Understanding worldviews and their cultural significance

¶ … Worldviews

A comprehensive framework of one's basic beliefs about things and their relationships, a worldview addresses a stance that one believes is critical and fundamental about the world (Downers, 2008)

According to Phillips (2008) a worldview is an explanation and interpretation of the world and it involves application of this view of life, in simple terms worldview is a view of the world and a view for the world.

Why am I living?

According to Kennedy (2010) God placed a living soul into a lifeless human body; this tells us that man is more than the offspring of primeval animals. Man is created with unique and vast higher nature inside the mortal is something immortal. God introduced a form of life into the human organism which is soul. Soul is eternal, does not breath air, drink water or consume food it is sustained entirely by the design and will of God and will eventually migrate either into the eternal presences of God, or be eternally separated from him because of sinful acts that humans engage in.

Another argument is that since we are creatures of God that is God engineered material substance that would accurately display his very own intellect and abilities therefore it is by his miraculous methods that we are living.

What is the cause of my existence and what of everyone existence?

We are entirely responsible for not only what we are but also what we will be. For example if we look at ourselves and find that we are unhappy or we are in situations which restrict us then we have ourselves to blame. Man intrinsically has no nature. That is, man found he in this world not of his own making this therefore portrays that our existence precedes our essence. (Sartre, 2009).

Mainstream Christianity view that essence precedes existence since man is fully subject to Gods plans.

Why do we exist?

This is a reflective question that has pondered for quite number of years. Some who have attempted to answer make unsubstantial claim that we exist because of random occurrences and that there is no need to life.

The question of existence can be explained through the handbook granted to us by our creator. From the writing of Apostle Paul, 'For by him all things were created; things in heaven on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or powers or rulers or authorities all this things were created by him and for him' (Colossians 1:16) this explains our origins and extent reason for our existence. We exist because God created us as his objects of his love. God is love; this is its part of nature, his character and essence of his being. God put us on this earth so as to know him and love him.

Why is there division of good and evil within me?

Man has been divided into matter (evil) and mind (good).The most dangerous dualism for the Christians is to think that some aspects of life are spiritual while others classified as secular. If we think that there are secular aspects we might include sacred things such as; baptism, offerings, and Christian education.

The acceptance of Christ in every aspect of life is pointed out throughout the scriptures. "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1corinthians 10:31) "what you do in the actions, do all in the name of the lord Jesus" (Colossians 3:17) this urge for official representation of Christ. In Romans 12:2 states, "Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" man chose to be conformed to this world to take the distorted figure of sin, as a result of this man lost the original form which is the likeness of his creator. Impressively, by the grace of God, human beings can be reformed by a renewing of the mind which can be called spiritual rebirth. This reformation brings about change in which the image of God is restored in human beings.

How must I live?

The question, how must I live is dealt with by looking into a scripture in 1 peter 4:7-11 "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multiple of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it with the strength of God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power forever and ever Amen"

Although one has to live as it has been stated in the scripture the presence of evil in the world possess a potential threat.Phillips, et al. (2008) classifies evils into two logical causal categories which is Moral and Natural evils. Moral evils are the choices made by free human agent while Natural evils is the result of the inherent cycles of the earth, as opposed to moral evils it does not involve human willing or participation. Categories of moral evils include; genocide, rape, and murder.Natural evils comprises of typhoon, earthquakes and diseases.

Life is more than existence. Christ made it clear that he came so that we might have life more sufficiently, life therefore goes beyond simply coping and surviving, it goes beyond self, life is God-centered for he is the source of life in this case we should live life in a way that is productive, meaningful and filled with love towards God and man.