The Christian Worldview
What is a worldview?
A worldview is part of a "noetic"
structure. Ronald Nash, in his book Faith and
Reason: Searching for a Rational Faith, states
that there are four characteristics to a noetic
structure.
1. A persons noetic structure is the
sum total of everything that person believes.
2. A noetic structure is characterized by the way that
its beliefs are related.
3. A noetic structure
includes the differing degrees of certainty, firmness,
and conviction with which people hold their beliefs.
4. The beliefs that constitute any noetic
structure will differ with regard to the kind of
influence or control they have over the rest of the
beliefs in that structure. [Nash Faith and Reason
21-23]
That is to say a noetic structure is
everything you believe, the way you relate the parts to
the whole, the degree that you believe and are certain,
and the control your beliefs have. Within a
person's noetic structure is a smaller set of beliefs
that constitute a worldview. Thus, "a
worldview is a conceptual scheme by which we consciously
or unconsciously place of fit everything that we believe
and by which we interpret and judge reality." [Nash
Faith and Reason 24]
Nash also gives five categories that
every worldview should try to answer: Theology,
Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, and Anthropology.
[Nash Faith and Reason 30-32]
Theology answers such questions
as: Is there a God? How many? Is he personal? What
is he like?
Metaphysics answers such
questions as: How does God relate to the universe?
Is the universe eternal? Is there a purpose in the
universe? Is the cosmos material or spiritual? Are there
miracles?
Epistemology answers such
questions as: How do we know what we know? Can we
know anything? Can we know anything about God? Can we
trust our senses and do they have a role in knowledge?
Is truth relative?
Ethics answer such questions
as: Is there right and wrong? What is right and
wrong? Why are actions right or wrong? Are
morals absolute? How do we discover morals?
Anthropology answers such
questions as: Are humans merely material? Is there
life after death? Does death end existence? Do
humans have free will?
Hopefully all of this has helped you lay a groundwork
for the discussion. Putting beliefs into
these categories allows us to compare worldviews.
Religions now are no longer merely religious, but to the
extent that they make truth claims they are worldviews,
perhaps competing worldviews.
Whether you have realized it or not,
you have a worldview. You have answers to all of
these questions, even if they are negative
answers. I first wish to challenge you to evaluate
your worldview. How would you answer the question
of the five categories? Do your answers
sufficiently explain reality?
Second, I put this Christian Worldview
page up because it is impossible to prove the legitimacy
of a worldview merely by destroying all opposing
views. Thus, it is my goal to present you with the
basics of the biblical claims and categorize them into
the five worldview categories so that you may look at
Christianity, whether a believe or nonbeliever and
hopefully understand it in a greater context. Thus my
answers and commentary will reflect this goal; my
answers will give short answers describing the biblical
position. If you want to see the defense you will
need to go the the apologetics
page. Perhaps
after reading about the Christian worldview you will
give it a legitimate place on the market place of ideas
and in your mind. I also hope that you will see
that Christianity is not merely about going to church,
praying, doing good and a host of other religious
duties. It is a worldview, a way of life!
The Basic Christian Worldview
Below is a list of ten points of comparison.
These ten points were given to me as an assignment to
compare Buddhism and Christianity. I have only
included what I had to say about Christianity. It
is a great way to evaluate your worldview against the
claims of Christianity, or any other religion for that
matter.
I.
Historical Origins [1]
A.
The origin of life is God. He created all things
and in him all things exist. Genesis
1-2; Col 1:16-17; John 1: 1-3
B.
The Bible gives clear non-contradicting details
on the key and pertinent personalities of the Bible
revealing one unfolding story of God and his work with
man.
C.
The Bible claims inspiration from God. 2
Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16
II. Description of God [2]
A.
There is one God who eternally resides in three
persons Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew
3:16-17, John 10:30.
B.
He is both immanent and transcendent
C.
He has such qualities as goodness, love,
perfection, and truth.
III. Description of Son of God's Person and Work [3]
A.
Christ is God in the flesh and He alone is the
only way to salvation. John 1:1-2,
14, 14:7
; Colossians 2:9.
B.
Jesus' death on the cross atoned for the sin of
man.
C.
Jesus is
fully divine and fully human, virgin born, and perfect. Isaiah
7:17; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:27, 34; Philippians 2:5-10;
Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Samuel 22:31;
Hebrews 7:28.
IV. Source of Authority for this Religion[4]
A.
Evangelical Christianity holds that God being the
eternal, infinite, omnipotent, creator has all power and
right to rule man. Therefore
He and He alone is the authority.
V.
Body of Sacred Writings[5]
A.
The Bible is the inspired word of God
B. Evangelical
Christianity holds the Bible alone to be its source and
authority. The
Bible, in its original autographs,
is inspired and infallible.
Furthermore, it is so much more than a book of
philosophy it is a book of linear history that tells a
complete story.
VI. Description of Mankind (Origin and
Nature)[6]
A.
Evangelical Christianity believes that man is
created by God in His image; however man is fallen, and
morally corrupt. God
created man as relational beings capable of
relationships with each other, but most importantly,
with God.
VII.
Description of Mankind's Basic Problem's[7]
A.
Man’s basic problem is that he is completely
sinful.
B.
This fall has affected his whole being to the
point that there is no possible form of self help or
positive thinking that will rectify the situation.
It is like an incurable virus in his body, and in
the world that kills everything.
VIII.
Solution to Mankind's Basic Problem's[8]
A.
Evangelical Christianity states that man’s
basic problem is his sin nature.
Perfection is required for entrance into heaven,
and works are not sufficient to save.
Without blood covering the offender’s sins,
there is no possible way to enter heaven.
Christ’s atoning work on the cross is the only
way to heaven.
IX.
System of Ethics[9]
A.
In contrast, in Christianity, the law is an
expression of God’s person and will.
It is rooted in His holiness and therefore is not
arbitrary. Due
to the work of Christ on the cross, the law has been
fulfilled and a new covenant has been issued.
In this era of Grace, sin is still sin, however,
the price for that sin has already been paid for.
X. Description of Life After Death[10]
A.
The Evangelical Christian believes that the
sinners will be judged for their sins on their own
merits and sent to hell, while those whose sins have the
atoning blood of Christ covering them will be sent to
heaven to spend eternity with God.
End
Notes
[1]
Millard J
Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 2nd
ed. (Grand Rapids
: Baker Academic, 2001), 52, 58.
[2]
Millard J
Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine, 87,
99, 101, 102, 107, 109.
[3]
Millard J Erickson, Introducing Christian
Doctrine, 217, 219, 224, 228, 230, 250.
[4]
Millard J Erickson, Introducing Christian
Doctrine, 77, 96,100.
[5]
Millard J Erickson, Introducing Christian
Doctrine, 61, 69.
[6]
In contrast, Millard J Erickson, Introducing
Christian Doctrine, 165, 166, 190.
[7]
Millard J Erickson, Introducing Christian
Doctrine, 190-191.
[8]
Millard J Erickson, Introducing Christian
Doctrine, 197, 199, 205, 250.
[9]
Millard J Erickson, Introducing Christian
Doctrine, 257-259.
[10]Millard
J Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine,
295-296.
NOTE: There are as many
"Christian views" as there are
Christians. However, as I speak of Christian views
and thoughts I am speaking for conservative evangelicals
[people who believe and follow the Bible in as literal
way as possible].
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