Simple, easy to understand explanations of prevailing philosophical viewpoints and how they impact our culture. Secularism, Pessimistic Existentialism, Sentimental Humanism, Pragmatism, Positivism, Pluralism and Relativism and Hedonism--all contribute toward and shape the way Americans think and behave in today's world. After this discussion, the author wants us to consider how we may apply the wisdom of the Bible to our culture in the areas of Economics, Science, Art and Literature and Government. ( )

In this book Lifeviews, R.C. Sproul the gifted theologian catalogs the major philosophies in the marketplace of ideas that compete with biblical Christianity in our culture. Sproul is always concise, relevant, philosophical, and historical in his presentations and in this read he is no different to my delight.

He traces the origins of certain worldviews such as secularism, existentialism, pragmatism, and hedonism. Along the way Sproul shows how these philosophies gained support and how they manifest themselves today despite the presence of the church.

Sproul states this clearly when he says, “I doubt there has ever been a period in all of Christian history where so many Christians are so ineffectual in shaping the culture in which they live as is true right now in the United States.

He then provides the reader help in understanding the hopelessness and fallacies found in each lifeview. Sproul shines light on the deceptions of these isms which are all hidden within secularism’s umbrella. There is nothing like the light of the text of scripture to chase the bugs of the isms that provide false illusions of truth.

Lastly in Liifeviews he also demonstrates how Christianity and its competitors bare influence on the different aspects of our everyday culture economics, science, art, literature, and government. This book is a great intro for believers into the study of worldview and can assist them to make an effective stand for Christ in our society. The importance of this book is its subject matter and how it has been written so simply for the everyday Christian who is not well studied in philosophy to read and grasp the material. I highly recommend this book for anyone who senses the winds of social change blowing and wants to do something about it for the cause of Christ, will find help in this book. ( )

R. C. Sproul offers a useful and enjoyable primer on worldviews for the novice reader on this complex subject. He reaches up and pulls down abstract philosophy to an accessible level so that the average layman may better understand, live, and even work for change within the current cultural milieu. Better documentation and deeper analysis would add to its utility for the serious student but as an introduction on worldviews from a Christian perspective, Lifeviews is worth reading. ( )