It seems that the first question asked immediately after meeting someone is, “What do you do?” In my better moments I recognize that this question reflects that our work and calling are integrally connected to identity, the created order, and image-bearing. The question also illustrates how a worldview functions to form cultural norms and provides evidence for the essential elements of a biblical worldview. Typically, in response to this social protocol, I appropriately respond, “I am the head of a Christian school.” I’ve been surprised at how often that answer mutes the conversation. When it doesn’t, I am just as surprised at how little people tend to think about the impact of the 16,000 hours a student spends in school.

Since Christian school leadership is my life’s work and call, I do think about the impact of those hours—especially during the summer months when the daily challenge of organizational leadership affords opportunity for contemplation and deep thinking. In that frame of mind, I was reflecting on a time when my response to that first question did not shut down the conversation but did illicit a common follow up: “I’m not sure what that means but it sounds hard, especially these days.”

Given the day, all I could muster was a bit of a snarky quip: “I work with people’s politics, religion, children, and money; what could go wrong?” After a chuckle and an awkward shrug, thankfully the conversation ended. But since the summer months afford opportunity for reflection, I have been thinking about the consequences of misusing those 16,000 hours and the potential results of getting those things right. After consideration, I think politics, religion, children, and money serve as a good foundation for worldview development, especially in school.

Worldview 101

Even though I grew up in church, I was not familiar with the term worldview. In 1994, I joined the faculty of a fledgling but growing Christian school. Several members of that excellent group of educators were deeply committed to the notion of a biblical worldview and its implications for Christian education. Under their tutelage I learned the basics.

One of the first authors I encountered on this journey was Francis Schaeffer and his seminal work, How Should We Then Live. In it, he identified and unpacked both the progression of Western thought and its consequences for society in general, and Christians in particular. Schaeffer’s journey through the progression of Western thought demonstrates that “people have presuppositions, and they will live more consistently on the basis of these presuppositions than even they themselves may realize. By presuppositions we mean the basic way an individual looks at life, his basic world view, the grid through which he sees the world.” He also notes that in light of these presuppositions, “the problem is having, and then acting upon, the right world view—the world view which gives men and women the truth of what it is.”

Schaeffer’s point is that worldview matters, especially for the Christian. This is important because part of what it means to be human is to possess a worldview, and the Christian is specifically interested in living consistently as a consequence of redemption.

Another helpful work on the topic is Creation Regained by Albert Wolters. He defines worldview as “the comprehensive framework of one’s basic beliefs about things.” It has to do with ultimate questions. A basic understanding is that worldview is the lens through which one makes sense of things. Worldview is a comprehensive framework, and this ought not be missed.

We all have a worldview, but all too often it has not been intentionally constructed and as a result can be internally inconsistent. Also, in order for a worldview to be biblical it must be shaped and tested by scripture—which speaks specifically to politics, religion, children, and money. It is important for believers to regularly revisit one’s worldview as it is both passively and actively impacted by culture and experience. While worldview is formed early—that is why school matters—it requires maintenance.

Three Questions

Recognizing that worldview is necessarily complex, it can be helpful to think about the concept in terms of three basic questions:

• Who is God?
• What is the nature of Man?
• How do we deal with freedom?

My introduction to worldview only included the first two questions. While not comprehensive, exploring their implications covered a lot of ground. The third, dealing with the nature of freedom, is a more recent addition in light of contemporary issues and priorities. Taken together, they form a basic way to get at the fundamental aspects of worldview formation.

The Christian School

A well-constructed worldview, biblically based and reflective of the gospel, is essential for Christians. Fortunately, at least one place in our society exists that features both ample time and specific design necessary for purposeful worldview formation—the school. Most worldview formation requires time, intentionality, and diverse skills and understanding. The Christian day school provides the very best opportunity for this formation to happen.

Not all schools, even Christian ones, are the same. The very best Christian schools pursue excellence as a standard. They are committed to scholarship. They seek to develop students in mind, body, and heart. Programming reflects an understanding of the full scope of God’s creation. Students are nurtured and gifts uncovered and cultivated. These schools look long term, recognizing that sustainability affords opportunity for cultural impact. They know that ideas have consequences and that theology matters. At the bottom line, they are integral to the prospering of the communities they serve. If you have children, I implore you to find one. If you don’t, I urge you to support one.

Politics, Religion, Children & Money

In 1960, Sam Cooke recorded “Wonderful World.” It’s a love song that jokes about not knowing much about history, math, or school for that matter, but about knowing that love is the foundation of the world. Cooke is right about that, but he’s not right about the love he sings about. Romantic love is part of the nature of man, but the love that is the foundation of the world is part of the answer to “Who is God?” One doesn’t need to be an A student to know that; one just needs a biblical worldview.

Since summer is a time for reflection, I think the next time I’m asked the standard question about what I do, I’ll have a much better answer. I do get to be a part of building biblical worldviews with students, faculty, and parents. And that includes getting politics, religion, children, and money right.