1.CWV-101 Benchmark Gospel Essentials KJohnson (1)
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Benchmark—Gospel Essentials
Kevin Johnson
Grand Canyon University
Christian Worldview CWV 101
Peter Rasor
10/?/23
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Benchmark—Gospel Essentials
The Christian worldview is rooted in the beliefs and teachings of Christianity, one of the
world's major religions. At its core, it centers on the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and
the Savior of humanity. Christians believe that God created the universe and that human beings
are made in His image, with a moral responsibility to follow His commandments. They
emphasize faith in Jesus, repentance for sins, and the hope of eternal life through Him. Central to
this worldview is the Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, as the inspired and
authoritative word of God. Christians often gather for worship, prayer, and community to deepen
their relationship with God. The Christian worldview promotes values such as love, forgiveness,
compassion, and serving others as exemplified by Jesus. The belief in the concept of sin and the
need for redemption through Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection. Overall, the Christian
worldview shapes how adherents view the world, morality, purpose in life, and their ultimate
destiny in a relationship with God.
Gospel Essential Beliefs
Nature of God
The triune God is often described as one God in three persons, co-equal and co-eternal,
yet distinct in their roles and functions. In my personal understanding, God the Father: The first
person of the Trinity is God the Father, who is often seen as the creator and sustainer of the
universe. He is considered the source of all existence and the initiator of the divine plan. God the
Son (or Jesus Christ)is the second person of the Trinity is God the Son, who is Jesus Christ.
According to Christian belief, Jesus is both fully divine and fully human. He is seen as the Savior
of humanity, who came to earth to reconcile humanity with God through his life, death, and
resurrection. Then the Holy Spirit which is believed to be the presence of God in the world today,
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guiding and empowering believers. The characteristics that God holds are being simply as
omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. An example can be found in Psalm 147:5 as God
being displayed as all knowing, "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has
no limit."
Nature of Humanity
Human nature’s origin and original purpose is based in being created in the image of God
first and foremost. Then comes the gift(and to some degree the curse) of free will. Christianity
emphasizes the concept of free will, meaning that humans have the ability to make moral
choices, including choosing to accept or reject God's grace and salvation. This free will is seen as
a fundamental aspect of human nature and moral responsibility. Free will is a gift from God that
profoundly influences humanity. It is rooted in the belief that God granted humans the ability to
choose between right and wrong, mirroring His own divine freedom. Free will carries immense
moral significance, as it allows individuals to accept or reject God's love and guidance,
impacting their spiritual destinies. It also plays a central role in Christian ethics, as believers are
called to make virtuous choices in alignment with God's commandments. Free will, when
exercised responsibly, enables personal growth, repentance, and the pursuit of a closer
relationship with God, shaping the spiritual journey of humanity. However with free will comes
responsibility for actions, consequences for actions, effects of those actions etc.
Nature of Jesus
Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the second person of the Holy
Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). He is both fully divine and fully human. This concept is
known as the "Incarnation," where God took on human flesh to dwell among humanity. This
means that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a moral teacher but the divine Savior of humanity.
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Jesus’ mission in representing God in the flesh was to become humanity’s salvation, teach
humanity, heal/nurture humanity, and to ensure humanity’s pace in the eternal kingdom of God.
He came to offer salvation to humanity by reconciling people with God. He accomplished this
through his death on the cross, where he atoned for the sins of humanity, and his resurrection,
which conquered death. He regularly taught about God's kingdom and God's will for humanity.
His teachings, recorded in the New Testament, include the Sermon on the Mount, parables, and
ethical guidance. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God on Earth through his ministry. This
kingdom represents God's rule and reign, characterized by love, justice, and righteousness.
Jesus is one with the Christian worldview. Best said in John 1:14, “And the Word became
flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth”, without His existence, life accomplishments, His death, and then His
eventual resurrection, Christianity would not have its base with which to build, grow, and
prosper. His death and resurrection are central to the Christian understanding of salvation.
Christians believe that through faith in Jesus, one can be forgiven and reconciled with God,
receiving eternal life.
Restoration
The solution to human problems lies in faith in Jesus Christ for salvation from sin,
repentance, and seeking forgiveness. It emphasizes love, compassion, and ethical living guided
by the Bible's teachings. Prayer and dependence on God, along with support from the Christian
community, play vital roles in facing life's challenges. The hope of eternal life in God's presence
after death provides comfort and perspective. “The Christian hope for final restoration is based
on God's character and promises; therefore, it is sure and certain. The Christian longs for Jesus's
return, the final judgment, and the new heaven and the new Earth.”( Greever CH. 6) In essence,
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the Christian solution centers on a relationship with Jesus, moral living, love for others, and trust
in God's guidance and grace.
Christian Foundations
Christianity, firstly defines the nature of God as loving, omnipotent, and Holy Trinity( the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Second, it acknowledges the flawed nature of humanity, marred by
sin and in need of salvation. Third, it recognizes Jesus as the divine Son of God who, through
His crucifixion and resurrection, provides the means of salvation and reconciliation with God.
Lastly, it emphasizes the promise of restoration, redemption and eternal life through faith in
Jesus. This promise provides hope, purpose, and comfort in the face of life's challenges and
mortality. Belief in eternal life encourages Christians to lead righteous lives, guided by God's
commandments, with the ultimate goal of securing salvation. It fosters a sense of meaning
beyond the earthly realm, emphasizing the eternal significance of one's choices and actions.
Altogether, these Gospel essentials form the bedrock of the Christian worldview, shaping beliefs,
ethics, and the understanding of humanity's purpose and destiny.
Analysis of the Implications of the Christian Worldview
The Christian worldview emphasizes the inherent worth and dignity of every individual
as they are created in the image of God. This belief fosters a strong sense of compassion, respect
for human life, and a moral framework that promotes love, forgiveness, and empathy,
contributing to a more humane society. With this worldview one would be more in line with what
is considered moral behavior according to the Bible and stray away from sinful/bad behavior.
The Christian worldview guides individuals in seeking a relationship with God and living in
accordance with biblical principles.
Christianity’s concept of salvation involves belief in Jesus Christ as a means to attain
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eternal life and forgiveness of sins through faith. In contrast, an atheist generally rejects the idea
of divine salvation, focusing on human responsibility and secular ethics to improve well-being in
this life, emphasizing reason and empirical evidence over faith. “The fundamental strength of
atheism to my mind is that it is based upon reason, logic, demonstrable truths and common
sense, and therefore needs no strident selling.”(Times 2007).
The Christian perspective can still positively influence other worldviews but in turn can
still cause a conflict in ideologies between not just atheism but other worldviews compared to
Christianity. “Namely, we argue that Christianity can provide a framework for what individuals
should value and what virtues a person should pursue, whereas PP can provide the tools and
methodology for how to pursue the goals that are identified by Christianity.”(Hodge et al.)
Aspects of Christianity may be viewed as troublesome or confusing due to complex theological
doctrines, such as the Trinity, and varying interpretations of the Bible. Moral dilemmas, religious
exclusivity, and questions about suffering and evil also challenge some. Disagreements among
denominations and historical controversies can further contribute to confusion.
Conclusion
The Christian worldview exerts a profound influence on individuals' lives, shaping their
beliefs, values, and behavior. Its emphasis on love, compassion, and forgiveness underscores its
positive impact on promoting moral values and fostering empathy. However, the Christian
worldview is not without its challenges and controversies. The diversity of Christian
denominations and interpretations of scripture can lead to disagreements and divisions within the
faith, causing confusion and tension.
Furthermore, the concept of salvation and the role of faith in achieving it can be a source
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of internal struggle and doubt for some individuals. Additionally, the doctrine of original sin and
theodicy, which addresses the problem of evil, can be intellectually challenging.
Nevertheless, for many, the Christian worldview provides a source of meaning, purpose,
and community. Ultimately, the impact of the Christian worldview on individuals varies widely,
but its enduring influence on culture, ethics, and philosophy is undeniable.
References
The ESV Study Bible
https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/
Greever, J. (2022). The Beginning of Wisdom: An Introduction to Christian Thought and Life
Ch.6
https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/1000000000607/epub/Chapter6.html#page_173
Matthew Parris’s belief in passionate atheism. (2007). Times, The United
Kingdom.
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
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direct=true&db=nfh&AN=7EH0957822080&site=eds-
live&scope=site&custid=s8333196&groupid=main&profile=eds1
Hodge, A. S., Hook, J. N., Kim, J. J., Mosher, D. K., McLaughlin, A. T., Davis, D. E., & Van
Tongeren, D. R. (2023). Positive psychology and Christianity. In E. B. Davis, E. L.
Worthington Jr., & S. A. Schnitker (Eds.), Handbook of positive psychology, religion, and
spirituality. (pp. 147–161). Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
https://doi-
org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10274-5_10