Worldview Survey:
Christian & Philosophical Perspectives
The actions and attitudes of humans are largely dictated by the ‘rules' set up within their worldview. How have the various worldviews that have influenced human action - such as deism, naturalism, nihilism, existentialism, postmodernism, pantheism and New Age perspectives - contributed to the world we live in. Is there a Christian perspective on these worldviews and, indeed, is there any such thing as a Christian worldview? This unit will explore these questions, leading students to an understanding of their own presuppositions, and providing them with conceptual tools to address issues of living in the contemporary world.
This is a foundational unit for MCSI students. It equips students with a framework of understanding with regard to the Western cultural tradition, cultivates critical reflection on the nature of belief systems, and provides them with conceptual tools for constructive engagement with different philosophical perspectives.When & Where Offered
Semester 1 2008: Offered onlineSemester 2 2008: 2 face to face classes available:
Macquarie University Campus: Thursdays 4-7pm
University of New South Wales Campus: time TBA
Lecturer
Dr Greg ClarkeB.A. (Hons), Ph.D. (Sydney)
Greg is the Director of Macquarie Christian Studies Institute) and a founding director of the Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney. His doctorate is in literature (University of Sydney) and his area of research interest is the intersections between literature and theology. Greg has lectured at the University of New South Wales, Macquarie University and Moore Theological College. His PhD is in English Literature. His main area of research is theology and literature, with special interests in eschatological theory and the use of the Bible in literature. He also teaches postmodernism and apologetics.
Unit Code and Details
IN 301 (MCSI 100) Worldview Survey: Christian & Philosophical PerspectivesThis unit is equivalent to a standard semester unit at foundational level. For example it is worth:
3 credit points at 100* level towards Maccquarie University undergraduate degrees
4 credit points at 300 level towards Australian College of Theology undergraduate degrees.
For advice on how to credit this subject to other institutions please contact our advisor.
Prerequisites: None
Unit Content /Lecture Topics
1. Introduction: Basic Worldview Questions
2. Christian Theism as a Philosophical System
3. The Premodern Worldview
4. Ancient Greek Philosophy
5. The Medieval Synthesis
6. The Renaissance and the Reformation
7. The Scientific Revolution and the Rise of Deism
8. Naturalism
9. Nihilism
10. Existentialism
11. Eastern Pantheistic Monism
12. The New Age Movement
13. Postmodernism
Assessment
1. One 1,000-word reflective assignment, based upon an assigned question related to the text (20%)
2. One 2,000-word research assignment in which the student focuses on one major worldview (40%)
3. End of semester examination (2 hours) (40%)
A Note on On-line Participation:
Student participation through on-line discussion is expected on a weekly basis over 13 weeks. This is both necessary as a form of assessment and as a means of gauging student progress through the reading and assimilation of the course material.
Textbooks and Reading
Required Texts:
Sire, J. 1997. The Universe Next Door, 3rd edition, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.
MCSI 100 Book of Readings
Suggested Additional Reading:
Brown, Colin. 1990. Christianity and Western Thought: A History of Philosophers, Ideas and Movements; Vol. 1: From the Ancient World to the Age of Enlightenment. Leicester: Apollos/Inter-Varsity Press.
Carrell, Brian. 1998. Moving Between Times. Modernity and Postmodernity: A Christian View, Auckland: DeepSight Trust. Colson, Charles & Pearcey, Nancy. 1999. How Now Shall We Live?, Tyndale House. Cook, David. 1996. Blind Alley Beliefs. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP. Hoffecker, W. Andrew & Smith, Gary S. (eds.). 1986. Building a Christian Worldview. 2 vols. Phillipsburg, N.J.: Presbyterian & Reformed Publishing. Holmes, Arthur. 1983. Contours of a World View. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press. Long, Zeb Bradford & Douglas McMurry. 1994. The Collapse of the Brass Heaven. Rebuilding our Worldview to Embrace the Power of God, Grand Rapids:
Baker. Nash, Ronald. 1992, Worldviews in Conflict. Choosing Christianity in a World of Ideas. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
Raeper, William & Smith, Linda. 1997. A Brief Guide To Ideas. Turning Points in the History of Human Thought. Revd Edn. Oxford: Lion. Schaeffer, Francis A. 1968. Escape from Reason. Downers Grove, Ill. InterVarsity Press. ________________. 1976. How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. Westchester, Ill. Crossway Books.
Sire, James W. 1990. Discipleship of the Mind: Learning to Love God in the Ways We Think. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.
Snyder, Howard. 1994. EarthCurrents. The Struggle for the World's Soul. Nashville: Abingdon. Tarnas, Richard. 1991. The Passion of the Western Mind. Understanding the Ideas That Have Shaped our World View. London: Pimlico.
Walsh, Brian J. & Middleton, J. Richard. 1984. The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian Worldview. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.
Wolters, Albert M. 1985. Creation Regained: A Transforming View of the World. Leicester: Inter-Varsity Press.