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The Reformed Bible College is excited to host the third annual conference ‘CHRIST AND CULTURE: An Introduction to Creating a Reformed Worldview,’ at the Deroche Retreat on Mon. Aug. 29 to Fri. Sept.2 2011
This year we have expanded our focus to not only include college/university students, but also those who have finished their degree, and for those who have entered the work force.
Dear students,
Receiving a post-secondary education is often a wonderful opportunity and the time spent in school generally creates lasting memories. It’s a transitional time that’s about more than gathering knowledge. People meet new friends or grow in old friendships, gain confidence and independence, mature and develop, discover a sense of purpose, and maybe even fall in love. At least in an ideal world that’s what we like to think happens. At the same time these years can be a source of frustration when we don’t know what to do with our lives. It can be a period of doubt and scepticism, of uncertainty and maybe even loneliness. How we do steer through these turbulent times when so much changes in our world, or rather, when so much changes with us?
This is where it’s important to have a compass – some means to direct us on our path. Of course we have the Bible, that wonderful gift that provides encouragement and hope. But to apply the Bible to our lives is a difficult task, and that’s where it becomes necessary to create a worldview. Our word worldview is actually borrowed from the German word weltanschauung, which includes the sense of “looking at the world” (ansehen). Ideally we look at our daily work and our relationships in a way that we feel is biblical, consistent, and that honours our Creator.
The challenge then is to construct for ourselves a worldview that provides confidence and inspiration to live in the image of God as we discover our talents and abilities in the university years (and of course beyond!). The 2011 study week will give us the opportunity to discuss with each other what might distinguish a Reformed worldview from a loosely evangelical “purpose-driven life.” It gives us a chance to turn to Scripture and explore texts and themes that provide a framework for daily living.
There is of course no single Reformed worldview and so I would like to spend some time with you going through a variety of possible answers to the question “How now shall we then live?” (as Francis Schaeffer once put it). Here we’re not interested in history for its own sake. We’ll rather be looking at the ideas that still shape our current thinking. I will share some of the people who have influenced my own thinking, but I will let you decide who speaks to you the most.
The second half of the lectures focuses on application. I have tried to pick a number of worldview issues that everyone will encounter in university, whether they are studying to become a nurse, a graphic designer, or an engineer. First we’ll talk about aesthetics, or the study of beauty. This is about more than finding a suitable date. It’s also not limited to the world of art. One of the first steps to seeing purpose in our vocation is to discover a sense of beauty in our labour. In addition, we need to find a good balance between the beautiful and the principle of utility.
Another worldview issue that everyone will encounter is politics. This is a huge topic and so we’ll focus on one question that you will probably be forced to answer at some point in your studies: does Christianity lead to political conservatism? Why is it that in the United States, for example, most evangelicals vote republican? Do some of the principles of socialism (the common welfare of all) not speak to the Christian too? We’ll talk about how to tread carefully through some of these questions.
The last topic I would like to discuss with you concerns human relationships. Reformed Christians are different from, say, Amish people. We don’t sequester ourselves from the world around us. As a result it is important to consider how our worldview might prepare us for dialogue with others. How can we be open and tolerant, and also speak with integrity and belief?
Finally, the last lecture is really a workshop where you get to hammer out some basic elements of your own worldview. This is of course a never ending project, requiring constant revision and reflection. However, I hope that this retreat will inspire you to work out your calling with purpose and with joy!
In His service,
Conrad van Dyk
 For more information you can access the Reformed Bible College web site: http://www.rbcollege.com/college-and-careers |
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