Drew University Library : University Archives : Theses and Dissertations
    
author Donghoon Shin
title Shaping a Christian Worldview Through the Biblical Meta-Narrative : A Holistic Approach to Bible Reading and Practical Application for New and Young Believers
abstract This dissertation aims to present a practical pastoral methodology for helping new believers form a holistic Christian worldview within a postmodern culture dominated by fragmented narratives. Many contemporary Christians experience a disconnect between faith and life due to understanding the Bible as a mere collection of fragmented knowledge. This study, therefore, seeks to argue for the effectiveness of approaching the entire Bible as a single grand story, or a meta-narrative, as an alternative.

For this purpose, a literature review was first conducted to define the theoretical relationship between meta-narrative and worldview formation, based on the premise that human beings are "narrative beings." The study analyzed how the core biblical meta-narrative of 'Creation-Fall-Redemption-Restoration' constitutes the framework of a Christian worldview and how it is internalized through the repetitive practices of a community, as theorized by James K. A. Smith. Furthermore, it examined the challenges posed by modern culture (e.g., expressive individualism, consumerism) and explored the pastoral applicability of the meta-narrative through the preceding case studies of Tim Keller and Leonard Sweet.

Based on this theoretical foundation, a three-stage integrated discipleship program—'Gospel-Sharing,' 'Tong-Bible (Holistic Bible Reading),' and 'Dawn with the Lord (QT)'—was designed and implemented in the researcher's pastoral field. Through a qualitative case study analyzing participants' written reflections, surveys, and in-depth interviews, it was confirmed that the proposed methodology brought about significant changes in their faith. Participants re-established their identity by relocating their personal narratives within the grand narrative of the Bible (Gospel-Sharing), acquired a new lens to interpret the world by integrating scattered biblical knowledge (Tong-Bible), and experienced the internalization of their worldview through daily practices (Dawn with the Lord).

In conclusion, this study demonstrates that a holistic discipleship model based on the biblical meta-narrative is an effective pastoral model for forming the worldview of new believers. This holds significance in that it suggests a crucial shift from conventional cognitive and doctrine-centered education toward a formational education that helps believers move from merely 'knowing the Bible' to 'living out the story of the Bible.'

school The Theological School, Drew University
degree D.Min. (2025)
advisor Byungho Zoh
Leonard Sweet
committee Younglae Kim
full textDShin.pdf