A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test

by Kenneth Samples

Publisher:

Baker

, 2007

Overview

At a time when Christian belief is constantly challenged, understanding different worldviews can help Christians think and live faithfully. Kenneth Samples’ own life-and-death crisis encourages believers to develop a worldview perspective based on truth, critical thinking, and logic. In A World of Difference, he addresses the historic Christian worldview and evaluates four modern-day competitors—Islam, naturalism, postmodernism, and pantheistic monism. The use of nine distinct and challenging tests shows how all worldviews should be assessed.

With compelling insight into Scripture, history, science, and theology, A World of Difference will challenge and strengthen your beliefs.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Scripture citations link directly to English translations, and important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Equips believers to share and defend their faith
• Provides a clear way to assess worldviews in light of Scripture
• Assists Christians in approaching the intellectual challenges of our age

Contents

• Part 1: Developing a Worldview Perspective
  • Shades of Reality
  • Testable Truth
  • Logic 101 and Christian Truth-Claims
  • Straight Thinking
• Part 2: Exploring the Christian Worldview
  • A Christian Vision of Truth, Knowledge, and History
  • A Soldier’s Creed
  • God’s Written Word––Scripture
  • The Historic Christian View of God
  • God’s World––Creation and Providence
  • The Historic Christian View of Man
  • The Historic Christian View of Moral Values
• Part 3 Evaluating Worldview Competitors
  • Naturalism: A Secular Worldview Challenge
  • Postmodernism: A Skeptical Worldview Perspective
  • Pantheistic Monism: An Eastern Mystical Viewpoint
  • Islam: A Radical Monotheistic Challenge
  • Testing the Christian Theistic Worldview

Top Highlights

“These tests examine worldviews for coherence, balance, explanatory power and scope, correspondence, verification, practicality, livability, diversity of support, and competitive competence.¹ Each evaluation contributes increasing insight into a worldview’s adequacy. Rather than being completely distinct, these tests overlap and impact each other.” (Page 32)

“This study also underscored that how a person thinks significantly influences his actions. A Christian who understands his worldview and can practically apply it exhibits an overall lifestyle that corresponds to a much greater degree with traditional Christian ethics and values.” (Page 15)

“Each book was inspired the day it was written. Clearly the inspiration of Scripture preceded the pronouncements of councils some 300 years later.” (Page 127)

“The truly profound apologetic implication of creation ex nihilo is found in the field of modern cosmology. According to prevailing scientific theory, the universe had a singular beginning about 14 billion years ago. All matter, energy, time, and space exploded into existence (in a carefully controlled and fine-tuned manner) from nothing (no preexisting materials). This basic big bang cosmological model, embraced by the vast majority of research scientists because it has withstood extensive scientific testing, uniquely corresponds to the biblical teaching concerning creation ex nihilo. A book written a couple thousand years ago contains a view of cosmology that probatively corresponds to the latest and best scientific findings.” (Page 162)

Praise for the Print Edition

Christians can no longer afford to be ignorant of how to think and see the world in light of their worldview and alternative worldviews. A World of Difference is the right book at the right time.

—J.P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy, Talbot School of Theology

One of my biggest concerns for Christians struggling to make their way through the intellectual challenges of our age is that they often don’t have the basic categories to think biblically about their own faith. Ken Samples’ A World of Difference will give them those categories.

—Kim Riddlebarger, senior pastor, Christ Reformed Church, Anaheim, CA

Product Details

• Title: A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the Worldview Test
• Author: Kenneth Samples
• Publisher: Baker
• Print Publication Date: 2007
• Logos Release Date: 2013
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Christianity; Christianity and culture; Church and the world
• ISBNs: 9781441254047, 9780801068225, 1441254048, 0801068223
• Resource ID: LLS:WRLDDFFRNCPTTNG
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:54:12Z

About Kenneth Samples

Kenneth Richard Samples is a senior research scholar with Reasons To Believe, the premier science-faith integration ministry. An adjunct instructor of apologetics at Biola University, Samples is the author of Without a Doubt, A World of Difference, and 7 Truths That Changed the World. He lives in Southern California with his wife, Joan, and their three children.