The Christian Worldview
The following is an assignment for an apologetics course I am in process of taking at Liberty University. The focus of the assignment was worldviews; specifically the intention was to have the student define the Biblical or Christian world view as it pertains to each question and support the answer with two relevant scripture references. Please regard it as an assignment not an attempt to relegate life’s most complex questions to 430 words or less. 🙂
Now for the fun stuff- Apart from clarification* for the specific questions to be answered (and the Bible) I used no outside references (a decision for which I may lose points). I like to think beyond why I’m told to do something (occasionally) and in that process I came to the conclusion (perhaps incorrectly) that the purpose of this assignment was an attempt (a good one) by my professor to force the students to define THEIR worldview. The grounds on which I have based my (perhaps incorrect) conclusion lie in that fact that we studied many worldviews however the major term assignment only covers the Biblical/Christian worldview (Liberty is a Christian college so all students should already maintain a Biblical/Christian worldview)… It was covered in the text* that many do not clearly understand their worldview or are not able to provide reasoning to their decision making processes.
Now that you’re up to date… I believe a person Secular or Christian should not have to seek references to explain or support their worldview. Any individual (of age) should know their worldview by heart and be able to articulate it clearly without outside help. I believe this rings truer for Christians who hold a (inerrant) Biblical worldview as the work is already done and all that is required is for you to learn it. And Professor if by some obscure coincidence that plagiarism checker thing brings you here and you’re reading this I did not omit references out of obstinacy, but rather to test myself and see if I can be measured by my own aforementioned standard. Oh and I also didn’t plagiarize…
What is a worldview?
A worldview is the basis on which an individual operates, from this basis is derived every thought, action, opinion, and response emitted by the individual. A worldview is built throughout an individual’s lifetime and is comprised of what the individual has seen, heard, learned, and experienced.
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The question of origin- Where do we come from?
Christians believe that mankind was created by the one and only sovereign God (Genesis 1:27). The Christian worldview maintains that God created the world and everything in it within a six day period where on the sixth day God created one man and one woman from which the entirety of the past and present global population has originated (Genesis 1:28).
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The question of identity-What does it mean to be human?
The Christian worldview accepts that mankind is a unique and intentional creation of God. Christians believe that man was made in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:27) and then given authority over all of the earth (Genesis 1:28-30). God intended that mankind would care for both the livestock and plant life, and both livestock and plant life were given to man to be used as a food source.
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The question of meaning/purpose- Why Does mankind exist?
Christians believe that mankind exists to glorify the creator (God). This is accomplished through a wide variety of efforts and means. Some of these efforts include worship, (Psalm 95) obedience, (Philippians 2:12-13) prayer, and thanksgiving. The object of these efforts is to establish a substantial and intensely personal relationship with God. The end result of aforementioned relationship being eternal life where the individual pleasures in God’s immeasurable glory for eternity.
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The question of morality -What is meant by right and wrong?
The Christian worldview cites that morality is derived from the person of God. Specifically God provided mankind with law to establish a baseline for morality (Exodus 20). Morality was not left for man to determine, but was established by God. Mankind has rejected God’s law of morality and thus is in need of salvation from God’s righteous judgment (Romans 3:23)
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The question of destiny- Is there life after death?
Christians believe after death the soul will eternally reside in one of two places, with the Triune God in heaven or separated from God in Hell. The Christian worldview maintains that both heaven and hell are not figurative, but literal places. In order for one to go to Heaven one must be justified and sanctified. Justification is completed through an individual’s belief in the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and trust that Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient atonement for one’s sin (John 3:16). Sanctification is carried out daily through a personal relationship with Jesus; the product of which is repentance from sin and obedience to God’s standards of morality ultimately resulting in the soul’s eternal residence in Heaven (Matthew 25:23)
*For assignment clarification I referred to one of the course texts “Consider” by Lew Weider and Dr. Ben Gutierrez (and because none of you will be grading my citation) ISBN # 1-60036-424-1
All scripture references were made using the English Standard Version
Black & White 