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The term ‘worldview’ simply refers to an individual’s perception of the world around him, which is often based on the existing knowledge that he has accumulated over the years. As observed by scholars, people do not possess a ‘tabula rasa’ or blank mind when it comes to the natural world around them since they have their own opinion and values as shaped by their “socio-cultural environment or from previous educational experiences”.
The question of origin – (How did life begin? How did mankind come into existence?)
According to the Christian beliefs, all life forms, including mankind, were created by God. This belief is clearly articulated in the story of creation in the book of Genesis. According to this book, God created all things out of nothing and that man was formed out of the dust and made in God’s own likeness and image. The woman, on the other hand, was created by God out of the man’s ribs and God ordered them to multiply and fill the earth.
The question of identity – (What does it mean to be human? Are humans more important than animals?)
The book of Genesis of the Christian Bible teaches that man was made in the image and likeness of God and that he put them in charge of all the plants and animal species. It is clear then that humans are far more important than animals, primarily because he is like God himself and because he was given dominion over all the things that God has created.
The question of meaning/purpose – (Why does mankind exist? Why do I exist?)
The Christian Bible teaches that the primary reason why God created man is for man to glorify and worship him. The prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 43: 7, for instance, articulated that God has created man for his glory. Similarly, in Revelations 4:11, the apostle John revealed that God has created all things for his pleasure. As per the teachings of the bible, man, therefore, exist in order to glorify and worship God, and this can be done by fearing God and keeping his commandments as stated by Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12: 13.
The question of morality – (What is meant by right and wrong? How should I live?)
Christians consider the bible as the sole basis of their morality. For Christians, the words written in the bible are God inspired, which, according to the Apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 3: 16, is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work”. There are many moral codes written in the bible that Christians are expected to follow such as the Ten Commandments, which is under the Mosaic Law. Most modern Christians, however, refuse to obey some of the laws written in the Old Testament. Nevertheless, they follow the teachings of Christ and his Apostles in the New Testament.
The question of destiny – (Is there life after death? What will happen to me when I die)
Different Christian denomination has different views regarding what happens to man when he dies. However, there is a consensus among Christian believers that a time will come when all who died will be brought back to life and that time is referred to in the bible as the judgment day. There are some Christians who believe that life exists right after death and that man’s soul continues to live on and will either go to heaven, hell or purgatory. This belief, however, has no biblical basis and is most likely a Catholic inspired belief. The bible, however, instructs in Ecclesiastes that man will die just like the beast of the earth in such a way that his body and soul will die and return to dust while the spirit, on the other hand, returns to God. Heaven and hell, on the other hand, is reserved for the judgment day wherein the dead will be brought back to life and together with the living, will be judged according to their works and their belief in Christ. As stated in the book of Daniel 12: 2, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt”.
Think about, treat, and speak to others on a daily basis?
As fellow humans, I will treat everyone with respect. And since the Bible implies that I am accountable of my actions come judgment day, I will make sure that everything I do for my fellow is in accordance with the moral instructions of the bible. I will speak with honesty and think only of good thoughts towards my fellow human beings.
Treat/interact with the environment and non-human creation?
Expounding on the biblical belief that the world is created by God and that everything in it has been entrusted to man, I am obliged to treat the environment with care and respect. Despite that fact that my life here on earth is limited, there are also people who follow after me. As a good steward, I would see to it that the environment is in good condition, perhaps even better than when I left it so that those people who will come after me would also benefit from the environment that we all live in. Knowing that everything was created for a purpose, I perceive that non-human creations are equally important because they are created to support life. Similarly, non-human creations should also be cared upon in order to make the environment more sustainable.
Works Cited
American Bible Society. Genesis 1: 1 - 31 (Story of Creation). 1992. February 2016 <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1&version=GNT>.
Bible Hub. 2 Timothy 3:16. 2015. February 2016 <http://biblehub.com/2_timothy/3-16.htm>.
—. Ecclesiastes 12:7. 2015. February 2016 <http://biblehub.com/ecclesiastes/12-7.htm>.
Cobern, W. Worldview Theory and Science Education Research: Fundamental Epistemological Structure as a Critical Factor in Science Learning and Attitude Development. 1991. February 2016 <http://www.wmich.edu/slcsp/SLCSP088/slcsp088.pdf>.
Holy Bible, New International Version. Daniel 12:2 . 2011. February 2016 <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel+12+%3A+2&version=NIV>.
King James Bible Online. Bible Verses About Why God Created Man. 2016. February 2016 <https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Bible-Verses-About-Why-God-Created-Man/>.