Chapter 4.1 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: The perspectives of Richard Dawkins and Stephen Jay Gould are considered as well as A. Wolters' concepts about worldview. Richard Dawkins argues that the Darwinian worldview is the only theory capable of explaining the mystery of our existence. Stephen Jay Gould acknowledges that facts are not objectively perceived but are influenced by theory, culture, and other biases, or one's worldview. In this session I will build my own worldview by using philosophy's structure. A. Wolters outlines five possible relationships between worldview and philosophy: -Worldview repels philosophy. -Worldview crowns philosophy. -Worldview flanks philosophy. -Worldview yields philosophy. -Worldview equals philosophy. My personal belief is that both Worldview and Philosophy attempt to answer the same big questions about life but from different cultural perspectives. Ground Zero for my personal worldview starts with Weltbild, which refers to life experiences, environment, culture, and beliefs that shape one’s understanding of the world. The question is posed: What cultural tendency am I using? This personal worldview considers how individual experiences, beliefs, and cultural contexts influence how one constructs a Biblical worldview. For a worldview though to be truly Biblical it must assume the Non-Western Cultural perspective, similar to that of the ancient Hebrew culture.
Chapter 4.2 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: Epistemology (Welt-bild): Epistemology asks: What is the source of reliable knowledge? Hebrew culture—both ancient and modern—is considered Non-Western in its worldview, emphasizing a different approach to knowing and understanding than the Western tradition. Common Sources of Reliable Knowledge: -Human Intuition -External Authority -Human Reasoning -Human Senses My Source of Reliable Knowledge: External Authority: God, as revealed through: Special Revelation (e.g., Scripture) General Revelation (e.g., nature, creation) Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (WEB) The Hebrews interpreted this literally, affirming both God’s existence and His role as Creator of a real, physical world.
Chapter 4.3 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: 2. Metaphysics (Welt-bild) Metaphysics deals with the foundational beliefs about what is real. It sets the "rules" or assumptions we use to interpret existence. It includes three main sub-branches: Theology – Answers questions about God's existence, nature, and knowability. Ontology – The study of what truly exists (being). Universal Science – Investigation into the first causes or ultimate origins. My Personal Metaphysics: - Theology: I believe God exists and is a Spirit. He is both transcendent (beyond the world) and immanent (present within it). God can be known through revelation, which takes two forms: - General Revelation (e.g., nature) - Special Revelation (e.g., Scripture; direct communication with man)
Chapter 4.4 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: Metaphysics – Ontology (What is Real?) Metaphysics includes three sub-branches: -Theology – Does God exist? → Yes - Ontology – What is real? -Universal Science – The search for first causes My Ontology: I identify as a Realist, more specifically a Critical Realist — believing that reality exists independently of perception, but our understanding of it is influenced by interpretation. Genesis 1:1 – "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This reflects a realist worldview: a literal, created universe by a real, existing God. The Hebrews were Realists, believing in a literal heaven, earth, and Creator—though God could not be seen or represented by images. Hebrew culture was Non-Western: they trusted in their experience of God, even without direct visual observation.
Chapter 4.5 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: Metaphysics – The Three Branches - Theology – Does God exist? → Yes - Ontology – What is real? → Critical Realist - Universal Science – The search for First Causes My Universal Science: My understanding of first causes is grounded in my source of reliable knowledge—namely: External Authority, as revealed through: Special Revelation (e.g., Scripture; God's communication directly with man) General Revelation (e.g., nature) Key Verse: Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This verse affirms that the origin of everything begins with God as the First Cause. My Complete Metaphysics: Theology – God exists Ontology – I am a Critical Realist Universal Science – Rooted in Revelation as my source of ultimate truth: In the beginning God...
Chapter 4.6 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: 1B. My Epistemology – How I Know What I Know Method Used: - Rationalism, but guided by the Spirit of Truth through Revelation (both Special and General). Key Verse – James 1:5: If anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God, who gives generously to all. Scientific Advances & Intuition: Many major scientific discoveries (e.g., evolution, the speed of light, atomic structure, DNA, mathematics) were revealed to individuals through dreams. Figures include: Alfred Russel Wallace – Evolution by Natural Selection Albert Einstein – Speed of Light Niels Bohr – Atomic Structure Srinivasa Ramanujan – Mathematical insights James Watson – DNA structure These were intuitive insights, intuition is not accepted as a scientific method for acquiring Reliable Knowledge. My Method of gaining Reliable Knowledge: Rooted in Revelation from God, not merely in human tradition or philosophy. Supporting Scriptures: Colossians 2:6–8 – Remain grounded in Christ, not deceived by human tradition. Hebrews 11:1–3 – Faith is understanding unseen realities; creation came from the Word of God. Hebrews 11:6 – Faith is essential to know and please God. John 4:23–24 – True worshipers know and worship God in spirit and truth. Summary Thought: My epistemology prioritizes faith, revelation, and divine guidance, even while appreciating rational thought. True wisdom begins with God’s truth, not merely human intellect or science.
Chapter 4.7 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: 1B. My Epistemology – Empiricism (Guided by Revelation) Method Used: - Empiricism – Gaining knowledge through observation and experience, but led by the Spirit of Truth through Revelation. I believe that while human senses and experience can reveal truth, it can also lead me to error, true perception depends on spiritual insight granted by God. Supporting Scriptures: - 2 Kings 6:17 – Elisha prays for spiritual sight; God opens the servant's eyes to see the unseen (chariots of fire). - Luke 8:10 – Jesus explains that understanding God's mysteries is a gift, not everyone who sees or hears truly perceives. - Isaiah 6:9 – The people see and hear, but do not truly understand or perceive—their hearts are spiritually closed. Summary Thought: My epistemology includes empirical methods, but affirm that real knowledge and understanding come only when God opens the eyes and ears of the heart. Experience can be valid—but Revelation transforms it into truth.
Chapter 4.8 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: 1B. My Epistemology – Skepticism (Guided by Revelation) Method Used: Skepticism, in the tradition of René Descartes, doubted everything until it could be proven rationally. But this skepticism is led by the Spirit of Truth through Revelation. Key Ideas & Influences: René Descartes (Dreams, Nov. 10, 1619): Helped lay the foundation of the modern scientific method through philosophical skepticism. The Scientific Method Includes: - Empirical Observation - Hypothesis Formation - Testing & Experimentation - Reproducibility & Verification - Peer Review Nietzsche wrote: “It is not the victory of science… but the victory of the scientific method over science.” He wrote this because as conceived the scientific method would now exclude any claims to Reliable Knowledge that did not conform to these parameters. Meaning the Spiritual dimension was excluded from reality. Supporting Scriptures: - Mark 9:24 – "I believe; help my unbelief!" – Acknowledges doubt, but seeks faith. - John 10:37-38 – Jesus invites people to test His works as evidence of His divine origin. - Deuteronomy 13:5 – Warns against false prophets and misleading dreams, emphasizing the need for discernment. 1A. Sources of Reliable Knowledge (Overall Framework): - Intuition – Direct, internal knowing (e.g., dreams or visions), but not always trustworthy - Authority – External, especially divine (Scripture, Revelation) - Reason/Logic – Rational understanding - Empiricism – Knowledge through observation and experience Summary Thought: I approach knowledge through skeptical inquiry, but not in isolation. For me, true certainty and discernment come only when skepticism is guided by Revelation and the Spirit of Truth. Doubt is not rejected—but it's transformed by faith, evidence, and spiritual insight.
Chapter 4.9 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: 3. My Logic – The Structure of My Worldview - 0. Welt-Bild (Worldview): Rooted in a Non-Western perspective: Emphasizes Faith in External Authority (i.e., God) - 1. Epistemology – My Source and Methods of Knowing Source: God, through Revelation Methods (each guided by the Spirit of God): - Rationalism as guided by the Spirit of Truth - Empiricism as guided by the Spirit of Truth - Skepticism as guided by the Spirit of Truth - 2. Metaphysics – My View of What Is Real - Theology: God exists and is knowable - Ontology: I am a Critical Realist – reality exists independently of the mind, though our perception of it is not direct. - Universal Science: Truth about first causes is known by Revelation: - Special Revelation (Scripture, divine communication) - General Revelation (nature, creation) - 3. Logical Conclusion: God exists and can be known through His Revelation to us.
Chapter 4.10 : Building Our Own Worldview/Philosophy: This session covers the following content: - 4. My Axiology – What Gives My Life Meaning? Core Purpose: To glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Westminster Shorter Catechism) Biblical Foundation – Ecclesiastes 12:13–14: “Fear God and keep His commandments… for this is the whole duty of man.” Life finds meaning through reverence for God, obedience, and the awareness that all actions will be judged by Him. - 3. My Welt-Modell – My Model of Interpreting the World Shaped by Culture, Prejudice, Theory, and Habit, I follow the Creation Science Model: Not because of the raw data alone, but because of how I choose to interpret that data—through a worldview grounded in faith and revelation. Summary Thought: My life gains meaning through a God-centered purpose—worship, obedience, and eternal relationship—while my understanding of the world is deeply shaped by a faith-informed interpretive lens.