A robust worldview (part 3)

The number of worldviews that exist today runs the gamut from A (Atheism) to Z (Zoroastrianism). According to Kenneth Samples, a worldview is defied as, "a general context for life, providing a vision of what one considers authentically real." A worldview would encompass what one really holds true in life. A person's worldview would then be displayed in how one lives and approaches life on a daily basis.

If anyone claimed to be of a particular worldview, but lived a different lifestyle, then it is reasonable to conclude they do not adhere to the view in which they are claiming. A person's lifestyle reflects what they really believe to be true. Actions always follow what an individual believes at the core of their heart.

Christianity, through the person of Jesus, makes the claim that it is the only worldview that is true. Jesus, in fact, claims that salvation can only be found in him (John 14:6). With the myriad of worldviews out there, all of them can't be correct according to the Law of the Excluded Middle. It is possible for one to be correct as Jesus stated for the Christian worldview.

In order to evaluate a worldview, one must examine each worldview to determine if it is logical, consistent, and if it corresponds to reality. Reality is what we know to be true. The Christian worldview invites testing (I Thessalonians 5:21). When reaching a conclusion, the only worldview that can be accepted is the one that fully corresponds to reality. Some worldviews may have aspects of truth, but only one can be fully true; for truth by its very nature is exclusive. It is possible that all worldviews could be false, but only one can be true.

Christianity has withstood the test of time for some 2000 years and has met every challenge. Other worldviews have flaws, in that they do not match with reality on one level or another. Only Christianity can meet all the worldview tests. A robust worldview is one that can withstand the thorough tests and still be standing based on its corresponding to reality. Perhaps Christianity has withstood for so many years, because it does represent the one view that is exclusively true?

A robust worldview (part 2)

What is a worldview? According to Dictionary.com, a worldview can be defined in two ways:

1. The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.
2. A collection of beliefs about life and the universe held by an individual or a group.

Those who say they are Christians, according to the second definition would believe that Jesus is the most important person to have lived. In John 14:6, Jesus states, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." The Christian would therefore conclude that salvation is exclusively found in Jesus and only Jesus is worth living for.

I just returned from a Christian camp this past week and was challenged to think about the Church in America and those who call themselves Christian. I've been thinking a lot about the Church in the States and its commitment to Christ. It seems that many times we want to say we hold to a Christian worldview when in reality we become comfortable in playing church and not giving all that we have to Jesus. It is quiet simple to say that you are a Christian, anyone can do that. It is quiet simple to meet with the local church. Again, anyone can do that, even the atheist. What Jesus wants however is a person that puts him first in everything they do, say, and think. He wants nothing less than habitual surrender.

A recent Newsweek article stated that the Christian worldview is on the decline in America. The fault does not lie with the President, a particular political party, the media, hippies, or anything else. The blame lies squarely on the Christians in America. I'm afraid we are comfortable claiming the Christian worldview, but in reality our lives are no different than the various secular views of our culture.

It is easy to believe the Christian worldview, even The Devil believes in God (James 2:19). The problem is that many Christians don't allow their Christian worldview to shape their lives. In Matthew (Matt. 7:21-23) , Jesus said that there will come a day when individuals will claim that they had done many mighty things for him, but Jesus said: "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" Why would Jesus deny those who had worked for him? The answer I believe is that they never put their trust in the person of Jesus in the first place. It is so easy to claim to be a follower of Jesus (proclaiming a Christian worldview). However, where the rubber meets the road in verifying the Christian claim depends on how a person lives their life (Romans 12:2). Are you a secret agent Christian or do you really believe in the person of Jesus? A person who holds to a consistent Christian worldview will live in opposition to the world and exclusively for Jesus.

A robust worldview (Part 1)

In I Thessalonians 5:21, Paul states, "Test everything. Hold on to the good." Paul invites testing and we should too. Peter said, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (I Peter 3:15)." Peter and Paul are both talking to Christians. If you are a Christian, can you give a defense for the Christian worldview? I've heard Christians say countless times, "the Bible is too hard to understand." When I reply back, "Do you read your Bible?," the response is usually no.

How can you defend that which you do not know? How can you test, if you are not familiar with truth? In today's society we have too many people who say they are Christians, but don't even know why they are Christians. Peter and Paul are telling us that we need to know why. Maybe if you are not concerned about knowing why, you really are not concerned about Jesus? Jesus emphatically stated to his followers in Luke 6:46, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"

General Young Earth Creationist views

Here is a list of general view from a young earth perspective:

Religion- Theism
Prominent believers - Henry Morris, Ken Ham, John Mark Reynolds
Miracles - Many throughout history.
Evolution - Variations within limit, might be willing to accept microevolutionary views, but certainly not macro.
Age - Universe and earth usually thousands of years old. Upper limit would be 50,000 years, while most would hold a 10,000 or less scenario.
Human evolution - Adam and Eve are the literal first humans. Agreement with old earth perspective here.
Genesis account - Take it as literal as possible. Six, 24-hour days of creation. Creation days are the same as our days.
Science/Theology - Theology trumps science. Some would say that we always need to be wary of science.

• Bowman, Robert, Scripture: Outline studies in Authority, Cannon, and Criticism, p. 45

General Old Earth evolutionary views

Below are the general views of a Progressive Creationist:

Religion - Theism
Prominent believers - Robert Newman, Hugh Ross, William Lane Craig, J.P. Moreland
Miracles - many
Evolution - Microevolution, but not macroevolution.
Age - Universe about 14 billion years old and the earth about 4.6 billion years old. Agreement with current scientific understanding of the age question.
Human evolution - Humans are a special creation of God, no Darwinian evolution on this view.
Adam and Eve - Specially created as the first literal humans.
Genesis account - Historical narrative with some symbolic language.
Science/Theology - Both are equally valid as a source as to how we can obtain knowledge.

• Bowman, Robert, Scripture: Outline studies in Authority, Cannon, and Criticism, p. 45

General Theistic evolutionary views

Below is a list of general views as expressed by those who take a Theistic Evolutionary view:

Religion - Deism or Theism.
Prominent believers - C.S. Lewis, Howard Van Till
Miracles - Few, such as: creation, life, and soul.
Evolution - Macroevolution that is guided.
Age - Universe is billions of years old.
Human evolution - Darwinian human evolution, where the soul is a special creation of God.
First humans - Maybe no Adam and Eve.
Genesis account - Gives us spiritual truth, somewhat mythical.
Science/Theology - Science deals with physical reality, while theology deals with spiritual reality.

• Bowman, Robert, Scripture: Outline studies in Authority, Cannon, and Criticism, p. 45
  

General Darwinian evolutionary views

Below is a list of some general characteristics of a typical Darwinian view:

Religious view- Atheism(no God exists) or Pantheism (everything is god).
Prominent believers - Carl Sagan, Albert Einstein, Richard Dawkins.
Miracles - Zero (Miracles are non-existent).
Evolution - Panevolution (All has evolved by purely mechanist/naturalistic means).
Age - Universe is billions of years old (some would say it is eternal and others might say there are multiple universes in existence).
Human Evolution - Certainly by Darwin's mechanistic process (organic humans came from inorganic material).
First Humans - Who knows?, no Adam and Eve.
Genesis account - A myth without merit.
Science/Theology - Science tells us the truth (reality), whereas theology is only belief without the ability to give us truthful knowledge.

* Bowman, Robert, Scripture: Outline studies in Authority, Cannon, and Criticism, p. 45