Introduction to Biblical Worldview
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Liberty University *
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Philosophy
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Feb 20, 2024
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3 Conversations: 1)
Worldview
2)
Critical Thinking
3)
Applying a Biblical Worldview Question 1 - What is a Worldview?
"Worldview" may be a new term for you, so the following video by Lew Weider provides a basic
overview of the concept of worldview. Growing to understand this concept will help you as you relate to the people and world around you.
Answering the Five Worldview Questions
A worldview is a specific way a person views important moral, theological, and social aspects of the world. It is the framework a person brings to decision-making. It can also be described as the lens that colors the way we see the world around us.
For example, our worldview shapes our ethics. How do we determine what is right and wrong? Why do people come to different conclusions about morality? We make these decisions based on
our worldview, which is why studying worldviews is so important.
Below are five key questions that every worldview must address. Origin – How did the universe come into existence? How did human life begin?
Identity
- What does it mean to be human? Are humans any different than other living things?
Purpose - Why are humans here? Why am I here?
Morality – How should people determine right from wrong? How should I make moral choices?
Destiny- What happens to people when they die? What will happen to me when I die?
Question 2 - How has God Revealed Himself?
Having established what a worldview is and the key questions related to worldview, we will now
turn our attention to exploring some of the key features of a biblical worldview. Essential to a biblical worldview is the reality that God has revealed Himself. In the following video, Claudia Dempsey explains the nature of God's revelation of Himself to humanity.
Nature of Revelation
One of the central claims of the Christian faith is that God has revealed himself to humanity. The
biblical worldview recognizes that because of God's revelation, we stand accountable to God.
His revelation can be seen in two broad categories: general revelation and special revelation. Click each card below to learn more about these two categories:
What is general revelation?
General revelation is the revelation of God given to all people at all times and includes the natural world, history, and the human conscience.
What is special revelation?
Special revelation is God’s revelation to specific people at specific times and
includes the Bible and the Person and work of Jesus.
God’s general revelation is seen in verses 1-6.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving
his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with
joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat. God’s special revelation is noted in verses 7-11.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Question 3 - What is the Story of the Bible?
As we focus on God's revelation to us, it is important to understand the major themes of the Bible. In the following video, Brandon Read explains the overarching story of the Bible.
Creation, Fall, Redemption, New Creation
The Bible is God’s story of how He has been actively involved with His creation. This story can be described as Creation, Fall, Redemption, and New Creation. Click on the following tabs to learn more about each part of God's story.
This story begins with the creation of the universe in Genesis 1-2. It explains how God created male and female in His image and affirms that His creation was very good.
Genesis 3 explains the fall of humanity. The first humans disobeyed God, which introduced sin into God's
creation. As a result of this sin, humanity's relationship with God, each other, and God's creation was broken.
The Bible describes God’s process of redeeming humanity to Himself. The Old Testament proclaims the need for a coming Redeemer, while the New Testament is the good news that the Redeemer has come. This Redeemer, Jesus Christ, explains that "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). The New Testament shows us that redemption is possible only through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Through the redemption of Jesus Christ, God is making all things new. When a person believes in Christ as their Savior and they repent of their sins, they are a new creation, and they will have everlasting life. This process of new creation finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new heaven and new earth when the effects of the fall (sin and death) are no more.
Question 4 - How does God's Story Impact my Life?
The Bible is ultimately a story about God, but it is also a story about us. Romans 3:23 – We have
all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Romans 5 – God loves us regardless. Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Salvation is important. Creation to Eternity. Conversation 2 Overview
For this conversation, we will consider questions related to competing worldviews.
Why does critical thinking matter?
Is it possible to live without a worldview?
Are all religions the same?
How does the Gospel offer hope?
The basic idea of secularism is that people should leave their worldviews behind when they step into public life. However, as we have already discussed it is impossible to not live out a worldview. All worldviews make assertions about morality and purpose in life, and the removal of religious discussions from the public sphere limits our ability to evaluate the assumptions of secularism. The concept that we cannot escape from living out our worldview can be seen in areas such as education and government which are further defined in the flashcards below.
Education
- It is common for educational systems to attempt to remove the influence of worldviews. One
example is the argument that religion and prayer should be kept out of public schools. This claim is itself based on worldview assumptions about morality, meaning, and purpose.
Government
- Many people today want to keep worldview claims out of our government processes. One example is the attempt to remove Judeo-Christian principles from lawmaking. However, the arguments to
remove these principles are based on worldview assumptions about what is moral and good.
Conversation 3 - Applying a Biblical Worldview
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It is important to have an understanding of worldview and critical thinking. It is also important to be able to apply this understanding to one's life and vocation