evolution are followed by rapid, short periods of change)

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: Biology

Punctuated equilibrium (long periods of no change followed by rapid, short periods of change)

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: Psychology

Fallen dualism (we have physical brains and spiritual minds. We also have a fallen sin nature, making it harder for us to live.)

Worldview: Islam
Discipline: Psychology

Psychological dualism (we have physical brains and spiritual minds)

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: Psychology

Naturalistic monism/self actualization (human nature is merely physical. We are basically good and can be made perfect. Institutions such as government are evil, and we should instead get in touch with our inner self)

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: Psychology

Behaviorism/naturalistic monism (human nature is merely physical, and we are merely responding to stimuli surrounding us)

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: Psychology

Transcendental monism (human nature is completely spiritual)

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: Psychology

Cultural pluralism (reality is in several different classes and groups which all co-exist – in other words, people ‘wear different hats’ and behave differently in different ‘hats’)

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: Sociology

Traditional family/church/state (traditional family = husband, wife, and their children)

Worldview: Islam
Discipline: Sociology

Polygamy/mosque/Islamic state (polygamy = men can have more than one wife.)

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: Sociology

Non-traditional family/church/state (example: Bill Clinton’s family)

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: Sociology

Class-less society (no one is born into a social society. This is pure communism.)

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: Sociology

Non-traditional family/church/state (example: Bill Clinton’s family)

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: Sociology

Cultural egalitarianism (pronounced ‘ee-GAL-ih-TARE-ee-an-ism’. Everyone in society has equal rights)

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: Law

Biblical/natural law (God has given laws for us to follow in the Bible and in nature)

Worldview: Islam
Discipline: Law

Koran/Shari’ah law (God has given laws to follow in the Koran, including a set of codes referred to by Muslims as Shari’ah. Some courts today practice Shari’ah.)

 

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: Law

Positive law (the government is the ultimate source for law)

 

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: Law

Positive law (the government is the ultimate source for law)

 

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: Law

Self-law (you can make laws for yourself.)

 

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: Law

Critical legal studies (laws are tools by those in power to keep and expand their power, criticism of law)

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: Politics

Justice, freedom, order (the government is supposed to provide justice by protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty, promote freedom, and maintain order)

Worldview: Islam
Discipline: Politics

Global Islam (Muslims seek to convert the entire world to their religion. They infiltrate the culture they want to convert, procreate by having lots of children, and eventually dominate the nation. If that doesn’t work, they use jihad-taking over the nation by force.)

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: Politics

Liberalism/globalism/one-world government (Secular humanists seek to create progress and reform in their government. All governments are part of one big system.)

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: Politics

Statism/new world order (the nation’s rights are higher than the people’s rights)

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: Politics

Anarchy/new-age order/planetary consciousness/self-government (No government is good government. All humankind is connected with the earth. In fact, we can govern ourselves.)

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: Politics

Leftism (the government is a tool of experimentation)

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: Economics

Stewardship of property/capitalism/free market system (we have the right to private property, allowing for better stewardship of that property)

Worldview: Islam
Discipline: Economics

Stewardship of property – work hard

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: Economics

Socialism (in theory. This calls for equal distrubution of wealth and work so that individuals have the time to concentrate on being self-actualized. See a few buzzwords here?)

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: Economics

Communism (“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” The mode of production forms the foundation for society. The proletariat, or working class, clashes with the bourgeoise [bush-wah-zee], or ruling class, resulting in the synthesis.)

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: Economics

Universal enlightened production (Positive thoughts create wealth. High consciousness results in higher wages.)

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: Economics

Interventionism/welfare-state capitalism (This system is basically what President Obama wants for the country – a sort of mix between capitalism and socialism.)

Worldview: Christianity
Discipline: History

Historical resurrection (The resurrection of Christ is an actual event that took place)

Worldview: Islam
Discipline: History

Historical determinism (events in history were determined by earlier events. Or, in the case of Islam, God determines what happens.)

Worldview: Secular humanism
Discipline: History

Historical evolution (all history is powered by evolution)

Worldview: Marxism
Discipline: History

Historical materialism (similar to historical evolution, but instead follows the principles of dialectical materialism)

Worldview: Cosmic humanism
Discipline: History

Evolutionary God-hood (humans are moving toward divinity)

Worldview: Postmodernism
Discipline: History

Historicism (All past beliefs were fine then, but not now. In the case of today’s American government, they believe that our founding fathers’ original Constitution and Bill of Rights was fine then, but now, they want to modify the Constitution so that it “fits in to the current cultural standards”, etc. Do you see something wrong here?)

 

“A world view is a way one views the whole world. And since people have vastly different
views of the world, depending on the perspective from which they view the world, it is
clear that one’s world view makes a world of difference. A world view is a way of viewing
or interpreting all of reality. It is an interpretive framework through which or by which
one makes sense out of the data of life and the world.”3

“So what is a world view? Essentially this: A world view is a set of presuppositions
(assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic make-up of our world.”4

“A worldview is not the same thing as a formal philosophy; otherwise, it would be only for professional philosophers. Even ordinary people have a set of convictions about how
reality functions and how they should live. Because we are made in God’s image, we all
seek to make sense of life. Some convictions are conscious, while others are unconscious,
but together they form a more or less consistent picture of reality.”5

Meet Dr. David Noebel

Dr David Noebel Worldview Video SeriesDr. Noebel has retired after 50 years of ministry.  We are very grateful for his fearless ministry.  David A. Noebel, president of Summit Ministries, has been a college professor, college president and candidate for the U.S. Congress.  He is an author, editor, public speaker, and ordained minister.  He is recognized as an expert on worldview analysis and the decline of morality and spirituality in Western Civilization.

Summit Ministries, a Christian leadership training center was founded in 1962 and exists to train the next generation of Christian leaders to understand the times in which they live and know what they ought to do (I Chronicles 12:32).

Noebel has been a guest on numerous national radio and television programs, including The 700 Club, Focus on the Family, Truths that Transform, Point of View, Today’s Issues, the Moody Broadcasting Network, the AFA Network, and The Josh McDowell Program.

7 Major Worldviews Video Series Dr. NoebelNoebel has authored numerous books, including Understanding the Times: The Religious Worldviews of Our Day and the Search for Truth, a landmark guide to understanding the ideas and forces that are shaping our times.  From Biblical Christianity to Secular Humanism to Marxism/Leninism to the New Age movement, Understanding the Times provides Christians with a readable, comprehensive treatment of the most significant religious worldviews operating in Western Civilization.

It is currently used, in either its unabridged or abridged formats, in over one thousand Christian high schools, churches, and colleges.  Noebel has also authored or co-authored numerous other books and articles, including Clergy in the Classroom: The Religion of Secular Humanism (with J.F. Baldwin and Kevin Bywater); The Marxist Minstrels; Communism, Hypnotism and the Beatles; Rhythm, Riots and Revolution; The Beatles: A Study in Drugs, Sex and Revolution; The Homosexual Revolution; The Legacy of John Lennon; The Slaughter of the Innocent; War, Peace and the Nuclear Freeze: A Balanced Christian View;  AIDS: A Special Report and The Battle for Truth. Noebel’s most recent works: The New York Times Best Seller Mind Siege with Tim LaHaye, and The Battle for Truth.

Noebel was a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at the University of Wisconsin.  He holds a B.A. from Hope College in Holland, Michigan, and a M.A. from the University of Tulsa.  David and his wife Alice, live in Manitou Springs, Colorado.  They have two children and five grandchildren.

P.O. Box 207 • Manitou Springs, CO 80829 • (719) 685-9103 • www.summit.org • E-mail: [email protected]

1 William Brown and W. Gary Phillips, Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview (Sheffield Publishers,
1996), p. 29.
2 David Noebel, Understanding the Times: The Religious Worldviews of Our Day and the Search for Truth (Eugene,
OR: Harvest House Publishers, 1991), p. 8.
3 Norman Geisler and William D. Watkins, Worlds Apart: A Handbook on Worldviews, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Book House, 1989), p. 11.
4 James Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 2nd ed. (Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press,
1988), p. 17.
5 Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2004),p. 23.