What Is Your World View?

by John Waddey⁽⁴³⁾
firstcenturychristian

Every person in every nation has a view of the world. That view will have a direct influence on his beliefs and conduct. The view he holds will be greatly influenced by the society in which in lives, the history and traditions of his ethnic group and community, his religion and the education he receives. Even when a person moves from his native home to a foreign nation with a different world view, he will tend to cling to his old view for many years. For many immigrants, it takes a generation or two before they totally assimilate with the new culture with its world view.

There is a world view that is peculiar to Christians. If you are a Christian in any nation or age, you are expected to hold Christ’s view of life, reality, morality and the world. Along with our basic Christian view of things there will be room for some of the views unique to our homeland. Thus when a person becomes a Christian in China, India, Russia, Europe, Africa, he does not cease to be Chinese, Indian, Russian, etc. However his culture, morals and traditions do become subservient to the standards of Christ. Thus he becomes a Chinese Christian, etc.

Scripture describes the world as the great enemy of Christ, his church and his people. The spiritual struggle in which we are engaged is against principalities, powers, world rulers of this darkness, and hosts of wicked spirits in high places (Eph. 6:11-12). In this group are those people of the world who are " thought-leaders " in various positions. They are powerful spokesmen and advocates who oppose all things righteous and promote every false and evil way. They are found teaching in many schools and universities. They occupy important position in the media and entertainment. It includes many political leaders and bureaucrats who actively promote the way of the world and block the advance of Christianity. It certainly includes such groups as American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, organizations of atheists and infidels, teachers of false religions, priests and prophets of pagan religions. Their numbers are legion.

The world hated Christ (John 15:18). It hates Christians (I John 3:13). It hates his church and his Word! Forces in the world constantly work to lure Christians away from Christ and into their evil camp. Thus we are warned not to love the world (I John 2:15). We are not to allow the world to squeeze us into its mold (Rom. 12:2).

You might wonder, just what constitutes the Christian world view? George Barna, the respected religious pollster, sees the following points as essential to the Christian worldview:

1. Believing that absolute moral truth exists;

2. Believing that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches;

3. Believing that Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic;

4. Believing that a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works;

5. Believing that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today.

While these points are foundational we would add others. For example

* The Bible is our standard and guide for daily living and especially for salvation and worship (John 12: 47-48).

* Christ’s church is the kingdom of God on earth (Col. 1:13) and to please Him we must be good citizens thereof.

* We Christians live our lives on earth as pilgrims and strangers (I Pet. 2:11). This world is not our home. Our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20).

Mr. Barna surveyed a large sampling of Americans who professed themselves to be " born again " Christians. His findings were shocking. Only 19 percent of those polled hold a Christian worldview. That means that 81 percent of those who consider themselves to be conservative, faithful practitioners of their Christian faith hold a worldview that is alien to that of Christ. This prompts us to look into our own hearts and ask, " What is my worldview? " It is that of Christ or that of the world? Remember, to be a Christian means to be like Christ in word, thought and deed. While none of us can be perfect, it must be our goal to be like him in every way.

Article submitted Tuesday, March 31, 2009 & read 103 times.

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