CWV-101-301-RS-T5BenchmarkGospelEssentials-TEMPLATE
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Benchmark—Gospel Essentials
Adriana Castillo Grand Canyon University
Christian Worldview: 101
Valerie De La Torre
2-18-24
Benchmark—Gospel Essentials
Christianity is a complex and diverse religion, with numerous perspectives and beliefs held by
people around the world. Not only do non-Christians have their own opinions about what
Christianity should stand for, but even within the Christian community there is a rich variety of
interpretations and beliefs about what the true essence of the religion. One of the most intriguing
aspects of Christianity is the fact that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to some of its most
fundamental questions; everyone has their own perspective on the matter. Christians from
different regions, cultures, and denominations have different viewpoints on core issues like the
nature of God, the true identity of Jesus, the meaning of his death, and the nature of human
beings. This essay will explore these topics in more detail, examining the various perspectives
held by different groups and attempting to gain a deeper understanding of the foundations of
Christian belief.
Nature of God
God is infinite and everlasting, with no creator. He is the omnipresent creator of the universe. The Bible states in John 1:1-3, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. The same was true in the beginning with God. He made all things, and without Him was not anything made that was made." (English Standard Version). According to Christian worldviews, God is perfect and omnipresent and loves us unconditionally. He is our loving Father who has created everything beautifully for us and has made great sacrifices for our sins. God has given people the gift of free will, which means one can choose to believe in Him as
God and creator. The Christian worldview is that there is one true God who is always everywhere. He exists as a triune spirit being, which means he exists as the Father, Son , and 2
Holy Spirit in one (Diffey, 2020). The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are equally in one. God is an all-knowing and all-creating entity who is full of love.
Nature of Humanity As per Christian beliefs, humans were created by God in His image. The Bible states, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Gen.1:27 English Standard Version). Being made in God’s image means that human nature is essentially good. According to Christian teachings, we were created to love each
other and our creator, God. However, due to the sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we have inherited sin. Adam and Eve were perfect beings who had a beautiful relationship with God, but they chose to sin, and as a result, their descendants also inherited sin. God punished them with death and sin, and the evidence is apparent of this punishment in the hardships that humanity faces today, such as sickness, poverty, hunger, and death. Despite this, God, in His love and mercy, created a plan to give humanity hope. He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, thus saving humanity from their sins. The Bible says, “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.” (John 3:16
English Standard Version). This act of grace from God towards humanity shows us just how much He loves us. Nature of Jesus Many non-Christians see Jesus as a good man, but according to the Christian worldview, he is much more than that. He is the son of God, and he is part of the Trinity, which means that he is separate from God and the Holy Spirit, but also equal to them. Before he came to earth, he lived in heaven, but he was sent down to take human form and die for human sins. While he was on earth, he experienced pain and temptation just like any other human being. Although people 3
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around the world have different perspectives, Christians base their faith on Jesus Christ and his teachings. When he taught, one sees how “He is never recorded as basing his teaching on the opinions of earlier rabbis—the accepted technique of the day—but taught instead on his own authority.” (Bell, 2023) He taught the Bible beautifully. The scripture states “ And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” (Mat. 7:28,29 English Standard Version). Christians believe that salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ, who saved humanity through his sacrifice. It is believed that Jesus's life and teachings serve as a roadmap for Christians to follow. Restoration Christian worldviews teach and believe that the fourth act mentioned in the bible is restoration. Unlike many other religions,”
Other religions stress earning salvation (eternal life in heaven) by doing certain works and engaging in religious customs.” (Valk, 2012) Jesus creates a path for humans to follow to have a relationship with God. This process is called restoration. It is
described in 3 sections according to The Beginning of Wisdom: An Introduction to Christian Thought and Life, Topic 5 Overview
: Repentance, Redemption, and Renewal. True repentance means feeling remorseful for one's sins, turning to God in Christ, and committing to live a life that pleases God. To please God, one must have a humble heart and be willing to change. Planning to sin and asking for forgiveness later is not true repentance. Redemption is the act of accepting Christ as our savior. It cannot be earned through good deeds or merits but is instead received through faith. Renewal is when ones allows the Holy Spirit into your life. A transformation begins from the inside out with "the renewal of the mind" (Romans 12:2 english 4
standard version), which is called being born again. They believe that salvation is only possible through Jesus.
Christian Foundations Repentance, Redemption, and Renewal are the four gospel essentials and are the foundation of the Christian worldview. It is taught the nature of God is creator of all things all and omnipotent. Also, the doctrine of the Trinity is in the center, one true God manifesting as three beings: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
Understanding the concepts of the Trinity is essential for the Christian worldview. The Trinity is crucial in understanding the Christian worldview. God's flawless attributes point to His perfect nature, offering a perspective that aligns with God's. Every worldview is different to understand them you must understand the basic teaching and foundation. Christianity, these teachings have found their purpose and how to live their lives. These four foundations help us understand and show God's personality and way of thinking toward humanity. The Beginning of Wisdom According to the Beginning of Wisdom, every individual trust in something at the end. It could be God, the world, or ourselves. Regardless of what one put their trust in, all have something to rely on. (Valk, 2012) Through the Christian Worldview, Christians are provided with the ability to live their lives based on the principles of restoration and Jesus Christ.
Analysis of the Implications of the Christian Worldview 5
From a Christian worldview perspective, it is believed that nature and value come from the Creator. This belief suggests that every individual deserves love and respect from one another because all are created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:27, English Standard Version). Christians believe that their worth and value come from their Father in heaven. The concept of salvation in Christianity is distinct from other worldviews, as it can only be attained through Jesus Christ. Most worldviews believe that one can attain salvation by oneself and are worthy of salvation. Christians believe that they are broken due to the original sin unworthy of salvation, but people are given the chance of redemption through Jesus Christ. Many Christians strive to live a life that is approved or pleasing to God by being humble, honest, and loving. They
are taught to put their own needs second to Jesus Christ. They are also trained to live with Jesus Christ as a model. For many, this concept hinders their understanding of the Christian view because one is sinful, prideful, and selfish humans. Most people do not like to feel helpless or powerless, and so is the “understanding of Christian ethics in such an eschatological framework”( Heilig, 2014) for most people.
Conclusion Every individual possesses a unique worldview that is shaped by their personal experiences and perspective. Such worldviews provide a comprehensive understanding of their identity, purpose, and the world around them. For Christians, their worldview is influenced by their faith in the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ, which enable them to comprehend the reason behind humanity's existence, the consequences of the choices made by Adam and Eve, and the possibilities that are still available to them by faith. Through the Bible, Christians gain knowledge about the nature of God, humanity, and Jesus Christ. They believe that God created humans for a particular purpose, to honor and glorify God by the way of life in all that they do. 6
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They believe that following Jesus is the path to salvation and eternal life. It is also believed that salvation can only be achieved through Jesus Christ, who is considered to be the savior of the world. 7
References
Bell, A. A., Jr. (2023). Jesus.
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live&scope=site&custid=s8333196&groupid=main&profile=eds1
Heilig, C. (2014). Resurrection and the Foundation of Christian Behaviour: Paul and Origen in Dialogue.
Colloquium: The Australian & New Zealand Theological Review
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Valk, J. The Beginning of Wisdom: An Introduction to Christian Thought and Life, 2012, lc.gcumedia.com/
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Valk, J. The Beginning of Wisdom: An Introduction to Christian Thought and Life, 2012, lc.gcumedia.com/cwv101/the-beginning-of-wisdom-an-introduction-to-christian-thought-
and-life/v3.1/.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/#copy (Original work published 2001)
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