Reclaiming the Christian Worldview | J. Richard Middleton

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Susan Smetzer-Anderson sits down with J. Richard Middleton, Emeritus Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Northeastern Seminary and Roberts Wesleyan University. With decades of scholarship spanning theology, philosophy, and cultural analysis, Middleton offers a compelling exploration of what it truly means to hold a Christian worldview—and how that concept has evolved, been misunderstood, and often distorted over time.Drawing from his seminal work The Transforming Vision (1984) and his forthcoming book Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws: The Christian Worldview in a Conflicted Age, Middleton challenges listeners to move beyond tribalism, cultural conformity, and rigid doctrinal packages. Instead, he invites us to embrace a biblically rooted, lived orientation toward the world—one that is shaped by grace, community, and spiritual formation.Topics include:The difference between worldview as a lived orientation vs. a set of ideasHow cultural norms have overtaken biblical foundations in many churchesThe role of deconstruction and reconstruction in spiritual growthWhy diversity in Scripture points to a deeper unityPractical questions to help uncover and reshape your worldviewWhether you're a student, pastor, educator, or curious seeker, this episode offers rich insights into how we see the world—and how Scripture invites us to see it differently.📺 Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/y20HygPRXWE.🔔 Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast to stay updated on future episodes.Send us Fan MailCONNECT WITH USSubscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave ConourEdited by Dave Conour