Words are powerful.  Certain words invoke encyclopedias of thought and ideas by their mere mention.  Often, after repeated misuse, words take on a power almost opposite of their original meaning.  Take the word fundamentalist.  There was a time I proudly considered myself a fundamentalist, given the dictionary definition of fundamental:  forming a necessary base or core; of central importance; affecting or relating to the essential nature of something or the crucial point about an issue.   Good conditioning is fundamental to success in the sport of cycling.

Unfortunately, today a fundamentalist as presented by the popular media is someone who is a wild-eyed, radical, prejudiced, hateful, murderous, narrow-minded zealot.  So those of us who used to be comfortable with the label fundamentalist have had to find a new adjective.  Perhaps bible-believing is sufficient – maybe even better, provided you have a good understanding of what it means to believe.  

Other words become weakened in their power because of overuse, or frivolous use.  Worldview may be such a term.  Many Christians and church-related organizations claim to promote a Biblical Worldview, but perhaps without understanding the radical perspective to which God calls Christians. 

Translated from the German word Weltanschauung, a concept fundamental to German philosophy and epistemology, worldview refers to "a wide world perception; the framework of ideas and beliefs through which an individual interprets the world and interacts with it."

God desires that His worshippers interpret their lives through His framework; that we submit every aspect of our lives to His authority:  thoughts, values, actions, aspirations, occupations, relationships, time, possessions – everything. 

At a Christian school, to promote a biblical worldview is not just to start the day with prayer, to require students to memorize bible verses, or to add a bible class to the schedule.   To promote a biblical worldview is to approach every discipline, every curriculum, every activity, every goal with the perspective gained from the study and understanding of God’s Word, the Bible. It means to submit to the power and leading of His Spirit in order to do so.

With that understanding of the term, we can say that at NVCS, we are committed to helping promote the development of a Biblical Worldview in the lives of our students and their families.  Without using the term worldview, our mission statement affirms this: 

North Valley Christian Schools equips Christian students by providing an excellent
God-centered education to the end that graduates will think biblically, emulate Christ, and excel to the Glory of God.

Please pray that God continue to guide NVCS in this behalf. 

Gordon Wiens, Superintendent