2 – BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
2. UNDERSTANDING A BIBLICAL
WORLDVIEW
BY DR. EARL PARVIN
INTRODUCTION
Now we begin to create a Biblically based worldview of a “committed, evangelical Christian”, to use the designation that Barna gives to those who are committed to a strict, literal interpretation of only the Bible for a Biblical view of the world in which we live and participate. [Barna’s research suggests that only 17% of ‘committed’ Christians have a Biblical Worldview. The American Culture & Faith Institute indicate that it is only 10%.] Thus it is critical that we continue our studies together. Then we can embark on seeking to understand the worldview of those committed to other religions. This should help the Christian understand what he believes and WHY he believes
Definitions are critical for a clear understanding of the implications of our worldview as well as that of others who may well use the same terms, but give a totally different ‘spin’ to the meaning. Any one in training to recognize counterfeit money, will first gain a critical understanding of true currency. On that basis, you will be able to recognize the counterfeit.
THE PRESUPPOSITIONS:
1. THE NECESSITY OF FAITH
We as born again believers are fully aware that the “just shall live by faith” [Hab 2:4; Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11 & Heb 10:8. Isaiah said, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” [7:9].
Remember the dictionary definition of faith. “Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence”. However, this faith is not a leap in the dark accepting any wild idea presented. Our faith is bound to and limited by the Word of God. It will be shocking to discover that the concept of FAITH, as the dictionary defines it, is absolutely essential for those who function by all other worldviews as well!? It is driven by their addiction to their ‘word of god or gods’. It is also absolutely essential to understand how an intelligent scientist, who claims to be a Christian, can hold to an evolutionist position for which there is ‘no logical proof or material evidence’. A position to which he is driven because he is not willing to accept the directives of the Bible alone as the Word of God without error, and sees it as irrelevant in matters of origins. He relegates Intelligent Design to the realm of religion. Or, he may accept Theistic Evolution which accommodates “science” by suggesting god created the original ‘whatever’ and let evolution take over from there including eons of time.
Because of our Biblical orientation and definitions, we can better relate to those holding other positions because we UNDERSTAND where they deviate from TRUTH. Without that understanding, it is easy to fall prey to impatience or even anger and thus diminish or even loose our ability to effectively witness to them of God’s emancipating grace.
Our understanding of faith leads us to the next presupposition, that of the existence of God.
2. THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
Most people used to be God fearers until science seemed to suggest that god was obsolete. Natural Laws seemed to be able to explain everything; therefore, HE was not needed. I was reared in a Godly home, where it was believed that there is a God, and HE is very important in their daily lives. I wondered why?
In college I was exposed to other religions and their many gods or lack thereof. Thus, I was able then to determine for myself which of the many gods vying for my recognition was the True God. I already knew the God of the Bible from Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning Elohim”. Who is this God, I wondered, whom my parents and their Pastor recognize as THE GOD. I began an indepth study of the personality of Elohim. I discovered He is a triune God, existing with three equal personalities but ONE NATURE. Why? No other of the gods so existed.
My Bible study led me to understand God the Father was the Architect of the Universe. God the SON died on Calvary’s Cross for my sins. No other god did that. And I so needed someone to deliver me from my sins. I knew I was a sinner. Then I was most amazed to discover that when I confessed my sins, and God the Father forgave me, that God the Holy Spirit came to indwell me. I became the temple of the Holy Spirit. My Guide, My Protector. So, Elohim, was the one GOD of all the gods who was my Real Friend. [I recommend a study of HIS personality]
Even the Atheist believes in the concept of god, which is defined by Webster as ‘the principle object of faith and worship’. Tragically for him, he worships himself as the end of all things and therefore he becomes his own ‘object of faith’. He lives in a very small, limited world, imprisoned within his own intellect, and thus is limited to what his mind can conceive or seek to understand. [Note however, that he would deny this and say that he is liberated from the narrow boundaries of Biblicism!] But, there is much in this world that cannot be scientifically explained or understood or reduced to a mathematical formula. He must therefore, either deny, as by a so-called Christian Science practitioner [who in reality follows Buddhist beliefs], or accept by faith or consider something yet to be discovered by science.
As a Christian, I have access to the limitless knowledge [omniscience] of God [which is better than Google] through the power of prayer and the indwelling Holy Spirit, as well as the counsel of other godly Christians. Indeed, I am free of worldly boundaries and have knowledge of, and access to, the limitlessness of eternity, with Christ Jesus. But how did I come by that understanding of God?
My experience as a human being, exploring the vast creation in which I live, both microscopically and telescopically, along with many fellow travelers, drives me to look for meaning beyond my fellow creatures, both human and animal, as well as all other creatures in this natural world. I look for a Significant Other who is not encumbered with the same limitations with which we all struggle. I examine all the options devised by men throughout time, and determine they are all wanting; therefore, there must be a Divine Being who has revealed Himself to man. Not one which man has designed with his finite capacity.
To determine which god, of the many gods available, to choose as my God, I move to the next presupposition, which is this, my God has revealed Himself in the Bible. I accept the Bible as THE Word of God, as a presupposition, because I cannot prove it to be THE Word of God beyond a shadow of doubt. When the Bible is examined and compared to all other potential ‘Words of God’ hopefuls, it becomes obvious that the others are only contenders, human counterfeits, superficial and do not actually come any where near explaining my own human predicament & defences. My God must speak and what He has said, must be collected into the “Owner’s Manual” the Bible.
3. THE WORD OF GOD
The Bible as THE Word of God, among the many which propose to be THE word of god, I accept by Faith. After examining all of the optional tomes I cared to, and comparing each with the Bible, I found much that was at the same time: satisfying, challenging, mystical, revealing and an honest revelation of my miserable, selfish nature and experience, as well as that of my fellow travelers. But most of all, it made known to me, how I could escape my sinful, haunting, driving, convicting, guilty past and how I could control my natural proclivities. No other ‘bible’ explains that God became flesh in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, so He could die to pay the price for my sins. Nor do the others have any concept of God the Holy Spirit indwelling the Believer, providing the power to overcome my faults and really begin to LIVE. It also revealed to me a marvelous and glorious future which I could spend forever with the One who made it all possible.
Can I prove all that by any means? No, I accept it by Faith as from God, even as Paul claimed it to be: the Word of God, I Th 2:13. [It has worked for me as an octogenarian].
Next, I needed to know how to discern truth from error in my life experiences; therefore, I accepted a standard of truth by another act of faith.
4. THE STANDARD OF TRUTH
As I continue to develop a Biblical Philosophy of Life which dictates my worldview, my next presupposition is the need for a Standard of Truth. In a world which struggles with the concept of Truth, I must determine for myself if there is indeed an Absolute Truth by which all reality can be judged. My standard of Truth is found in the Word of God, where I learn that God is Truth, Du 32:4, Ro 1:25. In Israel’s undulating history of walking with God at times and not at other times, Hosea wrote, “Hear the Word of the Lord…there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of the Lord in the land” 4:1. Therefore, I discern that without the knowledge of God, there can be no knowledge of Truth.
Paul said, When men reject God, they ‘suppress the truth in their wickedness’, Ro 1:18. They ‘exchange the truth of God for a lie, worshipped and served created things instead of the Creator’ 1:25. [We will see this in living color, as we examine the worldviews of other religions].
Barna’s research again reveals that less than half of ‘born-again’ adults believe there is absolute truth. By a margin of three to one, adults say that truth is relative to the person in their situation. The Bible speaks of a time when everyman did that which was right in his own eyes, or as he sees fit, Du 12:8, Ju 17:6, 21:25 or he does what seems right to him, Pr 12:15, 21:2. Every time Israel did this, they found themselves in deep trouble. God’s standard of right and wrong keeps a person out of trouble and sets him free from a guilty conscience. Jn 8:32 says, ‘you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free’.
Accepting the Absolute Standard of the Word of God was an act of faith which has set me free from the changing sands of truth being relative and determined by each individual. Such a state can only lead to anarchy and each individual becoming a law unto himself.
Finally, my Biblical Worldview requires one final step of faith. There must be a fixed standard of ethical morality.
5. THE STANDARD OF ETHICAL MORALITY
Biblical ethics rests on the belief in absolute truth, according to Anderson in Christian Ethics in Plain Language [p.2]. If there is no absolute truth, then there can be no ethical morality! That explains why Barna and Hatch concluded in their book, Boiling Point, that ‘moral anarchy has arrived and dominates our culture today’ as witnessed by widespread pornography, highway speeding, income tax cheating, computer hacking, copyright violations, runaway cohabitation, adultery, plagiarism, financial scandals, homosexuality, spousal and child abuse, euthanasia and desire to legalize marijuana and other drugs to mention a few of the current maladies.
CONCLUSION:
A Biblical Worldview may be expressed as follows:
Ethics cannot be relative or situational, which can only lead to anarchy, but it must be based on Absolute Biblical Truth. If everyone would live by the same Biblical ethical standards, then real peace would be enjoyed by all.
DISCUSSION:
1. When it is obvious to everyone that there are wars and rumors of wars everywhere, what can be done to correct the situation?
2. Is it possible that a widespread adoption of a Biblical worldview could in fact bring about world peace?
3. What does the United Nations consider to be the cause of jihadism?
HOMEWORK:
Begin to write you own Doctrinal Statement of Faith. This I BELIEVE…
ARTICLE: Correcting Man’s Low Self Esteem [2B] [PowerPoint]