The Impact of Materialism on Environmental Sustainability: A Christian Perspective

Write a 3–4-page documented essay where you identify and evaluate a
presupposition or set of presuppositions in your discipline in light of the worldview of Christian
theism. To accomplish this purpose, complete the following tasks:
 Identify specific beliefs or ideas (presuppositions) in your discipline or field (career) in
general. *Not topics.
 Choose one presupposition or a set of presuppositions to examine in detail.
 Identify the worldview that the presupposition represents.
 Examine its validity in light of Christian theism.
Essay Assignment:
 View: How to Write a Documented Discipline Worldview Essay,
http://www.kaltura.com/tiny/iz1k7
 Read: Albert Wolters, from Creation Regained, pages 133-140 (Encounters)
 Read: Glenn Tinder, "Can We Be Good Without God?" pages 147-150 (Encounters)
 Read: C. S. Lewis, “The Poison of Subjectivism” pages 163-171 (Encounters)
 Read: C. S. Lewis, "The Weight of Glory," pages 487-490 (Encounters)
 Read: “World Views” by Jerry Solomon, http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/wviews.html
 Read: “Five Worldviews by Dennis McCallum, https://www.xenos.org/essays/fiveworldviews
 Organize your essay by dividing it into three parts:

1. In your discipline (your field [career] or major), examine a specific worldview and its
   underlying presuppositions. You may select more than one. Remember to refer to a
   worker in the discipline using the third person (doctor, teacher, accountant, etc.).
   Choose a worldview that is antithetical (or at least is not accommodating) to
   Christianity; a worldview with which you disagree.
   o Start with a solid three sub-point thesis.
    Example: In the field of education, people presuppose that anyone can
   teach, that teachers are just babysitters, and that teachers should not be
   paid very much. Then you would prove the biblical worldview that
   teaching is a specific gift from the Holy Spirit.
    Example: In the field of pastoral leadership, people presuppose that
   pastors work one day a week, that pastors are in it for the money, and
   that pastors really do not believe what they preach.
   o Your presuppositions can be determined by asking the following questions:
    What do the presuppositions say about meaning?
    How is evidence approached and evaluated?
    Should the presuppositions and the subsequent theory or assertion be
   rejected by the Christian theist?
    Should the belief or theory be accepted by the Christian theist at all? If
   so, in what manner?
    Can the theory or position be modified to fit a Christian theistic
   worldview?
2. Show how and why the worldview is flawed.
   o Use the tests of reason, experience, and practice to analyze the
   presuppositions of the worldview.
   o Use presuppositional apologetics as a means to evaluate how a particular
   worldview stands on its own merits. In other words, examine the validity of
   the basic assertions of an argument.
   o Discuss the ramifications for the discipline if the worldview is carried to its
   logical conclusion.
3. Assert the correct worldview as it relates to Christian theism.
   o Indicate the reasons this worldview and its presuppositions are valid.
   o Discuss the ramifications of this worldview in the discipline you have chosen.
   o Explain how the Christian perspective would direct the theories or ideas
   espoused as well as guide the activities of the researcher or scientist. How
   would the field change?
   o In what ways could your faith in Christ enrich your discipline?
   o How could Christianity ensure the validity and correctness of the actions
   taken as a result of the discoveries of the discipline.
   Essay Format:
   Paragraph 1 (Introduction).
    Your first paragraph should introduce your field and contain a clear, well-focused thesis
   statement which presents your position on the subject chosen. You are not trying to make
   the reader guess your position. It needs to be clear from the first paragraph. This
   paragraph should consist of five to seven sentences. Again, start with presuppositions
   which you disagree with (antithetical).
   Paragraph 2.
    In Paragraph 2 you need to reference at least two of the readings (from Encounters) listed
   above. These are general readings that discuss some aspect of worldview or provide
   answers to worldview questions. Here you will design the foundation for the rest of your
   paper.
    In paragraph 2, you will also set the stage for contextualizing the specific topic you will
   choose. Although you do not have to examine all of the areas below, here are some
   questions to consider.
   a) Metaphysical questions—What is reality? What is the nature of God? What is the
   role of the supernatural realm? Is there an afterlife? Who determines what is real?
   What is a human being?
   b) Epistemological questions—How is knowledge acquired? What is known? What
   is the source of knowledge? What is reason/ logic? What is the role of
   experience? What is certain? What is the purpose of evil? What is the nature of
   man?
   c) Axiological questions—What/Who determines value? What is beauty? What is
   good/right (ethics)? What is truth? What is the value of history?
   Paragraphs 3-4.
    In these two paragraphs you are presenting the arguments against the position you have
   chosen. To accomplish this, you will research the worldview or presuppositions in your
   discipline. Consider the prominent thinkers/theorists that have influenced your field.
   Then find sources that indicate the foundational ideas of your discipline and/or the
   influential figures. After reviewing the reading assignments above, identify which
   worldview, ideology, or philosophy your discipline’s worldview or presupposition most
   closely resembles.
    You are also required to find at least two or three articles related to your field that help
   you make this integration. Any sources outside the Encounters textbook must be
   academic sources or peer-reviewed sources. Googled websites from the Internet are not
   necessarily credible, authoritative, or trustworthy. Questionable sources will not be
   accepted. If you doubt whether your source might be questionable, please check with
   your professor. Also read LBH 43.2 for some excellent discussion on “Evaluating
   Sources.”
   Paragraphs 5-6.
    In these two paragraphs you will argue your position clearly and coherently. Include how
   your position reflects a Christian worldview. It is important to remember that you do not
   have to be completely against something in order for it to be Christian. You can take a
   view that takes the opposition and reshapes it, or you can accommodate it in light of
   Christian theism. If you choose to use Scripture, you must use it as a support. This is not
   a sermon, so do not preach.
   Paragraph 7 (Conclusion).
    In this final paragraph you will drive your point home demonstrating without redundancy
   why your argument is logical, believable, and correct.