Are You Double-Minded With Too Many Worldviews?

Today we’re wrapping up our worldview discussion with a major question:

How many worldviews do you have?

 

Over the last several months we’ve looked at some major movers and shakers in world philosophy. And we’ve discussed the basic beliefs of some of the most influential worldviews.

During our discussion, what did you discover about your own personal worldview?

Do you have a melting (or boiling) pot of worldviews? Have you melded an assortment of them together, like a smorgasbord?

Maybe you lean toward Marxism, as so many seem to do now without even knowing they do. Do you view religion as an opium for an oppressed creature?

Do you take a rational view of the world? Maybe you’ve combined a little Naturalism—like Environmentalism and Earth-focus—with a dabble of Romanticism and Christian Theism. That combination might make you feel more in tune with the polytheists of the world.

Or would you relate to being a staunch Realist, or an Absurdist who thinks the world is one big pointless joke that ends in Nothing. Nihil.

 

The disciple, James, had some scathing words for those who couldn’t make up their minds.

 

“…the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind… Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

 

Like the wave of a sea, blown and tossed by the wind, double-minded and unstable.

 

I don’t know anyone who wants to be considered unstable, tossed around by a multitude of beliefs, unsure of their past, present or future. Unsure offer worried about, the foundation upon which they stand.

 

I think we would all be wise to know what we believe and why.

And strive to build our house upon the Rock!

 

What worldview have you built your house on?

 

As you read this post, I’m learning how to be a pilgrimage, doing a lot of meditating on how I do life, and probably how I can do it better. I expect to return enlightened and changed.

Because of this,MEDITATION MONDAYS will be on hiatus until October 15, when we’ll start our journey of preparing our hearts for Thanksgiving with a look at gratefulness.

 

Until then, be convinced about what you believe and why. Know the facts. People who have done a honest study of Christianity—even with the sole intent of proving it wrong—have come to the conclusion that its founder really is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Knowing that and living like you believe it, will make your life’s path straight!

 

Looking forward to being back with you in a month!

Blessings,

Andrea

May you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 2).

Mover and Shaker in Human History Worldview—Karl Marx

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary lists a variety of definitions for philosophy, depending on what you’re referencing. For our purposes, it lists three definitions:

  1. pursuit of wisdom
  2. 2. a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculativerather than observational means
  3. an analysis of the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs

 

After reading those definitions, my first question is: What is wisdom? How is that defined?

So, I headed over to wisdom and found several definitions.

  1.   a: ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : insight

   b : good sense : judgment

   c : generally accepted belief

   d : accumulated philosophical or scientific learning : knowledge

2: a wise attitude, belief, or course of action

3: the teachings of the ancient wise men

 

After thinking about these defintions, I came to the conclusion that philosophers—for the most part, although some venture into the testable and observable realm—are people who seek to understand inner qualities and relationships through a search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative means. (The chiefly speculative means grabs my attention. Why? Because I don’t think we need to speculate. But we’ll venture into that discussion in a future post!)

They also analyze the grounds of and concepts expressing fundamental beliefs. And many of them are quick to dismiss some of those grounds and concepts and replace them with their own theories and beliefs about people’s behaviors and attitudes, and how to make the thoughts and behaviors right.

 

The term philosophy was first used by Pythagoras, the Greek mathematician and philosopher who invented the famous Pythagorean mathematical theorem. He also founded the Pythagoreanism movement. Interestingly, people considered it a religion. Pythagoras believed in the divinity and immortality of the soul, which—on Earth—is imprisoned in a human form. (We started to discuss that belief in last Friday’s discussion about the soul.)

 

20th Century Philosophy—

The 20th Century saw a development of a large number of new philosophy schools. Many of them came and quickly vaporized. Some are still being practiced and clung to. thefamouspeople.com site contains a litany of people regarded as modern philosophers. I stopped counting at 147.

thebestschools.org lists their top 50 most influential living philosophers. Reading through their overviews is enough to make your eyes cross and your head ache.

But it’s educational, and eye opening. A cursory read of some of these philosophers’ beliefs gives you tremendous insight into what and how much of our society thinks in 2018; and how political beliefs fall into the field of social science.

And as I’m reading these most influential thinkers, I’m thinking, Me thinks you think too much! What a waste of time, and precious mental real estate.

You could, as these highly (and probably over-educated) people do, spend a lifetime posing questions about life and get no closer to solving the world’s human condition. While some of their thinking and work seem practical, much of it sounds, well, silly, and way too irrelevant for the common person.

 

Returning to the 19th Century—

But all we need to do is go back one more century to find a man who may have had one of the most profound, far-reaching and permanent influences on society.

Karl Marx.

Born in Germany in 1818, Marx wore a lot of hats—philosopher, economist, historian, political theorist, sociologist, and journalist. But his most famous is the revolutionary socialist, and his fame blossomed with his writing and publishing of the Communist Manifesto. He is cited as one of the principal architects of modern social science.

One of his most famous quotes is:

 

“Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people.

 

Marx obviously had pity (and disdain) for religion and the people who he labeled “religious.” (Out of curiosity, all of you religious types who feel oppressed, heartless, spiritless, and drugged, please raise your hands!)

My religious life is the polar opposite of his definition. On the contrary, I feel most oppressed by the world. And my spirit sores the most when I am thinking about and interacting with God. It is faith that brings spirit to a dying, depressed world. It is the hope in the midst of pain and suffering. It is the love given to us by the Almighty that really makes the world go round.

Another famous Marx quote is:

 

“The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways. The point, however, is to change it.”

 

And change the world Marx did!

He and the German philosopher Friedrich Engels focused on class struggle and believed society would eventually develop from one of oppressing the bourgeois—materialistic, conventional-thinking middle class, a result of capitalism—to a socialist, classless society. And he wasn’t a fan of religion. He felt that the ruling classes primarily used it to oppress the non-ruling ones.

If you allow me to perch myself on my soapbox for a minute, it sounds a lot like the progressive ideology being touted right now. And ironically, it is the powerful and moneyed that are preaching it to the masses—the beauty, happiness, and contentment of a classless society, with them in charge! (Of course you need someone in charge, since the masses aren’t smart enough to make decisions for themselves.)

Something I find ironic is that Marx seemed to abhor the idea of the state controlling the masses, snooping into people’s lives and trying to control them, contrary ideas, beliefs and writings being perused and punished. Because that’s exactly what modern Communism does.

Marxism is a philosophy that won’t die. It keeps being re-fashioned and renamed for the next generation. Keep your eyes and ears open for Marxist ideas being spread in the press, and by politicians, policy makers, and social scientists.

 

Homework:

Take a few minutes to Google how many socialist countries there were at the beginning of the 1800’s. Then fast forward to today. What kind of influence has Marxism had on the world?

And what kind of effect has it had on the people in the countries where it has become the political rule of law?

For deeper thought—

How do you think you would function under a Communist government? Would you be better or worse off? What rights that you now enjoy would you probably lose? (This might require some research, but it will be worth the effort.)

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you” (Romans 12:2, The Message).

 

NEXT WEEK: Real-time philosophy, and meditating on the miraculous

 Until then,

Happy thinking!

Andrea

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV).

Worldview: Can You Put Your Faith Into a Logical Explanation?

Were you able to answer last week’s worldview questions—

  • What’s your worldview?
  • Why do you believe what you believe?
  • Who’s had the greatest influence in your life, and why?

Perhaps you were able to write down what you believe in several sentences, even though you might not have been able to put a title to the worldview philosophy it fell under.

But I’m going to guess that answering Why you believe what you do might be tougher to answer.

 

 A story of worldview failure and the lifelong negative effects—

I once asked a friend why she’d become an atheist, and she revealed to me that one day in Sunday School class, when she was a little girl, she asked her Sunday school teacher: “Why do you believe that? How do you know that’s true?” The answer she received from her Sunday school teacher was less than affirming, or confirming, and it would have a lasting, dramatic affect on my friend’s life and faith.

What was the teacher’s answer?

“I just know it’s true.” That’s it. No defense, no apologetics, no explanation to satisfy the thoughtful curiosity of a very inquisitive child. (My friend would go on to become an investigative journalist). My friend claims she was so frustrated and disgusted that she lost all faith in God or Christianity, because, as far as she could see, even her teacher didn’t know why she believed what she professed to believe. Thirty years later, my friend still had a tone of disdain in her voice for that teacher, who definitely let this seeking little girl down. With a thud.

 

What’s the moral of that story?

The Apostle Peter provides it in his first personal letters to Christian believers. The Amplified Bible gives a great, thoughtful rendering—

“But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy—acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:25).

 

The CEV version gives it to us short and sweet:

“Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.”

 

But many of us can’t put our faith into a logical explanation. Or we use a lot of Christian-speak that flies right over the head of unbelievers. They end up looking at us with glazed eyeballs, no closer to the truth than they were before asking us. Or, worse yet, they wind up moving farther away from a life-saving faith!

Because we’re not always ready to give an answer to someone when they ask us about our hope. We can’t give a logical defense for our beliefs. And you can imagine what that leaves them thinking about those beliefs and us.

Throughout history there have been a lot of thinkers and writers whose beliefs and teachings have had a profound impact on us. When they philosophized about life, their thoughts usually centered on God and His existence, or non-existence. Their beliefs have colored our world without us being aware of it.

When my friend didn’t get the answer she was seeking, she sought knowledge elsewhere. These thinkers colored her worldview and shaped her beliefs. They provided—what seemed to her—to be cogent answers to life’s big questions. And these thoughts have been guiding her life and decisions for decades.

 

Next week—

We’ll begin looking at 19 of the most well known thinkers and philosophers of all time and will specifically explore what these men thought about God in human history. Your knowledge of their thoughts, conclusions, and how they intersect, or diverge from, God’s word is important for living a true, well-balanced life.

 

 

But let me leave you with several questions to ponder before I sign off:

 

 

  • How would you have answered my friend? When she was little? Now—as an adult?
  • Have you taken Peter’s instructions to heart? Are you ready to give anyone who asks a logical explanation for your faith when they ask about it?

 

Thanks for joining me! I’d love it if you’d take a moment to make a comment! And please share this post with a friend you think might be interested in the topic. Maybe someone you’d love to enjoy a philosophical discussion with!

 

Until next week,

may you always be ready to logically explain your faith and hope—in much joy, gentleness and thanksgiving!

 

Blessings,

Andrea

May you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 2).

Photos courtesy of Google Images

How Well Do You Know Your Own Worldview?

If I asked you the question “What is your worldview?” how would you respond? You might be able to shoot me an answer right away, or maybe you need to think about it before responding. Or you might ask me to elaborate. So I’d ask, “What thoughts have shaped your view of the world?” And then I might ask who shaped your thoughts? Which philosopher, teacher, politician, social media personality, or Hollywood star?

 

Are you and original thinker?

Most people believe their opinions are their own, but that’s seldom true. How many of us, really, have original thoughts? Most of the time our beliefs are molded over years of listening to other people, and then shaping them as we live our lives and allow others to influence us. If you have doubts, ask someone why they believe what they believe, and you often get a blank look, a pause, stutter, and an “I don’t know.”

 

What do you believe and why do you believe it?

It all comes down to where you get your information.

 

 A Philosophy Timeline

Throughout the ages, men have emerged to influence people’s thinking and way of life. For a variety of reasons—good writing and speaking skills being two of them—these people have risen to the top of the sea of mankind, to speak boldly, affect men’s opinions of the world state of affairs, and perhaps change history by gaining a small following that sometimes manipulates or coerces others into believing what they believe. Pretty soon mob mentality reigns, and you have a social revolt that ends up changing the political landscape in a country or hemisphere.

Today we’re going to get an overview of some of the most well known philosophies in human history. Why is all of that important? Because every writer and teacher approach their subject with some type of worldview, or a casserole of worldviews. And it’s in the reader’s best interest to be able to identify what that worldview is and how it could affect, or manipulate theirs.

 

 In the beginning…

 Deism—It seems clear from ancient writings that most, if not all, civilizations, practiced some kind of religion with the foundational believe that there was a god, or some spirit(s) that controlled the universe or at least influenced it to some degree. It has only been fairly recent that atheism has crept into the philosophy list and is practiced with such devotion that many now call it a religion.

Classicism—Then the Greeks came along and turned philosophy into an art form and verbal sport. They became masters of deep thought and debate. Their cogent, articulated beliefs and government structure continue to influence western society and politics. As a philosophy, though, true Classicism seemed to have run its course by A.D. 500, when

Christian Theism—This worldview had overtaken the Greek and Roman world and spread like wildfire across Europe. For better and sometimes worse, (because of the way he did it), the emperor Constantine had a lot to do with that.

Middle Ages—(which were not as “dark” as some would like us to believe) This period roughly spanned A.D. 500 – 1600. The primary belief centered around Christian Theism, which suffered its own ugly and embarrassing gyrations, until European Romanticism arrived on the scene.

Renaissance—1600 – 1865. This is the period when art and exploration and human movement exploded. It’s also the period of time when the Age of Enlightenment emerges. Although Christian Theism and Deism are still big players in world thought, they start seeing increasing competition from Transcendentalism, also known as American Romanticism.

Our Present Age of Hodge Podge: 1865 – Present. Since 1865 we’ve experienced an increase of offerings on the worldview smorgasbord. These entrees include Naturalism, Realism, Absurdism and a revival in Theism.

 

Worldview Confusion

With all of these philosophies battling for our attention, it’s easy to see why we get so confused and unhinged about our worldview—the beliefs we hold dear and deep in our hearts and souls.

These philosophies have seeped into our politics, journalism, and entertainment. They’ve been given catchy names to lead us to believe they’ve got the right idea about how we should live life, and it’s our responsibility to sniff them out, dissect them, and then keep what is right and good, and trash the rest.

 

Because you are a product of what you read, who and what you listen to, what you watch, and where you live, where you get your information matters.

 

We all need to be selective. Your life and time are the most priceless commodities God has given you. Who will you allow to shape your life and take your time?

 

 

And how would you answer the question: Why do you believe what you believe?

 

 

 

Coming up!

Next week, which is part two of our worldview foundation building, we’ll start looking at 15 movers and shakers in world philosophy.

 

For your week:

You might want to have some fun this week by asking other people these questions:

What’s your worldview?

Why do you believe what you believe?

Who has had the greatest influence in your life, and why?

 

In fact, please drop a comment in the comment box to let me know who your greatest influencer has been and why. And it doesn’t have to be Jesus.

Until next time!

Blessings,

Andrea

May you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 2).

Photos care of Google Images

What Are the 3 Fundamental Questions of Life? (And How Would You Answer Them?)

Have you ever asked yourself the three key questions that confront the mystery of your existence? The major questions philosophy students usually dig into. Like:

  • Who am I?
  • Why am I here?
  • What’s the meaning of life 

 

Worldview

How you answer those questions depends upon your worldview, the lens through which you look to answer life’s big questions, make life decisions, and respond to socio-political issues. Worldview is your particular philosophy of life.

Your worldview is the template upon which you live your life.

 

Why ask those questions?

Asking those questions and grinding out the answers to them helps you focus on how you view life and function in it. If you’re secure in your answers, you have a firm template upon which to live your life well, live it balanced, and live it intentionally.

Surprisingly, though, most people cannot tell you what they believe, and their beliefs may waffle every day. Because they’re not firm in their beliefs and understanding of them, they vacillate. As my husband, the engineer, likes to say (with flowing, side-to-side arm movements to punctuate his statement), they flow back and forth like sea kelp—whatever direction the water or tide happens to be going, they follow.

It’s not a particularly pleasant or effective way to live life, following the crowd or most popular view. Living life that way gets frustrating and exhausting.

 

 The deadly question

But then we encounter a tougher question: Why do you believe what you believe?

Even fewer people can answer that question and stumble all over their answer. Their “why” may be that they read it in some new book, or they’ve acquired someone else’s opinion about life and claimed it as their own. Or they’ve assembled such a hodge podge of ideas they end up with something akin to a worldview smorgasbord.

 

 Answering the big questions

Let’s take a brief look at how you might initially answer the philosophical questions.

 

Who am I?

This really goes beyond the idea of “finding yourself,” which often doesn’t give you a firm, useful answer you can do anything constructive with. People trying to “find themselves” are usually floating around, trying and tasting everything life has to offer. While they might enjoy something for a time, they usually get bored and move onto something else. They have life Attention Deficit Disorder.

Maybe you answer it by saying: I’m a daughter or son, a sister or brother, a wife or husband, a mother or father. Or you could qualify your training or profession and answer: I’m a teacher, doctor, or housekeeper. Or choose the physical aspects of your life by noting you’re an invalid or athlete. And you could claim several of those identities simultaneously. With each identity comes different expectations and responsibilities.

 

Why am I here?

Sadly, many people have difficulty answering the Why because they think they’ve been arbitrarily plunked down on earth at this time in history, rather than being fearfully, wonderfully, and deliberately made for this particular time. Knowing and believing there is a point to your life will be the foundation for life having the meaning you desire it to have.

 

 What is the meaning of life?

Your answer might go all different directions. But let’s take the example of the writers of the Westminster Catechism, who wrestled with this way back in the year A.D. 1647. Because they had a distinctive Christian worldview, they reworded the question as “What is the chief end of man?” which sort of rolls all three questions into one. And the answer they arrived at?

“To know God and enjoy Him forever.”

A six-word sentence packed with meaning and purpose. If we unpack it, we get more questions.

But we’re not going to unpack it today. Before we unpack it, we need to become philosophy—and archeology—students. We need to get an overview of all of life’s major world views (philosophies) and see where we fit into them. Then we need to dig in further to establish our beliefs. To further build a strong, balanced life foundation.

 

 For the week

I invite you to spend some time meditating on those questions this week. How would you answer them? And why would you answer them the way you do? And if you feel like sharing, I’d love to know what your answers are! Just head over to the “Blog” page and leave a comment.

 

Next week Monday we’ll embark on Worldview 101. I promise it won’t be dry and boring!

 

Thanks for joining me for this Meditation Monday. I hope to see you Wednesday for the health and fitness post!

 

Blessings,

 Andrea

May you prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 2).

 Photo © 2018 Andrea A Owan