Monthly Archives: September 2014

How Does A Christian Worldview Match Up With Reality?

Part 4: Truth in Worldviews

This blog is part of a series. You can start the series by going back to the September 1, 2014 Introduction called A Case for Christianity: Why do we need one? 

All worldviews can be wrong, but they cannot all be right. They all attempt to answer the biggest questions of life, but which one has the best answers? Which one will best match up with truth that corresponds to reality?

 What Is A Worldview?

A set of beliefs and presuppositions used to define views on:

  • Humanity
  • Purpose
  • Duty
  • Truth
  • Society/Social roles
  • The Sciences
  • The Arts

What we believe to be true in these areas form the foundation of our worldview

Let’s compare a Christian worldview with a Secular worldview:

VIEW ON SECULAR CHRISTIAN
Purpose To do whatever helps us survive; to be happy; to be a “good person” To pursue God’s plan found in the Bible and share it with others; imitate the person of Jesus with eternity in mind
Duty Self first, then others, nature and the planet, maybe a god in some form God first, fellow humans, God’s creation, then self
Truth Relative and postmodern—based on cultural norms God’s Word in the Bible, Jesus’ teachings and examples
Society/Social roles Current cultural norms, whatever is socially acceptable Biblical values and roles based on God’s Word
The Sciences What we can test and observe—no god—random chance and evolution based on natural selection Start from God’s creative beginning and what is taught in His Word then match to what we can test and observe
The Arts Representative feelings of a moment or time period Beauty based on God’s design and purpose

 How does a Christian worldview match up with reality?

We can know truth when we compare worldviews to reality. False worldviews will always fall short and bring about unfavorable consequences. If a worldview is true it will not have any inconsistencies, you will see that the results will always match up with reality. Realty is the way things really are. For example, If you wanted to get to the parking lot from inside an auditorium the truth is that you would need to use the door. However, you might say “in my worldview I can walk through the wall to get there.” The problem is when you put this view into practice you will run into the wall and you might get hurt. There are many views in our secular culture about how to do life, the problem is that when we choose the wrong view we find that sooner or later we run into the wall. This consequence in the Christian worldview is called sin. Sin is the separation of the will from reason concerning reality and results in a faulty worldview. Christianity views sin as a separation from the will of God. Which one of the above worldviews has stood the test of time? Which one if followed closely will result in the most productive and ultimately most fulfilling life? Statistics show that people who seriously follow the Christian worldview have reported the most productive and fulfilled lives.

A Christian’s worldview comes from the Bible which speaks to all of the life issues we encounter, including our…

  • relationships
  • understanding of science, health and medicine
  • understanding of when life begins
  • understanding of what happens after death
  • understanding of history
  • views on politics
  • ethical practices
  • use of logic
  • view of family life
  • attitudes in everyday life experiences

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

Let me know what you think:

  1. How important do you think a worldview is?
  2. Which worldview do you think holds the best answers (truth) about those most important questions in life?

Join us next time for: Is there really something beyond us? (The existence of a Creator-God vs. Neo-Darwinian evolution)

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that you have in Christ Jesus as Lord.

1 Peter 3:15

Can truth about God be known?

Part 3: Truth in religion This blog is part of a series. You can start the series by going back to the September 1, 2014 Introduction called A Case for Christianity: Why do we need one?  There are three basic perspectives, or worldviews on God and life. All people will fall into one of these… Continue Reading