Book Review: A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test
Kenneth R. Samples
is the resident philosopher and theologian at
Reasons To Believe, a
Christian think-tank primarily devoted to science apologetics. Ever since I
attended a Reasons To Believe conference in 2000, I have been fascinated with
the approach Ken Samples has taken for testing worldviews for truth. The wait is
finally over and A
World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test
is now published. One of the long-term goals of Reasons To Believe has been to
provide a comprehensive, testable Christian creation model, and
A World of Difference adds a philosophical piece to that testable
creation model.
Samples' book is organized into three main sections. The first, short section describes the components that make up a worldview, including theology (view of God), metaphysics (view of reality such as the universe), epistemology (theory of knowledge), axiology (moral values), humanity (human nature), and history (the recorded events of human existence). Included in this section are a suggested means of comparing and testing worldviews for truth. In order to be valid, a worldview must be:
- Logically consistent
- Balanced (not too simple or complex)
- Provide explanatory power and scope
- Correspond to well-established facts
- Be verifiable (truth claims can be verified or falsified)
- Be applicable to real life
- Fill existential needs
- Provide a cumulative and comprehensive approach
- Compete in the marketplace of ideas
The first section ends with a short introduction into logic, logical arguments and critical thinking.
The second section (and longest of the three) examines the Christian worldview in depth. Scripture is cited in detail to formulate a comprehensive, biblically-accurate Christian worldview.
The final section of A World of Difference examines five popular worldviews:
- Naturalism (a completely secular worldview)
- Postmodernism (a skeptical worldview)
- Pantheistic monism (Eastern mystical worldview)
- Islam (a radical monotheistic worldview)
- Christianity (Christian theistic worldview)
Each worldview is examined for its strengths and weaknesses using the nine tests developed in section one. For me, these five chapters were the most interesting in the book, and gives insight into ways of witnessing to individuals who hold those worldviews.
A World of Difference is a great resource to help Christians examine the truth claims of the world's popular worldviews. Samples' book has a list of questions at the end of each chapter that can be used in Bible study groups as a take-off point for discussions. Such a study is highly recommended for all Christians, since the evaluation of worldviews tends to be an area that is neglected by most churches.
A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test
Related Pages 
- Putting on the Glasses of Truth by Kenneth Richard Samples
- Is Christianity True? Evidence for the Truth of the Christian Religion
- Book Review: 7 Truths that Changed the World: Discovering Christianity's Most Dangerous Ideas by Kenneth Samples
Reflections
We are what we think.
- 05/17/2012 12:12 AM
Quote of the Week: Bruce Milne
To be a biblical Christian means not only believing all that Scripture teaches, but holding its various teachings in scriptural balance. –Bruce Milne, Know The Truth (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1982), 79.
() - 05/15/2012 12:19 AM
An Intellectual Code of Conduct, Part 2
Wild goose chase, rabbit trail, red herring—all these idioms refer to diversionary tactics. A mystery writer might use a red herring character to distract readers (and even the detective) from the real culprit. A good plot device for authors, but … Continue reading
() - 05/10/2012 12:04 AM
Quote of the Week: Ronald Nash
According to most of the classical Christian theologians like Augustine, Anselm, and Aquinas, God’s eternal existence is to be understood as timelessness. The doctrine of timelessness entails more than that God’s existence is without beginning or end. It implies that … Continue reading
() - 05/08/2012 12:36 AM
An Intellectual Code of Conduct, Part 1
From childhood, we’re taught to follow the Golden Rule: treat others as we want to be treated. Jesus Christ included this principle in His description of the greatest commandments: “The second [commandment] is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” This … Continue reading
() - 05/03/2012 09:09 AM
God to the Rescue: Getting into Heaven by Grace, Not Works
Excerpted from chapters 9 and 10 of my new book, 7 Truths That Changed the World, now available at shop.reasons.org. **** “God helps those who help themselves.” “God knows I’m only human.” “I’m trying my best; God will understand.” The … Continue reading
() - 04/26/2012 10:17 AM
Quote of the Week: Mark A. Noll
The ancient creeds became authoritative in the early centuries because they were thoroughly, profoundly, comprehensively, and passionately rooted in Scripture. –Mark A. Noll, Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011), 2.
() - 04/24/2012 12:01 AM
Podcast Highlight: Movies, Anthropology, and Reasoning
I’ve been addressing a potpourri of topics on my podcast, Straight Thinking. The goal of the podcast is similar to Reflections’: highlighting the importance of careful thinking in relation to the Christian worldview. Check out these recent podcast series for … Continue reading
() - 04/19/2012 09:36 AM
Quote of the Week: Kenneth Samples, 5
The Apostle Paul had power and he had points, but he didn’t have Power Point. –Kenneth Samples, Sunday school class, Christ Reformed Church
() - 04/17/2012 09:49 AM
How Theists and Atheists Reason Differently About God
Excerpted from my upcoming book, 7 Truths that Changed the World (Baker 2012) Theists and atheists do reason differently about God and the world. A common skeptical objection to the enterprise of Christian apologetics is that believers engage in a … Continue reading
() - 04/12/2012 12:17 AM
Quote of the Week: William J. Wainwright
Theistic metaphysics seems more reasonable to me, on balance, than its competitors. Although its difficulties are well known, the problems with alternatives seem greater. –William J. Wainwright, “Skepticism, Romanticism, and Faith” in God and the Philosophers, ed. Thomas V. Morris … Continue reading
()
http://www.godandscience.org/apologetics/world_of_difference.html
Last Modified September 25, 2008
Top of Page 
Back