 Article by Michael Goforth II: I come from a family of six people. If you’re counting, that’s 2 parents, 3 sisters, and me. Interestingly enough, everyone in my family has had eye trouble except me. So growing up, I was the only one who didn’t have to wear glasses. I was grossly outnumbered by my sisters, but at least they couldn’t call me four-eyes. It wasn’t until college that I realized that I actually did wear glasses. And whether or not you have eye trouble, you wear glasses as well. That’s right four-eyes, you wear glasses too. What am I talking about? I’m talking about what is commonly known as a worldview. Webster’s dictionary defines worldview this way, “a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint.”[1] In other words, a worldview is a certain set of glasses that all of us look through when we consider the universe around us and our relation to it. The glasses you wear have been shaped by your upbringing, your culture, the media you consume, your friends, and so much more. Whether you are aware of it or not, you have a worldview, and it impacts your life in more ways than you realize. Pastor and apologist, Voddie Baucham Jr., has done a considerable amount of research and teaching on this subject and he uses four basic questions to distinguish between a secular worldview and a biblical worldview. Here are his responses to the four key worldview questions from two different perspectives: WHO AM I? Secular Worldview: You are an accident. You are a mistake. You are a glorified ape. You are the result of random evolutionary process. That’s it. No rhyme. No reason. No purpose. This is the pathetic reality when evolution runs its full course. If the idea is carried to its logical conclusion, human beings have no value. You are ultimately nothing. Biblical Worldview: The Bible says that I am created by God—in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). Not the result of random processes. The Bible says that whether I am tall and beautiful or small and not so handsome, whether my body functions perfectly or is severely deformed, I am the crowning glory of the creation of God, and as a result I have inherent dignity, worth, and value. WHY AM I HERE? Secular Worldview: You are here to consume and enjoy. That’s the only thing that matters. When the famous philanthropist John D. Rockefeller was asked, “How much money is enough?” he was as honest as any man has ever been. He responded, “Just a little bit more.” Consume and enjoy—that’s why you’re here. Biblical Worldview: “All things were created through him and for him…. that in everything he might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:16b–18). The ultimate purpose of all things is to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ. That’s why I exist. That is why you exist. And because of this, contrary to the view of our culture, the reason for my existence goes far beyond consumption and enjoyment. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD? Secular Worldview: People are either insufficiently educated or insufficiently governed. That’s what’s wrong with the world. People either don’t know enough, or they’re not being watched enough. Biblical Worldview: I am. You are. Despite the fact that we are the crowning glory of the creation of God, created to live and bring glory and honor to the Lord Jesus Christ, we are instead hostile and disobedient toward the One by whom and for whom we were created. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). The Bible calls this disobedience towards God “sin”, and it says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). In short, sin is what’s wrong with the world. HOW CAN WHAT IS WRONG BE MADE RIGHT? Secular Worldview: The solution is more education and more government. Teach people more stuff and give them more information. How do we combat AIDS? Through AIDS awareness. How do we combat racism? Anti-hate classes. What about the man who beats his wife? Anger-management classes. Just give people more information and everything will be fine. Biblical Worldview: What is wrong can only be made right by the substitutionary, atoning death of Christ. “He [Jesus] has now reconciled you in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and beyond reproach before him” (Colossians 1:22). There is no other means by which we can be made right with God. “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). [2] Those aren't the only worldview questions to ask, but they are certainly the most important ones. And as you can see, they are radically different from one another. Many Christians will compare those questions and breathe a sigh of relief because they think they have a biblical worldview. However, it is important to recognize that our actions don’t always line up with what we say we believe. Let me give you a practical example from everyday life. There are a large number of Christians in America who say they believe that sin is the world’s biggest problem and that the answer to that problem is the gospel. However, when it comes to the future of our country they put their hope in political parties and candidates, instead of the gospel. They ridicule and mock non-Christians who disagree with their political views all the while forgetting that those people are eternal souls who are in desperate need of Christ. They don’t need to be ridiculed, they need to be prayed for. They don’t need to hear a political speech, they need to hear the gospel. They don’t need to trust in a candidate, they need to trust in Christ. I’m not saying we shouldn’t be involved in politics. I’m saying we should allow a biblical worldview to shape our involvement. The Scriptures teach that our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20) and our primary political views should be, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done. . ." (Matt. 6:10) God isn’t seeking more republicans, He’s seeking more worshipers. (Jn. 4:23-24) Worshipers from every tribe, tongue, and nation to the praise of His glorious grace. (Rev. 5:9; Eph. 1:6) When we apply a biblical worldview to politics, we understand that our first priority is not to advance a political party or recruit voters, it’s to make disciples. (Mt. 28:19-20) And this should radically impact the way we handle ourselves around unbelievers when politics are brought up. That is one small example of how an American worldview affects the actions of Christians in America, but it is not just politics. The glasses we wear impact everything about us—our money, our time, our resources, our relationships, and so much more. So how do we ensure that we are operating from a biblical worldview? Ultimately, we must rely on the Holy Spirit and seek His power and guidance in our day to day lives. However, there is one practical step you can take to do this and that is to saturate your heart and mind with the Scriptures. In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Every single day your worldview is being conformed by everything around you. The culture you live in, the movies you watch, the music you listen to, the friends you spend time with, and so much more.The only way to combat this constant pressure is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Every single day we need to renew our minds with the Word of God. Read the Word, pray the Word, study the Word, meditate on the Word, and listen to the Word preached. And slowly but surely God will use His Word to renew your mind and reshape your worldview. We all wear glasses…the question is, do yours need to be cleaned? NOTES:
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worldview [2] Those questions and answers can be found in the tract entitled, "Life's Ultimate Questions" by Voddie Baucham Jr. https://www.crossway.org/tracts/lifes-ultimate-questions-2837/ Comments are closed.
|