Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews

Understanding the Times: A Survey of Competing Worldviews

Class Description

What do you believe—and why?

Understanding the Times is a thought-provoking Christian worldview course designed to help high school students recognize, understand, and thoughtfully evaluate the ideas shaping our world. Students will examine Christianity alongside five influential competing worldviews—Islam, Secularism, Marxism, New Spirituality, and Postmodernism—and explore how each approaches some of life’s biggest questions.

Through engaging readings, videos, discussions, writing, and analysis, students will compare these worldviews across theology, philosophy, ethics, biology, psychology, sociology, law, politics, economics, and history. Rather than simply being told what to think, students will be challenged to think critically, examine ideas carefully, and develop the ability to articulate a biblical worldview with clarity, confidence, and grace.

What Students Will Learn

Students will learn to:

• Understand Worldviews — Recognize what a worldview is and how our beliefs influence the way we understand God, humanity, truth, morality, culture, and society.
• Compare Competing Ideas — Examine Christianity alongside Islam, Secularism, Marxism, New Spirituality, and Postmodernism.
• Think Critically — Evaluate arguments for logical consistency, evidence, consequences, and explanatory strength.
• Recognize Cultural Influences — Explore how worldview ideas shape science, ethics, politics, economics, law, history, relationships, and everyday life.
• Evaluate Ideas Biblically — Compare cultural beliefs and competing truth claims with Scripture.
• Engage in Meaningful Discussion — Learn to listen carefully, represent opposing viewpoints fairly, and discuss difficult religious, philosophical, political, and cultural issues respectfully.
• Defend Their Faith — Clearly explain what they believe and develop thoughtful, historically orthodox Christian responses to competing ideas.
• Communicate with Truth & Grace — Grow in the ability to express convictions with clarity, charity, intellectual honesty, and respect for others.

Think Critically. Discern Truth. Engage Culture. Defend Your Faith.