Structure and Direction: Framing Worldviews for Health as Integrally Biblical rather than Sacred versus Secular
Jon Tilburt, M.D., Professor of Medicine, Mayo Clinic
James Ruthoven, M.D., MHSc,, Ph.D.,FRCPC, FACP, Professor Emeritus, Department of Oncology, McMaster University
Applying the distinctives of one’s deepest metaphysical commitments to every day issues in health care can be challenging. Clinical encounters are often in diverse settings where modernist, postmodern, and faith-based assumptions and moral categories interact and some may predominate. This presentation seeks to argue two theses that build off of the work of Reformed Christian philosopher Albert Wolters. First, it challenges presuppositions implied by the conference theme of “Approaching the Sacred”. Sacred versus Secular categories assume that the world is just divided up into these tidy categories. We seek to counter such implied sacred-secular dualism and offer instead a more holistic view of the created order, using a ‘integration’ terminology from Wolters. Second, we articulate a positive vision for how such a worldview framing may influence living a life in medicine from a comprehensive and biblical worldview. Albert Wolters’ “Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview” follows the biblical narrative of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration/ Consummation to define a way of living in which all of life is integrally governed by the biblical Word – a key tenet of the Reformed Christian Worldview. According to Wolters a biblical worldview is not purely propositional “beliefs” but a pre-theological structure to life ordered around the biblical narrative culminating in the revelation of the Word who was made flesh. Wolters’ crucial distinction between structure and direction can enable those who are trying to live out such a worldview when addressing tough situations. ‘Structure’ outlines the created nature of the everyday components and practices of our lives, rooted in the creation mandate while ‘Direction’ involves the way such components and practices are expressed in relationships and in working with objects around us; some directions are God-glorifying and faithful to his creational intentions while others have dishonored or distorted their normative created nature Both structure and direction must be understood under the theme of “grace restored nature.” This holistic and comprehensive framing of God’s redemptive intentions challenges a strict sacred-secular dualistic view of the cosmos. Instead it outlines a cosmic sanctification of the whole creation by the Holy Spirit based on Christ’s atoning victory. In a case-based discussion we will illustrate the value of using a structure / direction distinction in medicine to address circumstances of worldview conflict.
James Ruthoven, M.D., MHSc,, Ph.D.,FRCPC, FACP, Professor Emeritus, Department of Oncology, McMaster University
Applying the distinctives of one’s deepest metaphysical commitments to every day issues in health care can be challenging. Clinical encounters are often in diverse settings where modernist, postmodern, and faith-based assumptions and moral categories interact and some may predominate. This presentation seeks to argue two theses that build off of the work of Reformed Christian philosopher Albert Wolters. First, it challenges presuppositions implied by the conference theme of “Approaching the Sacred”. Sacred versus Secular categories assume that the world is just divided up into these tidy categories. We seek to counter such implied sacred-secular dualism and offer instead a more holistic view of the created order, using a ‘integration’ terminology from Wolters. Second, we articulate a positive vision for how such a worldview framing may influence living a life in medicine from a comprehensive and biblical worldview. Albert Wolters’ “Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview” follows the biblical narrative of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration/ Consummation to define a way of living in which all of life is integrally governed by the biblical Word – a key tenet of the Reformed Christian Worldview. According to Wolters a biblical worldview is not purely propositional “beliefs” but a pre-theological structure to life ordered around the biblical narrative culminating in the revelation of the Word who was made flesh. Wolters’ crucial distinction between structure and direction can enable those who are trying to live out such a worldview when addressing tough situations. ‘Structure’ outlines the created nature of the everyday components and practices of our lives, rooted in the creation mandate while ‘Direction’ involves the way such components and practices are expressed in relationships and in working with objects around us; some directions are God-glorifying and faithful to his creational intentions while others have dishonored or distorted their normative created nature Both structure and direction must be understood under the theme of “grace restored nature.” This holistic and comprehensive framing of God’s redemptive intentions challenges a strict sacred-secular dualistic view of the cosmos. Instead it outlines a cosmic sanctification of the whole creation by the Holy Spirit based on Christ’s atoning victory. In a case-based discussion we will illustrate the value of using a structure / direction distinction in medicine to address circumstances of worldview conflict.