Home

Part I: Introduction to a Christian World view

INTRODUCTION

Definitions

worldview

world: cosmos, universe, the created order.
view: perspective, interpretation.

worldview: how one interprets experience and meaning of the cosmos or created order.

  • Everyone has a world-view. Everyone interprets their day-to-day experiences in light of a worldview.
  • A worldview can be described as a pair of glasses. How we see the reality around us is determined by the set of glasses we see it through. However, reality does not alter with our own interpretation. No matter if we are wearing a good pair of glasses or a bad pair of glasses, reality does not accommodate the view one sees through a pair of glasses. So it is important that one has a good pair of glasses (worldview) that best describes what is really there.
  • One could call a worldview a philosophy.

philosophy:

  • Philosophy is not a bad word.
  • philo is the Greek word for love: Philadelphia means city of brotherly love.
  • sophia is the Greek word for wisdom.
  • Philosophy means love of wisdom. The Christian is commanded by God to love wisdom:

    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Pr 1:7

  • We differ from unbelievers by what we call wisdom.

    However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. I Co 2:6

  • What the Bible calls wisdom, the world sees as foolishness. Because they cannot see, they have bad glasses.

    But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. I Co 2:14

  • We are true philosophers, because we love what is truly wisdom.
  • Philosophy is more than the love of wisdom, it is how we interpret God's world.
  • One can not know God's wisdom unless he knows God's Word and God's world

THE MAKE-UP OF A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW

* A worldview effects the way we see all things. It is the starting point for all academic disciplines and our daily relations.

* How we think of man can deeply effect the way we treat others, the way we think of God can deeply effect the way we live. Therefore it is very important to have a Christian worldview.

The starting point

* The most important book to the Christian is the Holy Bible. It is here that is found the very living, breathing words of God to man.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness. II Tim 3:16

Our worldview, thus should be shaped by the very Word of God.

* God is who he says He is in His Word, and we are who He says we are in His Word. Nothing we may believe can ever alter these facts. Changing glasses blurs our vision, but does not alter the contents of the room.

* The Bible gives us knowledge of God and knowledge of His creation. This is the most important relationship to us, it gives us the starting point for all knowledge, wisdom, and our worldview. It effects the way we see things, the way we act, and the way we think.

Nearly all wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. -John Calvin (1509-1564)

A Biblical outline for a Christian worldview

* Most of the Bible is history. Our faith is grounded in historical fact.

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! I Co 15:17

By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus has come in the flesh is of God I Jo 4:2

* Therefore, our worldview needs to be shaped in accordance to Biblical history. We can summarize this into four basic historical themes in the Bible:

  2. Creation
  3. Fall
  4. Redemption Consummation

creation

* The world was created by God out of nothing (Rom 4:17; Heb 11:3)

* God's creation was made good (Gen 1:31)

* God created man in His image to do His work (Gen 1:28)

fall

* Man fell from his high calling (Gen 3; Rom 3:10-12; 5:12-19)

* This fall effected all creation (Gen 3:17-18; Rom 8:20)

* The fall did not change God's initial plan, but required a detour (redemption from sin)

redemption

* Christ took upon our sins in our place that we may gain life (Mk 10:45; Jo 1:9)

* Redemption effects all creation (Rom 8:21)

* Redemption brings a new creation (II Co 5:17; Rev 21:5)

consummation

* Is not "otherworldly" (Is 9:7; Dan 2:44; Matt 28:18)

* Yet, is spiritual (Jo 18:36; I Cor 15:50)

* Comes progressively, not suddenly (Matt 13:31-33; I Co 15:24-26)

TOOLS FOR DEVELOPING A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW

  • Daily devotions. We need to renew our minds in His Word daily.
  • Bible study. As a child will soon have to lay down the concerns for himself to focus more on others, so will the spiritual child have to grow out of their personal devotions and focus outwardly. This entails deeper study of God's Word. Prayer. Prayer is our communication link to God. We need to talk to Him, and we need to give our petitions. God desires to give us good gifts.Why shouldn't we ask for the greatest gifts God can give us?

Wisdom is the principle thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in your getting, get understanding Pr 4:7

  • Have to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Knowledge without the love of God is useless (I Co 13) God is a relational God, and our faith is also relational. The knowledge of God and the love of God is inseparable.

Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. I Co 8:1b-3

  • Reading other books. Our worldview effects the way we think of everything, we need to know what the Bible says and we need to know the world we are suppose to live out His commands. We cannot obey God without inter- acting in the world and we cannot interact with the world without the Bible. We need to know both.

Recommended reading

The Universe Next Door: A Basic World view Catalog by James W. Sire.

Surviving College Successfully by Gary DeMar.

Every Thought Captive by Richard Pratt.

Some Advanced Titles

The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God by John Frame.

Defense of the Faith by Cornelius Van Til.

Reformational Theology: A New Paradigm for doing Dogmatics by Gordon Spykman.