Contemporary Worldviews Rules
Description: The competitor is given eight (5) minutes of prep time to formulate a seven (7) minute speech to identify the worldview of the question and its faults, how it is currently impacting society or has impacted society, and explain the correct Christian Biblical worldview giving examples from stories, quotes, history, science, facts, other experts, news articles and the Bible.
Goal: The competitor will share Biblical truth on a conversational, personal level to explain the fallacies of the current philosophical ideas of today’s culture as it applies to the question the student is responding to. They will demonstrate that a Biblical worldview is based on the infallible Word of God. Students describe in their own words their knowledge and understanding of the worldview behind the question. Greater weight should be given to the speech content, rather than the presentation style.
Recommendation: For competitors 14 and older or with parental consent due to some mature themes
Contemporary Worldviews Preparation Rules:
1. All questions/topics must come from the Contemporary Worldview Questions listed on the tournament website.
2. Competitors prepare for Contemporary Worldview through Bible study, research, analysis, worldview curriculum, and other experts.
3. Each competitor may create a notebook with Scriptures, definitions, quotations, news articles, and any other helpful material.
4. Competitors may not share card files or notebooks during competition.
5. Competitors may bring in a laptop, phone, ipad or other electronic device to research their chosen topic during their (5) minute prep time.
Contemporary Worldviews Administration Rules:
1. Contemporary Worldview judges should be in agreement with Stoa’s Statement of Faith.
2. One judge in each room will be given room administration instructions, including topic distribution.
3. A list of possible topics will be given to each of the judges in the room.
4. In the room, the competitor will draw three (3) single topics provided by the tournament, select one (1), and return the other two (2) topics before leaving the room. The selected topic should not be returned.
5. Preparation time begins as soon as the competitor draws the first topic.
6. During preparation time, timepiece must be facing toward the competitor and counting down.
7. During preparation time, the competitor may use a Bible, card files or notebook of information previously collected, and any electronic media device.
8. Unused preparation time may not be added to the speaking time.
Contemporary Worldviews Presentation Rules:
1. The competitor must answer the selected topic and defend his/her position.
2. During the speech, the competitor may hold 4 x 6 note cards (no limit) and the chosen topic slip.
3. The speech must be the original work of the competitor and should be supported by Scripture, quotations, personal narratives, and/or analysis from outside sources (e.g. commentaries, literature, news articles, testimonials etc.).
4. The competitor must state the selected topic early in the speech and adhere to it.
5. The audience’s acceptance of the truth of the Bible should not be assumed.
6. Computers, Kindles, iPads, cell phones, or other electronic media devices may be used for the preparation time only.
7. No audio, visual aids, or props may be used during the presentation time.
8. Gratuitous vulgarity is strictly prohibited.
9. Competitors must not listen to other competitors speaking before them.
10. During the presentation, the timepiece must be facing toward the competitor and counting up. The maximum speaking time is seven (7) minutes. There is no minimum time requirement.
12. Competitors will receive a one (1) rank penalty for going over time by fifteen (15) seconds or more.
Preparation time – five (5) minutes. Speaking time – seven (7) minutes.