College of Biblical Studies-Houston
Houston, Texas
MS 407 Biblical Worldview
Fall 2006
Professors: Dr. Voddie Baucham,
Mr. Marvin McNeese, & Rev. Paul R. Shockley.
BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
MS 407
Professors:
Dr. Voddie T. Baucham, Jr., M.Div., D.Min.
Mr. Marvin R. McNeese, M.A., M.P.A.
Rev. Paul R. Shockley, M.A., Th.M.
A worldview is the sum total of an individual’s answers to the most vital questions in life. Whether we know it or not-whether we like or not-each of us have a worldview. In fact, If we consider ourselves Christian, we are supposed to think and act like Jesus Christ in daily living. However, because of the cultural impact of relativism, pluralism, multiculturalism, hedonism, technology, and apathy, many Christians have compartmentalized their faith from society, church, and even themselves. As a result, a major shift and decline has occurred in our Western culture.
I. Course Description:
This worldview course is an introduction to the nature, definition, importance, and content of the Christian world view in general in contrast to other worldview systems and their implications in particular (e.g., deism, naturalism, pantheism, postmodernism). This course will highlight the critical importance of thinking "worldviewishly" by giving special attention to the role of biblical, philosophical, psychological, religious, and sociological assumptions and their implications in the totality of life including the arts, family, entertainment, government, economics, social problems, etc.
Therefore, our objectives of this course will include:
1. Carefully formulating a well-rounded systematic and coherent biblical worldview that is holistic, relevant, and applicable to every day living.
2. Discerning competing economic and political systems and the consequences ideas have in society.
3. Comparing social systems to the Biblical view of God, man, morality, and society.
4. Critically evaluating economical, philosophical, and moral ideas and value judgments in fine arts and entertainment.
5. Effectively engaging society with a holistic Christian worldview in order to promote freedom from chaos and authoritarianism.
6. Cogently understanding and articulating the Christian principles that established our American society.
7. Articulating personal convictions rooted in an understanding of concepts, presuppositions, philosophical bases and worldviews that have been examined in light of biblical principles.
II. Books:
A. REQUIRED:
1. Voddie Baucham, The Ever-Loving Truth: Can Faith Thrive in a Post-Christian Culture (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2004).
2. Robert P. Lightner, Handbook on Evangelical Theology (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1995).
3. Russell Kirk, The American Cause (Wilmington, DE.: ISI Books, 2002).
4. Dennis McCallum, The Death of Truth (Minneapolis: Bethany, 1996).
5. Workbook Study Guide which may be downloaded at www.prshockley.org. Look under the tab that states “College of Biblical Studies.” Then scroll down until you see workbook. It is in MS Word.
B. RECOMMENDED:
1. Jay Budziszewski, What You Can’t Not Know (Dallas, Texas: Spence Publishing, 2003).
2. Norman Geisler, Baker’s Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2000).
2. Josh McDowell, New Evidence That Demands a Verdict (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999).
3. Francis A. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 1984).
III. Schedule of Classes and Topics:
A. COMPONENTS OF WORLDVIEW THINKING:
Class # 1: Introduction to Biblical Worldview Thinking: What makes up a worldview?
Sept. 7th
View of God;
View of Reality;
View of Truth;
View of Knowledge;
View of Humanity;
View of Evil; and
View of Ethics.
Class # 2: Formulating a Biblical Worldview: God and Reality:
Schaeffer Video.
Sept. 14th
DUE: Chapter 1 of Russell Kirk’s, The American Cause, chapter 1 of Death of Truth, & Voddie Baucham’s, The Ever-Loving Truth, ix- 27 (preface and chapter 1).
Class# 3: Formulating a Biblical Worldview: Truth, Knowledge, and Humanity:
Sept. 21st Schaeffer video.
DUE: chapter 2 by Baucham, chapter 2 by Kirk, and chapter 2 of Death of Truth.
Class# 4: Formulating a Biblical Worldview: Evil and Ethics:
Schaeffer Video:
Sept. 28th
DUE: chapter 3 by Baucham, chapter 3 by Kirk, and chapter 3 of Death of Truth.
B. Part 2: Biblical Truth and Responsible Living: The Application of a Biblical Worldview:
Class # 5: Applying Biblical Worldview to Real Life Ethical Situations:
Schaeffer video
Oct. 5th
DUE: chapter 7 and 8 by Kirk, chapter 4 by Baucham, and chapter 4 of The Death of Truth.
Class # 6: Applying Biblical Worldview to the Family. Schaeffer video.
Oct. 12th
DUE: chapter 5 by Baucham & chapter 5 of Death of Truth.
Class # 7: Applying Biblical Worldview to the Family (cont.). Schaeffer video.
Oct. 19
DUE: chapter 6 by Baucham, and chapters 6, 8, and 9 of Death of Truth.
Class # 8: Applying Biblical Worldview to Law & Government. Schaeffer Video
Oct 26th
DUE: chapters 4-6 of Kirk, chapter 7 by Baucham, and chapter 10 of Death of Truth
Class# 9: Applying Biblical Worldview to Law & Government (continues).
Schaeffer Video.
Nov. 2nd
DUE: chapter 8 by Baucham and chapters 9-10 by Kirk.
We welcome Guest Lecturer, Justice Tim Taft- Texas State Court of Appeals, Houston Texas:
1. Special Lecture: Original Intent of the Constitution of the U.S.
2. Special Lecture: Potential Problems Facing the Christian Faith
Class# 10: Applying Biblical Worldview to Economics. Schaeffer Video.
Nov. 9th
DUE: Chapter 9 of Baucham, and 11 of Death of Truth.
Class# 11: Applying Biblical Worldview to Economics (cont.). Schaeffer Video.
Nov. 16th
DUE: Chapter 10 of Baucham and chapter 12 of Death of Truth.
Paul R. Shockley will be out of town.
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY 23rd!!!
Class # 12: Applying Biblical Worldview to Aesthetics and Entertainment.
Nov. 30th
DUE: Chapter 13 of Death of Truth.
*Class # 13: Applying Biblical Worldview to Aesthetics and Entertainment (cont.).
Dec. 7th
DUE: Chapter 14 of Death of Truth.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS DUE:
1. Final Term Paper
2. Study Guide due.
Class # 14: Conclusion & Summary to Biblical Worldview Thinking.
Dec. 14th
DUE: Chapter 15 of Death of Truth.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS WITH FINAL GRADE RETURNED.
IV. Student Requirements and Course Grading:
A. Final Exam Term Paper (30%)
1. Your first paper assignment is to create a systematic & coherent formulation of your biblical worldview that includes the biblical concepts of God, truth, reality, knowledge, ethics, humanity, and evil. This paper will be part one of your final exam project. This paper is due on 7th class day. Your paper must be 7-10 pages long.
2. Your second paper is to relate your biblical worldview to essay questions that will be distributed on class # 7 regarding religion, government, economics, aesthetics, family, and entertainment. This paper is due on 13th class day. Your paper must be 7-10 pages long with a final draft of your first paper forming one final paper. You must address any concern we make in your first paper and make changes accordingly. You will then add your first draft to the beginning of your second paper, forming one final term paper project. Thus your final exam project will have two major parts:
1. Part I: What is your biblical worldview?
2. Part II: The Application of your biblical worldview.
You will be graded on the basis of your thoughtful integration of biblical concepts into your worldview that governs your Christian response to particular societal issues that may impact your family, church, and society.
3. Each paper will be approximately 7-10 pages long specifically following format guidelines shown below with the final exam term paper being between 14-20 pages.
Format for Final Exam Term Paper:
1. Double Space (no double space between paragraphs)
2. Plain cover sheet
3. 12 size font (new times or Romans only)
4. One inch margins on all four sides
5. Black and white print only (including charts)
6. page numbers top right side
7. Footnotes only
8. No spiral binding or folder; simply a staple
9. .5 tabs
10. Bibliography of at least 5 sources.
Additional writing tips are available on my website at www.prshockley.org
You will be graded on the basis of quality of work, grammar and spelling, and format.
B. Study Guide (40%)
1. You must answer every study question from Robert P. Lightner’s book, Handbook on Evangelical Theology. See www.prshockley.org for a download of the study guide. This study guide is due at the beginning of 13th class day along with final paper. All work will be returned on 14th class.
C. Reading Assignments ( 30%) and Course Grading:
Kirk, American Cause 10%
Baucham, The Ever-Loving Truth 10%
McCallum, The Death of Truth 10%
Lightner, Handbook on Evangelical Theology and Study Guide 40%
Papers 30%
1. First Paper (15%)
2. Second Paper and final draft (15%) of First Paper:
V. Class Policies:
A. PLAGIARISM: It is the responsibility for each student to know and understand what plagiarism is. Ignorance and misunderstandings of plagiarism will not be excused. Any student who plagiarizes any of their work for this class may receive a “F” for the class and /or be expelled from the school. See attached handout regarding plagiarism.
B. INTERNET SOURCES: While the internet is incredible regarding the vast information available, students are not allowed to cut and paste or cite internet sources from the internet for term papers, whether in terms of content, footnotes, or bibliography. Rather, students may use the extensive bibliography we have provided for assistance regarding papers or other printed sources available. The school librarian or your professors will be glad to help you. Therefore, do not use the internet to complete your papers.
C. CELL PHONES: Unless you have prior permission from the professors, no cell phones are to be on during in class. If you need to use your cell phone please wait till break unless it is an emergency. Cell phones are a major distraction to the learning process. Thank you for this courtesy to both professors and fellow students.
D. ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all classes in which they are enrolled. It is your responsibility to follow procedures as outlined by the registrar’s office in view of class attendance. Students should miss no more than 3 classes. If you miss more than three classes, you will need to drop course or change to audit. Each class is critical to your papers. Moreover, you must be punctual in attendance. Arrive on-time! We will take attendance every week at the beginning of class. Lastly, if you miss a class, you are responsible to keep up with reading.
E. DROPS OR WITHDRAWAL: Students must follow procedures outlined by the Program Director to drop a class or withdraw from the College. Students unable to withdraw in person may write to the Registrar’s Office. Telephone withdrawals cannot be accepted. If a student simply ceases to attend a class without officially withdrawing, he or she will receive a grade of “F” for non-attendance.
F. FINAL GRADE OR COURSE QUESTIONS: Students will need to direct all questions regarding attendance, use of cell phones, papers, and grading to professor Paul R. Shockley. He will be responsible for submitting your final grade. You may contact him at or 713-785-5995. He is located on Suite 210. Office hours by appointment. Professor has full right to grade accordingly to the quality of work.
NOTICE:
Assignments/Exams/Final must be turned in to the instructor only, on specified due dates. In the case of emergency, make arrangements with the instructor.
This syllabus is subject to change as deemed necessary by the instructor to accommodate instructional and/or student needs.
y The Secretary of Labor’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills has identified basic
skills for lifelong success; which include: reading, writing and computation skills; thinking and reasoning skills; personal and interpersonal skills; utilization of knowledge and resources, systems understanding and technical skills. This course champions the acquisition of these skills.p
VI. Biblical Worldview Bibliography:
WORLDVIEW (REGARDING):
Building a Christian World View, vols 2, ed. by William Andrew Hoffeker. Philipsburg, Penn.: Presbyterian & Reformed, 1988. Volume 1 focuses on God, Man, and Knowledge. Volume 2 focuses on The Universe, Society, and Ethics. It is from the reformed, covenantal perspective.
Clark, Gordon H. A Christian View of Men and Things. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1952. This book is a pioneer work in worldview thinking from a Christian coherentist perspective and includes law, government, and economics (it is not theonomistic).
Colson, Charles and Nancy Pearcey. How Now Shall We Then Live? Wheaton: Tyndale, 1999. This worldview book follows a cultural approach to worldview thinking.
Curtis, Edward M. and John Brugaletta. Transformed Thinking: Loving God with All Your Mind. Franklin, Tenn.: JKO Press, 1996.
Geisler, Norman L. and William L. Watkins. Worlds Apart: A Handbook on Worldviews. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1989. This book surveys the Christian Worldview against competing views.
Holmes, Arthur. Contours of a World View. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.
Naugle, David. Worldview: The History of a Concept. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002. This is a novel contribution in that he gives the historical development of worldview thinking.
Nash, Ronald H. Worldviews in Conflict: Choosing Christianity in a World of Ideas. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992. Introductory text to worldview thinking.
Pepper, Stephen. World Hypotheses. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1942.
Philips, W. Gary, and William E. Brown. Making Sense of Your World from a Biblical Viewpoint. Chicago: Moody, 1991.
Schaeffer, Francis, A. The Complete Works of Francis A. Schaeffer: A Christian Worldview, vols 5. Wheaton: Illinois. 1982.
Sire, James. The Universe Next Door. Downers Grove, Ill.: Inter-Varsity, 1976.
Wainwright, William J. Philosophy of Religion. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth, 1988, chap. 7.
SUGGESTED SOURCES FOR EXPLORING CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW INTEGRATION:
AESTHETICS:
Best, Harold. Music Through the Eyes of Faith. San Francisco: Harper, 1993.
Dillenberger, John. Style and Content in Christian Art. Books on Demand London, 1986.
Gaebelein, Frank E. The Christian, The Arts, and Truth: Regaining the Vision of Greatness. Portland, Ore.: Multnomah Press, 1985. Gaebelein, a normative dispensationalist, advocates appreciation for the fine arts with a passion for excellence and glory to God.
Halverson,William H. A Concise Introduction to Philosophy. New York: Random House, 1967, chaps 51-54.
Hospers, John. Understanding the Arts. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Halll, 1982.
Murray, Peter and Linda. Oxford Dictionary of Christian Art. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996. Over 1,700 entries on people and topics represented in art, artists and their works, buildings, places, themes, and visual images.
Myers, Kenneth A. All God’s Children and Blue Suede Shoes. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 1989.
Rookmaaker, Hans. The Creative Gift: Essays on Art and the Christian Life. Westchester, Ill.: Cornerstone Books, 1981. Rookmaaker was an associate and mentor of art to Francis A. Schaeffer.