...APPLICATION PAPER Glenda Campbell APOL 500 July 4, 2014 Outline Introduction 1. Summary of the Islamic worldview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2. Evaluating the Islamic Worldview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 3. Correcting the Islamic Worldview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 4. Defending the Christian Worldview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 5. Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Apologetics Application Paper Introduction According to Brown, people everywhere filter what they read and hear through the grid of their own worldview. We all see the world different and the assumptions and prejudices that have about the world have an effect on how we regard the world. The Christian worldview and the Islamic worldview are similar, but they are different in many ways. But, what is a worldview? The ways a person views and understands the world have an effect on everyone. Sire defines a worldview as "a set of presuppositions (or assumptions) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously) about the basic...
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...I. Part One: What is a worldview? A worldview is the way in which we structure our thinking about life, death, science, faith, politics, morals and values. A worldview is a person’s core belief and philosophy of life that is used in decision-making. It can also be considered a lens which one looks at the world through. II. Part Two: What is believed by Biblical/Christian Worldview Christianity is not a movement of ethical prescriptions or philosophical beliefs that mark humanity’s search for God. The core essentials that compose a Christian’s faith are marked by clear distinctions that separate us from the rest of the world. Christians believe that all that exists was created by God and Genesis 1:1 supports this belief. David states in Psalms 139:13-16 that God is our Creator. Psalms 8:5 tells us that God created mankind above the animal. Christians also believe that men and women were created in the image of God according to Genesis 2:15. Christians believe that mankind exists and their purpose is to know God. Christianity is not based upon religion but instead a relationship. Mankind’s purpose is clearly stated in John 17:3 which states our purpose is divinely to know God more intimately and to be in a personal relationship with Him. Deuteronomy 11:13 speaks of the importance of loving God with all our heart and soul. No other system except Christianity speaks of an intimate, personal relationship between the Creator and humans. Christians believe in the fall of man, which...
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...What is the remedy? Reformational worldviews and Islamic worldviews are very differing in their perspectives on remedies to certain problems. Just as both these groups would view the problems differently, they also view the solutions differently. The Reformational worldview calls us to understand those who have differing views than us and to love those that we may find unlovable, or our “enemies.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. calls us to view the enemy in a loving way. He said that we have the Christian and moral responsibility to discover and live out the calling to love thy enemy. Hatred only produces more hatred. Just as MLK says that loving the enemy can help break down the barrier of hatred, this is also a Reformational’s remedy. Matthew 5:44 calls us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Just as God loves us through our flaws, we should show love to others, even if with disagree with them. Moreover, God created mankind in His image. Instead of seeing someone with different perspectives negatively, we should see them as image bearers of God. God still loves them as much as He loves us....
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...Running Head: PSYCHOLOGY and CHRISTIANITY 1 Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity PSYCHOLOGY and CHRISTIANITY 2 Abstract This entire book explains how the two books of God can be consolidated to provide the needs of the whole man. The author stated that all truth is God’s and everything that he made was good. Psychology is the study of human behavior and theology is the study of religion; both perspectives are disciplines that are learned. Integration will allow a better understanding of human behavior which neither perspective can do along. Since the Christian faith could not support man along, the mentally challenged suffered. Critics stated that the Christian faith did not keep Bible law concerning love and acceptance of homosexuality; the faith didn’t have the science or intellect to cure sickness, distorted perceptions and mental defects. Sin brought the fall of man and brokenness; yet, science through testings, assumptions, methods, experiments and discoveries were needed to fully care for humans; a holistic approach was needed to cure man. The Church was challenged to provide supreme knowledge to care for souls which lead to many new worldviews which were made up of disciplines that governed people’s lives. These worldviews have Enemies and Allies which were obstacles to integration....
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...will be shown in detail as well as the strengths and limitation of the Allies model. It is these sourrces that will show why the Allies model is the best choice for coming as close to integration as possible. For many years, there have been debates surrounding the ability to integrate psychology and Christianity. Are they compatible? Can they work together...
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...Worldview means “a fundamental set of assumptions to which one commits that serves as a frame work for understanding and interpreting reality and deeply shapes one’s behavior” (Christian Worldview). Another way to describe worldview is a set of lenses through which we view the world. Everyone has a worldview but they do not share the same worldview of everybody else. We all make decisions about life, morals, and how we should live based on our worldview. A person Christian worldview is described as someone who has committed their life to following the teachings of Jesus Christ. The essential of a Christian worldview include God, Jesus, and humanity. In Exodus 34:6, shows some of God’s characteristics “… The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” These characteristics shows that God is loving and forgiving God. In 2 Peter 3:9, states “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” This demonstrate that God keeps his promises and his is patient with everyone .God creation was earth and things that lived on earth. He made the sun, moon, land, animals, and people. In Genesis chapter one and two, God tells people how he created the heaven and the earth. God created this world by just saying what he wanted. For example in Genesis 1:3, “…God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” Human...
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...4-MAT Review: Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity Liberty University Summary The book, Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity (2010) by David N. Entwistle, readers are first presented with the concept of the conflict between the integration of Christianity and psychology. Psychology is founded on the truth while Christianity focuses on an individual’s faith. This leads one to question whether Christianity and psychology are possible to coexist. Entwistle offers a statement that is fundamentally an examination of the entire book: “The integration of psychology and theology is virtually inevitable due to their mutual interest in understanding the ambiguities and mysteries of human behavior and healing human brokenness” (Entwistle, 2010, p. 51). Entwistle mentions an individual’s worldview. A worldview is defined as how an individual looks at the world as well as the assumptions that are seen within the world. A person’s worldview effects the way in which they look at their own expectations and experiences. And with this comes a natural perception of assumption. Worldviews can be learned in many different aspects: family, school, media, and religion. There are two aspects that both psychology and theology have in common: human behavior and the healing of shattered lives; however, each approaches the aspect of human behavior with different assumptions, approaches, and goals (Entwistle, 2010). Entwistle explains psychology seeks out natural...
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...Worldviews of Islam and Christianity A worldview is the framework that one sets their level of standard to in making decisions that are right for them to live by. A worldview is beliefs that you hold near and dear to your heart. You choose to live by these worldviews because it is who makes you who you are. Each person’s worldview is different from others and that is what makes us each an individual. Our worldview is developed and molded through our upbringing, our life experiences, our religion and our surroundings. I do believe nurture and nature both play a huge part in shaping our worldviews. We are shaped into our worldview from being nurtured as a baby, child and then adult. We have our worldviews through nature by the surroundings and society we live in and how we perceive them. The Question of Origin – (How did life begin? How did mankind come into existence?) How would your selected worldview answer this question? Compare and Contrast this with how the biblical worldview would answer this question. According to Islam belief, man came about over a period of time that first stemmed from animals, as they animals got bigger, some sort of rock or stone was formed. With the mixing of this stone from the earth, with added water, man evolved. Eventually, man became intelligent and was able to live and prosper around the others evolved the same way. This took a period of time, it did not just happen. Compared to Christianity, Christianity was formed and...
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...to Psychology and Christianity Liberty University Summary David Entwistle’s (2010) book, Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration, opens the reader’s eyes to unexpected possibilities, beginning with the often combative regimes of faith and reason using Tertullian’s symbolism of Athens as the seat of reason and Jerusalem as the seat of faith; which is the basic ongoing battle between science and religion (Entwistle, 2010). What Entwistle addresses is his belief that integration of the disciple of psychology and Christianity is possible, each contributing to the whole allowing effective therapy, where the therapist becomes a type of shepherd that invites the client into the goodness of God and introduces Christ as his savior. Psychology attempts to understand, describe, and diagnose human behavior but Christian theology seeks to understand “what it means to be human” (Entwistle, 2010, p. 3). In the end Entwistle (2010) reoccurring theme throughout the book is that this integration is possible because “all truth is God’s truth” (p. 13). All the reasoning, precise measurements, and descriptives of psychology are possible because of God’s work in creation. Entwistle expands on the concept of worldviews and how each individual interprets everything around them. Each person will search for the truth but it will be biased according to the individual’s worldview. To understand these...
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...Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity, by David Entwistle, is a comprehensive book that details the conceptual behavior influenced by the developmental processes of the physical mind and its influence on spiritual development. The basis of the book is to explore the claims and the strains, “given the historical animosity of some psychologists toward religion and some Christians toward psychology” (p.217), that arise from the intertwining of psychological and Christian theological views, in order to help us understand and appreciate humanity better than viewing from either perspective individually. “The closer one gets to considering psychotherapeutic and pastoral concerns, the greater the common ground and the greater possibility for conflict” (p. 36). The book’s focus is on integrative approaches in a well comprehended Christian worldview by which “we can evaluate our beliefs and behavior in light of the biblical message (p. 63), and “form a body of theories from which all prejudice, bias, and unjustifiable conjecture have been eliminated” (p. 199). The historical opposition and advocacy of the integration of the two views, along with the current integration research and application, is presented with the help of multiple psychological researchers. Entwistle’s view is that integration is possible if the proper cautions are taken; that “human nature can be mapped from two directions” (p. 198), if the disciplines participate in a productive interchange of...
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...A worldview according to Nash (1992) is “a conceptual scheme by which we consciously or unconsciously place or fit everything we believe and by which we interpret and judge reality” (p.16).He added that a Christian worldview is “theistic in the sense that it believes in the existence of one supremely powerful and personal God”. The leader with a Christian worldview makes decisions (including selecting followers) based on guidelines provided by God in the Bible. Banks and Ledbetter (2004) underlined they approach the leadership process from the place of servitude and display qualities like humility, servitude, honesty, love, empathy, and shepherd-like behavior. Such leaders do not consider followers from the worldly point of view. They see them with God’s eyes and treat them according to that conviction....
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...Chittum APOL 104 June 6, 2016 Understanding Today’s Worldview Worldview is a term referring to how an individual perceives the world, what they believe to be true and what they do not. Every person on this earth, regardless of their religious affiliations or not, should have a “worldview”. Barna Research Group conducted a nationwide survey in which they were able to conclude that only a rough 4 percent of Americans had a “biblical” worldview. This is both startling and unsettling given the fact that 83 percent of Americans identify themselves as Christians. When Barna conducted his survey, he also correlated a person’s worldview with their moral beliefs and actions. The Bible is the most owned book in America yet many Americans only understand a very small percentage of what’s inside, nor do they understand how the Bible correlates to their life and the meaning. The author of Understanding the Times, David Noebel, defined what exactly a worldview is when he said, “It’s any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world and man’s relations to God and the world.” Whether knowingly or unknowingly, every person young and old has a worldview. From the young toddler who believes they are the center of the universe, to the Muslim extremist who believes by dying in the name of Allah will earn them many virgins in their afterlife. As a Christian, our worldview should be that our primary existence on this Earth...
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...Worldview is a way of viewing the world which affects how someone understands their life and experiences. For Christians, worldview is formed by one’s faith. Even though some people might not recognize it, everyone has a worldview. It is especially imperative for believers to know their worldview so that they can apply it to their everyday lives. It is important for Christians to develop a worldview in order to be a witness for Christ, defend one’s faith, and discern what is good. Being a witness for Christ is one of a Christians primary purposes. Scriptures say that people were created for God’s glory and to proclaim his praises (1 Chronicles 16:23-25); therefore, a worldview is necessary in order to know exactly what to believe and teach it. A worldview is a person’s ultimate beliefs and assumptions about the universe. In order to be a witness for Christ, believers must follow the basic set of beliefs Christianity teaches. For example: there is a God, God is everything, we were created by God in his image, morality is grounded in Gods character, etc. Without these basic principles there is no basis for what is being taught and what the prophet believes. Jeremiah 1:7-8 says, “But the LORD said to me,’ Do not say I am too young, you must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you, Do not be afraid of them for I am with you and will rescue you declares the LORD.” The Bible teaches that Christians are expected to spread the Lord’s message no matter what...
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...Worldview Philosophy I was born and admitted into Christianity by means of baptism. Yes, I was born into Christianity and being born into Christianity; I go to church because my parents and family go to church. I say my prayers because my parents and family would say their prayers. I took the catechism class because my family said it is part of being a Christian. What I’m implying is that, as a child my worldview began developing through family influences and then from community surroundings like school, church, companions and so forth. It was not until I transferred to Grand Canyon University (GCU) and engaged into the Christian Worldview class that made my Christian worldview extremely clear and solid. In week one, Professor Todd, challenged each and one of us in his class by using series of questions to help us evaluate our worldviews. This question speaks of belief in God, human nature, metaphysical reality, knowledge, ethics, human purpose and consistency in daily life. The questions were: Who is God and what are His characteristics? What is a human being and what happens when one dies? What is the nature of the universe? How do you know what you know and how do you know what is true? What is right and wrong or how can we know that there is a right and wrong? Is life pointless or is there purpose? What core commitments are consistent with my worldview and how do they make an impact on my life? Who is God and what are His characteristics? We have one God who lives...
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...Worldview APOL 104: Contemporary Worldviews Spring 2014 APA 01/29/2014 Worldview When the topic of what a worldview is comes up it takes on many different interpretations, all of which are based on the individual. A worldview can be described as the way that an individual interprets their environment. The very way we look at life, death, our values, our faith, and right and wrong are impacted by our upbringing, life experiences, and environment. Simply stated, it is your take on life, our “underlying philosophy of life.”(Gutierrez and Weider 2011). As already stated, a worldview is based on a variety of factors. This is true no matter the background a person comes from. Christians and atheists may have different worldviews because a Christian worldview is based upon the premise that God exists and the atheist bases their view on the premise that God does not exist. I will discuss the biblical/Christian worldview and my interpretation of it. There are five things to consider when discussing one’s worldview and they are the questions of Origin, Identity, Meaning/Purpose, Morality and Destiny. The Question of Origin states that everything that exists does so through the will of God, the Creator. It answers the question of where do we come from? The Christian belief is that in the beginning there was God and that things did not come into existence just by chance, matter colliding, but through God. Two relevant references from scripture are Genesis 1:1 which...
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