The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 5th Edition [Paperback]

James W. Sire (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0830838503 | ISBN-13: 978-0830838509 | Publication Date: October 21, 2009 | Edition: 05

Voted one of Christianity Today's 1998 Books of the Year! For more than thirty years, The Universe Next Door has set the standard for a clear, readable introduction to worldviews. In this new fifth edition James Sire offers additional student-friendly features to his concise, easily understood introductions to theism, deism, naturalism, Marxism, nihilism, existentialism, Eastern monism, New Age philosophy and postmodernism. Included in this expanded format are a new chapter on Islam and informative sidebars throughout. The book continues to build on Sire's refined definition of worldviews from the fourth edition and includes other updates as well, keeping this standard text fresh and useful. In a world of ever-increasing diversity, The Universe Next Door offers a unique resource for understanding the variety of worldviews that compete with Christianity for the allegiance of minds and hearts. The Universe Next Door has been translated into over a dozen 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. Sire's Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept provides a useful companion volume for those desiring a more in-depth discussion of the nature of a worldview.

Product Details

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic; 05 edition (October 21, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830838503
• ISBN-13: 978-0830838509
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #15,840 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

James W. Sire (Ph.D., University of Missouri), formerly a senior editor at InterVarsity Press, is an active speaker and writer. He has taught English, philosophy, theology, and short courses at many universities and seminaries. He continues to be a frequent guest lecturer in the United States and Europe. His InterVarsity Press books and Bible studies include The Universe Next Door (a worldviews textbook), Scripture Twisting, Discipleship of the Mind, Chris Chrisman Goes to College, Why Should Anyone Believe Anything at All?, Habits of the Mind: Intellectual Life as a Christian Calling, Naming the Elephant: Worldview as a Concept, Learning to Pray Through the Psalms, Why Good Arguments Often Fail and A Little Primer on Humble Apologetics.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough yet concise look at the eight main worldviews present in today's world, February 22, 2010

By 

flower - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 5th Edition (Paperback)

In The Universe Next Door, author James Sire discusses the eight main worldviews that are held by different individuals in the twentieth century and then provides seven basic yet probative questions to help the reader recognize the primary presuppositions that underlie each main belief system. Further discussion is provided to help the reader analyze the cohesiveness and validity of each worldview presented. The history of each worldview is discussed in great detail so that the reader can see the progression of each view, why it arose and what events led to its overall acceptance or denial among the masses. Mr. Sire then compares and contrasts each worldview with others mentioned in the book, evaluating each worldview in turn. The emphasis is on awareness and understanding, encouraging the reader to become more consciously aware of what they believe, why they believe what they do, and how this belief colors the way they view life. The book concludes with a detailed chapter, entitled, "The Examined Life" that summarizes the basic points made throughout the book and then provides tools intended to help the leader choose the most logical, cohesive and consistent worldview.


Overall, the Universe Next Door is a very thorough, and yet manageable, discussion of the eight (or six, depending on how once classifies the material) main belief systems that exist in today's culture. Presented in a somewhat relaxed manner, the language used by Mr. Sire ensures understandability and readability, successfully moving difficult philosophical topics out of the university classroom and placing them in the hands of the layman. Because each worldview is discussed in relation to the six main questions presented at the beginning of the book, analysis of all views is both easy and consistent.

Written more as an informative discussion, the author's views, when present, are subdued. The emphasis is not on demonstrating the validity of one worldview over another but instead, in looking at the overall cohesiveness and non-contradictory nature of each worldview in turn. The reader is then left to make their own evaluation based on the information given.

Review provided by Jennifer Slattery, author of Shatterproof: Developing A Faith That Stands and Journey To The Ice

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worldviews 101, December 10, 2009

By 

Mark K. Wickersham "Wick" (Tianjin, China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 5th Edition (Paperback)

This is a book that I would not normally read, but it was required reading for a Worldviews course I took at Colorado Christian University. The basics of Christian theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism, existentialism, Eastern pantheistic monism, New Age philosophy, and postmodernism are explained. We need to know what our worldview is as well as the worldview of others. Examining our thoughts and behaviors helps us to understand ourselves and communicate with those around us. To not evaluate how and why we think and act the way we do is simply foolish. What is our purpose? What happens to us after we die? How do we know what is right and wrong? These are some of the vital questions that we must tackle that are addressed in this book. I am thankful that this book was assigned to my class.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 5th Edition, October 29, 2011

By 

Vicki Schrauger - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog, 5th Edition (Paperback)

The Universe Next Door is an insightful look at different world views. It begins with a chapter on Christian theism followed by Deism, Naturalism, Nihilism, Existentialism and beyond in a logical progression. This is readable to the layperson, but I found I needed to read some chapters over to grasp the concepts.