Every time I use the word Weltanschauung my wife starts singing the word to the tune of Danke Schön. Maybe she’s trying to get me to be less pretentious.
Philip Graham Ryken explains worldview in a non-pretenious fashion in his booklet What is the Christian Worldview? part of the Basics of the Reformed Faith Series. Ryken explains first, what a worldview is ‘the structure of understanding that we use to make sense of our world.’ (p. 7) It is the sum of our presuppositions.
Ryken introduces the Christian Worldview with a series of essential presuppositions. The first is that God reveals himself. Not only has he revealed himself in nature but has given us clearer revelation in the Scriptures. God has revealed as the triune God and this Trinity is fundamental to the rest of revelation.
Ryken also explains the framework of Biblical history and worldview under the headings of creation, the fall, grace, and glory. He deftly explains the framework and the impact of the Christian worldview on how we live. Theology is not solely cerebral but immensely practical. Therefore, I highly recommend this book as an introduction to the Christian worldview.
