In a culture where one’s worldview is increasingly influenced by multiple sources, only 6% of Americans are influenced primarily by the Bible, according to data from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.
A worldview is the particular lens a person uses to view the world, and influences their decisions.
Researchers have identified seven prominent worldviews, but most Americans today have a “syncretic worldview.” Syncretism is a mix of different elements from contrasting worldviews to form a personal philosophy of life.
At the same time, contemporary culture emphasizes deconstructing worldview and beliefs.
This has created a culture that is constantly shifting due to changing and contrasting beliefs, according to George Barna, director of research for the Cultural Research Center at ACU.
How it is formed
A worldview is formed and influenced during childhood and redefined during the young adult years, making it the decision-making outlook through adulthood.
Worldviews are influenced by childhood upbringing, including family, religion, friends and location. They are also influenced and confirmed by the “outlets” one consumes. Barna found that “people generally adopt worldview beliefs and behaviors that they encounter in arts and entertainment vehicles, news reports, political statements made by public leaders, and through conversations and experiences with people they trust.”
The seven worldviews identified in the American Worldview Inventory 2021 are biblical theism, secular humanism, postmodernism, moralistic therapeutic deism, nihilism, marxism and eastern mysticism.
Biblical theism
Often biblical theism is the worldview of evangelical Christians and conservatives. It is centered around the idea of a divine God, central to the outlook of knowledge, salvation, humanity and ethics. In biblical theism, all conclusions to decisions and opinions should reflect what God has spoken about them.
Secular humanism
Secular humanism is the belief that humans can determine what is morally correct without God or another divine being. Often people skeptical of religion, residents of the western U.S. and people with more liberal political views hold this perspective.
Postmodernism
Postmodernism questions modern Western beliefs and assumptions, and is common in the northeastern and western U.S., and among those who hold college degrees and are politically liberal.
Moralistic therapeutic deism
Moralistic therapeutic deism (MTD) is increasingly influential in American culture. In fact, Barna said nearly 4 of 10 adults (38%) draw either heavily or moderately from the beliefs it represents.
MTD takes the elements of faith and the Bible that feel good to the individual and eliminates the parts that do not conform to current secular norms. Though 3 out of 4 who tend toward MTD as a philosophy of life consider themselves Christians, many of their beliefs conflict with biblical teaching.
Vast majorities of these do not believe people are born into sin and need to be saved by Jesus Christ; say they get their primary moral guidance from sources other than the Bible; do not believe the ultimate purpose of human life is to know, love and serve God; and contend that good people earn a place Heaven through good behavior.
The research also revealed that the behavioral choices of those who are most influenced by MTD typically conflict with core biblical teaching. For instance, choices considered to be either morally acceptable or not a moral issue include having premarital sex with someone you expect to marry, having an abortion because raising the child would be stressful and lying to protect a personal reputation.
In essence, MTD adherents are eliminating multiple and essential facets of Christianity, Barna said. MTD is dangerous because the current culture is constantly shifting — the world’s definition of what is good and bad changes, while biblical truth never changes.
Nihilism
Founded by Friedrich Nietzsche, nihilism is to reject all moral and religious ideas. It often is based in meaninglessness, pessimism and skepticism.
Marxism
Marxism was founded by Karl Marx and often is associated with communism and atheism. It is the idea that whatever advances the working class is good and whatever stops that advance is bad.
Eastern mysticism
Coming from the Middle East and India, eastern mysticism is the idea of achieving understanding of and oneness with a divine being. It is focused more on divine understanding rather than logical understanding. Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims often associate with eastern mysticism.
How to nurture a worldview
In a society where cultural norms are constantly shifting and biases can be either undefined or overwhelming, it is important for Christians to take a look at their beliefs and decide which are theologically rooted in the gospel and which are not.
A worldview typically is formed during childhood and redefined during the teenage years. It then is the outlook and decision-making guide for the rest of a person’s life, according to George Barna, director of research for the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.
“The recent concern within the educational and pastoral communities about worldview as the foundation of people’s decision-making process, driven by the heightened ideological battles dividing the nation, is a hopeful sign that Americans (and especially conservative Christians) may be waking up to the importance of worldview development, especially among young people,” Barna said.
He added that a biblical worldview must be nurtured.
Since a worldview is formed during childhood, Jeffrey Riley, professor of ethics at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, encourages parents to create an environment for children to feel comfortable asking questions about Christianity.
“Because worldviews have a rational component, preach and teach with theological and moral depth, rightly handling the Scriptures,” Riley said. “Read sound books on Christian theology and morality.”
Along with reading the Bible and other Christian resources, Riley encouraged people to be active students of Christianity by seeking out mentors. Allow pastors, disciples and other older and more knowledgeable people within the community to help answer questions. Take advantage of gathering with fellow believers to discuss matters of faith.
Riley also encouraged believers to study and try to understand other worldviews.
‘Courageous’ against opposition
And while displaying grace and Christlike love to those who see the world differently, believers must be ready to defend a biblical worldview.
“Be courageous in the face of opposition to biblical truth,” Riley encouraged. “A worldview that you are not willing to die for is not worth living for.”
David Nichols, a longtime Alabama educator who is now retired, also encourages parents to be active in their children’s education, looking at curriculum and considering the spiritual influences at work.
“As God’s children we are loved, nurtured and protected by Him. As godly parents, we also love and guide our children in all truth and godliness,” Nichols said. “If Christians sit by and do nothing, we face a lost generation of children.”
Not only is it important to nurture childrens’ worldviews, but also to evaluate one’s worldview as an adult, Barna said.
“Our studies show that Americans are neither deep nor sophisticated thinkers,” he asserted. “We’ve become selfish and emotion-driven, leaving logic behind. To promote a way of life that pushes us to think more clearly, consistently and purposefully will take time and considerable effort and will be uncomfortable. Most people seem more interested in living a life of comfort and convenience.
“The progress will be slow, but people who are willing to fight for a more reasonable way of thinking and acting can make a difference.”
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