Christian Worldview Essay

There is a universal absolute truth that can be known – God is the Ultimate reality. Life has meaning and purpose – death is not the end. History is purposeful and illustrates the movement toward the fulfillment of God’s plan for His creation. Human beings are created in the image of God – physical and spiritual beings who can know and relate to God. Everything that exists is a creation of God’s intelligent design. †¢The Importance of Testing a Worldview Samples (2007) states, â€Å"A person’s worldview is the prism through which one makes sense of life and death. Therefore it is critical to have a view that is genuinely clear and distinct† (p. 27). My worldview provides the basis for all of my decisions, thoughts, and actions. For this reason, I want to make sure that the prism I am using has no cracks or inconsistencies in it that will distort my vision. By applying three major tests, I will be able to determine the validity of my worldview and deepen my faith through truth. †¢Three Major Tests According to Cosgrove (2006), the following questions should be asked: Test of EvidenceÃ'Ž â€Å"Is your worldview in agreement with scientific and experiential observations? Does the worldview fit the world? † (p. 66). Test of Logical Consistency â€Å"Does every belief in the worldview agree with every other belief in that worldview? † (p. 67). Test of Existential Repugnance â€Å"Is it possible to live the worldview in the world – can it be lived in real life? † (p. 68). †¢Results Test of Evidence †¢Human biochemical design is completely different than any other species on Earth. †¢Human †¢Human mind is complex and capable of thought and reasoning.beings have personality and character and the only species on Earth with linguistic abilities. †¢Human beings are instilled with an intrinsic desire for truth, morality, purpose, and destiny. †¢Human †¢All beings have free will and the ability to choose. organisms are designed with a tendency toward selfpreservation. †¢Everything in existence (mankind, animals, nature, the Universe) has intentional design, purpose, and order. †¢Results Test of Logical Consistency †¢Human beings have self-awareness, language, creativity, and the ability to communicate. †¢Each human has a basic personality make-up of mind, will, feelings, emotions, and personal identity. †¢Everything that has been created can be investigated and known because it is rational, ordered, and predictable. †¢There †¢There are absolute moral laws reflecting the character and nature of God. is unity of spiritual and physical worlds – a reality beyond the material world (the substance of which is beyond the comprehension of mankind). †¢. Human beings are spiritually motivated and have an inherent need to believe in something greater than themselves. †¢Creation reveals God’s character and nature. †¢Results Test of Existential Repugnance †¢History proves deterioration of societal morals, values, and behavior when God is removed from the cultural equation. †¢Fulfillment is experienced when actions and behavior reflect God’s nature and character. †¢Evidence provided within the church by those who share likeminded worldviews that the worldview can be lived out in real life. †¢Above all, I live my worldview in real life daily and experience spiritual growth, diminished self-centeredness, and expanding trust in Him on a continual basis. †¢Reaction to the Results For the first time in my life, I was able to see in black and white just how much God has done for me and the depth of healing that has occurred within my mind and soul. I have experienced a worldview without God. It is a life devoid of hope, trust, and love. I realized that I still have so much to learn, but I am convinced I am on the right track and living as I was created to live. My worldview will continue to develop through experiences that bring more clarity of His character through faith and learning. Recent World Events †¢Effect of World Events on Worldview Recent world events have served to solidify my worldview and confirm the truth of God’s word in the Bible. Genesis 3:7-19 documents how we have come to live in a fallen world (NKJV). As a result, the world has to contend with sickness, sorrow, evil and death. As I see world events occur, I know that I am seeing through my own eyes the truth being revealed before me. We live in a broken world. Whether natural disasters or manmade tragedies, I know that God can see what I can’t see. Through my own experiences, I have come to know with all my heart that I can trust that God is in control. Because of this, I have no need to fear the world events that occur, but instead recognize that it is all part of His plan to redeem His people and fulfill the purpose He has for His creation. Because of this, I need not fear what is happening, but use it as the opportunity to show the love of Jesus Christ through compassion and willingness to help. †¢Ways Recent Events Have Changed Worldview The real test for my worldview comes in putting my beliefs into action. It is one thing to say, but quite another to go the extra mile and do. Recent world events have caused me to look inside and muster up the courage to act on what I believe. Amazingly, I have discovered that each time I do reach out and become involved, my love for God and others deepens, the truth of His word becomes more obvious, and my awareness of who He is expands through practical application. †¢Conclusion The presuppositions making up my worldview can never be proven or demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt. Faith is essential, for by faith, I am entrusting myself to God. As I entrust myself to God I receive certainty, connection, and the ground for my existence. It is this entrusting that I meet God in myself and in creation, even as God meets me. Through faith, I am graciously renewed. I experience connection with self, others, creation, and God, who is the healing power and sustaining ground of my life. This commitment to faith integrates and guides my daily experience. †¢In the Final Analysis My worldview is as individual as I am. Shaped by experience, my worldview has evolved to what it is today. I have discovered God’s Truth because my life is evidence of the truth. I tried every technique, medication, and therapy known to man trying to change my life – the results were nil until I became saved. God orchestrated changes within me that have transformed my being. Only God had the capability to heal my soul-sickness and fill the empty void within me that I had felt my entire life. I may not have all of the answers, but one thing I do have is unshakable faith and belief born on the evidence I have seen (and lived). †¢A Parting Thought As clearly illustrated in his admonishment to the believers in Colossae, the Apostle Paul understood the importance of testing one’s worldview; â€Å"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. † (Colossians 2:8, NKJV). Just as it was important then, this reproach should be heeded today. †¢References Cosgrove, M. (2006). Foundations of Christian thought: Faith, learning and the Christian worldview. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. Samples, K. (2007). A world of difference: Putting Christian truth-claims to the worldview test. Dartmouth: Baker Books.