Lively ‘Blah, Blah, Blah’ Explains Clashing Worldviews
Blah, Blah, Blah: Making Sense of the World’s Spiritual Clutter 250 pp, $11.50
Reviewed by Cory Bennett
Blah, Blah, Blah: Making Sense of the World’s Spiritual Chatter by Bayard Taylor is a title that perfectly matches what most people feel about the topic of worldviews. What topic could possibly be drier and more boring?
Understanding worldviews has become very relevant because advances in technology and travel have literally brought the world and its diverse cultures to our doorsteps.
When we all thought pretty much alike we did not have to give much consideration to worldview. Now, when our neighbors may be Muslims, Hindus, or Buddhists, and we get our news from the BBC and watch the National Geographic and Discovery channels, understanding worldviews becomes important.
Before Blah, Blah, Blah came along it was difficult to find materials that make this complex subject understandable in a way that that is engaging. A Christian who wanted to share his faith also found it difficult to find worldview materials that effectively prepare us to reach friends and neighbors who have adopted a hodge-podge of values and ideas from cultures and religions that are at odds with biblical Christianity.
The strength of this book is that it gives us the knowledge and confidence to engage our changing culture with the message of the Gospel.
The title, art work and content of Blah, Blah, Blah make it abundantly clear that this is not your average book on worldviews. It communicates with high school and college students whose world is awash with ideas and diversions competing for their time and attention. Students are on the front lines of the culture wars as they prepare to face adult life.
It is an unfortunate truth that the very places preparing them for this transition (schools and colleges), are often deliberately attempting to rip them away from the traditional values of their parents and culture. This book is a valuable tool to help them sort out the conflicting ideas they face.
Blah, Blah, Blah also speaks to adults. Most of us have had very little exposure to worldview training.
The topic can be complex and intimidating. Bayard does a masterful job of simplifying concepts and making them understandable. It is a sad fact that those who understand worldview often use it more like a club than a scalpel. They come across as intellectually arrogant or condescending. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment is in communicating how understanding worldview helps us share our faith with others in a caring and loving manner.
While the book excels at clarifying complex worldview concepts, those who have had previous worldview training will find plenty of meat in the final chapters where the author explores some of the more complex applications of worldview ideas.
A relatively new book, Blah, Blah, Blah may not be available in your local Christian book store. If they do not have it in stock they should be able to order it for you, or you can obtain in through the usual internet sources like Amazon.com.
Bayard Taylor has also provided a wealth of additional material and teaching aids through the blahblahbook.com Web site. This 250 page gem retails in paperback at $11.99. I encourage every parent to gift their high school junior or senior with a copy and pick up an extra copy for yourself.
The Rev. Cory Bennett, a longtime instructor in worldview topics, is president of Foundation for Educational Leadership. He is also president of THEA's Knoxville-area chapter, Smoky Mountain Home Education Association, at 925 View Harbour Road, Knoxville, TN 37934. Mr. Bennett’s e-mail address is , (865) 671-3059.
