Cornerstone University has a department called the Worldview Institute, which works to educate people in the theory of worldview, ostensibly to convince those people that the WI’s world view is correct, but more concerned with the idea that people should not only have one, but realize that they have one.
This weekend I’m going to a retreat for work (staff retreat) and we’re going to have a guy come in and talk to us about it. I’m fairly certain my personal worldview fits their definition of a Biblical worldview, so I’m not too worried about a great shaking of my faith or anything.
As something to think about beforehand, we were given an article to read that had some stats that I found to be very interesting, mostly because they contradict waht I would guess. Article here.
For those who don’t want to read the article, the most important part is their definition of a Biblical worldview:
“Defining such a worldview as believing that absolute moral truth exists, that it is based upon the Bible, and having a biblical view on six core beliefs (the accuracy of biblical teaching, the sinless nature of Jesus, the literal existence of Satan, the omnipotence and omniscience of God, salvation by grace alone, and the personal responsibility to evangelize)”
The stats are cool, you should read them.
I would be very curious to find out *exactly* what they mean by “salvation by grace alone” (and whether this meant that by “Biblical” they really meant “Protestant” worldview), and “the accuracy of Biblical teaching” (and whether this meant that by “Biblical” they really meant “Fundamentalist” worldview).
The Worldview Institute isn’t really associated with the Barna Institute, so I probably won’t find out about that specific definition this weekend. 🙁
Based on the number of churches in the U.S. I’m not sure you can get a good survey based on 600 pastors. Maybe you can, but I’m not sure. The numbers don’t supprise me much though. I’m not sure I would fall in that group if I had that little of information to work with. The requirements can be taken in many different ways. They are very Fundamentalist.
It is cool to see that people are doing this kind of research though. I just hope it’s not to harp on those that are not Fundamentalist. =)
Keep up the good work bro!