Comparative Worldviews Course

Fall 2023

Comparative Worldviews

A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON THE 12 MAJOR WORLDVIEWS AND THE WAYS THEY SHAPE OUR WORLD

14-session course that helps you discover the assumptions behind the 12 major worldviews that cause humans and their societies to both flourish and/or flounder. Also, learn how a Christian worldview exposes the weaknesses of the other worldviews and uniquely offers great redemptive hope centered on Jesus Christ. Preview the course syllabus. Course charge: $99/person.

Please Note: Meets 9:00 am to 10:00 am Central Time on Mondays, supplemented by 15-minute optional continued class discussion (total of 75 minutes for each discussion). We “meet” via Zoom. Classes begin September 11, 2023 and conclude December 11, 2023. If you cannot make every class session, each class session is video recorded and posted online within 24 hours after the class session.

New feature for 2023: Optional 15-minute continued class discussion at end of each 60-minute class

Course Goals

  1. Understand how the concept of “worldview” relates to the search for truth

  2. Learn the four major functions of worldviews

  3. Learn the five criteria for evaluating and assessing worldviews

  4. Learn how the 12 major worldviews answer the nine major questions that most people ask

  5. Discover the relationship between worldviews and cultural outcomes

  6. Enhance your ability to introduce the Gospel of Jesus Christ with your international & domestic neighbors

  7. Provide reproducible resources (including course slides) that students can use with others

The Difference This Course Will Make

  • Increases competence when discussing religions and philosophies with students and others

  • Develop skills in apologetics and discipleship

  • Ready-made materials for international or domestic Bible studies

  • Provides highly useful background knowledge for everyone, especially those involved in intercultural ministry and ministry with domestic students from widely varying backgrounds

  • Complete set of course materials can be used for instructing students and others on the different philosophies and religions that shape life in the 21st century

Technical Requirements

  • Mac OSX or PC with Windows Vista or Newer

  • Internet Connection

  • External or built-in web camera

By Taking The Course, You Will Receive:

  • Set of 14 slide presentations (PDF)

  • Set of 14 one-page study guides

  • Supplementary Notes for Comparative Worldviews Course

  • Comparative Worldviews Survey tool

  • Comparative Worldviews Code sheet

  • Comparative Worldviews Chart

  • Blanket permission to reproduce these materials with your students

Target Audiences

  • Campus ministers and others who want to learn how to represent Jesus Christ in a pluralistic world

  • Others engaged in cross-cultural witness

  • Students in colleges, universities, and seminaries who want to better understand their worldview and others’

  • Home schooled students and instructors

Fee Structure

Course fee: $99

  • Includes all the materials mentioned

  • No required textbook

  • Refunds are capped at 50% and are available through October 3, 2023.

Register for this course today

Instructor Bio

Bob Osburn

A Senior Fellow with Wilberforce International Institute, which he founded in 2009, Robert Osburn trains international students as redemptive change agents and writes and teaches about international development, comparative worldviews, corruption, education policy, and wealth creation.  For seven years he taught courses on religion and educational policy and religion and international development at the University of Minnesota.  He has a PhD in comparative and international development education from the University of Minnesota, a ThM from Dallas Seminary, and a BA from the University of Michigan. He authored Taming the Beast: Can We Bridle the Culture of Corruption? (Revised and Updated, 2022) and Developing Redemptive Change Agents: Discipleship That Helps Nations Flourish Rather Than Flounder (2021). Married for 48 years, Bob and Susan are the parents of four sons, and grandparents to 12. View Robert Osburn’s Curriculum Vitae or email Bob here.