Me Thinks

 

What a fascinating and instructive book! The authors bring to our attention several worldviews which are prevalent in society. These worldviews are not organized religions, but are cultural themes which guide our decisions, values, and faith. A few of the worldviews mentioned in the book are: Individualism, Consumerism, Scientific Naturalism, and Moral Relativism. Here is a thought regarding each of these worldviews:

Individualism is the belief that the individual is the primary reality and that our understanding of the universe and lifestyle should be centered in oneself (pg. 27). It is easy to get caught up in this worldview and to go after practices that promote individual satisfaction and pleasure.

Consumerism tells us that the holes in our lives will be filled if we just have more. Getting just a bit more proves to be unsatisfying, however, because money never fills legitimate needs for intellectual growth, moral virtue, love, true esteem and God (pg. 54). If I am not aware that this worldview is pulling me in a different direction than my Christian faith, I can be led down the path of materialism and consumerism and not realize it. Have riches and the pursuit of material goods become my priority? Have “things” replaced God as the most important thing in my life?

Every empire has viewed itself as destined by God, or the gods, to rule forever.  Every one of them was wrong. While nations may have impressive powers, those powers are always temporary and provisional. Granting ultimate loyalty to a country indicates that we have lost sight of what is absolutely good and have elevated the nation, a created, transitory and partial good, to a place that should be reserved for God alone (pgs. 77,78). This chapter was very interesting to me. The authors explain the difference between patriotism, which is good, and nationalism, which can be excessive in feelings of pride and position.

A seismic shift has indeed occurred in our culture.  Many say they no longer believe that truth actually exists, and if it does, it is most certainly not self-evident and may not even be knowable (pg. 79). Whatever supports our individual biases and helps us accumulate power is labeled truth (pg. 83).
Truth is relative to the interests and projects of the person claiming truth (pg. 83). I am grateful to believe in and rely on a God who does not change, nor does His truth.