A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Three Basic Questions• “Where do I come from?”
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
“Then the Lord God formed man out of the dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7
“All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” John 1:3
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Three Basic Questions• “Why am I here?”
to procreate (Genesis 1:28a) to be stewards of the earth (Genesis 1:28b-31) to choose to live eternally in the presence of God, or
apart from Him (John 3:16; I Timothy 2:1-4)
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Three Basic Questions• “Where am I going?”
a new citizenship (Philippians 3:2) to a relationship with Jesus Christ or not (John
12:46-50;10:25-31)Eternal life in the presence of God (Titus 1:1-2)
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Areas of Philosophical Concerns• Metaphysics–God and His creation are reality (I
Corinthians 15:38-41) the universe is orderly and functions according to
laws (Job 38-39; Psalm 136:5-9) the universe is basically friendly to life - delicate
balance (Jeremiah 31:35-37) the universe is purposeful (Ecclesiastes 3:1-13)
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Areas of Philosophical Concerns• Metaphysics–God and His creation are reality (I
Corinthians 15:38-41) the universe is infinite - humans cannot know all
truth about it (Isaiah 55:8-9; Eccl 3:11) human existence is personal/individual (Luke 12:4-10)
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Areas of Philosophical Concerns• Epistemology–the spiritual and the physical manifest
truth general revelation special revelation the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Areas of Philosophical Concerns• Axiology–love/grace, justice
Aesthetics– God’s revelation (general and special) is the basis of beauty and what is of value
Ethics–good and bad are defined by the nature and attributes of God and His revelation, the Bible
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Tests of Validity• Empirical
archeology supports Biblical claims recorded history supports Biblical claims
• Logical logic suggests a first cause and a purposeful existence
• Intuition/reflection suggests a need for a spiritual relationship
A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Summary Statement of a Biblical World View “For by Him (Jesus Christ) all things were created, both
in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities -- all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17
CONSIDERING THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS…
❖ How is a Christian view of reality, truth, and value similar to or different from other world views?
❖ From a biblical perspective, what role in society should education fill?
BIBLICAL PURPOSES FOR EDUCATION
Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
God is Creator and source of all truth, therefore, the student needs to learn to respond to God (build a relationship), trust Him, and obey His commandments.
God has revealed truth in the Bible, Jesus Christ, the physical world, and in our being, therefore, the student needs to learn how to reflect truth in their lives and reflect God’s truth as a testimony to others.
BIBLICAL PURPOSES FOR EDUCATION
THREE PARTS OF A WHOLE PERSON
Mental – knowledge of the truth of God and the universe is cognitive and rational
Spiritual – the essence of being, the “heart” changes in response to revealed truth
Physical – action/behavior in response to the acquisition of truth and spiritual development
Philosophical Concern
Christian View Educational Goal
Metaphysics Christ is Creator, Designer, Preserver of the universe.
To show that the highest purpose of creation is to reveal/reflect God.
Epistemology God is eternal, ultimate reality, and source of all reality and truth.
Axiology
Philosophical Concern
Christian View Educational Goal
Metaphysics Christ is Creator, Designer, Preserver of the universe.
To show that the highest purpose of creation is to reveal/reflect God.
Epistemology God is eternal, ultimate reality, and source of all reality and truth.
To show the relationship of areas of truth to God; unity of truth in all areas.
Axiology
Philosophical Concern
Christian View Educational Goal
Metaphysics Christ is Creator, Designer, Preserver of the universe.
To show that the highest purpose of creation is to reveal/reflect God.
Epistemology God is eternal, ultimate reality, and source of all reality and truth.
To show the relationship of areas of truth to God; unity of truth in all areas.
Axiology Aesthetics–standards for beauty in God’s Word reflected in creation.
Philosophical Concern
Christian View Educational Goal
Metaphysics Christ is Creator, Designer, Preserver of the universe.
To show that the highest purpose of creation is to reveal/reflect God.
Epistemology God is eternal, ultimate reality, and source of all reality and truth.
To show the relationship of areas of truth to God; unity of truth in all areas.
Axiology Aesthetics–standards for beauty in God’s Word reflected in creation.
To show that beauty is real, in the essence of God’s creatures and creation.
Philosophical Concern
Christian View Educational Goal
Metaphysics Christ is Creator, Designer, Preserver of the universe.
To show that the highest purpose of creation is to reveal/reflect God.
Epistemology God is eternal, ultimate reality, and source of all reality and truth.
To show the relationship of areas of truth to God; unity of truth in all areas.
Axiology Aesthetics–standards for beauty in God’s Word reflected in creation.Ethics– God’s Word is the standard for right/wrong, good/bad.
To show that beauty is real, in the essence of God’s creatures and creation.
Philosophical Concern
Christian View Educational Goal
Metaphysics Christ is Creator, Designer, Preserver of the universe.
To show that the highest purpose of creation is to reveal/reflect God.
Epistemology God is eternal, ultimate reality, and source of all reality and truth.
To show the relationship of areas of truth to God; unity of truth in all areas.
Axiology Aesthetics–standards for beauty in God’s Word reflected in creation.Ethics– God’s Word is the standard for right/wrong, good/bad.
To show that beauty is real, in the essence of God’s creatures and creation.To help students make wise judgments according to Biblical truth.
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Components• Purposes/Goals of Education –“What is education
seeking to accomplish?”• Nature of the Learner –“What are the characteristics of
the student (age, developmental level, culture)?”
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Components• Role of the Teacher –“What is the teacher’s role in the
educational process? Which teaching methods should be employed?”
• Selection, Scope, & Sequence of Curriculum –“On what basis is the curricular content selected?” “What should be included?” “In what sequence should it be delivered to students?”
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Purpose/goals• Idealism
to develop the mind• Realism
to learn about the natural world and to live in harmony with it
• Pragmatism/Progressivism
to develop students into democratic problem-solvers
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Purpose/goals• Reconstructionism
to develop students into agents of social change• Existentialism
to develop a self-aware, self-determined individual• Behaviorism
to program students to respond appropriately to life’s stimuli
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Purpose/goals• Christian
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your might.” Deuteronomy 6:5