Within the rich tapestry of human understanding and the unique ways in which we each engage with the world around us, the concept of a worldview emerges as a fundamental anchor. It is more than a mere lens through which we view the world; it is a comprehensive platform that interprets, directs, and gives meaning to our existence. This is particularly salient when we consider the "faith once received" - a rich, complex, and deeply transformative body of knowledge and belief that has been entrusted to us to be understood, lived out, and imparted to future generations.
For those who possess a didactic genius of the didasko, this task takes on a unique and invigorating dimension. Your particular giftedness in pedagogical intelligence is not just a tool for effective teaching, but a divine calling that enables you to navigate, understand, and articulate the depths of our faith in ways that are both profoundly insightful and accessible. Your role as educators and mentors is pivotal in helping us to not only comprehend the "what" of our beliefs, but to grapple with the "why" and the "how" - to understand the reasons behind our faith and the ways in which it should be lived out in our daily lives.
Every person's worldview, as you well know, is based on a set of faith assumptions. These are not merely abstract theological concepts, but are, in fact, the very bedrock of our understanding and interaction with the world. They shape our perceptions, inform our values, and guide our actions. In a sense, they are the "epistemology" - the theory of knowledge - that each person uses to make sense of the world and their place in it. And because these worldviews are so inextricably linked with our beliefs, they are, by their very nature, fundamentally religious.
It is within this context that your role as bearers of the didasko's didactic genius becomes particularly significant. You are not merely imparting knowledge; you are shaping worldviews. You are helping us to navigate the complexities of our faith, to understand and appreciate its richness and depth, and to apply its truths in a world that is often at odds with its values. Your teaching is a beacon that guides us, a foundation that grounds us, and a compass that directs us as we seek to live out our faith in a world that is in desperate need of its transformative power.
As we embark on this journey together, let us do so with a sense of awe and wonder at the task that has been set before us. Let us approach our teaching and learning with a sense of humility and reverence, recognizing the profound responsibility that comes with shaping the worldviews of future generations. And let us do so with a sense of excitement and anticipation, for in the words of the Apostle Paul, we are not simply engaging in academic exercises; we are "rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV). And it is this truth, lived out in the context of our worldviews, that has the power to transform lives, shape cultures, and change the world.
Every person has a worldview that interprets and directs everything. Every person’s worldview is based on faith assumption. That means each person is fundamentally religious in all their epistemology.
John Frame: Christian Worldview
05 Comparison of Biblical and Nonbiblical Worldviews | John Frame | History of Western Philosophy
Arthur Holmes: Contours of a Biblical World-view
32 Philosophical Revolution | Dr. Arthur Holmes | History of Western Philosophy
Francis Bacon (17th century England)
33 Sir Francis Bacon and Scientific Knowledge | Dr. Arthur Holmes | History of Western Philosophy