Across the country this month thousands of students are stepping across the platform to receive their diplomas. I am in my first year of graduate school and have had my fair share of college experiences. In my college classroom last year I listened as a classmate proposed a solution to the problem of abortion as exploring common ground between the pro-choice and pro-life messages. My own convictions on the subject sent my mind racing. Are beliefs mere preferences to be compromised? What about absolute truth and right and wrong?
Throughout life, and often intensely during the college years, students will encounter a variety of beliefs. As parents, many of you want your children to possess strong faith that actively counters unbiblical thought and action. Intentional worldview training is key to shaping and refining a Christian worldview, particularly important in today’s postmodern culture.
Absolute truth is an unpopular concept. America has strayed from the Judeo-Christian beliefs that once molded the religious and moral convictions of many of its founders, and moral relativism now leads the assumptions about reality. Fewer young people today can say with confidence that Christianity is not only true for them, but ultimate truth for every single man, woman and child.
As parents, you face the challenge of incorporating worldview training into daily life. A biblical framework for viewing life begins with a solid grounding in God’s word. At its heart lie questions of reality, origin, identity, purpose and ethics. The starting point is the objective truth of Jesus Christ. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
In his book entitled How Shall We Now Live?, Charles Colson emphasizes that Christianity is all-encompassing. “We must show the world that Christianity is more than a private belief, more than personal salvation. We must show that it is a comprehensive life system that answers all of humanity’s age-old questions: Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Does life have any meaning and purpose?”
Teach your children to critically examine the behaviors and beliefs around them and to compare their observations to biblical truth. Engage your children daily in dialogue on cultural topics. My 13-year-old sister looked no farther than her community swim team to face opposing worldviews. She strengthened her own beliefs as she shared her convictions on topics of abortion, homeschooling, traditional marriage and world religions with her pre-teen teammates.
Make biblical worldview a central theme with the books lining your bookshelves and the magazines on your coffee table. Scan the news and discuss current events.
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