“A Biblical Worldview”
___________________________________________
CENTURION EDUCATION FOUNDATION
A Theological Article
by
Dr. Andrew T. Knight
___________________________________________
What Should be a Christian’s worldview?
________________________________________
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.
- Noah Webster, Webster’s Dictionary: A Comprehensive Guide to the English Language for the Home, Office, and School, (New York: Modern Publishing, 1999), 311. ↑
- Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth: liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, (Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2005), 119. ↑
- John M. Frame, Apologetics: A Justification of Christian Belief, (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2015), 22. ↑
-
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Instruction to Biblical Doctrine (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishers House, 1994), 197. ↑