Saturday, September 8, 2012

Biblical Worldview

I'm going to post my first paper as my blog entry today.  Since it appears I'm not getting much traffic on this blog, it's probably more for my own benefit than anyone elses'.    But, if anyone happens to stumble on this and reads it, any constructive comments are appreciated!


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.





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