Living at the Crossroads Analysis
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Palm Beach Atlantic University *
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4153
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Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by ChancellorCraneMaster277
Critical Analysis
Goheen & Bartholomew’s
Living at the Crossroads
Name:
Bethany Scott
I give my word that I have read the entire book: 90% of the book
1. What is the authors’ main purpose in writing this book? (40-60 words)
Michael Goheen and Craig Bartholomew’s purpose for writing this book is to
discuss/ introduce Worldview and how to apply a biblical worldview to our everyday
lives. The authors give
a definition of Worldview in Chapter one. “Worldview is an
articulation of the basic beliefs embedded in a shared grand story that are rooted in a
faith commitment and that give shape and direction to the whole of our individual and
corporate lives” (Goheen & Bartholomew, 2008, p. 24).
2. What is the key question/problem/issue the authors are addressing? (40-60
words)
The main questions/ issues that the authors are addressing is living at the
crossroads. In chapter one, the authors have a section called “Living at the Crossroads
of Two Stories” (Goheen & Bartholomew, 2008, p. 18), and it explains that we live in two
communities. One that is heavily influenced by the ‘secular society’, while the other is
centered around God. Goheen and Bartholomew discuss how we should learn how to
fulfill our biblical worldview through the crossroads.
3. What information or evidence do the authors use to solve this question? (75-
100 words)
In Chapter One, the authors show a figure of a crossroad. In the figure the left
side says, “Western story equals Modern or Postmodern Humanism, and the right side
says Creation, Fall, Redemption equals the Biblical Story” (Goheen & Bartholomew,
2008, p. 19). Both sides of the story is represented in a “X” shape to show stories both
want to be the ‘true’ story of the world (p.19).
4. What conclusions do the authors reach in response to this question? (40-60
words)
Christians should live at this crossroads in a way that both reflects the biblical
story and the stories of the modern west. The writers urge us to draw comparisons
between some events in our society and those found in the Gospel. We have to use
common sense to “debunk” the secular worldview but also compare and contrast it. At
the end of the day, these topics help our faith. There is no reason to have faith if nothing
contradicts our beliefs.
5. What are the main ideas or key concepts that the reader must understand in
order to understand the authors’ argument? (100-150 words)
The authors do a great job of comparing and contrasting worldview and biblical
worldview. The earlier chapters discuss that how the gospel must be the foundation of
the Christian worldview and that The historical movement of God offers a different
perspective from the many modern worldviews. The writers spend two chapters
explaining how the Western story came to be and two summarizing the biblical story.
Around has a worldview but what matters is how the worldview is influenced, either
biblical or secular. Without understanding the biblical story of “Creation, Fall,
Redemption” (p.19) your Christian worldview will be affected. The last couple chapters
discuss how the four signs of the western story and how it will affect us. “Failure to know
what time it is in our culture will render us unable to discern the crossroads at which we
are called to live for Christ. Such failure may well betray us into accepting, however
unintentionally, the idols of contemporary culture. It may also cause us to miss the
genuinely good things that contemporary life offers”(p.100).
6. To what extent does the information/evidence provided support the authors’
conclusion? Explain. (75-100 words)
Goheen and Bartholomew use many examples that are historical, biblical and
personal throughout the book. As Christian, we are affected by the secular worldview.
Secular Worldview can affect our flow of thinking and can change our lives. For
example, Christians idea of sex or drinking can be change because of the secular
worldview they choose to adopt. The culture we live in calls it fear of missing out or
FOMO. We see it in TV shows, movies, music, etc. The Bible explains that sex is meant
to be held in a high standard for marriage and not to the secular worldview. This book
gives great examples on how to refocus our Christian Worldview when stuck at the
crossroad.
7. What assumptions underlie the authors’ thinking? Although you can include
assumptions about the intended reader, you must include assumptions that
undergird the authors’ actual argument. (75-100 words)
In the Preface, the authors give us background knowledge about themselves.
Craig Bartholomew was born in South Africa (p.9). He was born during the Apartheid
era. He grew up going to white only schools and living in white only neighborhoods. As
a white South African, he benefitted from this era. He attended a youth group were he
converted to Christ (p.9). Even though he was a part of an Anglican church, they did not
have an opinion of the racism that was happening in South Africa. Apparently Politics
and Church do not mix. Craig was influenced by Francis Schaeffer during his college
years and started to form an opinion about the gospels’ influence on worldview (p.9).
Bartholomew experienced first-hand that a change in secular worldview to a biblical
worldview can change you.
8. So what? If the reader accepts the authors’ reasoning, what are the
consequences?
If the reader rejects the authors’ reasoning, what are the
consequences? Offer concrete examples. (80-120 words)
To help readers accept Goshen and Bartholomew's reasoning, they must read
Chapter Eight. The authors give two truths that they believe our the “foundational to the
cultural task of Christians” (p. 116). First, we most now who Jesus Christ is and that he
is the Creator and Savior of everything. Second, we must understand that salvation and
restoration are God’s purposes. If we believe that the gospel worldview is the true story,
we can live out the good news of Christ and help other to see the world in a Christian
Worldview. If the reader rejects the author's reasoning, you can exclude a secular world-
view and take over the reader's mindset. Your foundation will not be built on faith, but
worldly things and it will move you further away from God.
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References
Goheen, M. W., & Bartholomew, C. G. (2008).
Living at the crossroads: An Introduction
to Christian Worldview
. Baker Academic.