Intellectuelle

Haha, I'm only moderately biblical, too. My secular humanist views on civil government and law killed me. ?! I think there were two problems: I need to learn about politics, and the writer of the test needs to learn about...writing tests. :D

I thought this was hilarious:
"For those of you scoring the highest score possible, Biblical Theism, you will be REWARDED with a beautiful, professional looking certificate. This certificate will certify that you took the test and scored as a Strong Biblical Worldview Thinker. You can print out your certificate at the end of the test, but it will also be emailed to you so you may save it or print it out on beautiful parchiment paper. This certificate would look great on your wall and would also be very rewarding for students who take this test."

Oh, boy.

Gosh, I got my certificate as a Strong Biblical Worldview Thinker!!!

Of course, as a good Catholic, I'm a little worried about this. ;)

I got a Strong Biblical Worldview thinker too. I love taking these online tests and hopelessly overanalysing myself. But I do have a problem with it. First it seems wrong that we could quantify something like a worldview, especially a Christian worldview that is supposed to be holistic and situation-based (not that specific situations are to determine the outcome but rather that the gospel looks different in different contexts). Secondly, I find it odd that the other choices from a biblical worldview were things like socialism. There's a lot to be commended about a Christian version of socialism I think and so the author of the test doesn't seem to be taking into account a whole lot of nuances of (especially political) belief. The very fact that I had to write in my state (when I don't live in the US now) sort of irked me. (I guess this is indicative that the whole test is skewed toward the US).

I did really like taking the test and seeing how I ranked but there were a number of things that bothered me. I did like the certificate idea though (wink, wink).

I got "strong biblical worldview" but I knew from the moment I read some of the pre-questions that it would be easy to get moderate if you do not agree with their political agenda.

In other words, don't take it too hard.

I printed out my certificate. It said, "You're a complete dork for taking this test!" lol

This totally cracked me up. Apparently I am a Secular Humanist. I feel slightly vindicated that as a lawyer I come out as "Moderately Biblical" on the law portion of this little test. Good to know.

It occurs to me, though, that this test reflects the sort of thinking that drove me away from the church for over a decade.

Rebekah, that's funny...I'm thinking that these tests are the sort of thing that drive people away too. In fact, don't you wonder if a Canadian can even qualify as a "strong biblical worldview thinker?"

It is better to laugh than cry over something like this. It is very funny--but very sad, too. The irony is that this kind of thing is a perfect example of precisely the kind of methodology that is destroying the God given ability to reason and understand for so many. Reason, the very thing that God has given us that allows us to study scripture and history, gain understanding and develop a Christian 'worldview' (I'm beginning to develop a dislike for that word) is undermined by things like: Ridiculous multiple choice tests with selective questions and very limited answers, labeling of the student based on the test giver's judgement and finally rewarding with silly little certificates for those who successfully jump through hoops. (BTW, I won a certificate so this isn't 'sour grapes' speaking :-) )

Debra, do you wonder if perhaps in the worldview "movement" if there are those who simply do not understand the role of presuppositions in forming a worldview...including their own presuppositional framework?

That test annoyed me. It saddens me. It doesn't make me laugh.

Sarah, I assume that many, if not most, of those leading the worldview movement understand the role of presuppositions in forming worldviews, as that, in theory, is what the movement is all about: teaching people the presuppositions of the revealed truth of the Bible and teaching them how those biblical presuppositions can and should be used to help them view the world, form opinons and make choices.

However, knowing this and understanding how to apply it are two different things. What I see going on, in many cases, in worldview studies and discussions is 'reverse engineering'. In other words, they start with a finished product, or conclusion, take it apart and work their way backwards to see how to reproduce the desired finished product or conclusion. Instead of working from biblical presuppositions, well intentioned Believers can sometimes, start with a conclusion. and work their way backwards, using the writings of great Christian thinkers and writers, and selected Bible verses to support that conclusion. (In this case, the conclusion is used like a presupposition.) In the worldview movement, many (but not all) of the conclusions that are endorsed can very well be supported biblically. But that does not justify this backward approach.

Then in worldview classes, the process is reversed, and so it appears that one is starting from biblical presuppositions and working towards conclusions. (It appears that they are actually being taught 'engineering'.) Instead, in reality, the process is being guided and directed not by biblical presuppostions but by the conclusions desired by the teachers. This is more like teaching art by teaching people to trace or paint by number great works of art--rather than teaching them the principals of art, having them study the works of great artists, and practice creating art themselves. Many don't prefer this latter approach. It's harder and riskier. Learning to think and reason takes time and practice--and the finished product may not always look like that desired by the teacher. Grounding students in the Word, training them in the use of the tools of reason and logic, and praying for them as the Holy Spirit works in their lives, produces much more authentic and lasting results than attempting to create students who can parrot the 'correct' answers and supporting arguments.

BTW, I don't believe all those involved in teaching and promoting worldview training and studies are guilty of this. These are just my concerns based on my limited observations. I believe most are genuinely attempting to equip Christians to apply biblical Truth--and many are successfully accomplishing this. But many of the methods used are, IMO, basically the same techniques used in schools that are producing mostly students with very limited understanding and reasoning skills, capable only of regurgitating facts.

Debra, do you wonder if perhaps in the worldview "movement" if there are those who simply do not understand the role of presuppositions in forming a worldview...including their own presuppositional framework?

The worldview stuff is just marxism dressed up in a Christian suit, and I think the worldview folks are going through the same insufferably annoying and arrogant phase that Marxism hit in the 60s before it splintered into 'isms'.

So, yeah.

Hey, clearly, these are my peeps. I got 161 out of 170. :) And it didn't make me sad at all. All these online tests have a "goofy factor". This one, at least, does ask questions that take into account some of the hot button issues of our day. So, thinking about them is hardly a waste of time--even if you don't hold to the "worldview" the test-makers do. I suppose one needs to ask oneself, "What is the Biblical foundatin, and am I constantly comparing what I think and do to what the Bible teaches I should think and do?" The test-makers aren't the arbiters. The Lord is. So, the view He wants us to have is the one we ought to seek to have, of course. The question remains, and the battle remains: What is the biblical worldview? It's not simplistic, but it's also not going to be popular or "fashionable".

Mir