Biblical worldview: foundations and implications

God & History

The author of this response has been charged with describing the details of how the author will practice one's chosen vocation, that being a history teacher, in a way that will be consistent with the word of God and a strong Christian worldview. A total of three specific examples will be given to help give evidence to the fact that the author is absolutely qualified and equipped to do the job and do it well. While we live in a world that is full of nefarious and deceiving information and it is important to give a fair and honest review of history as it truly exists rather than the stunted and limited view that some others might give.

Example One

Of course, the one big correlation and tidbit that has to be made clear when it comes to history and our Lord is that there is little doubt among historical scholars that Jesus did in fact exist. Of course, there is widespread debate among skeptics and the like that suggest he was a man just like anyone else and that he is no different than other "prophets" that have come and gone such as Mohammed (Islam/Muslims), Montanus and a few others. However, it is also clear that the evidence that underpins Jesus and his work is strongly backed up by sources exterior to the Bible. Indeed, one can look at and see verses in the Bible that clearly correlate to real-world events that are recounted and summarized by people other than those that wrote the Bible. This is just one manifestation and way to prove that the account of man, that being the common historical record, and the account of God, that being the Bible and the men who helped write down the words of God, are two trains going along a parallel path. Some might point out that there is no way to prove that God is real. However, even the Bible confirms this in many ways including in Hebrews 11:3, where it says "by faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." Indeed, it is not hard to have faith in something that is easily provable and beyond doubt [footnoteRef:1]. [1: Holy Bible: New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.]

Example Two

Another way in which history can be explained in a way that can even reach skeptics and throw cold water on the idea that our existence is just an evolutionary accident is how the world came to be. Perhaps evolution and Big Bang are just God's way of testing us and it did not really happen. On the other hand, one or more of those theories and the creation as God performed it may be one and the same. However, the explanation of ancient history as told only by scientists is simply dubious and it is clear that there is something more at work than molecules and other matter. However, that is more of a scientific question and less of a historical one. What is absolutely related to the historical record is that we simply cannot have come from nowhere and something or, more to the point, someone (God) got the ball rolling, so to speak. As far as scientists and historians contorting themselves to come up with another narrative, it is clear that the Bible references them. Indeed, Jeremiah 9 says, in part, "They have taught their tongues to lie, they wear themselves with sinning. You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me." In short, there are people that simply cannot admit the truth that is before them. The parameters of this report specifically say to not speak of how to evangelize. Indeed, that is not needed here. Just pointing out the concept that science cannot now, nor will it be able to for the foreseeable future (if ever), be able to explain how consciousness and existence came to be. So long as that is true, God will be the answer that most people will come to. There is no need to excessively evangelize or proselytize. It should be more about gently probing and asking the right questions. The right conclusions will usually follow [footnoteRef:2]. [2: Holy Bible: New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.]

Example Three