Assignment Brief: Critical Thinking Paper – Comparing Worldviews for RLGN 104 Christian Life and Biblical Worldview

As module leaders for RLGN 104, treat this critical thinking paper as a staple assignment that fosters comparative analysis of worldviews. It typically requires students to select a non-Christian worldview, outline its responses to core questions, and contrast them with the biblical perspective using structured critical thinking. The format promotes objective comparison over polemics, with emphasis on source support and logical clarity. Assign it after worldview definition and biblical foundations units. For moderation, assess balance in presentation, accurate depiction of positions, citation quality, and avoidance of unsubstantiated claims to align with academic expectations.

Assignment Overview

Write a Critical Thinking Paper comparing the Biblical Worldview with one non-Christian worldview (Secular Humanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam) by addressing the five key worldview questions: Origin, Identity, Meaning/Purpose, Morality, and Destiny. Use critical thinking to highlight similarities, differences, and implications for belief.

Assignment Instructions

1. Select one non-Christian worldview from the approved options: Secular Humanism, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Islam.
2. Structure the paper with an introduction defining worldview and stating your comparison focus, body sections addressing each of the five questions (comparing the biblical response with the chosen worldview’s), and a conclusion reflecting on the strengths or challenges of each.
3. For each question, provide the biblical response with at least one Scripture reference and the non-Christian response with support from course materials or scholarly sources.
4. Incorporate at least three sources total, including the Bible and at least one external scholarly source on the chosen worldview. Use current Turabian, APA, or MLA formatting for citations and include a references page.
5. Submit as a single document via the course platform by the due date. Ensure original analysis and respectful tone throughout.

The paper must be 800–1,000 words, excluding the references page. Deductions apply for exceeding or falling short by more than 10%.

Marking Rubric

Grade using this rubric for consistency and constructive feedback. Total: 100 points.

• Introduction and Structure (20 points): Clear focus, logical organization, and balanced sections. Excellent: 18–20; Good: 14–17; Fair: 10–13; Poor: Below 10.
• Accuracy of Worldview Descriptions (30 points): Faithful representation of biblical and non-Christian positions with evidence. Excellent: 27–30; Good: 21–26; Fair: 15–20; Poor: Below 15.
• Critical Comparison and Analysis (25 points): Insightful similarities/differences and thoughtful implications. Excellent: 23–25; Good: 18–22; Fair: 13–17; Poor: Below 13.
• Source Use and Citation (15 points): Integration of at least three sources with proper formatting. Excellent: 14–15; Good: 11–13; Fair: 8–10; Poor: Below 8.
• Mechanics, Clarity, and Tone (10 points): Error-free writing, coherent flow, and respectful academic tone. Excellent: 9–10; Good: 7–8; Fair: 5–6; Poor: Below 5.

Secular Humanism views origin as a product of natural processes without divine involvement, contrasting the biblical account of purposeful creation by God. Human identity in Secular Humanism centers on autonomous self-actualization, while Scripture defines humans as image-bearers accountable to the Creator. Meaning and purpose derive from personal fulfillment in humanism but from glorifying God and enjoying Him in the biblical worldview. Morality relies on human reason and societal consensus for humanists, whereas biblical ethics stem from God’s revealed character. Destiny holds no afterlife or judgment in strict humanism, differing from eternal life or separation in Christian teaching. These contrasts reveal foundational divergences in authority and hope. As Moreland and Craig note, such comparisons clarify why the biblical worldview offers coherent grounding for objective values (Moreland, J. P. and Craig, W. L., 2017. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview).

References

Moreland, J. P. and Craig, W. L., 2017. Philosophical foundations for a Christian worldview. InterVarsity Press. DOI: 10.2307/j.ctt1t88z3q.

Corduan, W., 2019. Neighboring faiths: A Christian introduction to world religions. InterVarsity Press. Available at: https://www.ivpress.com/neighboring-faiths-second-edition.

Sire, J. W., 2020. The universe next door: A basic worldview catalog. InterVarsity Press. DOI: 10.2307/j.ctvqf8q2q.

Naugle, D. K., 2018. Worldview: The history of a concept. Eerdmans. Available at: https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/9780802847614/worldview.aspx.