Torch, Spring 2004

worldview just by asking the ultimate questions, which deal with origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. Your worldview answers these ultimate questions. These are ultimate for basic reasons. First, they are inescapable. Every person has to answer these questions in one way or another. Secondly, the answers to these questions touch every single molecule of the universe. Thirdly, they are ultimate because the answers affect you. And fourthly, they are ultimate because there are answers. That’s why I want a worldview that fits the world. I want what’s true. I want to know why we are here. I want to know how we know what is right and wrong. A lot of people try to avoid these questions, and that’s what American entertainment culture does. It tries to avoid even asking these questions. One of the roles I love to play when I go out and speak, particularly to secular audiences, is to bring these questions up. It is so disturbing for people to have to think about these things. But considering these questions is what makes us human. And the reality is that they are interconnected. When you answer one, you really answer the others as well. When you answer the question about origin with “God created everything,” you’ve answered why we’re here, how we know what’s right and wrong, and what happens when you die. They are interconnected. It’s fascinating, but when I speak to an agnostic or an atheist, they’ll invariably say something like, “Well, when you die it’s a matter of your faith as to what happens.” I’ll then say, “OK, you can believe that, but what really happens?” And they’ll have never thought about that before. For many, it’s just a matter of what you believe that’s important. But the issue is, something really happens when we die. It’s not a matter of what you believe. What you believe is not going to change what really happens. Don’t Forget Your Mind All of this boils down to the challenge of why Cedarville University exists and why students come here for an education. God has called our students to think; not to just get a job, but to think. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and … sometimes we pause there. We love to love God with our hearts. We love hearing testimonies; we love listening to praise and worship, but God says, “Don’t forget your mind.” Every time you learn something, it’s a holy act. When I came to Christ in high school, I could not wait to learn. I had this insatiable desire; I wanted to learn. After I graduated from college, I went to seminary just to learn. People would ask, “What are you going to do?” continued from page 7 12 TORCH / Spring 2004 Thinking Worldviewishly continued on page 14