worldview. A comprehensive set of basic or ultimate beliefs that fit together in a consistent or coherent manner. A full worldview would include answers to the following questions and more: What kinds of realities are there, and what is ultimately real? What explanation can be given of reality? What is knowledge, and how do we gain it? What is it to have a reasonable or justified belief? What is the good, what is the good life for a human person and how does a person achieve such a life? What is beauty, and how is it related to reality and goodness?
C. Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), 124.
Everyone, has a worldview, even if they do not know or understand it. At its core, a worldview is how an individual believes and reacts to everything around them. For “Christians” this has never been more important than the present day. There are vast numbers of groups and even government agencies that want the Judeo-Christian Principles found in the Bible driven from the American landscape. As Ken Ham says below, ‘We [true Christians] must judge based upon God’s word alone!’
The clearest verse to support this was written by the Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2:
Amplified Bible ROMANS 12
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
CONTEXT/STUDY
Chapter 12 – After having handled those things necessary for the erection of the kingdom of God,—that righteousness is to be sought from God alone, that salvation is to come to us alone from his mercy, that all blessings are laid up and daily offered to us in Christ only,—Paul now passes on, according to the best order, to show how the life is to be formed. If it be, that through the saving knowledge of God and of Christ, the soul is, as it were, regenerated into a celestial life, and that the life is in a manner formed and regulated by holy exhortations and precepts; it is then in vain that you show a desire to form the life aright, except you prove first, that the origin of all righteousness in men is in God and Christ; for this is to raise them from the dead.
And this is the main difference between the gospel and philosophy: for though the philosophers speak excellently and with great judgment on the subject of morals, yet whatever excellency shines forth in their precepts, it is, as it were, a beautiful superstructure without a foundation; for by omitting principles, they offer a mutilated doctrine, like a body without a head. Not very unlike this is the mode of teaching under the Papacy: for though they mention, by the way, faith in Christ and the grace of the Holy Spirit, it yet appears quite evident, that they approach heathen philosophers far nearer than Christ and his Apostles.
But as philosophers, before they lay down laws respecting morals, discourse first of the end of what is good, and inquire into the sources of virtues, from which afterwards they draw and derive all duties; so Paul lays down here the principle from which all the duties of holiness flow, even this,—that we are redeemed by the Lord for this end—that we may consecrate to him ourselves and all our members. But it may be useful to examine every part.
John Calvin and John Owen, Commentary on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 449–450.
I have been doing construction projects big and small since junior high school. It is not unusual for a customer to ask, “Can’t we just…” Some are well-meaning just trying to save a few bucks, and others are seriously trying to cut corners no matter the consequences. My response is always the same, that is illegal, immoral, and unethical and we do not do that kind of work. That is our “Construction worldview.”
When the Apostle Paul tells us not to conform1 to this world he does not imply that we should not be informed2 about this world. With the upcoming Election this November here in the United States, every Christian patriot must be an informed citizen so we can cast our votes in a manner that supports a Biblical Worldview.
Both sides of the presidential race are (finally) set, and Americans remain historically dissatisfied with both options. Of course, considering the flurry of events of just the last few months, it’s not impossible that something may change yet again. Whether we fall into the category of being so sick of politics already or being unable to look away, every citizen has two choices. First, whether to vote and, second, how to vote.
Voting: Lesser of Two Evils vs. Lessening Evil
How do I vote when I don’t like either candidate?
With Over a Hundred Million Voters Last Election, Does My Vote Even Matter?
Is standing for religious freedom just another way to protect privilege?
Is worldview an important factor in presidential race? Consider Dems’ view on abortion
- conformity Adherence to an established (legal) form of religion. Also, as expressed in prayer, the desire to live in congruence with God’s will
Donald K. McKim, The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms, Second Edition, Revised and Expanded. (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2014), 64. ↩︎ - https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/Informed ↩︎
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