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.