This is part one of a six part series through James Sire’s classic book, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog. This episode features a conversation with my friend Monique Duson from the Center for Biblical Unity. In this episode we unpack the basics of worldview thinking and it’s relevance to Christian theism. One of the big application questions we ask throughout the series is this, “how do different worldviews impact our view of race and racism."
REFERENCES
James W.. Sire, The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog.
All Episodes in the James Sire Series
VIDEO SHORTS
GUEST BIO
Today’s show features a conversation with Monique Duson who is the President and co-founder, alongside Krista Bontrager, of the Center for Biblical Unity. Monique has a background in social service and children’s ministry. She has worked with a diverse array of under-served communities. She worked as a Missionary to South Africa for over four years, serving children and teachers impacted by drugs, violence, and trauma. She spent two decades advocating for Critical Race Theory (CRT), but through a series of events, began to clearly see the contradictions of CRT with the historic Christian worldview. Monique is now convinced that CRT is not the best way to achieve racial unity and actively speaks out against the use of CRT within the church.
Monique has appeared on shows such as Relatable (with Allie Beth Stuckey), the Alisa Childers podcast, and Breakpoint (with John Stonestreet). Monique has a BA in Sociology from Biola University. She is working on a MA in Public Theology at Birmingham Theological Seminary.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
After listening to this episode of raZe the roof, check out this list of discussion questions. Subscribers, feel free to weigh in with your ideas and join me in the conversation.
Understanding Worldviews:
How does Joe define the concept of a worldview?
According to Joe, why is it important for students to study worldviews?
How did reading "The Universe Next Door" help Monique identify non-Christian elements in her own worldview?
Why does Monique believe it is important for Christians to examine their worldviews critically?
Distinctiveness of the Christian Worldview
What are the eight major worldview questions presented in James Sire's book? How do they compare to Joe’s six worldview questions?
How do these worldview questions help in analyzing and comparing different worldviews?
How does the Christian worldview define the nature of God compared to other monotheistic religions like Judaism and Islam?
In what ways does the recognition of the supernatural play a role in the Christian understanding of God?
Intrinsic and Instrumental Value of Humans
What is the significance of humans being made in the image of God (Imago Dei) in the Christian worldview?
How does the concept of instrumental value given by God shape the Christian perspective on human purpose and flourishing?
How does the concept of intrinsic value given by God shape the Christian perspective on human purpose and flourishing?
Importance of Work
Why is work considered part of the created order rather than a punishment in the Christian worldview?
How does viewing work as a blessing and a way to co-create with God influence the Christian understanding of human identity and purpose?
God's Role as Creator
What is the significance of God creating ex nihilo (out of nothing) and ex materia (from existing material) in the Christian worldview?
How does the creation story reveal God's character as both powerful and intimately involved in the world?
Character of God
What are the attributes of God in the Christian worldview, and how do they highlight His nature?
How do God's attributes of omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and omnisapience shape the Christian understanding of His character?
Ep 8 - Worldviews and Christianity