BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW PAPER INSTRUCTIONS

Rationale

The Biblical Worldview Assignment is course-embedded into every degree program in Liberty University’s School of Education (SOE).  Its purpose is to carry out LU’s mission to provide an education with a solid Christian foundation and to ensure that every SOE program completer understands the implications of a biblical worldview for the field of education.  While there are other assignments that require candidates to write a personal philosophy of education, that is not necessarily the intent of this particular assignment.  The goal of this activity is for candidates to accomplish the following: 

·  Convey an understanding of what is meant by a biblical worldview.

·  Support and illustrate this understanding by citing the Bible and other literature on the topic of biblical worldview.

·  Apply principles of a biblical worldview to educational practice.

·  Articulate key components of a Christian philosophy of education, citing from the Bible and other literature on the topic of Christian philosophy of education. 

Because the SOE embeds this assignment into every degree program—i.e., bachelor, master, education specialist (Ed.S.), and doctorate (Ed.D)—it is likely that candidates who earn multiple degrees from LU’s SOE will be required to complete the assignment multiple times.  Especially in the Ed.S. and Ed.D. degrees, the Biblical Worldview Assignment may be required for more than one course.  Candidates who are required to complete the assignment more than once may resubmit the initial assignment but are encouraged to revise as needed.  For example, expectations for undergraduate and graduate writing levels are different; therefore, the composition of the paper may need to be strengthened with the repeated submission.  Also, check the assignment directions and rubric to ensure that you are meeting the present course’s specific requirements.

Mission of Liberty University: This assignment advances LU’s mission by promoting “the synthesis of academic knowledge and Christian worldview in order that there might be a maturing of spiritual, intellectual, social and physical value-driven behavior” and by encouraging “a commitment to the Christian life, one of personal integrity, sensitivity to the needs of others, social responsibility and active communication of the Christian faith, and, as it is lived out, a life that leads people to Jesus Christ as the Lord of the universe and their own personal Savior.”  Click on these links to learn more about LU’s Mission Statementand LU’s Doctrinal Statement.  

Mission of LU’s School of Education: This assignment advances the School of Education’s mission, which is “to develop competent professionals with a biblical worldview for Christian, public, and private schools.”  Click on this link to learn more about the SOE Conceptual Framework.

Directions

Write a 4-page paper in current APA format that conveys your understanding of what is meant by a biblical worldview and a Christian philosophy of education.  Also, discuss the implications of these principles in their application to educational practice.  Page length requirement begins with the introductory paragraph and ends with the conclusion; it includes neither the title page nor the reference page. An abstract is not required.  In addition to the Bible, cite a minimum of four references that represent the body of literature supporting and explaining biblical worldview and Christian philosophy of education.  No more than 10% of the paper is to include direct quotes; therefore, you should do much more summarizing and paraphrasing than quoting.  Citations are required both for direct quotes and for summarized ideas drawn from references.  The format of the paper is to include the sections below with headings that follow current APA format.  Click on this link to view an APA Tipsdocument with helpful hints for writing success.

·  Title Page

·  Introduction

Present a strong, clear thesis statement.  The focus of this paragraph is to introduce the reader to the thesis statement.  The remainder of the paper should support and illustrate the main point(s) of the thesis statement.  

·  Biblical Worldview

Based upon your readings of the Bible and literature on the topic of biblical worldview, convey a basic understanding of the elements of a worldview that is based distinctively on a perspective of life drawn from Judeo-Christian scriptures.  Do not focus on the field of education in this section.  A common error is for writers to neglect the discussion of a biblical worldview by focusing too much on the field of education, which is to be addressed in subsequent sections of the paper.    

·  Christian Philosophy of Education

Based upon your readings of the Bible and literature on the topic of Christian philosophy of education, convey a basic understanding of the elements of an educational philosophy that is based distinctively on a perspective drawn from Judeo-Christian scriptures.  Address metaphysical and axiological issues.  Metaphysical issues relate to questions of meaning and purpose. Axiological issues relate to questions of values.  Minimize the discussion of practical application to the field of education in this section.  A common error is for writers to neglect the discussion of a Christian philosophy of education by focusing too much on the implications for educational practice, which will be addressed in the subsequent section.  

·  Implications for Educational Practice

Discuss the implications of a biblical worldview and Christian philosophy for practical application to the overall field of education.  Ensure that you discuss these implications for the field in general, but you may also proceed to specify implications for your particular area of interest.  For example, if you are preparing to serve as a content area teacher, a special education teacher, an administrator, or a school counselor, you may—after addressing implications for the overall field of education—address implications for your area of service.

·  Conclusion

An effective conclusion affirms the thesis statement and leaves the reader with a clear idea of how thoughts in the paper fit together to make a specific point.

·  Reference Page

Cite the Bible in the body of the manuscript, but—per APA—the Bible and other classical or holy scriptures are not to be listed on the reference page. List here at least 4 references other than the Bible.  One your references is to be the course textbook.  Click on this APA Tips Documentfor details.   

Submission: Submit the document both in Blackboard and in LiveText.  It will not be graded until it is submitted in both locations.  In Blackboard, it will be checked by SafeAssign for plagiarism.  It will be graded in LiveText using the embedded rubric there.

References and Citations:See theAPA Tips Documentfor details on how to cite the Bible in the body of the manuscript.  Below are links to sources you might find helpful as you prepare:

·  Articles and Websites 

o What’s a Christian Worldview?(Focus on the Family)

o Developing a Biblical Worldview(Foundations for Living)

o What Is a Christian Worldview(Israel Wayne)

o The Importance of a Christian Worldview(The Gospel Project)

o On Education(Francis Schaefer)

o Writings in Christian Education(Calvin College)

·  Journals: Many journals on the topic are available via Liberty Databases.

o Christian Worldview Journal (BreakPoint: The Chuck Colson Center)

o Christian Education Journal(Biola University)

o Christian Perspectives in Education(Liberty University, School of Education)

·  LU’s Jerry Falwell Library: Click this link to search Liberty Databasesof academic sources.  Recommended search terms: biblical Christian worldview, Christian philosophy of education.

·  Bibliography: Books on Biblical Worldview and Christian Philosophy of Education

·  Course Readings:Relevant readings from present and past courses may be incorporated as appropriate, e.g., textbooks and articles.

Submit this assignment by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 6.