DISCUSSION BOARD INSTRUCTIONS

In a very simplistic way, Dr. Shawn Akers defined public policy as anything the government chooses to do or not do (Liberty University, 2011). Consequently, these decisions are influenced by others with ideas of their own. Issues often arise when those who influence the government have self-serving ideas with negative overarching implications.

So, what influences our ideas? Most of our ideas are influenced by our worldviews. This week we explored the three major worldviews which have influenced American government and society. The worldviews explored were Biblical Christianity, Modernism, and Postmodernism. As depicted in the activities this week, we learned that our founding fathers were largely influenced by a Christian Worldview. Consequently, that has changed because now we have other worldviews which compete against Christian worldviews.

What exactly causes the worldviews to conflict?

When we define worldview as an intellectual, emotional and spiritual framework by which we: (1) interpret reality, (2) make sense of life, and (3) assign values to circumstances, events, and relationships in our own worlds, we find ourselves in opposition to those who may not operate within the same framework (Liberty University, 2013). We all have our worldviews beliefs, which will govern the way we act, behave, and the decisions we make.

The presentation on Worldview implications for Policy Analysis did a great job in making sense of how we as Christians should make our worldview beliefs work together for our good. The greater good being the May-Can-Should perspectives and how they influence our ideas, and how those ideas influence others.