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RESOURCES Key Worldview Books For those new to worldview thinking we would highly recommend Julian Hardyman, Glory Days: living the whole of your life for Jesus (IVP, 2006, pbk, 160 pages). A next step is provided by Brian Walsh and Richard Middleton, The Transforming Vision: shaping a Christian world view (IVP, 1984, pbk, 214 pages) or by Albert Wolters & Mike Goheen Creation Regained: Biblical basics for a Reformational worldview (Eerdmans, 2005, 2nd edn, pbk, 143 pages). Then we recommend you tackle the ‘strong meat’ of Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat, Colossians Remixed: subverting the empire (IVP, 2004, pbk, 256 pages) and Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth: liberating Christianity from its cultural captivity (Crossway Books, 2005, 2nd edn, hbk, 512 pages). James Sire, one of the early modern pioneers of Christian worldview thinking, has an excellent trilogy of books: The Universe Next Door: a basic worldview catalogue (IVP, 2004, 4th edn, pbk, 259 pages), Naming the Elephant: worldview as a concept (IVP, 2004, pbk, 163 pages) and Why Good Arguments Often Fail (IVP, 2006, pbk, 206 pages). A good academic survey is David Naugle, Worldview: the history of a concept (Eerdmans, 2002, pbk, 384 pages). The best introduction to greater philosophical depth is Roy Clouser, The Myth of Religious Neutrality: an essay on the hidden role of religious belief in theories (University of Notre Dame Press, 2005, pbk, 397 pages). His much shorter and very accessible Knowing with the Heart: religious experience and belief in God (IVP, 1999, pbk, 204 pages) is also not to be missed. To see worldview brilliantly exploited as a theological tool, read N.T. (Tom) Wright's books, particularly The New Testament and the People of God (SPCK, 1992, pbk, 535 pages) and Jesus and the Victory of God (SPCK, 1996, pbk, 741 pages). REALITYBITES Youth & Church sessions Consumerism – Individual Freedom’s Global Consequences Explore the fundamental dogmas of this popular and vibrant western religion. How should Christians respond? Living Without God How do secular saints like Richard Dawkins shape the way we think and live? What is secular indoctrination and what are the myths and fables that it promotes? Is ‘religion’ the source of the world’s evils? Come and explore. Reclaiming the World for Jesus In 1891 William Booth of the Salvation Army set up a ‘model factory’ that challenged the greed and cruelty of many factory owners. Why did he do this? How can the gospel of Jesus transform banks, building sites, and chocolate factories? Can Christians be shapers of our public institutions or is the gospel only applicable to our private lives? Can ‘secular’ work be meaningful, enjoyable and a manifestation of the Kingdom of God? Historical Myths Dark Ages, witch hunts, flat earth, geocentrism, exploitation of nature, creationism, rice-bowl conversions, the wars of religion. These and others are popular images that adorn the textbooks – and the charge sheet against Christianity. But how much is actually true? Football and the Kingdom of God Is God interested in Football? How could Match of the Day be transformed by the gospel? How exactly could Wayne Rooney transform Manchester United if he became a disciple of Jesus? Christian Philosophy and the Great White Plague (TB) What does tuberculosis have to do with the kingdom of God? Get to grips with a Christian philosophy that is extremely practical and relevant for the 21st century! Engaging Islam Learn about radical Islam and also about the everyday worries and fears of ordinary Muslims. How can we communicate the gospel of Christ to Muslim neighbours and friends? What can we learn from the Muslim way of life? Why do secularists find Islam so difficult to handle? In God’s story, what time is it for Muslims, Christians and secularists in the UK today? REALITYBITES Schools sessions "Might is Right”?: Issues of War and Peace This session explains three approaches to warfare - pacifism, just war and 'realism'. We will contrast the 'realist' battle tactics of Genghis Kahn with the Christian battle tactics of Tahitian king Pomare the 2nd. Can we conceive of a righteous war? Following Nature?: looking at sexual ethics This session investigates polygamy, 'open marriage', promiscuity and the curious phenomenon of people who get married to dolphins and cobras. Is marriage a social construct or a divine gift? Tadpole World: looking at naturalism What does the world look like to different creatures, say to a baboon, pig, bat or tadpole? If this is not a designed world, then how do we know whose view of the world – if any – is true? Beating Basil Fawlty’s Car: a fresh look at the problem of evil If atheism is true and only physical nature exists, can we even talk about purpose, good and evil? What does it matter if we can’t? Deflating or Inflating the Moral Balloon: looking at the sanctity of life At one extreme are those who believe that only a tiny minority of people have any value. At the other extreme some believe that all life is sacred and to be valued equally. What are the implications and consequences of these views? Selecting the Strong?: looking at issues of war and peace Can we communicate across cultures? Or is each culture so bound by its worldview that cross-cultural conflicts will always be decided in favour of the more powerful? Following Nature?: looking at sexual ethics Where do we get our moral framework? Is what is ‘natural’ a legitimate criterion for what is morally acceptable? What’s Wrong with Cannibalism? This session is aimed at Sixth Formers studying Religious Studies and Ethics. It explains cultural relativism, emotivism, existentialism, social Darwinism and offers a Christian response. Philosophies and Stories On www.markroques.com you will find plentiful resources for learning and for teaching young people. It’s a very accessible, entertaining and wise introduction to many worldviews and religions as well as a source of stories you can use. Paper on Multiculturalism click here to download |
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