A Biblical Worldview

A Biblical Worldview

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CENTURION EDUCATION FOUNDATION

A Theological Article

by

Dr. Andrew T. Knight

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What Should be a Christian’s worldview?

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Andrew Thomas Knight

DMIN Luther Rice Seminary, 2014

MABA Clarks Summit, 2018

MRE West Coast Baptist College, 2010

MBS Emmanuel Baptist Theological Seminary, 2004

BB Pensacola Christian College, 1994

March 26, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION………………………………….………………….. 1

Defining Truth…………………………..………….……………….. 2

Define What Is Real……………………..……………….…………… 4

One’s View of God ………………………………..……..…………… 6

The Meaning of a Human Being……….……………………..………. 7

What Is Wrong With Humanity and This World…………………….. 8

How to Fix the World’s Problems……………………………………. 9

What is Important in Life…………………………………………….. 10

What Happens After Death…………………………………………… 10

How Are We Assured………………………………………………… 11

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………… 12

INITIAL SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ……………………………………. 13

INTRODUCTION

This writer will first discuss the topic of, What is truth? Followed by, What is real? Then

the conversation will expand to describe, What is this writers view of God? As this writer

believes that theology, (the study of God) will lead one to anthropology, (the study of man).

Thus the question of, What is man will be addressed. The theological question of the problem of

humanity and this world will be answered. This writer will then offer some solutions to the

problems of this world. Again, these answers can only be theological. Next this writer will

suggest what are the most important aspects of his life, and why. Finally the most important

question that a human being could ask, where will I go when I die and how will I know? These

questions will be answered from this writer’s perspective.

Defining Truth

Developing ones’ worldview on what is truth several sources will be considered, though

the Bible will be the primary and final authority on truth. Other sources set the table which may

or may not make truth more palatable. The rather simple, but not theological definition, found in

the Webster’s Dictionary states, “Truth/noun (no plural) what is true; the correct facts.”[1] This

definition is good but only leaves truth to the strength of ones’ conscience.

Old Testament

Exodus 34:6

Moses discussed the concept of truth as he penned Exodus 34:6 “And the LORD passed

by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious,

longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” He Moses equates truth with the Lord. One

could then say, all truth is the Lord’s truth.

Deuteronomy 32:4

In Deuteronomy 32:4 the highest ethic is seen in the character of God, “He is the Rock,

his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and

right is he.” Thus these passages show us that God is truth and that God’s character is truth.

Psalms 25:5

King David, the human author of Psalm 25:5, describe truth as an intangible that can be

taught. “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I

wait all the day.” Truth is passed on from the character of God to King David to Christians.

New Testament

Matthew 14:33

Mathew equates truth with the Son of God, Matthew 14:33 “Then they that were in the

ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.”

John 1:14

John stated Jesus was equal to truth in John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and

dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of

grace and truth.” Jesus being the central figure in human history makes it even more significant

Him being equal with truth.

John 1:17

John declares the Jesus as the source of truth in John 1:17 “17 For the law was given by

Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” And God and Jesus are One, thus truth came

from God.

John 17:17

John then made the statement that truth is the Word of God. John penned the words, John

17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” The Word is truth and is God and

Jesus. One could also say that truth, the Bible is God.

Nancy Pearcey dealt with the matter of what is truth to a great extent. The thesis

statement of her book, “Total Truth,” that this student could offer would be, truth is always truth.

If it is truth Sunday morning, it will be truth all week long. If truth is truth in the Bible, it is also

truth in history, science, geography, mathematics, business, politics, law, medicine, and

education. Truth is always truth. Pearcey stated it like this,

“Christians do not promote values, because we hold that Christianity is objectively true, not merely our private preference. Nor do we teach facts in the modern sense, because that term means ‘value free’ science—free from any religious framework. What Christianity offers is a unified, integrated truth that stands in complete contrast to the two-level concept of truth in a secular world.”[2]

What Pearcey was arguing for is that truth is truth in any subject that one would like to

discuss. Furthermore, truth is truth in any time period. In other words, truth does not go in and

out of vogue. Truth is not a modern invention or a modern development. In part Pearcey was

arguing for the Christian to not give up ground to the atheist, the skeptic, or the secularist. Stated

differently, the burden of proof for the atheist argument against theistic truth is on atheist, and

not the theistic believer in the truth of the Word of God.

John Frame discussed truth when elaborating on the principle of Sola Scripture (Scripture

alone), when he stated, ”God gave Scripture as the covenant constitution of the people of God,

and if it is to serve us in any way, it must take precedence over all other sources of knowledge.”[3]

Define What is Real

What is real is eternal life, eternal matters, and the spirit life rather than the natural life.

Jesus spent three and one half years teaching His followers the differences between what was

real, what was real in this life, and what was temporal, and therefore not real. Luke recorded for

us in Luke 9:62 “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and

looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Jesus was addressing an agrarian culture at that

time. Farming was what the vast majority of what people did for a living. What Jesus was doing

was contrasting temporal work with the priority of eternal matters. Everyone knew how

important farming was to survival, so what Jesus was saying is how much more a reality is the

kingdom of God then one’s own livelihood and survival? Jesus was drawing a contrast between

the economies of this world (temporal reality) with the economy of heaven (eternal reality). This

contrast which Jesus drew demonstrated the stark between the economics of this life and the

economy of the kingdom of God shows the true reality which is only found in eternal life and

matters.

Matthew recorded a contrast between temporal and eternal, or the unreality verses the

reality. First in Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the

kingdom of heaven is at hand.” What Jesus was saying is that eternal life is the top priority of

one’s temporal life. Said differently, the real reality of this life is eternal life. Jesus then

discussed the kingdom of heaven priority in Matthew 5:19 “Whosoever therefore shall break one

of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom

of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom

of heaven.” Jesus was contrasting the carnal and spiritual life as identified by the kingdom of

heaven’s economy. A life lived for the Lord is the highest reality one can live. In other words,

one, even a Christian, can lead a life that is not based on what is real. For example, a Christian

spend all their time money and interest on entertainment. They spend large sums of money, they

give all their non-working time to pursuing entertainment, and they work as hard as they can to

get the money so they can employ it trying to satisfy their lust for entertainment. When they are

done they claim that they have lived life to the fullest. While on the other hand, the mature

believer that understands that living by kingdom principles and living for kingdom priorities are

more than living for high ideals, they are in fact living for the highest reality in this lifetime.

One’s View of God

This writer’s view of God: God is that He is the One with the big ideas. He is the

Engineer, Scientist, Entrepreneur, Teacher and Historian of the ages. He made the Universe and

the Earth is in the center of it all. Genesis 1:1-2 “In the beginning God created the heaven and the

earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” And He made a place called Heaven,

where God resides. One might think about it as His home, and one day all His children will come

home. The Earth though, for now is the center of His attention. Isaiah 66:1a “Thus saith the

LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:” The focal point of God’s

attention is the World, and more specifically on His people. John 3:16a “For God so loved the

world,”

This writer thinks of God as the Dad that put the band aids on after a fall off of the

tricycle, or when Dad taught his son how to drive a car. Dad was there when graduation came

along. Dad knew what you wanted for Christmas and birthdays and he always gave good gifts.

Mark 14:36a “And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee;” God is to this writer

One who is always there He is in my heart and is in my mind and thoughts. He is patient,

compassionate, and loves at all times. His will sometimes is allusive as He wants His children to

pursue Him and know His heart.

This writer’s view of God also includes understanding the nature and character of God.

God is a Trinity, which is to say, He has three distinct parts, with three distinct functions. He is

God the Father. This writer sometimes refers to the Father as the Executive branch of the Trinity.

The Father told the Son to go and live as the God-Man, and die for the sins of the World. The

Father and He alone knows when He will send the Son to come and get His Bride, the church.

God is good. Wayne Grudem talked about His goodness this way, “The goodness of God is the

final standard of good, and that is all that God is and is worthy of approval.”[4] Psalm 100:5 “For

the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Thus God

is good to this writer. God is the Source of good in the World.

Jesus is to this writer my Savior, and my constant companion. Jesus and the narrative of

His earthly life has changed the World. This narrative of Jesus’ earthly life has changed the life

of this writer. Without the earthly life of Christ there would be no personal redemption from our

sins, there would be no Divine purpose for living, and no hope for eternal life in Heaven. Paul

talked about our Saviour when he penned, I Timothy 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the

commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” The message of

the our Saviour has shaped the lives of countless millions for over two millennia, and Jesus

continues to save many as the central figure in human history. As a result, the life, death, burial,

and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the redemption of mankind is the main narrative in developing a

Christian worldview.

The Meaning of a Human Being

The best thing this writer can say relative to human beings is that they are made in the

image of God. Genesis 1:26-27 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our

likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and

over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female

created he them.” One of the greatest meanings of the human experience is that we were in part

created to populate the Earth and to reflect the Lord’s image to the whole world. God created

mankind to have fellowship with Him. The Lord desires to know each person on Earth, thus as

we reflect His image in ourselves then others see the Lord in us. One well know verse which

speaks of the Lord’s desire for relationship with human beings is Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I

stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,

and will sup with him, and he with me.” This shows human beings that God does want a

relationship with them, but there is a problem. Gen. 3:22 “And the LORD God said, Behold, the

man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take

also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:” Thou man was made in the image of God man

fell into sin and was separated from God. God had a way for man to come back into fellowship

with Himself. But ever since there has been a curse on man, weather unsaved, or saved by grace,

man has suffered because of the effects of the curse of sin. Man is distinct from all other living

on Earth as stated in, Genesis 1:28 “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful,

and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea,

and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Man was

made as a steward of all the Earth, and God instructed man to use the resources which are in the

Earth.

What Is Wrong With Humanity and This World

What is wrong with humanity is not relative to the time or the culture in which one lives.

It makes no difference what is one’s economic or educational status. What is however relative to

every person in every culture, time and economic status is one’s ability to control their actions or

inactions without the aid of the indwelling Spirit of God. Gen 3:5 “For God doth know that in the

day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and

evil.” Every person sins against God, their family members, their friends, their co-workers and

boss, their spouse, their children, and all others that they interact with. And as the population

grows the percentage of unbelievers also grow. One people group that are growing fast, who are

may even be considered to be an anti-Christ are the Ishmaelite’s. God warned that they would be

a curse to the world. Gen. 16:12 “And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man,

and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”

How to Fix the World’s Problems

At the risk of being overly simplified, the major spiritual, political, economic, social

problems which are in the world are sin and Satan. Thus the One Person which can solve all the

world’s problems is the Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son

is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful,

Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his

government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to

order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The

zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Our Lord has promised to eradicate sin from the

Earth, and He has already been victorious over sin, death, and the cross. The Lord has also

promised to defeat Satan and He will fulfill this promise. Rev. 20:10 “And the devil that

deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet

are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” In the final seen of humanity Satan

is removed from the reach of God’s people.

What is Important in Life

Jesus spent much of His earthly ministry persuading His followers to commit their lives

to spiritual matters rather than temporal matters, (Matt. 22). This is the big picture priority,

which is to say living for God’s highest glory and man’s greatest good. The finer points then are

to continue to be discipled in the things of God. Continue to seek opportunities to serve the Lord

and people, and to be in the place where the Lord has to serve Him. Continue to develop lasting,

godly relationships (family and friends) where all are growing more into God’s likness (Psalm

1:1-2) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the

way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” One thing this writer really would like to do is to

spend some time in Israel and absorb the theater and culture of the Bible. It would be the belief

of this writer that the things mentioned have and will bring the greatest glory to our Lord and the

greatest fulfillment to the heart and life of a Christian.

What Happens After Death

This may be the question for all ages though this writer is one hundred percent confident

in God’s plan for His children. II Corinthian 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to

be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” This promise is to the believer if they

are separated from their body in death. If the Rapture happens during the believer’s lifetime they

are assured of their being with the Lord too. I Thess. 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend

from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the

dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together

with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

These promises from Scripture should give the believer great comfort.

How Are We Assured

God has given the believer great and wonderful promises how they can be assured of

their salvation and a home in heaven. I John 5:11-13 “And this is the record, that God hath given

to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the

Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the

Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of

the Son of God.” Another wonderful promise was penned by Paul. Romans 8:35 “Who shall

separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or

nakedness, or peril, or sword?” These are the assurances of this writer and have found peace and

joy in my soul knowing these wonderful truths.

CONCLUSION

This research began by defining what truth is, and by employing a dictionary definition,

Old and New Testament verses of Scripture, and referencing Nancy Pearcey and John Frame.

This writer also defined with the aid of Scripture what is real. There was a lengthy explanation of

this writer’s view of God. The study of the meaning of human beings was offered with biblical

references. This writer gave a brief, but biblical analysis of what is wrong with humanity and this

world. This writer continued with a brief explanation from Scripture how to fix the problems of

the World. This research included with an explanation of what is important in life. This paper

concluded by explaining from Scripture what happens after death and how one can be assured.

INITIAL SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPGY

Bahnsen, Greg L. Presuppositional Apologetics: Stated and Defended. Nacogdoches, TX: Covenant Media Press, 2011.

Frame, John M. Apologetics: A Justification of Christian Belief. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2015.

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Instruction to Biblical Doctrine. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishers House, 1994.

Pearcey, Nancy. Total Truth: liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity. Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2005.

Webster, Noah. Webster’s Dictionary: A Comprehensive Guide to the English Language for the Home, Office, and School. New York: Modern Publishing, 1999.

  1. Noah Webster, Webster’s Dictionary: A Comprehensive Guide to the English Language for the Home, Office, and School, (New York: Modern Publishing, 1999), 311.
  2. Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth: liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2005), 119.
  3. John M. Frame, Apologetics: A Justification of Christian Belief, (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2015), 22.
  4. Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Instruction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishers House, 1994), 197.

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