Avary Morales
Worldview is the comprehensive framework of beliefs and values through which a person
interprets the world and makes decisions. In Michael D. Palmer’s Elements of a Christian
Worldview, he underlines worldview not just from the Christian perspective but from a range of
worldviews. It is essential to remember when studying worldviews that we cannot go based on
our own biases alone because everyone experiences life differently. Palmer introduces this idea
that anyone and everyone has a worldview.
The book comments on the idea of a Christian worldview by first presenting other opinions. It is
important as a Christian to keep in mind that not everyone is born into the church. We must
create and define what the world looks like for us based on our time spent in the world. It is so
individual and unique to a person’s experience that when introduced, you must come at this
from an inclusive and understanding point of view.
The idea that a worldview can change is very taboo in the modern world, as we are seeing an
increase in extremism and unwavering ideas. There is a lack of argument or debate, which is
the origin of change. It is important as a Christian to be a loving and God-honoring example of
how your worldview can positively affect the people around you as well as improve yourself.
Worldview works as a kind of map; it informs how you will go about life, who you will interact
with, how you will interact with them, how you will face conflict, and many more aspects. For
example, someone who subscribes to Marxism will be led solely by political beliefs and
ideology, while the Bible will lead a Christian. Worldview is which direction you pick to get
through your life. Following these worldviews will have a heavy and lasting effect on your life.
When thinking about the origin of my worldview regarding Palmer’s ideas, I was interested to
think about where exactly my worldview comes from. As a person who grew up in the church, I
received my worldview of Christianity from my parents; however, as I have experienced life, I
have made those beliefs my own. It is important to question and define the worldview you
inherit, as it is vital to who you become and how you become that.
Personally, I have come to question my own defined worldview as I learn more about the Word
and what it means. Coming into college, I had a preconceived Bible school idea of the Bible.
However, as I grow in my Christian education, I find myself in the Word often, and I am being
challenged in that. Ideas about God’s constants without a beginning or end, what the Holy
Trinity is, miracles, and many other things that I had not delved into are now at the forefront of
my mind. It is a person’s duty to continuously question and dig deeper into what they believe. If
one says they are a Christian but does not take part and be knowledgeable in all parts of this
worldview, it is the same as having no worldview at all.
In this idea of questioning, I found myself to be personally deterred by that word “but.” In this
reading, I understood that the negative connotation I had of “questioning” stems from the idea of
questioning if God is real. This is not what I am questioning; I am questioning what living into a
Christian worldview looks like for me and how I can incorporate this.
So now, as Palmer has introduced all these ideas of a worldview, why is Christianity the one
that we should choose? Well, a thoughtful worldview is made up of six key factors: Ideological,
Narrative, Normative, Ritual, Experiential, and Social. Palmer begins to hint at Christianity as
the answer because of its cooperation in all areas of these six factors.
Talking about his worldview as my own personal map, I thought deeply about what these six
factors were in regard to my life. Ideology—the ideology I follow helps me to guide my moral
beliefs, and it helps me operate as a person that interacts in the world. As far as Narrative, I
believe deeply in the Bible and its truth, so in my everyday life, I try to incorporate its teaching
and dig more into it to ground myself. Normative elements allow me to decide how and what
decisions to make based on the ideas my worldview adheres to. Rituals that I follow weekly are
opening my Bible daily, going to church on Wednesdays and Sundays, and listening to worship
music. Experientially, I have met God in situations where I felt lost and was unsure of my faith.
He comes to me through worship and nature, and it is then that I can have a personal
experience with Him. Socially, I like to surround myself with people who have similar worldviews
to me, as it makes me feel more interconnected. I also try to share my worldview with people
who I find seem not to have one or are struggling with the one they do possess. God sends us
to show people who He is. Palmer’s ideas of the six elements really helped me to reflect on
what that looks like in a Christian lifestyle.
“Everyone has a worldview, but not everyone possesses a well-thought-through worldview.”
(Elements of a Christian Worldview). Palmer recognizes the truly individualistic and personal
concept that is worldview. My life personally is shaped so heavily by my Christian worldview; I
do not imagine living my life without morals and spirituality in play. Overall, I deeply appreciated
Palmer’s ability to be unjudgmental in his representation of the worldview. As Christians, we
want to avoid any kind of condescending or better-than-thou mindset, as we will lose potential
Christ followers this way. Based on my personal experience with Christianity, the ultimate value
I carry is to love everyone unconditionally as God has called us to. A worldview is something
cultivated through experience and situation. One must be open to the idea of change in a world
so adamant in extremism and violence. You must take the time to understand your worldview
and how it aligns with who you are as a person. Palmer addresses the concept of a worldview
with patience and allows the reader to come face to face with how they are going about their life
and what they can do to redefine the way in which they view and interact with the world.
