Ultimate Issues: Right Answers to Wrong Thinking [video or audio]

Ligonier Ministries

R.C. Sproul presents four, 30-minute segments that address basic worldview questions. The first presentation, “There Are Only Two Worldviews,” contrasts atheism and theism as being on opposite ends of a spectrum. Beliefs based on fundamental presuppositions about God are shown to result in continual conflicts, especially in regard to ethics. The second segment, “The God Who is There,” deals with the existence of God. Sproul examines philosophical beliefs about reason and our knowledge of God that get into some fairly deep territory. “His Word is Truth,” the third presentation, explores the reliability and authority of Scripture, considering its role as a source of truth. The last segment, “Christ the Only Way,” covers the basics of salvation, while delving into topics like “forensic justification” and the role of forgiveness in salvation.

The first segment is one of the best introductions to worldviews I have seen or heard. The third segment does a good job of explaining the vital role of Scripture in a Christian worldview. The final segment is a strong presentation of the reformed Protestant understanding of salvation and justification, the value of which will depend upon the audience, their spiritual maturity, and personal theological beliefs. The second segment is the most challenging for teens—it is heavy on philosophy and harder to understand than the other three. Students need not watch all four segments. While the entire tape is of value, you might decide that some segments are more appropriate or useful at this time than others.

Filmed interviews (man-on-the-street style) with young people are interspersed throughout all of the segments. The contrasting answers from a wide variety of worldviews beautifully illustrate each topic. Sproul speaks with passion and body language which also enhances the “watchability” factor.

A Discussion Guide folder comes with the video. For each segment, it lists the learning objective, a four-point outline, and ten discussion questions. The questions are excellent, challenging students to go beyond the content of the presentation to stretch their thinking and apologetic skills. These presentations are also available on audio tape, but the video is so well done, so visually engaging, and so reasonably priced, that you really should get the video.