1c. SAVED TO SERVE

An Introduction to Worldview

BY DR. EARL PARVIN, 8/21/2019

All born again Believers in Jesus Christ are commissioned to serve our Living God and Savior. The orders are: “Therefore go [literally: Having Gone] and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” [Mt 28:19]. How do we obey our Commander and follow orders?

FIRST: we need to write out one’s own personal testimony that I may be conversant in what I believe. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with GENTLENESS AND RESPECT” [I Peter 3:15]. {No coercion or Beheading}

SECOND: “Gentleness and respect” INDICATES that I know something about what he believes, that I not be offensive. That means I need to know something, about his WORLDVIEW. Worldview is defined as… “HOW SIGNIFICANT IS HIS GOD IN HIS LIFE?” Let us illustrate:

1. Christian = God is Father, Friend, Compassionate, Just

                    God is Son, who died to pay for my sin debt & my Advocate

                    God the Holy Spirit, who indwells the believer, patiently guiding & encouraging

2. Muslim = Allah is Caliph, Angry, Tyrant, Demanding

3. Jew = Jehovah is Covenant Maker, One, Supreme, Shekina, God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob

4. Shintoist = Kami Spirits to be Venerated,  are omnipresent, especially in land of Japan

5. Animist = Great Spirit is fearful, Taboo

6. Hindu =  gods are Accountants keeping the books by Karma

7. Buddhist = Sage, Sign Post, Guide, Gautama [that is the way, good luck]

8. Modernist = Chef with smorgasbord of doctrines to choose from

9. Creationist = Creator/Sustainer Universe

10. Atheist = He is his own Significant Other

One’s worldview will skew everything he does in life; therefore, note the Presuppositions of WV:

1. Necessity of FAITH: its definition is critical, Note: A BELIEF WHICH DOES NOT RELY ON LOGICAL PROOF OR MATERIAL EVIDENCE. [Not a Biblical term, totally secular]

2. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD [or some significant other, which could be himself]

3. THAT GOD HAS SPOKEN [which may or may not be recorded, but Revered as Divine]

4. ABSOLUTE TRUTH [that spoken is final, required, or not]

5. ETHICAL MORALITY [life’s standard for living]