Worldviews
'Worldview' Defined
Category: Worldviews
If your neighbor were to ask you to describe your worldview, how would you respond? Would you know what they were talking about? Can you articulate your worldview? Do you know what a worldview is?
Our worldview (also called a life-view) is, simply put, the way in which we look upon our world; not the physical earth per se, but the totality of existence. It involves the underlying assumptions in our thinking about the universe, the filters through which we interpret the world around us. If we asked the question, “Why are things the way they are, rather than different than they are,” our foundational worldview would direct our answer. With respect to beliefs concerning the origin of the universe, ethics, purpose, time usage, money, marriage, college, family, literally everything that is part of our world, our worldview describes the basic presuppositions which influence our thinking and decision making.
For example, when election times come around I have heard Christians say that if a candidate is not pro-life then he or she is not an acceptable option. For these Christians, their view of the world is such that at the top of the list of requirements for a government representative is a high regard for human life. Now, suppose there are two pro-life candidates, and one of them wants to increase taxation in order to make government-sponsored programs such as health care and social security more extensive, and the other wants to reduce taxes in order to keep money in the hands of individuals. If your worldview includes a concept of government which is responsible to maintain the financial and medical well-being of its citizens, then you may opt for the former; if you see the government as primarily a protector against evildoers and believe that individuals should be responsible for their own fiscal well-being, then you may opt for the latter. In either case, the believer should seek the position that is a reflection of the teaching of Christ. Christians should have a Christian worldview in all things, including politics.
Everybody has a worldview. It is true that not everybody can explain their worldview in concrete, well-defined terms, but everybody has a system of thought through which they perceive their surroundings. If someone were to deny having a worldview because they believe that there are no filters through which to view the world, then they are filtering reality through the belief that there are no filters, which is their worldview.
We must be concerned with worldviews for two reasons: 1) to be sure that our view of reality is consistent with biblical principles, and 2) to understand our neighbor’s view of reality.
Is Wal-mart in Sin?
Category: Worldviews
In a New York Times article today, the topic was the anti-Wal-mart stance of several of our national politicians. Some of the quotes of the congressmen were,
"My problem with Wal-Mart is that I don’t see any indication that they care about the fate of middle-class people...They talk about paying them $10 an hour. That’s true. How can you live a middle-class life on that?”
And,
“Wal-Mart as an example of the problems that exist in America today is a powerful political issue...I think our party pretty much across the board agrees that people who work hard should be able to support their families. When a company like Wal-Mart fails to meet its corporate responsibility, it make it impossible for that to occur.”
According to these national lawmakers, Wal-mart has failed to "meet its corporate responsibility," because it doesn't pay its employees a high enough wage, nor does it provide adequate health care.
Here are my questions for you astute Christian thinkers. According to God, what is the role of the Government? Are the statements in this article the words of diligence and responsibility or politicians crossing into areas in which they lack biblical jurisdiction? In terms of wages, what obligation(s) does an employer have? Does the Bible support the concept of a mandatory minimum wage? Health care? Do Wal-mart employees have a Scriptural right to higher pay and benefits? Does the government have the right to enforce them?
This is an example of where the worldview rubber meets the road. How we interpret life will supply our answers to these questions.
Please share your views on this issue. I want to know what you are thinking.
Wal-Mart Cont'd
Category: Worldviews
Well, it appears that no one has any views on the Wal-Mart issue so I'll answer my own questions.
The primary role given by God to the government is to punish evildoers (see Romans 13), that is why it bears the sword. When a person, group, or corporation commits a crime, the magistrate should pour out the appropriate wrath. That's what governments are supposed to do--penalize illegal actions. It is almost exclusively a negative enterprise. By that I mean that God has tasked the state with the job of responding to crimes; He has not given it the job of promoting agendas.
However, the government in America has taken upon itself the responsibility not only to punish, but also to advance the causes of some of its citizens. For example, it takes money away from some of its people (via taxation) and gives it to others (via welfare, etc.). It has adopted many of the assumptions of socialism. Consequently, we find politicians asserting that Wal-Mart has a "corporate responsibility" to enable its employees to maintain a certain standard of living. The Scripture does not make the same assertion.
Let's think this through a little further. Suppose these government officials pressured Wal-Mart into providing a "middle-class life" for its workers. The cost of doing business, at least in terms of salary and benefits (which used to be considered a bonus, but apparently these lawmakers view them as a duty) would double (or so). Wal-Mart would then have to significantly increase prices in order to pay the increased wages. So, the millions of customers who shop at Wal-Mart every week would have to pay more for their products. Many of these customers are well below middle-class and would experience a significant decrease in their ability to purchase necessities.
Therefore, at least one result of a coerced raising of the Wal-Mart employees' lifestyles will be the lowering of the lifestyles of many of its customers. Of course, the consistent response would be for these lower-class citizens to seek congressmen to call out their employers for not providing enough compensation to enable them to live at a higher level. And if that happened, then these businesses would increase their prices, and all of their customers would experience a decreased ability to purchase the goods. Then they could demand that the government require their employers to pay them more. And on it would go, resulting in escalated prices for everything. But if the prices of everything increases, then what used to be a middle-class salary would no longer be enough to maintain a middle-class life, because everything would cost more. The employees of Wal-Mart would once again be victims of its failure to fulfill its "corporate responsibility." So, the government would have to step in and demand that Wal-Mart increase its payment to workers. And on it would go.
However, biblically-speaking, the only time the state should become involved in wage disputes is when the employer fails to pay what it has agreed to pay for the services rendered. If an agreement was reached, then the owner is obligated, legally, to pay the contracted amount, and any boss who withholds what is due ought to be punished. But it is not the government's place to determine wages. God has not given the civil magistrate the responsibility to guarantee a certain level of income for its constituents. Citizens do not have a right to a "middle-class life," and employers do not have an obligation to provide it.
Relativism
Category: Worldviews
Man is the measure of all things!
This declaration means that man determines what is true and what is not true. Man, not as mankind, but as each individual man. Each man measures what is true for him. This phrase could serve as the motto for America, but it was not written by an American. In fact, this statement was made four centuries before Christ by a Greek sophist named Protagoras. Nevertheless, the number of adherents of this worldview in his day is a drop in the bucket compared to today.
Today, we call this worldview relativism. It is the idea that there are no absolute truths; truth is determined by the individual. If I think that something is good and true, then for me it is. But for you it may be utterly false. For Christians, Jesus exists as Lord. For non-Christians, Jesus does not exist as Lord. Both are right, according to relativistic thinking. The relativist is willing to let Christians believe whatever we want to believe, as long as we don’t try to persuade anyone else to our way of thinking. Because everyone’s belief is equally true, we should not try to force others to accept our truth.
Relativism is absurd. For example, the Christian assertion that Jesus is Lord means that He is Lord of the universe. He is the Cosmic King. Now either Jesus is Lord of the universe or He is not. If not, my belief does not make Him the Cosmic King, even for me. And if so, someone else’s disbelief does not make Him cast Him from His throne. (The old adage about their being no atheists in foxholes would probably hold true for relativists.)
Furthermore, relativism is blasphemous. Jesus declared Himself to be the Truth. To say that truth is relative is to call Jesus a liar. Someday, unrepentant relativists will find out if God’s wrath is only true for those who believe in God’s wrath. Meanwhile, we should work to prove to as many people as possible the existence of Absolute Truth.
The Bible, Cosmo, What's the Difference?
Category: Worldviews
So Mr. Ellison of Minnesota wants to be sworn in to the office of the United States Congress by placing his hand on the Koran, rather than the Bible. Despite at least one man's attempt to argue against it, it is a necessary consequence of living in a pluralistic nation with a pluralistic government. The U.S. is not a Christian nation. Yes, it was founded by men who had a Christians worldview, but that worldview left the building before Elvis did. We are a secular-humanist nation with multitudes of Christian citizens. Our government has legalized the mass murder of unborn children, forbidden Christian education from government controlled schools, and when tragedy struck on September 11th, 2001, our president's response was to hold a polytheistic worship service. A nation concerned about honoring Christ would never endorse any of these things (not to mention the unlikely event that followers of Christ would freely choose a Muslim to be their magistrate). Our lawmakers do not seek to derive their ethical standards for passing statutes from the Bible, so why would we expect that they would acknowledge the God of the Bible on the front end? I wouldn't be surprised if Mrs. Clinton decided to be sworn in by placing her hand on Cosmopolitan Magazine. And on what basis would someone object? Sadly, Cosmo probably has more impact on Mrs. Clinton than the Bible does (for that matter, the same is true for many others who have taken the oath with hand on Bible).
Anyway, the whole concept of "swearing in" is obsolete. It no longer holds any real significance. It's a warning with no teeth. It has been relegated to the top shelf with all the other archaisms left over from the pre-enlightenment period like honoring parents and marital fidelity. It's nothing more than tradition in a culture where traditions are made to be broken. To be worth anything, an oath must have a Higher Authority who knows all and sees all, and to whom the oath-taker expects to give an account for his actions. There must be a real threat of punishment for disregarding the "values" of the ultimate Lawgiver. But how many of the U.S. Congressmen of the last three or four decades do you suppose really meant something like," Great God of the Bible, and my Lord Jesus Christ, I solemnly swear to govern this nation as Your vice-regent, and to punish evildoers according to Your standards of righteousness. If I fail to do this, may You be my Judge and sentence me accordingly." The Bible is used in the inauguration ceremony for the same reason that most people get married in churches--Uh, I dunno', that sounds good, I guess. At least, that's how my parents did it. If Mr. Ellison really believes that he is obligated to serve Allah faithfully, and expects to be held accountable by him, then in this respect at least he is far more noble than many others who did it the "Christian way."
Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy that it has finally come to this. But I am surprised it has taken so long. Such things are inevitable in a pluralistic, relativistic, individualistic, (i.e. atheistic) country.
How Times Have Changed
Category: Worldviews
I'm not one to always assume that "the good old days" were necessarily better than today. It is easy to become idealistic and myopic when evaluating the behaviors and beliefs of history (even as recent as a year or two ago); part of what makes something seem so bad now is that it is happening now. Cancer we have always seems worse than cancer we had.
Nevertheless, I will confess a sense of shock as my family watched an episode of Little House on the Prairie last night on DVD. It was entitled "Christmas at Plum Creek" (I think), and told a nice story about this poor family giving Christmas presents to each other from significant personal sacrifice. Laura sold her beloved horse to Nellie so that she could purchase a wood-burning stove for her mother (for $7.87, I might add). Mary, Pa, and Ma all worked very hard in order to provide something special for others.
At so many levels, it was conspicuously different from shows that are popular today (or at least from the advertisements, I cannot actually say that I have watched many current shows in their entirety). It is difficult to imagine a modern girl selling something so highly valued as Laura's horse so that she could be generous to her mother. It is difficult to imagine any modern TV character working as hard as the other three did (unless, of course, there is big money or high praise to be gained). Mary actually asked her father for permission to do something after school, and she waited for his answer, and she thanked him for allowing her to do it. Astonishing! And Nellie--who would be the star of the today's sitcoms, admired by all the middle school girls, the face of a popular line of fashion or cosmetics, and general role model--stands out as a selfish, mean-spirited, arrogant, snotty belligerent who is justifiably ridiculed and shunned. The clear distinction between good and evil, wisdom and folly, was a welcome sight.
But the biggest surprise was in the description of the meaning of Christmas. It wasn't, "a time for giving," or "when Santa brings presents to good kids (and kids who aren't good but gets them anyway because it would be unfair and judgmental to suggest that some kids are better than others)," or "one of many holidays that make people feel good and bring hope to our lives," it was, "God showing His love for the world by sending His Son, Jesus, into the world." Now, granted there was no mention of death on the cross, but to hear the word 'Jesus' coming from my TV speakers and not be profanity...; I'll take it. And also to mention Him as the Son of God, be still my heart. It is hard to believe that this was once one of the most popular shows on television enjoyed by masses of Americans. In this case, at least, Oh for the good old days!
Happy New Year, America!
Category: Worldviews
Because of the pluralism of the United States, it is becoming increasingly impolite to wish people "Merry Christmas!" at this time of year. As every Christian knows, 'Happy Holidays!' and 'Season's Greetings!' have become the appropriate and acceptable options for addressing others. It seems that anything specific to Christmas is considered narrow-minded and offensive because it is exclusively Christian.
The fact that the very same people who object to Merry Christmas! will grant a hearty Happy New Year! to many others during the next few days, shows the ignorance which pervades our nation. Millions of people will celebrate on Sunday night, partying on and on in jubilant glee, ringing in the new year--2007. But they never stop to ask the question, 2007 years since what? (Who cares, so long as they have a reason to engage in licentious debauchery, right?) New Years is as much a Christian holiday as Christmas, for the entire western world is counting the years since Christ was exalted to the heavenly throne. Unwittingly, millions of cynics and religious oppressors are going to dance, drink, and kiss in celebration of the 2,007th year of the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. Isn't that ironic?
So raise a glass to your neighbors and say to them, "Here's to another year under the gracious and sovereign rule of the Son of God. Happy New Year!" and watch their reaction.
Happy New Year . . . AD 2007!
Christian Worldview Research: Anthropology
Category: Worldviews
[These are worldview "quick hits" that I did for the class that was to become The Truth Project. Maybe they will provoke some thoughts as you compare God's word with the world's view of life.]
Christian Worldview Research Worksheet
(Douglas Goodin, 2004)
Worldview Area: Anthropology
Selected attribute of God that is critical to this area: Justice
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Exodus 34:7 & Romans 2:6
Selected attribute of man that is critical to understanding this area: Depravity
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Genesis 6:5 & Romans 3:9-18
Describe the importance of the attributes in understanding this worldview area. Include any other primary truth revealed in the Scriptures regarding this area (principles, observations, examples, etc.):
God created a world and pronounced His benediction upon it—“Very good.” Men have become morally corrupt, seeking their own ways and doing whatsoever seems good in their own eyes (Judges 21:25; Isaiah 53:6). The Scripture reveals that God regarded Adam’s sin as the sin of all men (Rom. 5:12ff), and, justly, condemned all men. Part of the judgment involves the proclivity of men and women to sin against Him (Rom. 1:18ff). This natural depravity demonstrates God’s justice as revealed against Adam’s sin.
The Biblical Christian worldview position on this area:
The first man and woman were created good and righteous. However, they rebelled against their Creator and, consequentially, all of their progeny is born with a predisposition toward committing evil. In a word, men are depraved by nature. Human beings are not inclined to be kind, generous, loving and selfless; these are learned behaviors. I did not, however, have to teach my two-year-old to refuse to acquiesce to my instructions; she figured out how to do that on her own.
Our Culture’s worldview position on this area:
Mankind is naturally good, or (at least) neutral. Men do what men instinctively do (and acting out of instinct is not something to be questioned or shunned). There may be some behaviors which are not preferable and need to be redirected (such as hurting kids), but even these are rarely regarded as bad. If people need to be corrected, then schools, government, and other social entities are the ones who should be doing it.
Christian Worldview Research-Economics
Category: Worldviews
Christian Worldview Research Worksheet
(Douglas Goodin, 2005)
Worldview Area: Economics
Selected attribute of God that is critical to this area: Owner
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Psalm 50:10; Psalm 104:24
Selected attribute of man that is critical to understanding this area: Steward
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Luke 16:10ff. & 2 Cor. 9:5,6
Describe the importance of the attributes in understanding this worldview area. Include any other primary truth revealed in the Scriptures regarding this area (principles, observations, examples, etc.):
God is the owner of everything, therefore, men should recognize that their possessions are not really theirs, but are "on loan" from God. Consequently, we must follow God’s stipulations for dealing with property.
The Biblical Christian worldview position on this area:
Men have been granted the privilege of using and enjoying God’s property. But this privilege comes with the responsibility to manage it according to His instructions. He has established the right to own property and the prohibition against taking the property of others. As steward-owners, men should use their possessions to increase profit in order to give to those who have need. The economic model closest to biblical principles is capitalism.
Our Culture’s worldview position on this area:
Capitalism is supported by many in our culture, however the philosophers of today who maintain humanistic ideologies gravitate toward socialism. Property rights and wealth are antithetical to the greater human cause. It is not appropriate to allow a few individuals to enjoy opulence when the majority of humans are at a financial disadvantage. Many politicians adopt a humanistic worldview, and therefore believe it is their duty to take money from the haves and give it to the have-nots.
Christian Worldview Research-History
Category: Worldviews
Christian Worldview Research Worksheet
(Douglas Goodin, 2004)
Worldview Area: History
Selected attribute of God that is critical to this area: Providence
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Acts 17:26-28 & Ephesians 1:11
Selected attribute of man that is critical to understanding this area: Dignity
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Esther 4:14 & Psalm 103:14
Describe the importance of the attributes in understanding this worldview area. Include any other primary truth revealed in the Scriptures regarding this area (principles, observations, examples, etc.):
God is in control over His creation, and He is bringing to pass His decree. Jesus was the lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Rev. 13:8), thus all history prior to the advent of Christ was preparing for and anticipating the cross. Since Calvary, Christ has been building His church. Through all of this, God is in charge. This establishes the worth of men, for they have a place in God’s world and a purpose in His plan. It also places the proper perspective on man, namely, that he is here when God determined and to serve the ends which God has determined; this keeps him from becoming haughty and self-absorbed.
The Biblical Christian worldview position on this area:
History is the outworking of God’s design and desire. Nothing happens by accident, and nothing can thwart God’s plan. History is the record of how God has been moving time and events toward His foreordained destiny.
Our Culture’s worldview position on this area:
History is the record of unplanned, purposeless events which may be reconstructed and retold in any form by anyone. Nevertheless, history is important because it carries weight in the minds of the current culture. Precedent provides acceptance. Any decision of the Court can be justified if it can be tied to a prior Court's decision (unless, of course, that prior decision is based on Scriptural principles).
Christian Worldview Research-Law
Category: Worldviews
Christian Worldview Research Worksheet
(Douglas Goodin, 2005)
Worldview Area: Law
Selected attribute of God that is critical to this area: Justice
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Exod. 34:7; Rom. 3:26
Selected attribute of man that is critical to understanding this area: Volitional
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Josh 24:15 & Matt. 23:37
Describe the importance of the attributes in understanding this worldview area. Include any other primary truth revealed in the Scriptures regarding this area (principles, observations, examples, etc.):
God is a just God who cannot allow disobedience to go unpunished. Disobedience is the opposite of obedience, which presupposes the existence of a standard or rule which must be followed. Disobedience also presupposes an agent capable of disobeying.
The Biblical Christian worldview position on this area:
God has revealed His law to mankind. In Romans, the apostle explains that all men possess a God-given conscience which convicts them of unrighteousness (2:14-16). Furthermore, he affirms that evil-doers understand that their actions are unlawful and deserving of punishment (1:32). God has also revealed His commands in Scripture which give clear direction for men to follow in order to please God.
Our Culture’s worldview position on this area:
Since there is no ultimate Law-Giver, there is no absolute law. Men are a law unto themselves. This view permeates popular lingo: If it feels good, do it. It’s all good. Whatever! To each his own. Whatever floats your boat.
Research Worksheet-Philosophy
Category: Worldviews
Christian Worldview Research Worksheet
(Douglas Goodin, 2004)
Worldview Area: Philosophy
Selected attribute of God that is critical to this area: Existence
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Genesis 1:1 & Exodus 3:14
Selected attribute of man that is critical to understanding this area: Purpose
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Colossians 1:16 & Romans 11:36
Describe the importance of the attributes in understanding this worldview area. Include any other primary truth revealed in the Scriptures regarding this area (principles, observations, examples, etc.):
The existence of a First Cause (God) is necessary for the existence of anything else. The design of an Orderer is necessary to explain order in the universe. That man was designed for a purpose by an intelligent Being outside of nature is necessary if man’s existence is to have any meaning whatsoever. Also, a supernatural explanation for thinking is required if man’s thoughts are to be granted any credibility; for otherwise they are merely reflexes of the brain. If God does not exist, then existence is a manifest absurdity and man’s destiny is non-existence.
The Biblical Christian worldview position on this area:
The Christian worldview affirms the natural realm, but also that something transcends the natural realm—the supernatural. Furthermore, it posits that the natural owes its existence to God, who is outside of nature. With reference to causality, the universe was brought into existence by God; with reference to purpose, the universe exists to accomplish His plan. God is self-existent; He is, necessarily; He is the First Cause of everything that is not God.
Our Culture’s worldview position on this area:
The cosmos is all there is, all there was, and all there ever will be. Nature is all that exists, and reality is limited to things which can be perceived by the senses and tested in a laboratory. Nothing beyond nature exists, or if it does it is unknowable. The universe is an uncaused accident, and there is no rhyme or reason for it. It simply is, without purpose or design. It is reasonable to pursue what; it is irrational to pursue why.
Research Worksheet-Politics
Category: Worldviews
Christian Worldview Research Worksheet
(Douglas Goodin, 2005)
Worldview Area: Politics
Selected attribute of God that is critical to this area: Righteous
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Ezra 9:15; Heb. 1:9
Selected attribute of man that is critical to understanding this area: Sinful
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Eph. 2:1-3 & Rom. 3:9-18
Describe the importance of the attributes in understanding this worldview area. Include any other primary truth revealed in the Scriptures regarding this area (principles, observations, examples, etc.):
God, in His righteousness, desires an orderly, obedient society of human beings. He has established laws, rulers, and governments to maintain this order, and they are necessary because the members of this society are predisposed to evil behaviors.
The Biblical Christian worldview position on this area:
God has established the State to govern the affairs of men. Specifically, the magistrate is intended to punish evil and commend good (Rom. 13:1ff). In order to be obedient to God, Christians must obey the civil authority, which is God’s instrument of justice. However, if the state commands what God prohibits or prohibits what God commands, then the Christian must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
Our Culture’s worldview position on this area:
Humanistic presuppositions render the culture’s view of politics to be, necessarily, democratic. If man is the highest good, then the opinion of the majority of men will rule the others. As with law, the government cannot operate based on ultimate standards of good and evil; rather, moral relativism and common consensus provide the backbone (of rubber) for the state. In America, the constitution as interpreted and applied by the majority of the current Supreme Court members serves as the highest de facto rule.
Research Worksheet-Science
Category: Worldviews
Christian Worldview Research Worksheet
Worldview Area: Science
Selected attribute of God that is critical to this area: Creator of Life
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Genesis 1: 26, 27 & Genesis 2:7
Selected attribute of man that is critical to understanding this area: Dependence
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Acts 17:28 & Job 12:10
Describe the importance of the attributes in understanding this worldview area. Include any other primary truth revealed in the Scriptures regarding this area (principles, observations, examples, etc.):
Science, biological science in particular, will be practiced according to one’s presuppositions. Understanding that God created human beings in His image will provoke worship and awe in the scientist who pursues knowledge—“For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” (Psalm 139:13-16). Also, recognizing the true Creator/creature relationship will restrain the biologist from treading where he should not go (e.g. cloning).
The Biblical Christian worldview position on this area:
God is the Creator of life. He formed dust into the shape of man, breathed into it, and it became him, a living soul. Each person’s existence is dependent, ultimately, on God (not parents) and man is reliant upon God’s sustaining power for every breath he takes. God created man in His image, therefore, every life is dignified.
Our Culture’s worldview position on this area:
Time and chance eventually gave birth to life. Men are the result of fortunate evolutionary processes. Therefore, men have no one to whom they are accountable, and they possess the same dignity as maggots.
Research Worksheet-Sociology
Category: Worldviews
Christian Worldview Research Worksheet
Worldview Area: Sociology
Selected attribute of God that is critical to this area: Tri-unity
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Matt. 3:16, 17; Gen. 1:26
Selected attribute of man that is critical to understanding this area: Social
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Genesis 2:18 & Hebrews 10:23-25
Describe the importance of the attributes in understanding this worldview area. Include any other primary truth revealed in the Scriptures regarding this area (principles, observations, examples, etc.):
It is important to understand that God is one essence and three persons. The establishment of social relationships flows directly from the nature of God, and therefore, the communal aspects of mankind are part of the image of God.
The Biblical Christian worldview position on this area:
God is Himself a social being in that there is communion within the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God has made man to be a social being as well. After creating a good universe, God found that it was not good for man to be alone and proceeded to create a woman; thus society began. God has given certain rights and responsibilities to humans as individuals, in marriage and family, as worshippers, as workers, etc., to arrange society according to godly principles (which is hampered by the fact that men have become depraved after Adam’s fall).
Our Culture’s worldview position on this area:
Society includes everyone, but the traditional subdivisions of family and church are archaic and repressive. Monogamy is unnatural and contrary to our evolutionary instincts, church (and all belief in the supernatural) places restrictions on people which have no basis since they are based on supernatural beliefs. If we could rid ourselves of these constraints, we could move toward utopia.
Research Worksheet-Theology
Category: Worldviews
Christian Worldview Research Worksheet
Worldview Area: Theology
Selected attribute of God that is critical to this area: Sovereignty
Two key verses revealing this attribute: Ephesians 1:11 & Romans 14:11
Selected attribute of man that is critical to understanding this area: Humility
Two key verses revealing this attribute: 1 Peter 5:5, 6 & Romans 12:3
Describe the importance of the attributes in understanding this worldview area. Include any other primary truth revealed in the Scriptures regarding this area (principles, observations, examples, etc.):
If there is no God, then men have no one to whom they are accountable; and humility seems to be a non sequitur. If there is a God, then it is becoming for all creatures to recognize and submit to His authority. As the Scripture says, the one who denies God is a fool, and fools do not understand that they are on divine life-support from the moment they draw their first breath.
The Biblical Christian worldview position on this area: God is.
Our Culture’s worldview position on this area: God is not.
Got Faith?
Category: Worldviews
We are hearing a lot about faith these days from the presidential wannabe's. For example, Mrs. Clinton affirmed that faith is what got her through her husband's infidelity and that faith is very important to her. This was quickly followed by the reputation-saving qualification--her faith is very private. Of course it's private. In our intolerant milieu, faith is tolerable as long as you keep its objectivity out of the public square, but for someone to express that what they believe is the truth and, therefore, everyone else ought to believe it too, is not. What we are rarely told is who or what the faith is in. I have not heard any of these leaders say something like, "My faith is in the Triune God who lives and who revealed Himself on the inerrant pages of holy Scripture" or "My faith in Allah (the one true God and Mohammed is his prophet) is what drives me." But emphasizing faith without its object is a bit like buying a ferrari and inviting all your friends over to check out your new car keys.
Now the one exception to this, which caught me by surprise, was when John Edwards actually referred to "my Lord, Jesus Christ." I want to commend him for this. However, I would sure love to know what he meant by "Lord." Does he truly believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God who has been invested with all authority in heaven and earth? Is that what he means? Is Mr. Edwards affirming that all American laws and practices should be informed by, and conformed to, the commands of Christ? Does he avow that Jesus Christ is not merely the Lord of John Edwards, but also the Lord of every other living human being whether they acknowledge Him or not? Or, is Jesus his preferred faith object, but he would hate to impose his personal decision on anyone else? And does he view this Lord as someone who has no business hanging around capitol hill?
Like It or Not
Category: Worldviews
When the Creator of the universe put the first male on the earth, He decided that something was missing--a wife. Adam was called to be God's steward over creation, keeping it productive and well-ordered, and to accomplish this most effectively required a helper. Notice the structure: Man is given the task of work and his wife provides invaluable assistance. When we follow the divine design, it works.
Despite the rhetoric of the feminists who desperately try to buck the system, God's plan will prevail. As this article from the Colorado Springs Gazette reveals, even women who try to be men recognize the beauty of the divine model.
Hmmmm, I Say
Category: Worldviews
When I think of scruples and selectivity, my mind does not quickly jump to Barnes and Nobles or Borders bookstores. A quick glance through the shelves at either will find too many deplorable books to count. So, my question for them is this, What makes one book "stockable" and another non-stockable? Because, apparently, there are some things they want to keep out of people's hands.
(However, they will force themselves to take your money if you want to special order a copy.)
The Golden Compass
Category: Worldviews
The Golden Compass is getting a lot of press, especially among Christians who are concerned with its message and goal. Dr. Al Mohler has written an excellent review and assessment to help us be aware of the movie, the book and the author, and his advice in how we respond is sound. I strongly recommend that you read it here.
The Real American Idol
Category: Worldviews
Where to begin? This brief story is the story of our culture. Read it, and then comeback.
Actress Kate Walsh: "[O]ne-in-four teenage girls (in the US) between the ages of 14 and 19 are infected with STIs (sexually transmitted infections), and that, to me, is appalling and shameful."
How did they arrive at this number? Come poll the teenaged girls I know and see if the results are cause for alarm. But the real issue in this statement is that Ms. Walsh is appalled and thinks somebody ought to be ashamed. She is not appalled at the fact that fourteen year-old girls are having sex. That is not cause for shame. No, the outrage is over the fact that these girls have not been educated properly as to how to have sex without being infected. More must be done! And simply telling kids not to have sex is . . .
"[L]ike asking them not to grow. It's like we don't ask people to not try out for sports. We don't ask people to stop learning. It's just a natural human process, and we need to be educating people. If abstinence-only did work, we wouldn't be seeing these kinds of statistics. We wouldn't be seeing these young women suffering like this."
According to Ms. Walsh (an outspoken advocate and supporter and "face" for Planned Parenthood), an abstinence-only program has the same chance of stopping teen sex as a "stay three-feet tall" program has of preventing a kid from growing longer legs and arms. If her logic is right, then girls can't remain virgins throughout her teenage years. It's impossible. Then the analogy changes to compare teen sex with playing school volleyball or studying science. They all belong in the same category.
This is the necessary conclusion for those educated at Darwin University. Since we are just the products of random natural forces, there is no place for any restraint or ethical declarations regarding our behavior. Evolution Almighty has determined that somewhere after the first decade of life (usually), a child gets bigger. So also, it has determined that a child should begin having sex. It's natural. It's good. It's not to be shunned. The only thing to worry about is how to enjoy it without suffering any of the consequences like infection, disease, and unwanted pregnancy.
There is something wrong, however. There is one thing that is morally reprehensible (her words: appalling and shameful). The fact that these young girls are not being taught about the negative ramifications:
"[T]hese young women are being infected because they honestly just don't have the information." Notice the word "because." These girls are not being infected because they are having sex. They are being infected because they have not been educated about the potential for, and protection against, the infections. Let's think about this. When the government determined that lead-based paint and asbestos were infecting children and causing cancer, they didn't say, "Go ahead and use it in your homes, but we want to educate you on how to avoid the hazardous consequences. You should always wear certain types of masks and clothing when you enter a building containing them." No, they implemented an abstinence-only law. But in the case of sex, the concern is not to stop the activity that causes the problem because that would be like asking a kid to stop blinking.
The last thing I will comment on is her revealing (and shamefully appalling) view of the government and parents. Ms. Walsh said, "[T]here just needs to be a comprehensive sex education program, and we can't be relying on, you know, private foundations or parents or, you know, teens' peers to be educating each other. We really do need government help on this." Parents cannot be trusted to determine the sexual practices of their children, it's the government's responsibility. Our savior, our protector, our supplier, our teacher is the State. The government is becoming more and more the god of America. We rely upon it for everything. For health, wealth, printing money when we run out, saving banks from bankruptcy, and everything else in life we turn to the State to be the rock of our salvation. America has many idols, but the most high god is the government.
And in this "Statocracy," what is the role of the parents? Have sex and make babies; and those you don't kill, hand over to the king.
Lest We Forget
Category: Worldviews
According to its 2006-2007 annual report, Planned Parenthood takes responsibility for the murder of 289,750 babies (my words, obviously) last year. Over $336,000,000 of the money which funded their activities came from the U.S. government. That's over three hundred and thirty-six million of our tax dollars given to an organization that kills helpless infants.
I know that those who typically read this blog already understand the prodigious wickedness of killing children. And you know that Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading perpetrator of this crime. And you probably also know that our government supports their efforts. So this is not new news to you. I just want to make sure it doesn't become "old news."
You Mean We're Not Beasts?
Category: Worldviews
"For of what use is existence to the creature if it cannot know its Maker? How could men be reasonable beings if they had no knowledge of the Word and Reason of the Father, through Whom they had received their being? They would be no better than the beasts."
~ St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation