Of course, some would argue that such an approach leads to relativism. But, the illustration must not be pushed too far (as any human illustration can be so pushed). Belz is calling for a slow, thoughtful process. By way of example, consider Christians and education. We were told that Christian schools were what we needed to ensure the conversion and spiritual development of our children in the midst of a secular world increasingly hostile to Christ. But, Christian schools have their problems. Home schooling was the next answer. “It is our responsibility to educate our own children” we were told and a movement was born. This formula would ensure success. And yet, home schooling is not perfect either. Enter Classical Education. That’s the answer! Of course, it’s not the answer in terms of being the way to ensure complete success. Each of these approaches to education has great benefit, and each approach has flaws. The point is not that one or all of these approaches must be abandoned by Christian parents but that the ultimate answer is not in a particular approach or method. One can raise a godly child even if that child attends public school! The point is that in the development of a Christian worldview, we must not merely rely on a formula but we must weigh each plank and circumstance carefully.

Stones must be carefully placed in the wall. The question is thus raised, what kind of stones? Answer: stones that are biblically described. Though there are more, Belz offered three stones to be placed in the wall of our Christian worldview.

First, we must pick a stone that reminds us constantly that we have to die before we can live. Our culture tells us to eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die. But, the Lord Jesus clearly stated that the one who would gain His life must lose it for His sake. In discerning where pundits are coming from, a key question is this: does this individual understand and operate upon the principle that one has to die before he can live? In weighing out politicians, economists, commentators, or leaders of any kind, this question is critical. Issues come to mind like hard work, sacrifice, and the consideration of others ahead of ourselves. The culture of self is antithetical to the Christian worldview.

Second, we must choose the stone of word-centeredness. The world is image-centered but God is word-centered. He chose specific words that deal with specific things. Does our approach to reality take words seriously? In an age of deconstruction and hyper-relativism, words and their objective meanings take on a new importance. The murky waters of postmodernism militate against a biblical worldview that says simply and without apology that God has spoken.

Third, there is the stone that tells us that God is not just a word God, but a word and deed God. His words and our words must be translated into action. We must talk and live our faith and we must live and talk our faith. We must speak and we must do. Christians ground their thinking in truth, but, they translate that truth into action for the glory of God and the joy of those around them.

Belz is calling for careful attention. He is calling Christians to think, develop, and live in light of God’s word. There is no middle ground. One is either completely committed to God or one does not have a Christian worldview. There is no neutrality in the culture war. One is committed to Christ and is building the stone wall or one has no Christian worldview and is culturally driven. Christians must glean wisdom from the Scriptures and apply it to their hearts and to the sin-sick world in which they live. To depart from Belz for just a moment and borrow from another, let us not be just another brick in the wall. But, let us do as Belz calls us to do as living stones, build a wall of well-placed stones that will enable us to withstand error and impact this world for Christ.

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