Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 1

Liberty University
BWVW 101: Affirming A Biblical Worldview
(Fall Semester 2015 -- 1 Credit Hour)

Professor: Dr. Lew A. Weider

Phone: 434-5822325
Office: Green Hall (GH) room 1880
Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm
E-mail: laweider@liberty.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed to aid the student in the development of a biblical worldview. This
will involve an introduction to critical thinking, an evaluation of contemporary moral
philosophies, and an affirmation of absolute truth. Students will be challenged to integrate
a biblical worldview into their Christian/Community Service.

RATIONALE

Since each student has been influenced by various cultural, religious and family values
and morals, and often holds to personal opinions regarding these matters that have never
been seriously considered, they must be challenged to articulate and validate their
personal worldview. Students must clearly define what they believe and defend why they
believe it, rather than just mimic what they have heard from parents, teachers, pastors
and peers. Further, students must learn to critically reflect on the many viewpoints society
offers, learn how to effectively communicate the Christian worldview in a multicultural
society, and develop a consistently biblical approach to viewing and living their lives.

PREREQUISITES

Because BWVW 101 is required for all incoming students, there are no prerequisites.

MATERIALS LIST

A printed workbook is required for this class and will need to be purchased from the
bookstore (Biblical Worldview 1: Affirming a Biblical Worldview Dr. Lew A.
Weider). All reading assignments will be web-based or posted on Blackboard.
ResponseCard NXT Clickers (purchased directly from the Liberty University Bookstore)
Computer with Internet access. Students will be expected to keep up with the schedule
via this site (i.e., Blackboard). Also, some assignments may involve direct use of the
Internet outside of class. Every Liberty University student has a computer account and
if needed may use the available computers located in the Jerry Falwell Library.
The Bible should be brought to class regularly as it will be frequently referenced and
serve as the basis for in-class discussions.
3x5 index cards to be used for various purposes throughout the semester.
#2 pencils for tests and other evaluation purposes.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. The student will be able to identify logical fallacies commonly used in argumentation.
2. The student will be able to articulate a biblical worldview.
3. The student will be able to identity a biblical approach to ethics.
4. The student will be able to recognize key people and principles of major contemporary
moral philosophies and religious worldviews that have shaped modern society.

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 2

GENERAL EDUCATION CORE COMPETENCY LEARNING OUTCOMES

Worldview Core Competency

1. The student will be able to define worldview as a concept.

2. The student will be able to identify the components of a biblical/Christian worldview.
3. The student will be able to know the difference between biblical and non-biblical
worldviews.

Reasoning-Critical Thinking Core Competency

4. The student will be able to recognize flaws and logical inconsistencies in an argument.

This will be accomplished by:

a. Lectures & class discussions.

b. Quizzes. Questions may be taken from class lectures, discussions and/or assigned
readings.
c. Special assignments.
d. Three tests (exams).

ASSIGNMENTS
1. Worldview Assignment Part 1 (Instructions will be posted under
assignments in Blackboard).
2. Worldview Assignment Part 2 Students will type and submit a written
assignment which includes an articulation of a biblical worldview (instructions
will be posted under assignments in Blackboard).

GRADING POLICY

The final grade will be computed as follows based on a 1000 point scale:
Quizzes
450 points (15 quizzes worth 30 points each)

*Quizzes May include: Syllabus Content, Reading Assignments, Course Notes,

Unannounced Attendance Quizzes, In-Class Assignments

Assignments
Worldview Assignment Part 1 30
Worldview Assignment Part 2 70

points
points

Tests
#1
#2
#3

points
points
points

100
150
200

Grading Scale:
A = 900-1000
points
B = 800-899
points
C = 700-799
points

All Grades will be posted on Blackboard.

As per the University policy, points will be deducted from the final points for excessive
unexcused absences (see Attendance and Unexcused absence policies below).
Extra-credit opportunities and guidelines will be listed under Course Documents on
Blackboard. Each student may complete no more than 2 extra credits. Each extracredit assignment that is correctly completed will result in 30 points (3.0%) being added to
your final grade.

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 3

ATTENDANCE, MISSED QUIZZES/TESTS & LATE WORK

ATTENDANCE:

For the good of the Liberty University student body, a consistent attendance policy is
needed so that all students in all majors will understand the expectations of faculty in all
their courses. In general, regular and punctual attendance in all classes is
expected of all students. At times, students will miss classes. These absences will be
identified as either excused or unexcused and will be handled per the policy below.

1. Excused Absences

2.

Excused absences include all Liberty University sponsored events, to include

athletic competition or other provost-approved event.
Absences due to medical illness that are accompanied by a doctors note will be
excused.
Absences due to family situations such as a death in the family or a severe medical
condition will be excused.
Students will not be penalized for excused absences and will be permitted to make
arrangements to complete missed work.

Unexcused Absences

Classes that meet:

Three times per week will permit four unexcused absences per semester.
Twice per week will permit three unexcused absences per semester.
Once per week will permit one unexcused absence per semester.
Questions regarding unexcused absences must be resolved by the student with
the professor within one week of the absence. Students may appeal these
decisions to the respective dean within one week.
Extraordinary circumstances regarding excessive absences will be addressed by
the student with the faculty member, department chair, and dean as required.
Penalties for each unexcused absence over the permitted number per semester
will be as follows:
50 points for classes that meet 3 times per week
75 points for classes that meet 2 times per week
150 points for classes that meet once per week
Students who are late for class 10 minutes or less are considered tardy but
present for the class. If a student misses in-class work due to tardiness, the
faculty member may choose not to allow the student to make up this work. Three
class tardies will be counted as one unexcused absence.
Students who are more than 10 minutes late for class are considered absent.

In order for an absence to be excused the student must print the Request for
Excused Absence form found in Blackboard. The form is to be filled out
completely. The form is to be given to the professor on the first day the student
returns to class (or sooner, if possible).

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 4

Please note that the following guidelines are for making up missed quizzes and
tests. If you fail to follow the procedure as described immediately following the
absence you will be given a 0 whether the absence would have been excused or
not. Therefore, it is imperative that you complete the Request for Excused
Absence form immediately upon your return.

MISSED QUIZZES & TESTS:

1. Missed Quizzes
a. No unexcused quizzes will be made up.
b. Any quiz missed due to an unexcused absence will be entered as a 0 on the
students record.
c. Any quiz missed due to an excused absence will need to be made up. Students will
have up to two days (not including weekends, holidays, or school breaks) to make
up the quiz from the day the Request for Excused Absence form is signed by the
professor (see above). Students must bring the signed form to The Center for
Christian/Community Service located in Green Hall 1880 to make up the quiz.
2 Missed Tests
a The student will have up to five days (not including weekends, holidays, or school
breaks) from the date the test was issued to make it up. Extenuating
circumstances may be considered at the instructors discretion.
b Missed tests will be made up in the Tutoring & Testing Center located in the
Bruckner Learning Center in the Religion Hall. The student will need a Request for
Excused Absence form signed by the professor in order to take the test. To take
the Test in the Testing Center students will need to go online and make an
appointment to take the test.
a. For students who missed the test due to an excused absence (see above) there
will be no penalty. For students who miss the test due to an unexcused absence,
there will be an automatic 11% reduction from the grade of the test.

LATE WORK:
1. Written assignments are due at the time that they are collected in class. Any
assignment not submitted on time will receive a 20% grade reduction for each day
that it is late (not including weekends, holidays, or school breaks). After five school
days no writing assignment will be accepted.
2. If a student is absent from class the day that an assignment is due, to avoid the late
penalty he/she must either have a fellow student turn his/her work in to the
instructor, or email the assignment to the instructor BEFORE the class. If the student
emails the work, a hard copy must be brought to the professor as soon as the student
is able. Emailed documents only inform the professor that the work was
done on time, but there will be a grade of 0 until the professor receives a
hard copy.
3. If a student is absent on the date that an assignment is announced, the student is
still responsible to complete the work by the due date.
NOTE: Upon returning to class following an absence, students must be prepared for any
assignment, quiz, or test that might be due or given. Any absence, whether excused or
not, does not exempt any student from being responsible for the material covered in the
class they missed.

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 5

OTHER POLICIES
Dress Code

Students are expected to come to class dressed in a manner consistent with The
Liberty Way.

Honor Code

We, the students, faculty, and staff of Liberty University, have a responsibility to uphold
the moral and ethical standards of this institution and personally confront those who do
not.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct includes: academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and falsification. See

The Liberty Way or Graduate Catalog for specific definitions, penalties, and processes for
reporting.

Disability Statement

Students with a documented disability may contact the Office of Disability Academic
Support (ODAS) in Religion Hall 126 to make arrangements for academic
accommodations. For all disability testing accommodation requests (i.e. quieter
environment, extended time, oral testing, etc.) the Testing Center in Religion Hall 117 is
the officially designated place for all tests administered outside of the regular classroom.

Drop /Add Policy

A Fall/Spring course may be dropped without a grade, tuition, and fee charges within the
first five days of the semester. From the sixth day until the last day of class, a Fall/Spring
course may be withdrawn with a grade of W.
Classroom Policies
The inappropriate use of technology*, such as cell phones, iPods, laptops, calculators,
etc. in the classroom is not tolerated. Other disruptive behavior in the classroom is not
tolerated. Students who engage in this misconduct will be subject the penalties and
processes as written in the Liberty Way or Liberty University Student Honor Code.
* Laptops, Cell phones, other electronic devices are not needed in BWVW and
may not be used in class.
Each student is expected to remain in class until dismissed by the instructor. Exceptions
can be made if the student asks permission to leave early and has a legitimate reason to
do so. Leaving early without permission will be counted as an unexcused absence.
Courtesy and respect are expected from all people toward others in class. BWVW has a
tendency to surface controversy. As adults, we should be able to respect the viewpoints
and ideas that differ from our own, while offering reasonable arguments for our own
positions and graciously challenge others to do the same.
The ResponseCard NXT Clicker is required for ALL class periods. Students who come
to class without their clicker (or a clicker in working order) will be assessed a tardy (See
tardy policy 3 tardies equals an unexcused absence). To register their attendance or
to take a quiz, the student without a clicker will submit their answers on a 3x5 card.
Students who enter class late and miss the clicker attendance should turn in a 3x5
card with their name clearly printed on it (If accepted by the professor, the student will
be noted as having attended class but a tardy will be assessed. See explanation of a
tardy under Attendance > Unexcused Absences).

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 6

MONDAY / WEDNESDAY / FRIDAY Schedule

NOTE: Reading assignments are to be read in preparation for the class in which they are listed.
Reading assignments may be found in Blackboard under Reading Assignments.

Week ONE
8/24 Class Introduction
8/26 Critical Thinking
8/28 Critical Thinking Read: Becoming a Critical Thinker by Lew Weider
Week TWO
8/31 Critical Thinking
9/02 A Biblical/Christian Worldview
9/04 A Biblical/Christian Worldview

Worldview Assignment Part 1 Due

Week THREE
9/07 A Biblical/Christian Worldview
9/09 A Biblical/Christian Worldview Read: The Grand Story: A Worldview Framework by
Rob Van Engen
9/11 A Biblical/Christian Worldview
Week FOUR
9/14 Salvation
9/16 Salvation Read: Why A Moral Life Wont Get Us To Heaven by James Williams
9/18 Salvation (CFAW)
Week FIVE
9/21 Developing a Biblical Ethic Read: Morality Apart From God by Ray Cotton
9/23 TEST #1
9/25 Developing a Biblical Ethic
Week SIX
9/28 Developing a Biblical Ethic
9/30 Absolutism Read: Why we Need Absolutes? by Willie Honeycutt
10/02 Christian Liberty
Worldview Assignment Part 2 Due

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 7

Week SEVEN
10/05 Christian Liberty Read: Christian Liberty by Troy Matthews
10/07 Contemporary Religious Worldviews
10/09 (Fall Break No Class)
Week EIGHT
10/12 Contemporary Religious Worldviews Read: World Religions Overview by Dean
Halverson
10/14 Contemporary Religious Worldviews
10/16 Contemporary Religious Worldviews
Week NINE
10/19 Contemporary Religious Worldviews
10/21 TEST #2
10/23 Contemporary Moral Philosophies Read: What is Moral Relativism? by Greg Koukl
Week TEN
10/26 Contemporary Moral
10/28 Contemporary Moral
10/30 Contemporary Moral
Week ELEVEN
11/02 Contemporary Moral
11/04 Contemporary Moral
Willie Honeycutt
11/06 Contemporary Moral

Philosophies
Philosophies Read: Measuring Morality by Lou Whitworth
Philosophies
Philosophies
Philosophies Read: Determinism: How Free Are We? by
Philosophies

(CFAW)

Week TWELVE
11/09 Contemporary Moral Philosophies Read: Nihilism: From Nietzsche to Now by
Steve Putney
11/11 Contemporary Moral Philosophies
11/13 Tolerance Read: When Tolerance is Intolerant by Greg Koukl
Week THIRTEEN
11/16 Tolerance
11/18 TEST # 3 (This is the final exam and the final class day for BWVW 101)

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 8

BIBLIOGRAPHY/SUGGESTED READINGS
Beckwith, Francis J., and Gregory Koukl. Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air.
Grand Rapids: Baker Press, 2001.
Beckwith, Francis J., William Lane Craig, and J. P. Moreland, eds. To Everyone An
Answer: A Case for the Christian Worldview. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity
Press, 2004.
Beilby, James K. Thinking About Christian Apologetics. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP
Academic, 2011.
Benedict, Ruth. Patterns of Culture. 1934. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1989.
Bertrand, J. Mark. (Re)Thinking Worldview: Learning to Think, Live, and Speak in This
World. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2007.
Bruce, Tammy. The Death of Right and Wrong. Roseville, California: Prima Publishing,
2003.

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 9

Budziszewski, J. Written On The Heart: The Case For Natural Law. Downers Grove,
Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Chaffee, John. Thinking Critically. 6th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2000.
Colson, Charles., and Nancy Pearcey. How Shall We Then Live. Wheaton: Tyndale House
Publishers, 1999.
Copan, Paul and William Lane Craig, eds. Contending With Christianitys Critics.
Nashville: B&H Academic, 2009.
Copan, Paul. Thats Just Your Interpretation: Responding To Skeptics Who Challenge
Your Faith. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2001.
____________. When God Goes To Starbucks: A Guide To Everyday Apologetics. Grand
Rapids: Baker Books, 2008.
Coppenger, Mark. Moral Apologetics for Contemporary Christians. Nashville, Tennessee:
B&H Publishing Group, 2011.
Corduan, Winfried. Pocket Guide to World Religions. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2006.
Craig, William Lane and Chad Meister. God is Good God is Great: Why Believing in God
is Reasonable and Responsible. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books, 2009.
Craig, William Lane. Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics. Wheaton,
Illinois: Crossway Books, 2008.
Dawkins, Richard. The God Delusion. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.
Dembski, William A. The End of Christianity: Finding A Good God in an Evil World.
Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2009.
Dembski, William A. and Michael R. Licona, eds. Evidence for God. Grand Rapids: Baker
Books, 2010.
Dockery, David S., ed. Faith and Learning: A Handbook for Christian Higher Education.
Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic, 2012.
Dockery, David S and Timothy George, eds. The Great Tradition of Christian Thinking: A
Students Guide. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2012.
Fletcher, Joseph. Situation Ethics. Philadelphia: Westminister Press, 1966.
Gilbert, Greg. What Is The Gospel?. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2010.
Goheen, Michael, W. and Craig G. Bartholomew. Living At The Crossroads: An
Introduction to Christian Worldview. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008.

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 10

Groothuis, Douglas. Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of

Postmodernism. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
__________. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. Downers
Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2011.
Harris, Sam. Letter to a Christian Nation. New York: Vintage Books 2006.
Haught, John F. God and the New Atheism: A Critical Response to Dawkins, Harris, and
Hitchens. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2008.
Hexham, Irving. Understanding World Religions. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011.
Hibbs, Thomas S. Shows About Nothing: Nihilism in Popular Culture from the Exorcist to
Seinfeld. Dallas: Spence Publishing Company, 1999.
Hiebert, Paul G. Transforming Worldviews: An Anthropological Understanding of How
People Change. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008.
Hindson, Ed and Ergun Caner, eds. The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics. Eugene,
Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2008.
Hoffecker, W. Andrew, ed. Revolutions in Worldview: Understanding the Flow of
Western Thought. Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing, 2007.
Holmes, Arthur F. Ethics: Approaching Moral Decisions. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP
Academic, 2007.
Horner, David A. Mind Your Faith. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2011.
House, H. Wayne and Dennis W. Jowers. Reasons for Our Hope: An Introduction to
Christian Apologetics. Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Academic, 2011.
Huffman, Douglas S., ed. Christian Contours: How a Biblical Worldview Shapes the Mind
and Heart. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2011.
Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton,
2008.
Luther, Martin. Harold Grimm, ed. Christian Liberty. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press,
1957.
MacArthur, John. Think Biblically: Recovering a Christian Worldview. Wheaton, Illinois:
Crossway Books, 2003.
Markos, Louis. Apologetics for the 21st Century. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2010.
McDowell, Josh. The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict. Nashville: Thomas Nelson,
1999.

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 11

McDowell, Josh and Bob Hostetler. The New Tolerance: How a Cultural Movement
Threatens to Destroy You, Your Faith, and Your Children. Wheaton, Illinois:
Tyndale House Publishers, 1998.
Mohler, R. Albert Jr. Atheism Remix: A Christian Confronts the New Atheists. Wheaton,
Illinois: Crossway Books, 2008.
____________. Culture Shift, Engaging Current Issues with Timeless Truth. Colorado
Springs, Colorado, Multnomah Books, 2008.
Moreland, J. P. Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the
Soul. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1997.
Moreland, J. P. and William Lane Craig. Philosophical Foundations for a Christian
Worldview. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
Morrow, Jonathan. Think Christianly: Looking at the Intersection of Faith and Culture.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2011.
Noebel, David, A. Understanding The Times. Manitou Springs, Colorado: Summit Press,
2008.
Paul, Richard W. and Linda Elder. Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your
Professional and Personal Life. Upper Saddle, New Jersey: Financial Times
Prentice Hall, 2002.
Pearcey, Nancy. Saving Leonardo: A Call to Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals,
and Meaning. Nashville: B & H Publishing Group, 2010.
____________. Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity. Wheaton,
Illinois: Crossway Books, 2004.
Piper, John and David Mathis, eds. Thinking, Loving, Doing: A Call to Glorify God with
Heart and Mind. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2011.
Samples, Kenneth Richard. A World of Difference: Putting Christian Truth-Claims to the
Worldview Test. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007.
Sire, James W. The Universe Next Door. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 5th edition,
2009.
Sproul, R. C. The Consequences of Ideas: Understanding the Concepts That Shaped Our
World. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 2000.
Stetson, Brad and Joseph G. Conti. The Truth About Tolerance: Pluralism, Diversity and
the Culture Wars. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2005.
Walsh, Brian J. & J. Richard Middleton. The Transforming Vision: Shaping a Christian
Worldview. Downers Grove: Intervarsity Press, 1984.

Syllabus (BWVW 101 MWF - updated August 12, 2015) 12

Waxman, Trevin. Counterfeit Gospels: Rediscovering the Good News in a World of False
Hope. Chicago, Illinois: Moody Publishers, 2011.
Weider, Lew and Ben Gutierrez. Consider. Virginia Beach, Virginia: Academx Publishing
Services, 2011.
Wells, David F. The Courage to be Protestant: Truth-lovers, Marketers, and Emergents
in the Postmodern World. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans, 2008.
Zacharias, Ravi and Norman Geisler, eds. Who Made God? Grand Rapids: Zondervan,
2003.