The last chapter in Section 1, "So, Just Who Are You Anyway?", boldly stated that Christianity is the only worldview that ultimately depends on the grace of the God of the Bible, rather than on man’s self-effort, to "fix the human condition". It is time to investigate that and other differences by comparing and contrasting Christianity with the seven major worldviews. What follows is a comprehensive and systematic treatment of those views.

Chart 1 below presents some vital issues and questions that thinking people have sought to answer for millennia. The answers to these points typically frame the essence of your worldview (belief/faith system) even if much conscious thought is never given to them. And consciously known or not, your worldview drives your preferences, choices, behavior and, therefore, determines your future, for better or worse. At least, that is what sayings such as "As a man thinks so is he." and "You reap what you sow." would suggest.  But even these sayings presuppose a specific worldview.

Humanity has long asked, "Is there any knowable 'true truth' to base one’s life upon?" How could there be any more important search and discovery than this? Together, let us embark on a quest to define and then logically decide which, if any, of the many worldviews answers this most crucial human question by using Big Picture thinking.

Some preliminary questions to focus the search:

CHART 1

A. PAST

1) Origin: Where did everything come from?

2) Condition: Was/is it good, neutral or bad?

3) Origin: Where did I come from?

4) Condition: Was/am I good, neutral or bad?

B. PRESENT

1) Identity: Who Am I?

2) Purpose: Why am I here?

3) Am I ultimately accountable to anyone?

4) Condition: Why is there calamity, evil, suffering and death?

5) Will this bad condition ever be fixed? If so, how, by whom and when?

C. FUTURE

1) Destination: Where is everything going?

2) Condition: will it be good, neutral, bad?

3) Destination: Where am I going?

4) Condition: will it be good, neutral or bad?

5) Do my choices now determine my ultimate future?

a) Yes

b) No

D. Given my answers (my worldview, belief/faith system), what should I do and how should I live and behave now?

Before considering anyone else’s answers to these fundamental, rock bottom questions, please take some time to explore your inmost thoughts and assumptions that these questions bring to light. Write out your answers. Then, as the presentation of the Eight Dominant Worldviews unfolds, you can compare your findings with others and see which worldview forms the basis for your life. You may or may not like the results! But the upside is that you can change it before it is too late! Happy exploration!