Conversation 1 - Worldview


Liberty University was founded on the idea that a relationship with Jesus changes everything, and this understanding impacts all that we are and all that we do. We are inviting you to explore the beauty of a relationship with Jesus in the following conversations. We will start by asking some big-picture questions related to life and end with a challenge for all of us to put into practice what we have learned. 

Conversation 1 Overview 

We will start our conversation by focusing on some important questions related to the concept of worldview.

  1. What is a worldview? 

  2. How has God revealed himself? 

  3. What is the story of the Bible? 

  4. How does God's story impact my life?

Question 1 - What is a Worldview? 

"Worldview" may be a new term for you, so the following video by Lew Weider provides a basic overview of the concept of worldview. Growing to understand this concept will help you as you relate to the people and world around you. 

Answering the Five Worldview Questions 

A worldview is a specific way a person views important moral, theological, and social aspects of the world. It is the framework a person brings to decision-making. It can also be described as the lens that colors the way we see the world around us.

For example, our worldview shapes our ethics. How do we determine what is right and wrong? Why do people come to different conclusions about morality? We make these decisions based on our worldview, which is why studying worldviews is so important.

Below are five key questions that every worldview must address. Please click each card to review the questions:

  1. Origin

    • How did the universe come into existence? How did human life begin? 

  2. Identity

    • What does it mean to be human? Are humans any different than other living things? 

  3. Purpose

    • Why are humans here? Why am I here?

  4. Morality

    • How should people determine right from wrong? How should I make moral choices? 

  5. Destiny

    • What happens to people when they die? What will happen to me when I die? 

Question 2 - How has God Revealed Himself? 

Having established what a worldview is and the key questions related to worldview, we will now turn our attention to exploring some of the key features of a biblical worldview. Essential to a biblical worldview is the reality that God has revealed Himself. In the following video, Claudia Dempsey explains the nature of God's revelation of Himself to humanity.

Nature of Revelation 

One of the central claims of the Christian faith is that God has revealed himself to humanity. The biblical worldview recognizes that because of God's revelation, we stand accountable to God. His revelation can be seen in two broad categories: general revelation and special revelation. Click each card below to learn more about these two categories:

  1. What is general revelation? 

    • General revelation is the revelation of God given to all people at all times and includes the natural world, history, and the human conscience. 

  2. What is special revelation? 

    • Special revelation is God’s revelation to specific people at specific times and includes the Bible and the Person and work of Jesus. 

Psalm 19 explores both categories of revelation:

The sun rising above clouds

God’s general revelation is seen in verses 1-6.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

God’s special revelation is noted in verses 7-11.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

A Bible open on a tabletop

Question 3 - What is the Story of the Bible? 

As we focus on God's revelation to us, it is important to understand the major themes of the Bible. In the following video, Brandon Read explains the overarching story of the Bible. 

Creation, Fall, Redemption, New Creation

The Bible is God’s story of how He has been actively involved with His creation. This story can be described as Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Creation. Click on the following tabs to learn more about each part of God's story.

CREATION - This story begins with the creation of the universe in Genesis 1-2. It explains how God created male and female in His image and affirms that His creation was very good.

FALL - Genesis 3 explains the fall of humanity. The first humans disobeyed God, which introduced sin into God's creation. As a result of this sin, humanity's relationship with God, each other, and God's creation was broken.

REDEMPTION - The Bible describes God’s process of redeeming humanity to Himself. The Old Testament proclaims the need for a coming Redeemer, while the New Testament is the good news that the Redeemer has come. This Redeemer, Jesus Christ, explains that "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). The New Testament shows us that redemption is possible only through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

NEW CREATION - Through the redemption of Jesus Christ, God is making all things new. When a person believes in Christ as their Savior and they repent of their sins, they are a new creation, and they will have everlasting life. This process of new creation finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new heaven and new earth when the effects of the fall (sin and death) are no more. 

Question 4 - How does God's Story Impact my Life?

The Bible is ultimately a story about God, but it is also a story about us. In the following video, Pastor Jonathan Falwell explains how God's story of redemption impacts our lives. 

As Conversation 1 comes to a close, consider the following 2 reflective questions:

  • •

    How does the worldview you hold answer the five big worldview questions? 

  • •

    What impact does God's story of redemption have on your life?