Go simple with me please. Worldview is a complicated topic. The people over in the philosophy school tell us everyone has one and i can accept that without question. To understand the depth of existing and competing worldviews, however, is a little beyond me. So, give me some slack and let me generalize a little. Many times in this space I have acknowledged positions that are attributed to my Christian worldview. And, I'd like to explain what that means in my own meager, simple terms.
A worldview is how each of us views life. It is the foundation of our core values, personal morality, and ethical standards. At a basic level our worldview defines us and our response to the world around us. Or, it should. And, that is often the first problem point when discussing it. My Christian worldview is the basis of what I believe and should be the foundational principles about what I do. That's the source of many moral and ethical discrepancies these days. I don't always act in correlation with my worldview. Example? Well, yes, there are many and this is stretching the point a little. I'm created in the image of God. So are you. But, yesterday I saw a piece of delicious chocolate cake and I ate it. My blood sugar went sky high. By my chosen standards I'm supposed to follow my doctor's orders and avoid that sugary sweet stuff. Oops. World view violation---not following prescribed health orders. To the prayer rail last night. And, of course, this is a lesser violation of my professed worldview. But, you know...
OK, so what are the rubrics of my Christian worldview? Once again, go simple with me. These are the most prevalent points with no explanation---
[] There is one Sovereign God. [] God created the universe and everything in it. [] Man is created in the image of God. [] All people are worthy of respect and honor. [] Man was given dominion over creation by God.
[] Mankind is fallen and the world is broken. [] Jesus Christ is mankind's only hope for redemption. [] The Bible is the Word of God, authoritative in every matter of life and faith. [] God governs and provides for his creation.
Interestingly, by the fourth century these were the prevailing worldview elements of a majority of the western world. Yes, much of the eastern country populations professed forms of mysticism---Buddhism, Hinduism, the growing Muslim population. and several other smaller sects and groups. What is more, the spiritual demographics of the United States indicate that 70% of our population professes Christian faith. Whether or not they would affirm the above listed markers of a Christian worldview is one of the statistical mysteries of our times. Christian box checked yes. Worldview? Questionable.
Which creates moral and ethical dilemmas in every avenue of American public and political life. Need a good example? There are many and permit me to go simple once again. Abortion may be among the most visible discrepancies in our national profile. The Christian worldview abbreviated above acknowledges that man was created in the image of God. This stipulation, important to the Christian worldview, further professes the sanctity of human life. There is a divide line here, however. Many contemporary believers support a pro-choice position that accepts a woman's decision about the life of her child. My faith believes that life begins at conception while others disagree. As a result, the Christian community is divided and the Christian worldview is under scrutiny and public criticism. The Christian worldview is under attack because of this and other disparities. There are, of course, many others---the nature of marriage, gender identification, sexual standards, racism, and illegal immigration are just a few.
At root for me in the divine inspiration and authority of Scripture. Sola Scriptura, that is, Scripture alone, is our highest authority. The Bible affirms the existence of God and the listed points of our worldview. All of them are, however, debatable unless accepted as having been spoken by God.
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
for training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3: 16
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own
interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved
by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
2 Peter 1: 20-21
Few Christians will deny the existence of God or his creation of all things. There are arguments about the image of God in mankind and the sanctity of human life as well as several points about the other affirmations of the Christian worldview. The debate of most departures, however, involves the inspiration and authority of Scripture. Many people deny the infallibility and inerrancy of the Bible and therefore place question marks around the elements of the Christian worldview.
Today there is a collision of worldviews and resulting ethical, moral, spiritual, and even political stances. Give me the pleasure of discussing them further this week.
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