Watch Services

Close Menu X
Navigate

Worldview And You

What is your worldview? Did you know you have a worldview? Does it really matter one way or another?

As you consider these questions, let me clarify what I mean by the term “worldview.” Your worldview is the basic beliefs and presuppositions you use to explain life in this world. Notice two points here. First, your worldview is built on the foundational convictions you hold to in order to explain life. You put them on like glasses and everything becomes clear in your mind. Second, your worldview is also built on assumptions you employ to make sense of the world. These assumptions have been passed down to you by your family, friends, and culture as well as educational and religious institutions you have participated in. You assume that they are valid so you act on them without verifying their truthfulness. After all, everyone believes them.

In short, you use these beliefs and assumptions to answer the big questions of life. Where did we come from? Why are we here? Why is the word like it is? Where are we going?

Here are two important points. Point #1 - Everyone has a worldview. Everyone has an outlook on or approach to life. Point #2 - The vast majority of people go through life without ever articulating their worldview. They ride through life like the hero who is asked, “What are you going to do next?” “I don’t know,” he replies, “I’m making this up as I go along.”

My aim in this article is to get you to step out of the crowd and articulate your Christian worldview. Write it down. Memorize it. Think about it. Sharpen it to the point that you can state it on a brief paragraph.

Why should you take the time to define your worldview? I believe there are three answers to this important question. First, Philip Ryken gives this response, “In an increasingly secularized society, the followers of Christ often find their ideas under attack. How can we maintain a Christ-centered perspective on the contested issues of our day? How can we think Christianly in every area of intellectual life? And how can we live out a faithful Christian testimony at home, at school, at church, at work, in government, and in the marketplace of ideas? The answer begins with having ...a consistently Christian worldview that shapes our thoughts, forms our desires, guides our words, and motivates our actions.” In other words, a well defined and clearly stated worldview will help you stay on course. It will aid you in keeping the main things the main things.

Second, consider 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” “Whatever you do” pretty much covers all the bases. There is no area of life where we are not to honor and praise God with our actions. I like what Charles Hodge wrote on this verse, “”Let self be forgotten. Let your eye be fixed on God. Let the promotion of his glory be your object in all you do. Strive in every thing to act in such a way that men praise that God whom you profess to serve.” It is my conviction that a clear and concise statement of your Christian worldview can be a great aid when it comes to obeying this command.

Finally, think of Matthew 6:33 where Christ said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness , and all these things will be given to you.” All too often we get this verse backwards. Our focus is on the “things” of verses 31 and 32. We join the unbelievers in running after food, drink, clothes, and stuff to meet our needs. Christ calls us to put God’s agenda first. Craig Keener tells us we should be “valuing what God values.” If we value the righteousness God provides we will be valuing our relationship with God. I am convinced that a well articulated Christian worldview statement can help us keep God’s agenda and our relationship with God a priority in our lives.

A Christian worldview is built on four foundational truths. These beliefs serve as pegs upon which we hang the answers to the big questions of life. Here are the four pegs: Creation, the Fall, Redemption (Grace), Consummation (New Creation, Glory). The words in parenthesis are other ways some people state the same truth. I would encourage you to use the term that makes it easiest for you to remember the basic truth under that point.

It is amazing how simple the answers to life’s big questions, are but it is also amazing how complicated it can be to explain these truths to others. I believe things become complicated because of all the baggage fallen creatures carry with them.

These four pegs are the basic truths of Scripture--the “big story” of the Bible that gives meaning to the little story of each person’s life. With them, as Philip Ryken explains, “we gain God’s perspective on why any particular thing was made in the first place (creation), what has gone wrong (the fall), how we find its recovery in Jesus Christ (grace), and what it will become in the end, when everything is made new (glory).”

With these tools you can build a Christian worldview. I encourage you to start building your worldview today. If you need some help along the way I recommend Philip Ryken’s great little book Christian Worldview: A Student’s Guide.

Your elder,

Jim Gordon