CWV-101-301-RS-T5BenchmarkGospelEssentials
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Benchmark—Gospel Essentials
Student: Brittany R McGaughey
College Name: Grand Canyon University
Course Number: CWV-101-0510
Instructor’s Name: Brian M. Koning
Assignment Due Date: December 10
th
, 2023
Benchmark—Gospel Essentials
A worldview is how people understand the world around them and it lays down the
guidelines people keep to, to live in the world. Morals, beliefs, and values are what these worldviews can be comprised of that a person will integrate into their daily life. Everyone has a worldview that they live by no matter what their religion is, there is many different religions and culture beliefs like, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and others; and there are different questions relating to each different worldview. There are many who follow the Christian world view and those do find that live their life the eyes of God and a life surround by God. There are gospel beliefs that follow Christian worldview such as the nature of God, the nature of humanity,
the nature of Jesus, and the nature of restoration and they play an important part in the foundation of the Christian worldview. Gospel Essential Beliefs
Nature of God
God stands as the central and pivotal figure in Christianity, and a comprehensive understanding of His nature is paramount for believers. This comprehension serves as the foundation for their beliefs and actions, offering a guiding light in their spiritual journey. The belief in God as the ultimate creator is foundational, as humanity not only looks up to Him but also strives to emulate His divine qualities. The fear of the Lord is regarded as the source of wisdom, and insight is derived from the knowledge of the Holy One (Diffey D. 2014). God's characteristics are multifaceted, encompassing attributes such as being everlasting, omnipotent, unchangeable, just, kind, merciful, jealous, loyal, and holy. This nuanced understanding of God 2
paints a comprehensive picture of His divine nature and fosters a deeper connection with believers.
The narrative of creation, rooted in God's act of forming all that can be sensed, touched, smelled, and seen, traces back to the foundational account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. God, in His intimate relationship with humanity, created a sanctuary for His offspring, demonstrating love and providing a space in exchange for adherence to a singular rule.
The cautionary tale of the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil underscores the delicate balance between God's guidance and human choice. The disobedience of Adam and Eve results in the pronouncement that humankind, formed from the dust, shall toil for sustenance and ultimately return to the earth (The Holy Bible 2011 Genesis 3:19 NIV). This violation introduces the concept of human nature becoming corrupt, signaling the complexity of the relationship between God's directives and human agency. The narrative encapsulates the intricate dynamics between God's divine attributes, human choices, and the consequences that unfold during humanity's journey.
Nature of Humanity
God fashioned human beings in His own image, both male and female. This divine creation imbues us with a reflection of God's essence, designed for love and companionship. God's intention was for humanity to embody His likeness, granting us the profound gift of free will. He desired a voluntary, loving adherence to His word rather than coerced obedience, setting
the stage for the unfolding of human choice and, subsequently, the fall from grace. (The Holy Bible 2011 Genesis 1:27 NIV) Humanity, originally created to rule on God's behalf, succumbed to the desire to be like God, resulting in a deviation from their intended place in creation. (Berzin
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2010) This deviation marked the introduction of pain and suffering into the world, as sin infiltrated human existence, causing life choices to veer away from God's divine plan. A gradual descent ensued, distancing humanity from the envisioned alignment with God's purpose.
In response to this estrangement, Jesus was sent as a beacon of salvation. The descent into sin prompted the divine intervention of Jesus, signaling a redemptive mission to reconcile humanity with God's intended plan. The narrative underscores the pivotal role of free will, the consequences of deviation, and the salvific purpose of Jesus in realigning humanity with the divine purpose originally set by God.
Nature of Jesus
Sent by God as the ultimate rescuer, Jesus is not just a historical figure in Christianity; He
is recognized as the divine Son of God, sent to earth with a dual nature that encompasses both complete divinity and total humanity. This theological understanding, underscores the inseparable yet unconfused conjunction of Jesus' two natures within one person, possessing all the attributes of both God and humans. (Diffey 2014) Jesus' mission on earth extends beyond mere education, miracles, and bestowing titles. His primary purpose is profound: to forgive the sins of humanity and to liberate the world as God's chosen people. The pivotal act in achieving this redemption is His sacrificial death on the cross, a selfless act that bears the weight of past and future sins for all. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (The Holy Bible 2011 John 3:16 NIV) encapsulates this profound truth
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Crucial to Christianity is the understanding that Jesus serves as the conduit reconnecting humanity with God. Jesus as the foremost among God's messengers, the final and ultimate agent accomplishing God's redemptive plan. (Watts 2012) The Kingdom of God, as brought into being by everything Jesus accomplished, fulfills the Old Testament promise of God's redemptive reign,
where He judges His enemies and makes all things new (Diffey, 2014). In the absence of Jesus and His mission, there would be no Christian worldview. His sacrificial death, divine nature, and
ongoing mission to bring about the Kingdom of God form the bedrock of Christian beliefs. The relationship between mankind and God hinges on Jesus' pivotal role as the forgiver of sins, making His identity and mission indispensable to the Christian worldview.
. Restoration
According to the Christian worldview, the solution to all of humanity's problems lies in embracing Jesus as the ultimate savior. To address these issues, individuals must not only acknowledge Jesus but also welcome Him as their personal savior for salvation. The core components of repentance and belief, coupled with graciousness, form the bedrock of this transformative process. Trust in Jesus becomes pivotal for salvation, as individuals must believe in His sacrificial death for the redemption of humanity, facilitating an eternal life with God in heaven. The pathway to salvation involves a profound reliance on grace through Jesus, with baptism and communion serving as corporate means of grace, complemented by the personal and
corporate means of the Word of God and prayer (Greever, 2020). These elements collectively enable individuals to access the grace necessary for entrance into paradise. The transformation of
individuals and communities unfolds through a direct connection with God, initiating and 5
concluding with a personal relationship with the divine. As individuals embark on the journey of discovering and nurturing their identity in Christ, they gain insights into their true mission within
society. This process underscores the dynamic interplay between personal spirituality and communal well-being, highlighting the integral role of a Christian worldview in shaping both individual purpose and societal contributions.
Christian Foundations
In the realm of Christian worldviews, fundamental concepts such as God's nature, the essence of humanity, the nature of Jesus, and the prospect of restoration stand as cornerstone pillars. These principles serve as universal tenets shared among those who adhere to a Christian worldview. The core belief centers on the existence of God, recognized as the creator endowed with multifaceted characteristics that define both the Christian faith and the identity of believers. The nature of mankind assumes paramount significance, acting as a guiding principle that elucidates the transition from a state of inherent virtue to one of sinfulness following the transgressions of Adam and Eve. Despite this fall from grace, the Christian worldview holds onto
the hope of redemption, attributing this possibility to the character of Jesus and His profound humility. Christianity provides a comprehensive understanding of the existence of evil and outlines
the ultimate triumph over it through the completed work of Jesus. (Greever 2020) The indispensable concepts of salvation and trust in Christ emerge as pivotal elements for restoration in the Christian worldview. These ideas form the bedrock of Christian beliefs, shaping the 6
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foundation upon which their faith resides. These five essential principles serve as lenses through which believers perceive the world, providing a framework to comprehend the origins of humanity and identify the figure they consider their savior. Without these foundational notions, the Christian worldview would lack the clarity to understand and articulate the core tenets that define their faith.
Analysis of the Implications of the Christian Worldview
The central theme lies in recognizing God's people as active participants in His mission within the world: "The focus therefore is on God’s people being called to participate in God’s mission in God’s world." (Drew 2012) A pivotal advantage embedded in the Christian worldview is the universal love extended by God, transcending individual identities, actions, and associations. This all-encompassing love remains steadfast, irrespective of one's past, present, or connections. A distinctive feature of the Christian worldview is the profound belief in the availability of God's forgiveness regardless of the gravity of mistakes or transgressions. The openness to seeking and receiving God's forgiveness becomes a transformative aspect, offering solace and redemption. While skepticism may arise, particularly in the face of adversity such as tragic events, natural disasters, or illnesses, the Christian worldview posits these challenges as essential elements for discerning the goodness that emanates from God. The juxtaposition of good and bad becomes a discernible framework, with judgment serving as a metric to distinguish between the two. The inherent existence of evil and temptation, attributed to
God's gift of free will, underscores the perpetual coexistence of contrasting forces. In navigating life's complexities, individuals are tasked with discerning the godly path when confronted with 7
adversities and temptations. This perspective encapsulates the Christian worldview's resilience in
acknowledging the dualities of existence, emphasizing the role of free will in navigating the intricacies of good and evil.
Conclusion
In considering various perspectives, it becomes evident that opinions on the Christian worldview vary widely, and for those unfamiliar with its intricacies, it may appear perplexing. This worldview encompasses several essential sub-topics, including the nature of God, the nature
of humanity, the nature of Jesus, and the theme of restoration, among others. At its core, the Christian worldview posits that God created humanity in His image, emphasizing the importance
for believers to cultivate an authentic and transparent relationship with God.
Within this worldview, diverse opinions on the nature of God are acknowledged, recognizing that individuals are entitled to their own beliefs about the divine. It is imperative for believers to bear in mind that God, in His forgiveness, has pardoned humanity for all sins. The varied perspectives individuals hold regarding these Gospel essentials profoundly shape their lives. This dynamic nature prompts continuous questioning and introspection, challenging individuals to reassess and potentially reshape their beliefs within the Christian worldview.
The Christian worldview underscores the inherent freedom given to humanity to choose to live in accordance with God's word. Despite the potential for individuals to stray or become 8
misguided in their journey through life, the steadfast assurance remains that God is ever forgiving for those who sincerely repent. This recognition empowers individuals to exercise control over their faith, navigating the complexities of belief and choice within the framework of the Christian worldview.
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References
Diffey, D. (2014). Departure from Wisdom. In The Beginning of Wisdom: An Introduction to Christian Thought and Life. Grand Canyon University
The Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Bible Gateway.
BibleGateway.com
Berzin, A. (2010). Historical survey of the Buddhist and Muslim worlds' knowledge of eachother's customs and teachings. Muslim World, 100(2-3), 187- 203.http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login? url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx? direct=true&db=rfh&AN=ATLA0001784375&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Watts, R. E. (2012). God’s equal: what can we know about Jesus’ self-understanding in the Synoptic Gospels?. Journal Of The Evangelical Theological Society, 55(4), 851-854
Greever, J. (2020). The wisdom and power of God. In Grand Canyon University (Ed.), The beginning of wisdom: An introduction to Christian thought and life (3rd ed.). BibliU - Reader - The Beginning of Wisdom: An Introduction to Christian Thought and Life
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