Christian Worldview
A worldview seeks to understand God and the composition of the world and the way man relates to God and the world. In Theistic religions, the common belief is in one separately real God who overlooks the functioning of the universe. Personally, I am a Christian who believes that the Scriptures have the authority of God and should guide each Christian's everyday living. A Christian worldview replies to questions that arise from a reflection of a Christian life.
What is prime reality?
In the Christian worldview, the prime reality comprises of the personal God as revealed in the scriptures. He is triune, immanent, sovereign, and good and He exceeds the range of normal physical human experience. He is the primary source of all reality since all reality has its foundation of His being (Fayard, 2011). Without Him, there is nothing. Everything finds existence in God who forms everything from nothing. He created space, time, matter, and light. God is infinite since he is beyond measure as far as human beings are concerned. With God as the prime reality, all creation depends on him for actuality, meaning, and purpose.
What is the nature of the world around you?
The external reality comprises of the cosmos created ex nihilo that operates in a cause and effect system. God created the world out of nothing at his peril. The universe as a whole exists in a uniform and undeviating way. Everything is not predetermined, and God can enter the world at his will and interact with his creation. He can detour the ordinary course of events. In the Scriptures, Paul indicates that it is evident to observe God's divine nature by observing his creation. The world is real and inherently good because it is God's creation. He is separate from nature, and he does not form part of the created order since it reflects who He is. For a Christian to observe the universe, they will see an ordered, predictable, and dependable world.
What is a human being?
According to Christianity, man is created in God's own image. His rationality and intelligence have a great impact on the hearts and soul of the human race. Hence, it is possible for Christians to be rational in their observation of the world since it is a reflection of god's creative nature. The rational expectation of the world is that of order and one, which is a representation of the image of God (Goheen & Bartholomew, 2008). All human beings are worthy of respect and honor because they are the reflection of God's image. Hence, people are not the descendants of primates, as it would mean they have no purpose in the universe. During creation, God gave man dominion over all His creation. A man has authority over all creation under the guidance and revelation of God. Human kind's heart is predisposed towards sin as evident by the significant fall of humanity by Adam the first man God created. Sin composes of all rebellion against God and all that is good. Previously, humankind was good until the defacing of the image of God through the fall. What happens to a person at death?
For everyone, death is either the beginning of life with God in heaven or the beginning of life that is devoid of God in hell. Death occurs once the spirit leaves the body. Death is not the end of life for Christians because they have an eternal soul. Those who reject God and the scriptures will go to hell, and those who have been faithful to the teachings of the Scripture will go to heaven.
Why is it possible to know anything at all?
Human beings can know the world and God at the same time since they have been given the intelligence to fathom it all. The world has order and meaning because its foundation is of intelligence, rationality, and purpose.
How do people know what is right or wrong?
People know what is right and wrong because ethics are based on the character of God who is holy and good. His character forms the standards of morality. He has provided human beings with the Scriptures that dictate what is right or wrong and he has given each human being consciences to differentiate between what is right or bad.
What is the meaning of human history?
The history of humankind refers to everything in the past and future that will lead to the fulfillment of all his promises and his purpose for humanity. The sovereign God is in control of the world and all occurrences in it. Everything man does is crucial and is towards an ordained end. In Christianity, history comprises of creation, the Fall of Humanity, and his redemption.
Theism worldview is a belief in God as a unique spirit who created the world and who continues to oversee the fundamental operations of the world in accordance with natural law. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam religions have their basis on the Theistic worldview. The three religions have a shared belief in man's great rebellion against God, God's providence in all human affairs, His desire for reconciliation with the human race, and his promise of peace and justice. The sovereign God redeemed man by sacrificing his only son Jesus Christ on the Cross. Human beings have the capability to do good as well as commit sin. The Scriptures describe him as Omnipresence, Omniscience, and Omnipotence as an indicator of his supremacy. He is present in all creation, and space does not limit him.
References
Fayard, C. (2011). A Christian worldview & mental health: A Seventh-day Adventist perspective. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press.
Goheen, M. W., & Bartholomew, C. G. (2008). Living at the Crossroads: An Introduction to Christian Worldview. Grand Rapids: Baker Pub. Group.
