The whole idea of whateverism as a worldview is offensive. That the land of the free and the home of the brave has moved to such low religious, philosophical, and social standards is shocking. What is more, there is an emerging, more recent version of this everything goes worldview. Enter stage left---please note that these odd twists usually enter stage left---whateverism lite. It is the hodgepodge, synthetic worldview taken down a notch. Today whateverism lite is the belief system of touchy-feely snowflakes who are offended by anything substantial or absolute. And, these people are not all members of the millennial generational cohort. The Urban Dictionary, a personal favorite when defining contemporary language, states that a snowflake used to be someone, usually on the political left, who is easily offended or felt they needed a "safe space" away from the harsh realities of the world. Now it has morphed into a general putdown for anyone that complains about any subject (click here to read the Urban Dictionary treatment of the term). What is more, there are millions of them. And, they own the media, Hollywood, and are attempting to own the United State government.
As a result, the thought of subscribing to any specific worldview is anathema to the whateverism lite subset. Even with broad parameters they all posit forms of truth or markers of belief, however slight. The new whateverist lite proponents blanche at any and every line item of belief. Regardless of the headings, the response is usually "whatever?", the question mark emphasized. It's one of the more perplexing subtexts in just about any analysis category today, whether in religion, politics, moral debate, ethical alternatives, educational policy, or something as simple as professional sports. Translated into basic English, it means that a great percentage of Americans don't know what they believe about anything. And, how we can function in exponential times without deeply held beliefs is one of the more mystifying questions. Seemingly elemental choices are shoved into the whatever category---which church, if any, do we attend? Where do we shop? Which television stations do we frequent? How do we vote? What products do we purchase? And, the list goes on.
Then there are the almost categories. I can't tell you how a walk through the church parking lot raises these questions in me. Thankfully the drivers of those vehicles are in church, or apparently so. Their bumper stickers and decals place question marks around my positive assumptions, however. Many of them indicate support of political candidates who are decidedly pro-choice in their view of the abortion controversy. In the same way, they promote affiliation with organizations far outside even the broadest parameters of a Christian worldview, a showplace of slogans and advertising of groups notably associated with the other worldviews. Yes, I'm always thankful they are in church to receive Bible truth. Wondering, however, if they are among the many church attenders who do not live the Christian life beyond Sunday. And, yes, I know that is judgmental. Then again, there is the fruit thing---
As previously mentioned, the Christian worldview is not a little of this and a little of that. The precepts that define the Christian worldview are, in fact, more than a list of ideals to be affirmed. They are part and parcel of a life to be lived. Once again, these ideals, in short, are---
[] 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.
Scripture reminds us that these are life changing realities, affirmed in the heart and mind, expressed in the hands and feet. Take note of several passages---
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one
who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord,
Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many
mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart
from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7: 21-23, ESV
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a
hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face
in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.
But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no
hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
James 1: 22-26, ESV
As usual, there are many, many more. It is a consistent truth of both Testaments.
Worldview matters. It defines us. Or, it should. And, the Christian worldview is the one envisioned by our founders, and is so desperately needed in these fast and complex times.
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