What Is World Seen?

The World Seen was a ministry team of Multnomah University. Formed in the Fall of 1999, Dr. Ray Lubeck and several students saw the need for equipping people to understand and interact with others in our complex, rapidly-changing, pluralistic society.

One reason is that in today's market-driven world of diversity of opinions, people need help in recognizing what ideas they’re being “sold.” Pop culture surrounds us with conflicting and competing views on the most important questions of life: Is there a God? How can I find truth? Is there a meaning to life? Where did we come from? What happens at death? Who can I trust? Where is the world heading? What am I supposed to do?

Another reason is that in order to communicate intelligently and compassionately with those holding to other worldviews, we must first understand them—we need to hear their story of life that effects their basic framework of thinking and what they even accept as a good argument. Our goal isn’t just to act like watchdogs for flaws in their thinking, but to consider how life looks through their eyes, and to increase our concern and care for them as people.

A third reason is to help people better understand the messages being communicated to them through the various media of pop culture so that they are more aware and discerning of the values and perspectives they promote.

In order to address these needs, a ministry team was formed of carefully-selected Multnomah students each year from 1999-2012. They met in a regularly scheduled class, where each class period they brought in current examples of frequently aired songs, current television and movie clips, YouTube videos, art forms, advertising, articles, websites, etc. for discussion and careful analysis. Because of this constant input, the World Seen presentation maintained a continual state of updating and revision. The result was that no two presentations were ever identical; new information and materials were brought to each presentation.

While the World Seen is no longer makiing team presentations, Ray Lubeck still on occasion will do "solo" versions of the entire presentation 

The Professor

Team 2011-2012

Team 2010-2011

Alex, Matt R, Amy, Meghan, Josh, Ali, Tamara, Scott, Alaina, Ellen, Matt A, Sarah, Heather, Jaime, Ray

Team 2009-2010

Above: Sarah J, Sarah M, Rebekah, Erin, Ellen, Heather, Ali   Middle: Matt R, Luke, Jared, Ray   Bottom: Chip