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Christian religions beliefs essay
What is a worldview and why is it important
What is a worldview and why is it important
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Cosgrove describes a worldview as “a set of assumptions or beliefs about reality that affect how we think and how we live” (p. 19). A person’s worldview has been molded from the day they were born by family, friends, media, and even strangers. Worldviews are important because they allow us to “develop a deep comprehensive faith that will stand against the unrelenting tide of our culture’s non-biblical ideas” (Tackett). Our actions also tend to mimic our beliefs—for example, if you believe that there is life after death like Christians do, your priorities should reflect your dedication to follow Christ and not be of this world (John 15:19 NLT). As I have learned more and more about worldviews in this class, particularly a Christian worldview, I have the opportunity to look back on what my worldview was and how it has changed.
Because I have grown up in a church, and been a Christian for as long as I can remember, I have always thought of myself having a Christian worldview. However, after this course, I have realized that I did not know some of the basic Christian foundations—I did know that God is the creator of all things and that he is and everything he did is love. In the church I learned God is loving, all-powerful, all-knowing, eternal, unchanging, holy, and all good things, which are similar to the characteristics Dr. Strobel talked about in class. My picture of God has not changed much, if anything I have become more in awe, especially in regards to the trinity. My idea of what a person is, something that was made in God’s own image but sinned, and what happens to humans when they die, the body will stay but the soul will spend eternity in heaven or hell, has also not changed much (Zukeran). After learning from Dr. Strobel...
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Publications.
Davis, K., & Clark, B. (2011). Kisses from katie: A story of relentless love and redemption. New
York, NY: Simon and Schuster.
Strobel, K. (2013), Classroom Lectures, State University, Phoenix, Az.
Strobel, L. (2000). The case for faith: A journalist investigates the toughest objections to Christianity. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.
Tackett, D. (n.d.). Why is a Christian worldview important?. Retrieved from
http://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/christian_worldview/why_is_a_christian_worldview_important.aspx
Wilkens, S; Sanford, M. (2009). Hidden Worldviews: Eight Cultural Stories That Shape Our
Lives. Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity Press.
Zukeran, P. (n.d.). what happens after death? a Christian perspective. Retrieved from
http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4224733/k.63A1/What_Happens_After_Death.htm
In Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcy's essay, "Worldviews in Conflict," the authors evaluate the shifting cultural context of today's society and how Christianity fits into this situation. The essay compares the differing views between Christianity and today's worldview, and informs the reader on how to engage in today's culture. The "Worldviews in Conflict" is a reliable source because its authors, audience, publication, and purpose make it credible.
· Lewis, CS. Mere Christianity. New York: Doubleday, 1982. · McBride, David. The Story of the Church.
(p.3) Entwistle explains that our worldview greatly impacts how our Christian and psychology worldviews. God created us all differently; some of us grew up in small towns, large families, different countries, large cities. We all come from different homes, have different family units and the list goes on. Because we are all created differently, our opinions and reactions are all different, making our worldviews all unique. Entwistle believes that our worldview is not something chosen for us, or something we choose.
The foundation of a Christian worldview is the belief in a personal God, creator and ruler of the universe. The Christian worldview views the world through God’s word, providing the framework for humanity to live by giving meaning and purpose to life. It defines who Jesus is, human nature, and how salvation is achieved. In essence it is the basis of which Christians behave, interact, interpret life and comprehend reality. A Christian worldview imparts confidence, answers to life’s problems, and hope for the future. In this paper I will discuss the essentials of a Christian worldview and an analysis of the influences, benefits, and difficulties sustaining the Christian faith.
Although a worldview ensues what a person believes about the great questions of life, a biblical worldview stands far more intense since it’s filtered through the bible and the outlook stays Christ focused. The book of Romans in the Bible provides an example of what a biblical worldview should be like. As a result of Paul’s truths in Romans 1-8, believers have been able to grasp an understanding of the teachings that express the idea of a biblical worldview that God intended us to perceive.
Being a Christian and a student of Communications, I felt compelled to reading The Case for Christ. I decided to use this book for this review especially due to the large amount of criticisms and backlash it had received. Lee Strobel is known for being a hard-nosed skeptical journalist and ex-investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune. He also described himself as a "former spiritual skeptic" before his personal mission for the proof of God. Skeptics around the world claim that Jesus either never said He was God or He never exemplified the activities and mindset of God. Either way they rather triumphantly proclaim that Jesus was just a man. Some will go so far as to suggest that He was a very moral and special man, but a man nonetheless. For Strobel, there was far too much evidence against the idea of God, let alone the possibility that God became a man. God was just mythology, superstition, or wishful thinking.
Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2001.
Recognition of a person’s worldview can be found based on one’s answer to several reality questions surrounding God (origin), human nature (identity), reality (meaning/purpose), after life (destiny), values (morality or ethics). My own definition of worldview is a set of beliefs about the most important issues in life and my reaction to them. While in agreement with Jeff Baldwin’s eyeglass concept, I choose to compare my Christian worldview to an internal navigation system. When I am lost and need to be found, Christ is omnipresent. He knows my location and guides me in another direction.
In this first part of this paper I will be explaining my worldview. There are three influences I will focus on to give an in depth look at how I came to my worldview. The three influences are religion, family, and my career choice. I think the biggest part of my worldview comes from my religion so I will start with that. I am a Christian and with that comes certain beliefs. Those beliefs lead my life daily and contribute to my worldview. One those beliefs is to spread his word. God’s word is such an important part to look at because it gives a framework to guide my life in every aspect. The Bible is filled with commandments, stories, and scripture that reference to how to look at life from a moral, social, and personal standpoint. We can actually begin to see the purpose for our through the word as well. Life’s purpose, according to the Bible, is for God’s glory. We are supposed to praise, worship, proclaim him, and follow his will. “Everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made,” (Isaiah 43:7) I like this verse because I feel like it reminds me of what God has done for me. From that ...
The biblical worldview is essentially the integration of fundamental biblical teachings to become a meaningful and unified response to the routine opportunities and challenges of modern life. An individual wholly inscribed into a biblical worldview projects a belief system that the core purpose of existence is to love and serve the Lord God alone. Essentially, a Christian worldview is formed in reference of the infallible living Word of God (Tackett, 2014). After a believer fully believes the living Word of God then allows it to form the basis of everything in their life. That implies, for instance, that when a believer chooses to pursue Romans 13 to respect people in authority then must take priority in voting and electing new leaders into power. A bible believing person should lead a life that portrays the biblical teachings and truths. As practical Christians our gut reaction should be limited to the biblical established truths (Wayne, 2014).
All people have a worldview that is based on personal beliefs forming their reality and what they feel is meaningful in life. I am a Christian of faith that has a biblical worldview, which is based on the word of God. The Book of Romans 1-8 provides the word of God and answers for how Christians can live a righteous life for our savior Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, my worldview encapsulates the fact that a God exists and he has created the human race in his image. Being created in his image, I am bestowed with God’s character of love, kindness, righteousness, forgiveness, and all other great attributes expressed by him. Our duty as those who claim the title “Christian” is to live with a Christ like attitude and to walk the walk instead of just talking the talk. I need to put my knowledge, talents, and skills to work for Christ till his return. The choice to live my life for him is what gives my life meaning and purpose.
2) Gollwitzer, Helmut. The Existence of God: As Confessed By Faith. Philadelphia: The Westminister Press, 1965
6. Bohdan R. Bociurkiw and John W. Strong, Religion and Atheism in the U.S.S.R. and
Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity. 2nd ed. New York City, NY: HarperOne, 2010.