Worldview Project
Our work in this area has three strands:
Introduction
The concept of worldview has fallen out of fashion over the last decade: too idealistic, rationalistic and simplistic to be helpful or relevant given the complexity and fragmentation of our lived experience. Moreover, worldview, its critics argue, can easily become overly individualistic and worryingly triumphalist. It is certainly true that Christians, especially of the Reformed variety (and particularly those in the Anglo-American context) have made worldview deductive and restrictive. At its worst, it becomes ‘an exercise in list writing and in agreeing to the contents of those lists’; an understanding of the world that ‘can apparently be acquired through a five minute YouTube video.’[1] Worldview, thought of this way, does not take maturity in Christ seriously and fails to equip Christians to fulfil their God-given potential and make their contribution. Such an understanding of ‘Biblical worldview’ requires careful deconstruction (as do a myriad of secular alternatives).
And yet, there is another, more European, understanding of worldview expounded by the Dutch neo-Calvinists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is more holistic, understanding worldview to be inductive and expansive. In short, Christian worldview formation is a pursuit of godly wisdom, providing men and women with the means to navigate life’s most pressing questions and a way of being in the world able to respond to the societal challenges of the present day. It is quite the opposite of list making. Rather, it prizes growth, striving to think all thoughts biblically and theologically. It recognises that God always exceeds our creaturely efforts to grasp him and that the way of life he requires of his people defies overly simplistic formulation. As such it places a high value on humility, patience and collaboration.
[1] James Eglinton, “Editor’s Introduction” to Johan H. Bavinck Personality & Worldview, trans & ed. James Eglinton, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2023), 1-22, 8
Research Project
A properly functioning educational ministry of the church is needed if a Christian worldview (as described above) is to be embodied in those attending congregations across the length and breadth of Scotland. If, as we contend, the goal of forming such a worldview is that every member might find their place and make their contribution, then teaching – beyond a weekly sermon – must be central.
This research project seeks to evaluate what is happening in terms of Christian education in Scotland’s churches, what understandings of worldview predominate and how they are manifested in the day-to-day living of Christians in Scotland.
We sense a cultural moment to which the church must respond and for which Christian education toward worldview formation must play a central role. Pedagogical excellence and curricular integrity are, therefore, crucial, forming a key component of this project.
PROJECT LEAD
Rev. Dr Jonathan Fraser
Jonathan is a part-time lecturer in Practical Theology at Highland Theological College, specialising in Christian education and identity and faith formation. In leading this project, he hopes to apply his academic training to the church’s frontline work, fostering a deeper commitment to Christian education as a key component of every local ministry.
Invest
Invest is a church internship programme, hosted by Cornerstone St Andrews and The Chalmers Institute. Our priority is investing in the long-term development and growth of the intern, with the aim that they will also learn to equip others in the same way in the future.
Invest is a curated mix of theological study, ministry activities, empowering relationships, and reflective practice. These include,
- Learning community, explore, discuss, develop and apply theological convictions together.
- Reflective and formative projects in ministry practice and personal growth.
- Weekly mentor meetings and reading group.
- Discipleship, equipping and practical ministry with Cornerstone St Andrews.
Invest spans one academic year, with a personalised timetable that can accommodate other commitments, part-time ministry or work. In some instances Invest may be available alongside part-time work with a partnering ministry.
PROJECT LEAD
Adrian Holdsworth
Adrian is Chalmers Fellow. His PhD is looking at virtue education within theological education. Having had church and educational leadership roles he is passionate about equipping servant-leaders and enabling life-giving ministry apprentiships.
Public Theology
What does it mean to live Christianly in post-Christian Britain? While the question is beyond any individual or organisation to answer, there is a dearth of public resources coming from both a faithful and informed posture, engaging constructively and critically with this question.
I’ve been delighted to seek, alongside the wider Chalmers Worldview Project, to make some small contribution to filling this gap. For me, this involves making an academic contribution to ‘public theology’, which involves the application of rich theology to matters touching directly on contemporary life and society. Two thirds of my time with Chalmers has been devoted to research and writing on this.
Another third of my time has been devoted, along with Mark Stirling and other potential partners, to founding an online, public theology journal. In the UK there are excellent academic theology journals and popular publications at a very accessible, ‘magazine’ level. There are few examples of outlets residing in the space between these two extremes. We aim to create something readable and accessible, rather than a formal academic journal, yet also relatively long-form and intellectually serious, in that regard unlike many magazines or blogs. The hope is this accessible yet serious, fully online journal will resource Christian leaders in Scotland, the UK and further afield serving in every domain of life.
PROJECT LEAD
Dr Jared Michelson
Jared has a PhD in Systematic Theology and is Gifford Fellow at St Mary’s College, University of St Andrews. Prior to this he was Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church in St. Andrews.
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