Worldview is used to describe how a person sees their world. Through this
lens, a person makes decisions on every aspect of his/her life. A Christian
will (should) base their choices on Biblical concepts while a humanist will
most likely choose what is expedient to him or her (this may not always hold
true). Our worldview encompasses how we answer basic questions such as: 1)
origin of life, 2) identity, 3) meaning, 4) morality, and 5) destiny.[1]
The Question of Origin –
A
Christian worldview supports the idea that God created the world and man (Gen.
1:1, 26-28). In fact, God created everything that was created (Col. 1:16). The
creative process involved the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:9;
Col.1:15-17). A commonly held belief is that God created ex nihilo, which means, “out of nothing.”[2]
There are some differences of opinion among believers however. Some, known as
old earth creationists, have allowed secular theories to influence their way of
thinking and rather than accepting the biblical account, they believe God
created the universe but He did so millions or billions of years ago. Many hold
to the idea that He may have used evolutionary processes but this clearly
conflicts with Scripture. In the Genesis account, the writer states each day
ended after the morning and evening (Gen. 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31). This stands
in contrast to the day-age theory, a
belief that there may have been long spans of time between the days of
creation. God did not use evolution to bring about humanity or anything else;
He created every thing in love with perfection.
The Question of Identity –
In all of
God’s creation, man stands alone as Scripture tells us that we are made in His
image (Gen. 1:26-7). God’s intent was that mankind would be stewards of the
earth and populate it (Gen. 1:26-8). According to John, there will be a day
when believers will be like Christ, having a resurrected body and a sinless
nature (1 John 3:2).
The Question of Meaning/Purpose –
Man’s
purpose is to know and worship God (Deut. 6:5; Mat. 22:37). God is love and as
such, He desires fellowship with man. Peter wrote that it was not God’s will
that anyone would be lost but that all might be saved and spend eternity with
Him (2 Pet. 3:9). Lew Weider and Ben Gutierrez cite John 17:3, which states
that we would know the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ.[3]
The Question of Morality –
God’s Word
tells us what is morally and ethically sound. We can study the nature of God
and through reading and studying His Word, we can be transformed more into His
likeness. David said by reading God’s Word, he would have the ability to
refrain from living an overtly sinful life (Ps. 119:10-12) Not only this, man has an inner knowledge of
right and wrong. Paul addresses this in Romans 2:12-16 and says that some, who
did not have God’s written law, still obeyed it because it was written in their
heart. Almost all people groups believe murder, rape, stealing, and lying are
wrong. They know this because God has placed it in their heart.
The Question of Destiny -
The Christian (excluding inclusivists and others who hold false
doctrines) believes that man will spend eternity in one of two places, heaven
or hell. Those who receive Christ will spend eternity with Him in heaven (John 3:16, 14:2Eph. 1:13,14). There is no
other way to salvation; Jesus is the only way to heaven (Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:16). Jesus also spoke of
hell as being a real place (Mat. 5:21-30). He told a story about two men, one rich and
the other poor. Both men died and Jesus referred to Lazarus, the poor man, as
receiving reward while the rich man suffered in torment (Luke 16:19-31). Despite what
others may say, Jesus did not speak metaphorically but intended His audience to
understand that hell is real. From the mouth of God we have sufficient evidence
to know that all men will go to one or the other.
From a biblical
worldview, how should we think about, treat, and speak to others?
In the book of Exodus, God gave
Moses the Ten Commandments. The first four concern man’s responsibility to God
and the next six instruct man on how to treat one another (Ex. 20:3-17). Jesus
said that we are to love others, even our enemies (Mat. 5:43-48). When He was beaten, spat on, and nailed to
the cross, Jesus still loved (Mat. 26:67, 27-31; Luke 23:34). Throughout Scripture, God is shown to be
absolute love. He blesses those who receive Him as well as those who do not
(Mat. 5:45). If God loves us, in our fallen state, and asks
us to love others, how can we not obey?
Bibliography
Weider, Lew, Ben Gutierrez. Consider. Virginia
Beach:
Academx Publishing Services, 2013.
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