Benchmark—Gospel Essentials

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Benchmark—Gospel Essentials Student Name Grand Canyon University CWV-101: Christian Worldview Steve Robenalt 3/12/2023

Benchmark—Gospel Essentials The Christian worldview is founded on essential beliefs that shape the understanding of the nature of God, humanity, Jesus, and restoration. These essential beliefs form the foundation of the Christian faith and have significant implications for the Christian worldview. This essay will examine the nature of God, humanity, Jesus, and restoration, the Christian foundation, and analyze the implications of the Christian worldview. At the core of the Christian worldview is the belief in a personal and loving God who created the universe and everything in it. This God is triune, meaning that He exists as three distinct persons in one divine essence: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. Christians believe that God is the source of all life and goodness, and that everything in creation reflects His nature and character. Another essential belief in the Christian worldview is the concept of human dignity and value. According to the Bible, human beings are created in the image of God and have inherent worth and dignity, regardless of their social status, race, or gender. This belief has profound implications for how Christians view and treat other people, as well as for how they understand their own place in the world. Gospel Essential Beliefs Nature of God The nature of God is a crucial element of the Christian worldview. The Bible teaches that God is triune, existing as three distinct persons in one divine essence. God the Father is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and He is characterized by attributes such as holiness, righteousness, and love (John 3:16). God the Son, Jesus Christ, is the Word made flesh, fully human and fully divine, who came to earth to reveal God's nature and redeem humanity (John 1:14). God the Holy Spirit is the divine helper who guides believers into all truth (John 16:13). God's creation reflects His nature and character, and He declared it good (Genesis 1:31). God the Son, Jesus Christ, is the second person of the Trinity and is fully divine and fully human. Christians believe that Jesus came to earth to reveal God's nature to humanity and to redeem them from their sins. Jesus' teachings, miracles, and ultimately His death and resurrection are the central events in Christian history, and they provide the means for human restoration and reconciliation with God. God the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and He is often referred to as the divine helper or counselor. The Holy Spirit guides believers into all truth and empowers them to live a life that glorifies God and serves others. The Spirit also provides comfort and strength to believers in times of trial and hardship. Nature of Humanity The Christian worldview teaches that humanity is created in the image of God and has inherent value and dignity (Genesis 1:27). However, humanity is fallen and separated from God by sin, which is the root cause of all human problems (Romans 3:23). The Bible teaches that the purpose of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (1 Corinthians 10:31). Human beings have a moral responsibility to obey God and love others as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40). However,

humanity's fall into sin (Genesis 3) has resulted in a separation from God and a brokenness that affects every aspect of human life. Sin has distorted the image of God in humanity, leading to selfishness, greed, injustice, and other forms of evil. The Bible teaches that sin is the root cause of all human problems (Romans 3:23) and that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:10). Therefore, every person is in need of salvation and restoration through faith in Jesus Christ. Despite humanity's fallen state, the Christian worldview holds that human beings have a purpose and a moral responsibility to obey God and love others as themselves (Matthew 22:37-40). This means that every person has a unique calling to use their gifts and talents to serve God and others, and to work towards the common good of society. Nature of Jesus Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of the Christian faith. The Bible teaches that Jesus is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human (John 1:1, 14). Jesus' kingdom purpose was to reveal God's nature and redeem humanity through His death and resurrection (Mark 10:45). Jesus' identity and work are significant for the Christian worldview because they provide the means for human restoration and reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). The New Testament documents emphasize that Jesus is fully God. John's Gospel begins with the statement that "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This passage clearly identifies Jesus as divine and equal with God. Similarly, the writer of Hebrews affirms that Jesus is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3). The divinity of Jesus is also demonstrated through His ability to forgive sins, something that only God can do (Mark 2:5-7). At the same time, the New Testament emphasizes that Jesus is also fully human. Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, fatigue, and temptation, just like any other human being (Matthew 4:2; John 4:6; Hebrews 4:15). He also displayed human emotions such as sorrow, anger, and joy (John 11:35; Mark 3:5; John 15:11). Restoration The solution to human problems according to the Christian worldview is restoration through faith in Jesus Christ. God's grace provides the way for salvation, which is a free gift received by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Repentance, which is turning away from sin and turning to God, is an essential aspect of Christian salvation (Acts 3:19). The transformation of self and society happens through the power of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live a life that glorifies God and serves others (Galatians 5:22-23). Restoration is a central concept in the Christian worldview. It refers to the process of returning to a state of wholeness and harmony with God. According to Christian belief, humanity was originally created to live in fellowship with God, but this relationship was broken by the presence of sin in the world. Sin is any act or attitude that falls short of God's perfect standard, and it has led to separation from God and the consequences of death and suffering. The solution to the problem of sin, according to the Christian worldview, is restoration through faith in Jesus Christ. This restoration is made possible by God's grace, which is His unmerited favor and love towards humanity. Grace is freely given to those who believe in Jesus as the Son of God and the only way to reconciliation with God (John 14:6).

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Christian Foundations Christian Foundation The Christian foundation is based on the essential beliefs of the nature of God, humanity, Jesus, and restoration. These beliefs serve as the framework for understanding God's plan for humanity and provide a cohesive worldview for Christians. The nature of God, as previously discussed, is triune, existing as three distinct persons in one divine essence. God the Father is the creator and sustainer of the universe, and God the Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth to reveal God's nature and redeem humanity. God the Holy Spirit is the divine helper who guides believers into all truth. The nature of humanity is that we are created in the image of God and have inherent value and dignity. However, humanity is fallen and separated from God by sin, which is the root cause of all human problems. The purpose of humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. Human beings have a moral responsibility to obey God and love others as themselves. Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of the Christian faith, and the Bible teaches that He is the Son of God, fully divine and fully human. Jesus' kingdom purpose was to reveal God's nature and redeem humanity through His death and resurrection. This belief in Jesus' identity and work is significant for the Christian worldview because it provides the means for human restoration and reconciliation with God. Analysis of the Implications of the Christian Worldview Analysis of the Implications of the Christian Worldview The Christian worldview has significant implications for its followers. Its core belief in the inherent value and dignity of all human beings promotes justice, equality, and respect for life. This belief has led Christians to be at the forefront of many humanitarian movements throughout history, including the abolition of slavery, the civil rights movement, and the fight against human trafficking. Furthermore, the Christian concept of salvation is unique in that it provides a way for humanity to be restored to God through faith in Jesus Christ, which is a free gift available to all who believe. The Christian worldview also provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the world, human nature, and God's plan for humanity. This framework has a profound impact on a person's thinking and behavior. For example, the belief in the fallen nature of humanity and the need for salvation through Christ leads to a focus on personal morality and ethical behavior. Additionally, the belief in God's sovereignty and providence leads to a perspective that life has meaning and purpose, and that all events occur within the context of God's plan. However, some people find Christianity troublesome or confusing because of its exclusivity and the problem of evil. The exclusive claim of Christianity that salvation is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ may be seen as narrow-minded or intolerant by some. Furthermore, the problem of evil, the question of why a loving God would allow suffering and evil in the world, remains a significant challenge for Christian theology and apologetics. Despite these challenges, the Christian worldview remains a powerful and influential perspective that continues to shape the beliefs and behaviors of millions of people worldwide. Its emphasis on love, forgiveness, and service to others provides a compelling vision for a world that is often plagued by division and conflict.

Conclusion In conclusion, the Christian worldview is founded on essential beliefs about the nature of God, humanity, Jesus, and restoration. These beliefs provide a framework for understanding God's plan for humanity and have significant implications for the Christian worldview. The Christian concept of salvation provides a way for human restoration and reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ, and the transformation of self and society happens through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Christian worldview promotes the inherent value and dignity of all human beings and provides a framework for understanding the world, human nature, and God's plan for humanity. While some may find Christianity troublesome or confusing, the gospel essentials form the foundation of the Christian faith and provide coherence and significance to the Christian worldview.

Resources Newton, Phil. “What Are the Essentials of the Gospel?” 9Marks , 26 Feb. 2010, https://www.9marks.org/article/what-are-essentials-gospel/. Welty, Greg. “What Is a Christian Worldview?” Christ and Culture , 15 Sept. 2021, https://cfc.sebts.edu/faith-and-culture/what-is-a-christian-worldview/. Fairchild, Mary. “Do You Know the Core Beliefs of Christianity?” Learn Religions , Learn Religions, 8 June 2020, https://www.learnreligions.com/basic-christian-beliefs-700357. Strand, Greg. “The Importance of a Christian Worldview - EFCA Blog.” The Importance of a Christian Worldview - EFCA Blog , 7 Nov. 2013, https://blogs.efca.org/strands-of- thought/posts/the-importance-of-a-christian-worldview.

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