Mohler on Worldviews

President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, one Dr. Albert Mohler, has written an excellent book on leadership entitled The Conviction to Lead. One of the many leadership related topics that Dr. Mohler deals with is that of worldviews. For Mohler, our convictions shape our worldviews, and then the worldview that we have embraced shapes us. The Conviction to Lead defines worldviews in the following paragraph:

Worldviews work by organizing ideas. At the most basic level of our thinking, every single one of us operates out of one unified understanding of the world. As Sowell says, these worldviews are the "silent shapers of our thoughts." You might even say that they are sets of ideas that make the world operational for us. If we did not believe these ideas, we would have no idea how to make sense of the world. We cannot rethink our basic understanding of reality every morning. (45)

As a Christian, our "basic understanding of reality," and the "framework for our thoughts, decisions making, and way of analyzing issues" (45) should be purposefully developed and enriched. We cannot be lackadaisical about something of such incredible import. Mohler continues,

A robust and rich model of Christian thinking-the quality of thinking that culminates in a God-centered worldview-requires that we see all truth as interconnected. Ultimately, the wholeness of truth can be traced to the fact that God is himself the author of all truth. Christianity's doctrines are not like separate tools in a mechanic's belt to be used only when needed. Instead, Christianity is a comprehensive worldview and way of life that grows out of Christian reflection on the bible and the unfolding plan of God revealed in the unity of the Scriptures. (45)

A Christian worldview is a powerful thing. But you do not receive this in the genetic material from your parents. You have to work at it, intentionally, and grow and develop it. Mohler adds,

A God-centered worldview brings every issue, question, and cultural concern into submission to all the Bible reveals, and frames all understanding within the ultimate purpose of bringing greater glory to God. This task of bringing every thought captive to Christ requires more than haphazard Christian thinking, and is to be understood as the task of the church and not merely the concern of individual believers. The recovery of the Christian mind and the development of a comprehensive Christian worldview will require the deepest theological reflection, the most consecrated application of scholarship, the most sensitive commitment to compassion, and the courage to face all questions without fear. (45-6)