Christian Worldview and Alberta Grade 8 Social Studies

See Developing a Christian World View in Alberta  

The following is taken from Social Studies, Grade 8, 2007 Program of Studies. 

Comments and links in blue are added in relation to a Christian Worldview

 8.2 Origins of a Western Worldview: Renaissance Europe
General Outcome
Through an examination of Renaissance Europe, students will demonstrate an understanding and
appreciation of how the exchange of ideas and knowledge contributed to shaping the worldview of the
Western world.
Specific Outcomes
􀀗Values and Attitudes
Students will:
8.2.1 appreciate how Renaissance Europe formed the basis for the worldview of the Western
world (C, TCC)
8.2.2 demonstrate a willingness to consider differing beliefs, values and worldviews (C, I)

In a pluralistic society Christians need to teach their worldview alone side other worldviews.  They need to distinguish between religious (all religions are true) and cultural pluralism (several cultures can coexist by respecting each other and agreeing to common values). Christians need to participate in the discussion of what these values are. (see Brian Stiller's book "Jesus and Caesar").

8.2.3 recognize how beliefs and values are shaped by time, geographic location and societal
context (C, TCC, LPP)

Christians can use Church and Biblical history to demonstrate this.  They also need to identify that Biblical truth is transcendent (true for all time, all people and all places), shapes culture and is experienced differently by different cultures. 

􀀗Knowledge and Understanding
Students will:
8.2.4 examine, critically, the factors that shaped the worldview evolving in western Europe
during the Renaissance by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions
issues:

Critical thinking for a Christian needs to first focus on a commitment to absolute truth as embodied in God, seen through Jesus Christ and revealed in the Christian scriptures.  Josh McDowell defines commitment as "Not just knowing what you  believe but knowing why you believe it and experience it in you life". see Power Point on Teaching Truth in Today's Youth Culture 
 

• What was the Renaissance? (TCC, LPP)
• How did the Renaissance spark the growth and exchange of ideas and knowledge across
Europe (i.e., astronomy, mathematics, science, politics, religion, arts)? (TCC, ER, PADM,
GC)

Christians can look at the affects of the Renaissance and Reformation on both the Protestant and Catholic churches.
 
• How did the physical geography of Renaissance Europe affect trade and competition among
European countries? (LPP, TCC)
• How did increased trade lead to the emergence of powerful city-states (i.e., Florence,
Venice, Genoa)? (TCC, CC, ER)
• In what ways did thinkers and philosophers influence society in the development of a
humanist worldview during the Renaissance? (GC, I)

Christians need to look at the development of humanism and post humanism and how it influences the way we view truth.  For example, truth evolves so there is no absolute truth but truth is created by each culture and individuals in that culture so "what is true for you may not be true for me" and what is true in one context may not be true in another.

• In what ways were the Age of Discovery and the rise of imperialism expressions of an
expansionist worldview? (TCC, PADM, LPP)

Christians need to look at missions and the spread of the gospel from this point of view, identify what is cultural and what is Biblical and learn from history. 

• In what ways did exploration and intercultural contact during the Renaissance affect the
citizenship and identity of Europeans? (C, I, GC, LPP, TCC)

 How did it affect their view of heavenly citizenship and Christian identity?