With the publication of the fourth edition, this book will continue to aid students, teachers and anyone who wants to understand the variety of worldviews that compete with Christianity for the allegiance of our minds and hearts'-Amazon. (His recent work is showcased in a new book, Naming the Elephant, also published by IVP.) The Universe Next Door has been translated into several languages and has been used as a text at over one hundred colleges and universities in courses ranging from apologetics and world religions to history and English literature.

Chapters 210 describe how nine worldviews answer these questions, beginning with Christian theism, which is Sire’s own worldview and the perspective. Chapter 1 defines the term worldview and enumerates eight questions worldviews ask. Now the fourth edition refines the definition of worldview itself, incorporating Sire's thinking and teaching during the past decade. His book The Universe Next Door, published in 1976 and as of 2020 in its sixth edition, has sold over 400,000 copies and has been translated into 20 foreign languages. Sire’s The University Next Door calls the book a basic worldview catalog.

And the third edition offered further updating and revisions, including a thoroughly revised chapter on New Age philosophy and, perhaps most importantly, a new chapter on postmodernism. The second edition was updated and expanded to include sections on Marxism and secular humanism, as well as a completely reworked chapter on what is now widely known as New Age philosophy rather than new consciousness. Sire explained the basics of theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism, existentialism, Eastern monism and the new consciousness. In concise, easily understood prose, James W. Refusing to adopt an explicit worldview is itself a worldview or at least a philosophical position.'When The Universe Next Door was first introduced nearly thirty years ago, it set the standard for a clear, readable introduction to worldviews. We will adopt either one stance or another. #4 We cannot avoid assuming some answers to these questions. #3 A worldview is made up of a series of basic assumptions that are generally unquestioned by each of us, rarely mentioned by our friends, and only brought to mind when we are confronted with a foreign ideology. It is not a professional philosophy or theology, but a basic understanding of the world that we all have. It is the basis for all our thoughts and actions. #2 A worldview is a set of presuppositions that we hold about the basic makeup of our world. We must understand and then genuinely communicate with others in a pluralistic society. #1 The purpose of this book is to outline the basic worldviews that underlie the way we in the Western world think about ourselves, other people, the natural world, and God or ultimate reality. Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book.

The Universe Next Door by James W. Sire