Just so you know, I have a running list of posts I’d like to make on this blog, and it now has a good 15 items on it… and counting! I’m now all finished with college finals and am on Christmas break (and am finally feeling better from a horrible flu virus I contracted), so you’ll probably be getting a post from me every day or so now.
So, today’s post is an assignment that I did about a few weeks into my Apologetics course. We were to write a short, concise summary of our worldview. I received a grade of 98% for this assignment, points deducted for a few grammatical errors and also because my instructor explained that I should have had citations for every statement I made. Since this was a freshman course, my own words did not have any merit (unless they were clearly written as personal opinions), me being a mere layperson on the subject.
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Life’s Most Difficult Questions
Part I: What is a Worldview?
Many metaphors have been used to describe worldviews. Bradley (as cited in McCullough, 2008) related a worldview to a “filing cabinet,” a “map,” a “compass,” and, most commonly used, “eyeglasses that help us see more clearly” (p. 23). In essence, however, a worldview is an individual’s set of answers to life’s most difficult questions.
Part II: What is a Biblical Worldview?
A biblical worldview is one that uses the Bible as the absolute authority for answering life’s questions. The Bible then becomes the “filter” through which all else is processed (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011, p. 82). Following are biblical answers to five foundational questions of life.
The Question of Origins: According to the Bible, God spoke the world, everything surrounding it, and everything in it into existence in six days (Ex. 20:11, NKJV; Ps. 33:6). Rather than saying, “Let there be life,” though, He hand-sculpted the first humans out of clay in His likeness (Gen. 1:27; 2:7). Though greatly degenerated by sin, the human race still reflect this likeness in their ability to think, reason, and love.
The Question of Identity: God identifies people and would have them identify themselves by the hidden qualities of their hearts rather than on outward appearance, attributes, and abilities (1 Sam. 16:7). Believers can have an even better knowledge of their identity, for they are the adopted children of God (Rom. 8:14-17; Gal. 3:26). Having an internal, eternal identity removes the pressure for out-performing or conforming to others.
The Question of Meaning or Purpose: Those with a biblical worldview know that their purpose in life is to know God (John 17:3), obey Him (Eccl. 12:13), and bring Him glory (Rev. 14:7). They are also to be shining lights in a dark world (Phil. 2:15) and role models of righteous living for other believers (1 Tim. 4:12). Those with a biblical worldview devote their lives to loving service wherever God leads them.
The Question of Morality: There is no relative moral compass for the Christian. God has given His children a standard of righteousness in His commandments (Eccl. 12:13). Freedom in Christ does not give Christians liberty to live immorally (1 Pet. 2:16). Rather it gives them access to a Power outside of themselves to gain victory over sin and live righteously (Jude 1:24).
The Question of Destiny: It is not God’s will that anyone should perish in sin (2 Pet. 3:9). Thus, He destined and made ample provision for all who would accept the gift of salvation to live righteous lives (Eph. 2:10) and inherit eternal life in heaven (John 3:16). A person with a biblical worldview has an eternal perspective.
Part III: What is my Worldview?
I hold a Christian worldview based upon the Bible as my source of absolute truth. McCullough (2008) pointed out that if we truly believe something, that belief will be reflected in how we live. Following are a couple examples of how my biblical worldview is more than just a mindset.
How I Treat Others: I believe that people are created in God’s image and are loved and valued in His eyes. This means that my thoughts and actions towards others should make them feel loved, respected, and valued regardless of their outward appearance or social standing. This is possible only through Christ’s presence in my heart and power in my life.
How I Make Decisions: My worldview is “the framework [I] bring to decision-making” (Weider & Gutierrez, 2011, p. 69). Since my purpose in life is to know God, obey Him, and glorify Him, I seek to know His will through His word about life choices such as educational avenues or career paths. I evaluate how I might best use my God-given talents to bring glory to His name and win souls for His kingdom.
References
McCullough, J.D. (2008). Kingdom living in your classroom. Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications.
Weider, L. & Gutierrez, B. (2011). Consider. Virginia Beach, VA: Academx Publishing Services, Inc.
Sarah E. Brown 