Christian Contours - Biblical Worldview - Book Review

Christian Contours
How a Biblical Worldview Shapes the Mind and the Heart
Kregel Academic & Professional
ISBN 978-0-8254-3673-4
Religion/Christian Life/Apologetics
Edited by Douglas S. Huffman
240 pages
$22.99
Click here for more information or to purchase this book.

What is your worldview?  For that matter, what is a worldview?  What shapes and molds who you are?   

Recently I received a free copy of Christian Contours - How a Biblical Worldview Shapes the Mind and the Heart to read in order to provide this review.  Let me tell you a bit about this interesting and convicting book. 

"What does it mean to think and live like a Christian in the midst of competing worldviews?  Christian Contours answers this question by considering the Bible's view of reality.  The authors show how to construct, internalize, and articulate a biblical worldview that will enable Christians to be critical thinkers in a diverse culture.  Intended as an introductory, worldview course for college students, this work includes annotated guides to books, organizations, and resources for developing a biblical worldview." (quoted from the book cover)

Christian Contours is a compilation of writings which is split into two parts, each of which contains 4 chapters of material by different authors such as Randy Nelson, Douglas S. Huffman, Walter Schultz and several others.  The chapters end with a Summary and a set of Questions for Reflection and Discussion.

Part 1: Worldview Thinking and the Biblical Worldview includes:

• Chapter 1 - What is a Worldview?  Randy Nelson
• Chapter 2 - Is There Just One Biblical Worldview?  Douglas S. Huffman
• Chapter 3 - What is the Relationship of Worldviews to Truth?  Walter J. Schultz
• Chapter 4 - What is the Biblical Worldview?  Paul Kjoss Helseth & Douglas S. Huffman

Part 2: Worldview Thinking and Personal Responsibility includes:

• Chapter 5 - How Do We Handle Disagreements Between Christians Regarding Worldview?  Daryl N. Aaron
• Chapter 6 - How Do I Maintain the Biblical Worldview When I See That I Am Inconsistent?  Mark H. Muska
• Chapter 7 - How Can I Live the Biblical Worldview in a Culture That Does Not Share It?  Ardel B. Caneday
• Chapter 8 - How Can I Share My Faith and Encourage Others to Adopt the Biblical Worldview  James G. Raymo & Dale R. Hutchcraft

These thought-provoking chapters are followed by a Conclusion, two appendices, a Bibliography, a Scripture Index and a Subject and Person Index.  (Appendix A includes A Comparison of Worldviews.  Appendix B includes a list of Christian Professional Organizations.)

This book discusses what a "real" Christian worldview is and why it matters.  The authors of Christian Contours present clear information which allows a reader to think through and develop a sense of their own understanding of what it means to be a "faithful disciple of Christ with both heart and mind".

Douglas S. Huffman, the Editor of Christian Contours, is a Professor and Associate Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University in La Mirada, California. He is coeditor of God Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents God and editor of How Then Should We Choose? Three Views on God’s Will and Decision Making.

What I Thought:  This book really made me think about what a Christian worldview really means in my life.  There are parts of this book which I found somewhat convicting and challenging.  The discussion of worldview in relation to "truth" made me stop and think through how I perceive ideas, media and other things around me on a daily basis.  I also felt challenged to examine whether I was living up to what I say I believe.  I was encouraged by the writings about sharing my faith and my worldview.  This is a book full of practical information which could guide a lot of meaningful discussion.  In fact, there are questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each chapter.  I would definitely suggest this book for an introduction to worldview, and the book is definitely college-level reading.  Mr. Huffman has a done a great job in putting this book together.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.  Thoughts and opinions presented are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255; “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”