*** Forum Director Comment ***
I added the 4th choice: "Haven't seen increased use of "Worldview" within Fundamentalism"
In the late 1990's, I saw the term "worldview" being used at Bryan College (I lived outside of Dayton, TN) and in curriculum that I was teaching to my seniors in a Christian high school there. People like Chuck Colson were using the term. When Dr. Brown went to Cedarville U. from Bryan College, he emphasized it there. Only recently (late 2000's) have I seen that term being used by Fundamental institutions of higher learning.
I sense in the term "worldview" an apologetics approach to introducing people to Christianity. With that approach, we find that we have much in common with, say, the Roman Catholics, Church of Christ, Seventh Day Adventists, etc. who espouse correct doctrine when it comes to the so-called "five fundamentals" and believe in Biblical morality, but they get it all wrong with what it means to have a personal relationship with Christ.
We cannot argue a person into a personal relationship with Christ, but we can argue them into agreeing with certain Biblical truths. There is a difference between intellectual ascent and Biblical salvation.
I had a hard time answering this poll. On the one hand, I understand the problems some folks have with the term 'worldview'. On the other hand, I am all for directing people to examine the underlying philosophies that influence their everyday thinking. Lots of folks believe they have a Christian perspective, but they can't support their assertions or actions from Scripture. And when the light of Scripture is shone on their beliefs, it reveals that much of their thinking is colored by humanism, materialism, post-modernism, socialism.... I'm to the point where anything that gets people thinking is a good thing. Then again, I agree that focusing on intellectualism to the detriment of holiness does not further the cause of Christ. Striving for balance is a daily effort.
In the end, my mental scales tipped toward "It is good".
I have noticed that the word "worldview" has expanded beyond Evangelicalism (where it began) into Fundamentalism.
actually, the word has much earlier origins — 1858
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=worldview
the fact that so many fundamentalists want to dismiss it as something bad because it came from evangelicalism just says so much about where fundamentalism is intellectually.
I have noticed that the word "worldview" has expanded beyond Evangelicalism (where it began) into Fundamentalism. I was wondering if anyone considers that term to be good, bad, or indifferent.
Specifically, I'm wondering if anyone senses that intellectual apologetics is replacing personal holiness as the chief emphasis in our fundamental colleges and universities.
www.calvaryofclintwood.com