Books reveal the mystery of human life, creativity, and understanding. Without books, life would appear impossible, as reading is the guiding manual of existence. Books have the power to explore the past, present, and future. They, never die and exist to play an essential role in our lives. They educate curious hearts, enhance characters, and nourish the mind. The book Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500 purposefully encourages readers to evaluate his or her understandings of the world through adopting a worldview that the author refers to as “Biblical Christianity.” The textbook breaks down how worldviews impact the government, foreign policies, and economics by providing the reader with a newfound understanding of politics and philosophy. [1: 1 Martin, Glenn Richards. Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500.]
Summary
Written by Dr. Glenn Martin, Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500 lays out an extensive analysis of western worldviews that have influenced a multitude of different cultures and governments. From start to finish the book examines worldviews beginning with the Reformation to present-day process philosophy which continues to actively impact modern society. Martin writes on behalf of a Christian perspective. Though he does not forcefully expresses his opinion, he gradually reminds readers of the almighty and powerful God, who is the creator of all things. “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Martin conveys the influential role that Christians play in influencing society. “The Biblical Christian believes in a separation of institutions—for example, church and state—but not, as we shall see, a dichotomistic separation thereof, which is the view that God is over part of life but not over all of life” Martin provides a narrative for each of the worldviews he discusses. In his book, he examines three important questions. Firstly, “what is the Origin, Nature, and Destiny of the Cosmos? Secondly, what is the Origin, Nature, and Destiny of Man? Thirdly, what are the Institutional Structure and Procedure of the Worldview?” As the questions are presented Martin depicts several Biblical Christian Worldviews before discussing supplementary non-biblical worldviews. The heart of the book looks at each worldview that Martin discusses and ends each section with a brief commentary on what the author’s Biblical impressions regarding the worldview. Martin concludes by addressing the topic of process philosophy as the prevailing worldview, hence the name of the book. “In the broad sense, the term ‘process philosophy’ refers to all worldviews holding that process or becoming is more fundamental than unchanging being.” Martin carefully provides the reader with an understanding of God’s sovereignty in regards to various worldviews. After all, Martin makes it clear that only one solution will prevail a nation or civilization will either have a revolution or reformation.
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Critique
In Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500, Martin composes several ideas surrounding the different strengths associated with worldviews. Ultimately, this ensured that readers grasped his point-of-view was a Biblical one. Finally, Martin argued in favor of Christianity and made a strong appeal to readers regarding the importance of understanding a Biblical Worldview.
Especially in building up the possibility of the Biblical Christian Worldview, Martin was most useful in clarifying the institutional responsibility. One powerful statement Martin made in regards to the objective of Biblical Christianity discussed the purpose of studying this topic. “To think Biblically is to think antithetically. We must not structure other systems as straw men, merely to be able to knock them down; rather we must know those systems fairly, that is, based on the presuppositions from which they emerge.” Martin’s most significant strength of the book was his descriptive and compelling analysis of the Biblical worldview of Christians and Process Philosophy. His concepts of those two ideas ebbed and flowed from start to finish. Martin presents readers with convincing opinions through examination and provision of viewpoint evidence. Likewise, Martin displays every one of the perspective's results, and he informs readers that he typically talks about the subjects of Darwinism, Pragmatism, and Freudianism. For this situation, he analyzed Marxism, and he works admirably doing as such. In the three sections that Martin uses to clarify Marxism he makes a point to incorporate how the articulation, Marxism molded the comprehensive approach just as different structures in government.
An essential component of this book is the writer's intention to have everything point back to The Creator. Today, there are more perspectives and belief systems that conflict with Christian rational theology than contrasted with before hundreds of years. Shielding a scriptural perspective in a general public loaded with many contradicting aspects is no simple accomplishment. The creator did not put together his opinions with respect to his emotional Christian views. However, He put together his beliefs concerning continuous target investigate. He gives the examination, information, and assets required to protect the assaults of the individuals who may scrutinize one's Christian confidence and the way of God. “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.”
Application
“An individual with a Biblical worldview looks at the world and sifts all information through the lens of God’s Word. Scripture informs his thinking and behavior, guiding his intellect and moral determinations. The Bible is the bedrock that undergirds his entire life.” Martin ends his excellent book by clarifying how each perspective he discussed has made an impact on the policies of the western world. He attempts to explain all the of the views and makes an effort to advocate on the present approach issues when he analyzes the impact that Marxism has on America. When it comes to the understanding of process philosophy, his approach is especially intriguing, with respects to foreign policy.
The chapter that has proven to be most captivating throughout the entire book was the chapter that examined the end-results of institutionalized process philosophy. Without question, process philosophy became the established order in the West during the twentieth century and continues as such. The Fabian socialist variant of process philosophy was institutionalized coming to control Europe by the 1920s and the United States by the late 1930s.
Martin examines The Fabian socialist piece within Process Philosophy. Ultimately this is what is known today as the Democratic Party. When examining and understanding the Fabian Socialists approach one can better understand the Democratic way of thinking. The information and material presented in this book can be absorbed for a greater and more fruitful understanding of politics [10: 10 Ibid.]
Policy Review
In recent years, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, commonly known as ISIS, has been rapidly progressing and expanding. This terrorist group is a threat not only to America but the rest of the world. They take innocent lives, yet proclaim to their followers that they are performing such acts for a greater cause. Today, a current and reoccurring policy issue that is consistently in the news is in regards to ISIS and defeating it. ISIS presents a global terrorist threat which has recruited thousands of foreign fighters to Iraq and Syria from across the globe and leveraged technology to spread its violent extremist ideology and to incite terrorist acts” Upon reading the Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500 the importance of understanding ideological warfare pertains to understanding the alliance to defeat ISIS. A further tragedy is that ideological warfare, unlike warfare undertaken in the [11: 11 U.S. Department of State. The Global Coalition To Defeat ISIS.] context of the tradition beginning and ending with God, results, and logically so, in widespread unmitigated violence. When one goes to war for purely ideological reasons, really does not know when to begin and when to end that war.
Ultimately Martin’s ideologies and beliefs differ with the Fabian Socialist approach thus revealing Martin’s principles are accurate, and the Fabian way of thinking is not an old way of thinking, instead of a new one. America continues to slip further away from God’s biblical doctrine, and the truth was revealed throughout Martin’s impactful book Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500. [12: 12 Martin, Glenn Richards. Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500.]
References
- 'Franklin Graham: A Biblical Worldview in Today's Culture.' Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Accessed April 25, 2019. https:/ /billygraham.org/decision-magazine/march-2018/the-lens-o f-scripture/.
- Martin, Glenn Richards. Prevailing Worldviews of Western Society Since 1500 Marion, Ind: Triangle Publishing, 2007. Accessed 18 April 2019. https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/#/books/978- 1-931283-69-4/cfi/6/8!/4@0:0
- Griffin, David. 1998, 'Process philosophy' In: Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Taylor and Francis, viewed 28 April 2019, . doi:10.4324/978041524 9126-N085-1
- 'The Global Coalition To Defeat ISIS.' U.S. Department of State. Accessed April 28, 2019. https://www.state.gov/s/seci/index.htm.
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