Beyond Biblical Integration: Immersing You and Your Students in a Biblical Worldview

by Roger C.S. Erdvig

Many Christian schools claim to produce graduates with a strong, biblical worldview. But many of today’s Christian educators are unable to even articulate what a biblical worldview is. In this book, Dr. Roger Erdvig explains—in practical and easy-to-understand language—why biblical worldview development is the central key to accomplishing your school’s mission. Within these pages you will discover - what a worldview is, how it develops, and why it is a lifelong process; - how our worldviews affect every aspect of our lives; - ways to continually develop your own biblical worldview; - an authentic approach to achieving your school’s biblical worldview mission; - the differing results of integration versus immersion; and - how to transform your school into an immersive, biblical worldview environment. In today’s post-Christian culture, this book provides a valuable resource to ensure your Christian school stands as a shining light of hope. Roger illuminates the path so that you can truly help your students develop a strong biblical worldview and “not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)

Genres: Education, Teaching, Nonfiction, Christian, Theology

263 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2020

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does it mean to integrate a biblical worldview into your classroom? It’s so much more than just dropping in scripture here and there. It’s about modeling and intentionality and assisting your students to think through the lens of scripture. Erdvig not only gives insights and tools into this idea, but he has lived it out in his own life as an educator and administrator. I found this book to be very helpful and have attempted to implement a few things with some good success. I look forward to trying more and growing in this area of my teaching.

[Micah Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It had some good moments. Chapter 11 was probably the best whole chapter. Other chapters had good parts. But at the end of the day, the author did not have the theological precision or training to accomplish his task.

In summary, clumsy exegesis (in other words: the book itself often lacked compelling biblical integration), historical amnesia, missing doctrines (or doctrinal imprecision), and unsubstantiated pot-shots at random interlocutors weakened the arguments of this book.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the better professional books I’ve read. It set my mind to work thinking about ways I can and should grow as a teacher. The framework provided in this book is a great reference to incorporate in my own teaching. All teachers in Christian schools would do well to read this book.

[Meredith Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book did offer me some helpful takeaways, but not the kind that I went into it searching for.

The book offers great insight into what a worldview is and how it is developed. I really like Erdvig’s presentation of the gospel (the way the world ought to be, the way the world is, the way the world can be, and the way the world will be… or creation, fall, redemption, and restoration), and I felt like he encouraged me to dig deeper into my own worldview and challenged me to posture my heart towards the Gospel the everyday minutia of life. I particularly liked his list of questions with a variety of ways to use them in the day-to-day: “What is good here that I can cultivate? What is missing that I can create? What is evil that I can curb? What is broken that I can cure?” These were valuable lessons for how to develop my own perspective.

However, I went into this book looking for how to better influence the perspective of my students. Beyond contemplating how to set a better example, Erdvig offers little in the way of practical academic application. I found myself frequently thinking, “This book is so obviously written by an administrator, not a classroom teacher”– Mostly vague, abstract concepts, very few concrete strategies beyond those that ANY good teacher (in a Christian school or a secular school) should already be doing (relationship building, modeling, active/experiential learning, meaningful processing/metacognition, peer-to-peer learning, etc.). Ultimately, I would say this is a book of theory, not so much a book of practice. Beyond influencing my personal perspective and attitude, I’m not sure it will change too much about what I’m already doing day-to-day in my classroom in a practical sense.

Worldview is undeniably an important concept for Christians to consider. Erdvig stresses that this is an ongoing, lifelong work in progress. True - But I do think we need to be careful to specify, particularly with our students, that our efforts towards worldview development are separate from salvation, which comes from Jesus alone and through no effort on our part. Sometimes Erdvig’s emphasis on lifelong striving for worldview development made me want to add footnotes that carefully clarify that this is not works-based salvation, and that seeking Jesus and Scripture is more important than the myriad of bibliographic resources provided, which while valuable, are not the foundation.

Additionally, I am troubled by Erdvig’s tendency to conflate a Biblical worldview with American Conservative politics. I suppose this is indicative of a deeper issue with American Christianity. But, I fear that such thinking risks pushing young people further away from Jesus rather than drawing them nearer.

Overall, I am glad I read this book. While I find myself taking some sections with a grain of salt and the educational suggestions can be a bit trite, I was positively impacted by much of what it had to say, and it did lead me to explore (and continue exploring) my own worldview more deeply.

[Kelly Stanson McMullin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Roger at Summit Ministries and read his book in two days. As a parent/co-teacher at a university model school, I can use some of the ideas in my own parenting/schooling of my children in helping develop their applied biblical worldview. He gives a great overview and practical suggestions and I can see how this is must read for Christian school leadership and Christian school teachers.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for Christian educators who want to integrate the Bible into their teaching every day.

[BJ Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

For someone who is new to the concept of worldview, or for someone who is new to teaching, this book might have some great stuff in it. Frankly, I thought both parts of the book could have been written in a chapter each. I only read this because ACSI didn't accept any of the applicable classes towards getting my MDiv in Global Studies as applicable for certification. Apparently, I didn't learn enough about what a biblical worldview is to be certified to teach Bible. Go figure.

[Blueberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erdvig's writing style is very readable. This book is thought-provoking, encourages personal reflection. and is beneficial for anyone involved in the field of Christian education. I attended public school from 3rd grade to 12th grade and spent 4 years living at a public university. I recently began subbing in a Christian school and I was exposed to a whole new world in the realm of education. I was thrilled to be able to pray freely with children, talk about Jesus, and teach Bible as a subject area! When working as a Christian educator it is crucial to live and teach in a manner that supports students as they develop a biblical worldview. Christian educators have a unique opportunity to model the love of Jesus while directly teaching children how to live in a manner that communicates that they are seeing the world through a different pair of glasses than the rest of the world. Roger Erdvig discusses little ways that we can support students to develop a counter-cultural biblical world view. He discussed how something as simple as telling a preschooler "Isn't it amazing how God is creating a sister or brother for you?" communicates that a baby's life is valuable and precious. Later this preschooler will be more likely to grow into a young adult who has a biblical stance on being pro-life because Jesus gives each human life value and purpose because God knit them in their mother's womb! I like that his book finds simple ways to foster children to have a biblical worldview. I also like that Roger mentions not shying away from other views. In fact, he argues that exposure to things that contradict the Bible can be powerful. In my public school, I had to learn about evolution which in turn made me see the truth, beauty, and logic in God's Creation. Overall, this is an excellent text for anyone interested in Christian education!

[Kiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The current best book I’ve read targeted to Christian schools doing the hard work of intentional spiritual formation. Erdvig pits the often tacky approach to biblical worldview integration against a model for worldview immersion. One of my favorite points he makes is that the best schools at worldview immersion are public schools, because nobody has to tell any employee or student to do secular things, everything is just immersed in the assumption. He also gives an example of mission drift at an art charter school that slowly became focused on standardized tests. Against this backdrop he unpacks a process for each individual to take stock of their real lived worldview and cultivate the lifelong project of shaping a biblical worldview and creating classroom experiences from and for such a worldview. 256 pages of biblical immersion.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by this one! I have to say that many of the books I've read about teaching from a biblical perspective are really mean and angry towards any other way of teaching not described in their book, not taking into account student differences, needs and any sort of teacher competency. This book, while definitely maintaining a strong focus on teaching from a biblical worldview, was full of a lot of great teaching content, tips and helpful ideas. I did not feel beaten down or yelled at, which unfortunately seems to be saying a lot these days. Some of the push in the last couple chapters lost me a little, but overall this was a solid read and probably the best book I've been forced to read for continuing education at school. :)

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Immersion Instead of Integration

Erdvig attempts to discourage integration, which is a forced plug in of a Christian truism related to a discipline and instead encourage immersion of the Christian Worldview. His best point: one (the teacher and administration) must first immerse themselves in the Christian Worldview. First half of book was excellent in making the case for biblical immersion. The second half wandered of a bit to much on teaching strategies that were not relevant to his thesis but then picked up on the trail again. A great recommended resources section for teachers to learn how to immerse themselves in a biblical Worldview specific to their discipline.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most difficult part about writing an education book is an author must decide between a ideological treatise or a how-to tool box. The most difficult part of a book about Christian education is the inability to be specific in order to market to mass audiences and varied theologies. The result of that marriage is often a book that finds itself in two (or more) minds. You want to give ideology for a shift but you cannot be too specific about that shift. And, you want to give teachers and admin tools to help with the shift (even when those tools contradict your ideology). In my opinion, the author is so close to something of substance and heft and barely misses the mark.

[Evonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book introduced me to a few interesting ideas and affirmed my ideas and practices in some ways as well. As a new principal at a private Christian school I appreciated some of the guiding principles in the text; and disagreed with the extent to with Erdvig takes his determination to enforce his ideas. Overall, this was a decent start to my reading in this area.

[Nathan Deck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Worldview Book directed specifically at the school that I've read so far! Erdvig takes a 3d approach to worldview and doesn't just focus on the cognitive domain. He also spends a large amount of time focused on shaping the heart and directing it towards loving the right things (like James Smith "Desiring the Kingdom").

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pedagogical book, which means at times it's a bit ponderous and boring. I was hoping for something more engaging, as well as something with more hands-on activities and suggestions than the few given. Still, an important topic.

[Penny Clawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical guide for any teacher or administrator in a Christian school. The organization of the material will cause the reader to think deeply before attempting to enact on it. This is so necessary and often resisted. Bravo Roger!

[Sara Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of continuing education for the faculty at my school this year. It was readable, thought provoking and had excellent resources. I was encouraged to reflect on my own biblical worldview and how I implement it with my students.

[Sheri S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erdvig gives readers a framework for understanding and articulating a biblical worldview. He encourages educators to develop a biblical worldview and teach from it. The book contains helpful questions and resources for understanding a biblical worldview and communicating it to others.

[Ashley MacNeel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Part one is 8 chapters long and could have been said in 1. Part two was worth reading, practical, and not repetitive. Some good ideas, but nothing revolutionary.

[Brad · Rating 1 out of 5]

Should have been an article.

[Chelsea Caivano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great info, but the author took 200 pages to write what could have been said in a solid TED talk. Will be discussing the book in professional development.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good practical ideas for the classroom

[Renee Hood · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read Jesus Over School.

[Christie Guillory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good examples provided, but the book is overly wordy. It felt like the author repeated himself over and over.