Worldview

Exam Review

8 Worldview Questions

1) How does one come to know truth?

2) What is prime reality- really real?

3) what is the nature of external reality- the world around us?

4) What does it mean to be human?

5) what happens to a person at death?

6) why is it possible to know anything at all?

7) how do we know what is right or wrong?

8) Is there any meaning or purpose to life or history?

2 common responses to the worldview questions?

1) answers are obvious and why bother to even ask

2) wonder how any of the questions can be answered with certainty

3 reasons many don’t take worldview seriously

diversion (reluctant to face the final reality of death so we distract ourselves)

bargaining (deal with reality and questions later)

noise and interference ( feeling guilt and shameful)

Worldview as a tool for analysis

analysis of the worldview of others, culture, academic, and self (most important)

why we need to answer the big questions in life

everyone desires answers to life so we must answer them with fulfilling and meaningful responses that guide our actions and beliefs.

what a worldview does?

it gives us a reason for the way things are

How Christianity answers the worldview questions?

1) what is prime reality: God is eternal, self-existent and self-sufficient

2) what is the nature of eternal reality: God created the cosmos ex nihilo to operate with an uniformity of cause and effect in an open system

3) what is a human being: humans are created in the image of God and thus possess personality, self-transcendence, intelligence, morality and creativity

4) how do you know what you know? human beings can know both the world and God himself because God has built in them the capacity to do so

5) how does one know what is right and wrong? ethics is transcendent and is based on the character of God as good

6) what is the meaning of life and human history? history is conventional- a meaningful sequence of events leading to the fulfillment of God’s purpose for humanity

7) what happens to a person at death? death is either a gate for eternal life with God or separation from Him.

Islam background/origin

Islam originated in the 7th century AD in the Arabian Peninsula, with the prophet Muhammad receiving revelations from angel Gabriel forming the basis of the Quran and the Islamic faith.

Islamic answers to the 8 worldview questions

1) What is prime reality: reality is all that Allah has created.

2) What is the nature of eternal reality: the world was created as a temporary place by Allah. Test for humans and their devotion to Allah

3) What is a human being: Humans are created by Allah, inherently imperfect and must use their reasoning to determine good from evil. Worship and serve Allah.

4) How do you know what you know? Knowledge comes from Allah through revelation in the Quran and teachings of Muhammad.

5) How does one know what is right and wrong? Ethics is determined by Allah's commands and the guidance of the Koran and Sunna

6) What is the meaning of life and human history? humans are meant to learn about the world and pass his test.

7) What happens to a person at death? After death, individuals are judged by Allah. If more good works were done, they enter paradise; if more bad, punished for eternity.

Contradictions/Comparisons to Christianity

Muhammad was not a sinless being unlike Jesus and proclaimed to have received a vision from God telling him to abandon the old teachings of Christianity.

Origins of Buddhism

Buddhism originated in the 5th century BC in India, founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, who attained enlightenment and taught the path to liberation from suffering.

Buddhism answers to the ultimate questions

1) know truth? revealed by understanding the 4 Noble Truths, practicing Noble Eightfold truths, cultivating mindfulness, and wisdom

2) prime reality: everything is interconnected and impermanent; no fixed truth

3) nature of the world: world is dynamic; governed by karma

4) what is a human being? composite of 5 attributes: body, sense, perception, thought and consciousness

5) what happens to a person at death? 5 attributes are reincarnated according to karma

6) is it possible to know anything at all? world is observable and by following Dharma and meditation, one can discover truth

Origins of Hinduism

Hinduism traces its origins to the Indus Valley civilization around 1500 BC, evolving from ancient traditions and beliefs, emphasizing a diverse array of practices, philosophies, and deities. No founder

Hinduism answers to the Ultimate Questions

1) know truth? realized through personal experience, study of scriptures under a guru, performing spiritual disciplines.

2) prime reality: Brahman, the ultimate, unchanging reality beyond the physical world. 3) nature of the world: dynamic, eternal, and interconnected cyclic existence of creation, preservation, and destruction rooted in Brahman

4) what is a human being? Atman, the eternal self, is part of Brahman; continuous existence through numerous cycles of birth,, death, and rebirth

5) What happens at death? soul continues ins journey towards mokshaw. Reincarnation based on karma; the Atman moves to a new life.

6) is it possible to know anything at all? all things are connected to Brahman so knowledge is inherent

7) Is there right or wrong? by guidance of Dharma and by karma

8) meaning of life? achieving Moksha by fulfilling Dharma, pursuing Artha and karma, and ultimately realizing the true nature of self and connection to the divine

Origins of Mormonism

LDS church was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 before moving to Utah under the influence of Brigham Young. Smith claimed to have received divine revelations at 14 from the angel Moroni who gave him golden tablets to make the “Book of Mormon.”

Mormon answers to the Ultimate Questions

1) know truth? study Book of Mormon, Bible and other Scriptures and through personal revelation

2) prime reality: intelligence is a fundamental aspect of reality, existing eternally. Humans progress toward godhood. God didn’t create everything out of nothing

3) nature of the world: humanity and earth have eternal existence and earth is a place of testing and growth.

4) what is a human being? spirit children of God with divine potential. 5) What happens at death? spirit enters the spirit world. Judged by Christ. Enter 3 planets.

6)Know anything at all? knowledge is both acquired through both divine revelation and personal effort

7) Is there right or wrong? guided by commandments and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

8) meaning of life? become more like God

Contradictions

God the Father became the only God but teaches there are many gods. God is a spirit yet also has a body. He dwells in heart yet doesn’t as well

Jehovah’s witness organs

started as the International Student’s Bible Association by Charles Taze Russel in 1872. Claims that Christ already established His kingdom invisibly

JW Answers to the Ultimate Questions

1) know truth? through Bible interpretation and teachings from the governing body

2) prime reality: Jehovah God is the only true deity, existing outside of creation.

3) nature of the world: under dominion of satan until last battle which will end by direct intervention of Jehovah.

4) what is a human being? creature of Jehovah God, a being of non-immortal life force

5) What happens at death? they cease to exist. Resurrected will live on earth and be ruled by Christ

6) Know anything at all? knowledge is revealed through scripture and organizational teachings.

7) Is there right or wrong? determined by God's word as interpreted by the organization.

8) meaning of life? to serve Jehovah God and spread His message.