BIBLICAL WORLDVIEWS
PART
I
What is a
worldview? A worldview is the philosophical
filter through which people understand and react to everything in life. It is what guides a person in virtually
everything they do. It is how they view
everything, and governs how they respond to things. For a Christian, that filter is the Bible (Gutierrez, Ben and Weider, Lew 2011).
PART
II
How did life
begin? How did mankind come into
existence? A Biblical worldview begins with the presupposition that God exists
and that he created man, the earth, the universe and everything in them. Christians view Him as deeply involved in
each and every aspect of creation, speaking it into being, forming man out of
the ground and breathing life into him. (Colossians
1:17; Genesis 2:7) (Gutierrez, Ben and Weider, Lew 2011)
What does it mean to be
a human? Are humans more important than
animals? Mankind derives his identity
from God, his Creator. He was created
differently from the animals, with a soul and the ability to think and reason
things through. Mankind was created
above and in a position over the animals, yet below the angels. He is the one
thing that God pronounced as “very good” when He completed creation. It is mankind’s responsibility to be
caretakers of His creation, using them as stewards entrusted with a precious
resource. (Genesis 1:26-31; Hebrews 2:7) (Gutierrez,
Ben and Weider, Lew 2011)
Why does mankind exist?
What is his purpose? Why do I exist?
Man’s purpose is to know God in the way He desires to be known, through
a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ.
Man was put on this earth to walk in humble fellowship with God, and glorify
him by treating others with mercy and justice. (Micah 6:8; John 17:3) (Gutierrez,
Ben and Weider, Lew 2011)
What is meant by right
and wrong? How should I live? For a
person who ascribes to a Biblical worldview, the Bible is their ultimate
authority for the question of right versus wrong. There are very clear principles that are
outlined in the Scriptures, starting with the Ten Commandments, which can be derived
through study using scripture to interpret scripture. An understanding of cultural context is
necessary, particularly in application.
Mankind is recognized as fallen, incapable of doing anything under his
own power to redeem himself and restore the relationship with God. However, there is a means of redemption that
is freely offered to all men. That means of redemption is the death of Jesus
Christ on the cross. (2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians
2:8-9) (Gutierrez, Ben and Weider, Lew 2011)
Is there life after
death? What will happen to me when I
die? Will I have to answer for the
choices I made and how I lived my life?
At death, a Christian believes that man will exist in one of two very
real, literal places – Heaven or Hell. When
one accepts for himself the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross, they
may enter Heaven, where eternity is spent in fellowship with
God. If one dies without accepting
Christ they will be judged by their works, then enter an eternity of torment in
Hell. (Revelation 20:11-12; John 14:1-6) (Gutierrez, Ben and Weider, Lew
2011)
PART
III
As one who holds a
Christian or Biblical worldview, I believe that I have a responsibility to vote
based on those views. I examine the
candidates’ views first on social issues and second on economic and foreign
policy issues, in light of what I believe Scripture teaches. I believe I need to take both into
consideration and choose that person that best reflects that worldview,
acknowledging that ultimately God is the one who appoints rulers (Romans
13:1). I feel that as stewards of this
earth I have a responsibility to care for it, and our family does everything we
can to do so, from recycling as much as possible, cutting down on waste and
consolidating trips or riding a bicycle to work or on errands. Not only is it
good for the environment, but those practices also help us be better stewards
of our own bodies as well.
BIBLOGRAPHY
Gutierrez, Ben and Weider, Lew. "What is a
Worldview?" in Consider. Virginia Beach, Virginia: Academx
Publishing Services, 2011.
