Your Worldview Makes a Difference
Defining Worldview
The definition in an article by Franklin Graham in the March Decision Magazine provides us with a good definition of worldview: “A worldview is the way a person views the world and himself. It is the lens through which an individual sees issues and relationships, and it becomes the foundation and framework for all decision making.”
Graham’s article continues: “An individual with a Biblical worldview looks at the world and sifts all information through the lens of God’s Word. Scripture informs his thinking and behavior, guiding his intellect and moral determinations. The Bible is the bedrock that undergirds his entire life.”
Worldview Confusion
There is a lot of worldview confusion among Christians. Sadly, many who call themselves Christian live out their lives in accordance with a secular/humanistic worldview, accepting the secular world’s lens as their way of looking at life and making life decisions. Present cultural norms define their thoughts and actions.
(Check out this interesting article on worldview confusion by Rick Warren: Six Worldviews You’re Competing Against)
Some Christians claim to have a Christian worldview. However, a Christian worldview doesn’t have definitive meaning. Christians from differing backgrounds tend to define Christian worldview according to their individual viewpoints. The end result is that when the term Christian worldview is used, it is pretty much devoid of meaning. It is like a great umbrella overarching a variety of “Christian” constructs of thought.
On the other hand, as the article quoted notes, a biblical worldview is informed by the Word of God. Secondary issues or teachings set aside, the clear teachings of the Bible are the framework for the biblical worldview construct. There may be slight differences as to how a person expresses the construct, but they will be minimal.
Biblical versus Pseudo-Christian
What is a pseudo-Christian worldview you might ask (could even be called a pseudo-biblical worldview). It is a construct that mingles Christian elements of thought with secular/humanistic modes of thought, a dualistic approach to life. We take the things we choose to believe from Christian thought and the things we choose to accept from secular thought and live accordingly. We have our Christian self and our worldly self.
But the Bible tells, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2 – NKJV) And, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” (Colossians 2:8 – NKJV)
Every believer should think and live within a solid biblical worldview construct untainted by the “basic principles of the world.”
Application of the Biblical Worldview
I have had Christian writer friends who wrote from a pseudo-Christian worldview. They took what they liked from Christian thought but at the same time compromised with the non-biblical cultural philosophies of the day. The taste they left was one of “accepting” non-biblical cultural norms as being entirely unobjectionable.
In all of my stories I make every effort to make a clear distinction between right and wrong, which norms are acceptable and which are objectionable. I purpose to maintain a solid biblical worldview. I deal with life’s realities even as the Bible deals with life’s realities: adultery, lying, doing wrongheaded things, and on and on. But Good is good and evil is evil. People are flawed, but flaws are indeed flaws.
I would love to have you read my books and give me some feedback. I have written more than thirty books. You can browse them at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Here is a link to my books at Amazon: John’s Books. My books are mostly fiction, but I do have several non-fiction works as well. Take a look, buy a book, and get back to me as to what you think.
So, tell me, is your worldview biblical or pseudo-Christian?
I strive to emulate the Apostle Paul’s perspective: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 – NKJV)
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