Analysis of The Implications of The Christian Worldview

Do you know what your worldview is? Do you think that the world is an illusion and we are on a journey to enlightenment as some with a Pantheism worldview? How about the Naturalism worldview of scientific based proof and evolution? Polytheism, or Postmodernism, even Theism? There are many different worldviews available for consideration. Whichever worldview it is that you hold today may not have been the same worldview that you held ten or even twenty years ago. The situations that we experience good and bad throughout our lives have many of us changing or views and our knowledge base widens as well.

Why are we here? Is there a God? How should I live my life? These are questions that man has asked themselves for years and we have yet to find an agreeable answer for these questions. A Christian worldview can help humankind quite a bit with giving answers and giving life a purpose.

To consider aspects of a Christian worldview we are going to look at what are some key factors like God, Humanity, Jesus, and Restoration.

A Christian Worldview is based on the concept of God being Absolute. God is eternal so he never changes. God is wise, holy, faithful and god is Love.

The true God is the Creator of all things. He had no beginning and will never have an end. (Psalm 90:2) He is the Source of the good news found in the Bible. (1 Timothy 1:11) Since God gave us life, we should worship only him. (Good News from God JW Organization).

William Barclay said “Agape has to do with the mind: it is not simply an emotion which rises unbidden in our hearts; it is a principle by which we deliberately live (W. Barclay, 1974, 21). So, it is not even measurable the love that God has for us as his creation.

A person’s character speaks to who they are and what they are like. God’s actions as well speak of his character. Encompassing everything kind, patient, forgiving, and many more attributes form a Christian’s God.

Jesus’s identity is that he is Jesus. There is no secret to who he is and he has never claimed to be anything but himself. He is the son of God. Jesus came to earth born of flesh and blood to his mother Mary and his father Joseph. Lived his life according to Gods will teaching and preaching too all types of people. He practiced miracles from healing leper’s to raising Lazarus from the dead. He was tortured and ridiculed finally giving his life on for humanity to be redeemed back to God. This is important to a Christian Worldview because if there is not a Jesus Christ there is not a Christian much less a Christian Worldview.

God created all things, universe, mites, stars, birds, grass, humans, and Angels. We are unique in the fact that God created us in his image. Humans were created to worship God and to thrive in the paradise that was created for us. God wanted man to be fruitful, work the land and have dominion over the animal. To love him and to be happy. Humanity however has fallen and our nature now is sinful. The world in of itself is not the problem, we are our own problem. Self-serving wants and desires are the underlying issues of the world. Humanity has lost its original purpose of relating to God. We are his only creation that was intended to communicate with him.

Jesus’s crucifixion and death is the only solution to human problems (thoughtlife.com October 2008). Here again there are many different views on the way to salvation for Christians. The bible states that salvation is sola gratia-by grace alone. Salvation is a gift of grace from God. (K. Warner R. Wagner)

As Christians, then — or those considering the Christian faith — we need to feed our minds and hearts with enough of the gospel that we will be willing to trust our lives to Jesus’ gift on the cross. That decision, which is faith, will give us access to the grace which flows from Calvary. (D. Smith, 2009)

The transformation of self and society comes over time and through God’s freely given grace.

1. What are the benefits or strengths of Christian belief?

Living by Christian beliefs can be beneficial to someone who genuinely lives them as best they can because it will ease a lot of problems in the world. It will give some sense of purpose to life beyond the material things. It will make life more peaceful when one can have the freedom to forgive others and love them. The burden of carrying all the days drama can be released with prayer leaving a feeling of relief during this horrible world. Those who strive to live by a Christian Worldview are happier healthier individuals, communities, and societies.

2. What is troublesome or confusing about Christianity?

Many people find that the structure and formalness of Christianity is difficult to accept. Others feel as though Christianity is the largest and longest running lie that man has endured. Even others feel as if there is not any solid proof it is impossible to believe. There is a fraction who find the competing views between fractions of said Christians.

So, there are many ways that people may become confused and many reasons for finding things frustrating. When there is so much information and so many different Christian factions, and so much hypocrisy in the church some may find it difficult to get through all the muck to really find their truth.

3. How does Christianity influence a person's thinking and behavior?

If you examine the lives of a person living by a Christian way of thought and of a person living life how they see fit, it would become clear some differences. These differences may be that the person living according to the Christian path seems to have something to live for and consciences for their actions therefore trying to limit the bad behaviors of life. Or it could be the complete opposite that the person living their life willy-nilly is the kinder gentler person while the Christian is horrifying.

Often people who truly are striving to live by Christi’s example tend to live happier and more fulfilled lives. In December 2010, the Journal of American Sociological Review say that a happiness boost comes from social joys of being part of regular services. (www.liovescience.com)

Reflection: Reflect on your worldview by answering one of the following questions:

1. If you are not a Christian, what similarities and differences are there between your worldview and the Christian worldview?

2. If you are a Christian, how specifically do you live out the beliefs of the Christian worldview?

Conclusion

Whichever worldview anyone has it is up to each one of us to decide what are ultimate reality is and if it is supported by facts that we are willing to commit to and live by. Belief in God and Christ or an innate knowing of what is right and wrong is individualized. If one can logically think that these feelings come from a glob of goo that just got lucky enough to develop feelings that is fine for them. I can only logically follow my creator and my purpose to the best of my ability.