Lately, I’ve fallen behind on reviewing books I’ve agreed to post at ENdC. So, if you bear with me over the next week or so, I’m going to blitz through a pile. This one I’ve found particularly interesting…
**[Blah, Blah, Blah](http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=ericnentrupco-20…) – Bayard Taylor, Bethany House © 2006**
A couple of months ago, I was contacted by Bayard Taylor, author of [“Blah, Blah, Blah,”](http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=ericnentrupco-20…) to review his title for my website as well as to see about how it might fit into our training curriculum at Kingdom Building Ministries.
I was more than eager to review this book. The subject of “Worldview” was one wasted on me in college. Philosophy 101 did nothing more than teach me the name of Immanuel Kant, and I didn’t even remember why he was important!
Bayard Taylor approaches worldview at such an accessible level and provides practical, current application of not just the basics of philosophy but instilling a sense of urgency in believers that being savvy about the varying core perspectives folks bring to the table to discuss the world, God, our purpose in and with either or both.
I was SORELY lacking in this sort of teaching. Bayard effectively filled in some glaring gaps in my knowledge, as well as in my ability to better empathize, understand and communicate with people from all sorts of different philosophical and cultural backgrounds. It’s these factors that shapes a person’s worldview even if they aren’t aware of it.
In [“Blah, Blah, Blah,”](http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=ericnentrupco-20…) Bayard makes certain that the reader not only sees the differences in the 6 key worldviews, but knows how to stand squarely in the “Biblical Worldview,” and meet others where they’re at and help them to see the deficiencies in the worldviews that they’ve inherited, adopted or synthesized.
With mastery of worldview packaged in down-to-earth prose, college freshman to accomplished pastors and public speakers stand to benefit from a grounding in Taylor’s teaching. It’s not just philosophy or more specfically a discourse on the subject of worldview, it’s an entirely fresh and smart introduction to Biblical Apologetics for today’s mixed up world.
In the opening chapter, Taylor sets the course for the book:
>”We need to strive for excellence and professionalism to make following Christ desirable. Christians need to establish institutions and projects that are not afraid to be known as a Christian.” (p.25)
This call to action alone strikes to the very core of my personal anguish with being a proactive public spokesperson for “The Way.” I lived in reluctance for years, fearing that I’d be pigeonholed as yet another Christian looking for people to join my club. I want to maintain and grow in my Biblical Worldview, and shying away because of the confederacy of dunces that misrepresent the Kingdom simply doesn’t help matters. My cowardice creates a vacuum for their shenanigans to fill.
And not being willing to engage with OTHER differing or contradictory worldviews is spiritual laziness on my part.
So, let’s get on with the goods. Taylor admits there are way too many worldviews to cover in the scope of this book, but focuses on the key six:
1. The Haunted Worldview (Paganism)
2. The Biblical Worldview
3. The WYSIWYG Worldview (Naturalism)
4. The Dueling Yodas Worldview (Dualism)
5. The Omnipresent Supergalactic Oneness Worldview (Monism)
6. Designer Religion
Taylor takes an entertaining approach to dissecting each of the key six, but also towards helping the reader retain the key bullets to each that distinguish them from each other.
>”Not everybody has a religion, but everybody has a worldview.” (p.31)And because this is automatic, becoming more knowledgeable about the key six worldviews is incredibly helpful in meeting people where they are at. And it’s crucial to get this because:
>”People act on what they believe to be true. These things matter because they determine behavior. Ideas have consequences.” (p.123)
For us timid Christians, afraid we might get bowled over in an intellectual conversation:
>”If you want a faith that stands up to intellectual challenges, you need to wrestle with the ideas out there that go against Christian faith.” (p.123)
Yet, Taylor underscores that the goal isn’t to build up a few Jedi mind tricks to outwit someone who disagrees with you, the goal is to be able to adequately represent the story of the Gospel, the truth of the Kingdom of God.
Later in the book, Taylor takes on the era of Postmodernism and all that it has wrought in confusing the conversation even further. And contrary to other recent opinions, Bayard declares how we need the church desperately in such philosophically diverse, and tangled times.
I love how he encourages the reader to keep after the preservation and extension of the Biblical Worldview, comparing it to target practice:
>”Even if we miss the mark, the target is supremely important. Just because nobody can hit the bull’s-eye perfectly each time doesn’t mean we just give up and imagine it’s not t here or that it’s irrelevant. No! We try to sight better, control our breath, concentrate harder, and do everything to get closer to the goal. Jesus is definitely worth it. (p.197)
I couldn’t agree more.
If you want to [grab a copy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?link_code=ur2&tag=ericnentrupco-20…) for yourself or small group, I think you’ll enjoy it. Also, if you want to go further with it, be sure to check out the [companion website](http://www.blahblahbook.com/) for study guides, online discussion, and additional thoughts on worldview that Taylor didn’t include in the book.
Eric Nentrup 