World Views as it Relates to Christianity

¶ … otherwise referred to as weltanschauung) refers to a person's perspectives, his or her beliefs, ethical conduct, themes, values, emotions, the way that he or she perceives objects / events in the world that are ultimately colored by his religious or ideological perspective. For instance, someone acculturated with communistic / socialistic beliefs would perceive workers to be unfairly employed / exploited by their owner, whilst another, operating from the beliefs of a divinely inspired and ordained hierarchy may see it as logical that gap should exist between worker and owner since both belong in different classes. In short, it is the framework of beliefs through which the individual perceives the world and interacts with it.

Origin of man: Christianity believes that we are created by God to populate the world. That the universe was an empty, desolate space and that in 7 days, God created all matter (as for instance "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.") culminating with the creation of man called Adam on day 6. Woman, Eve -- was created from his rib. They were placed in a special garden called Paradise, and from them issued children who ultimately populated the world. Man certainly does not come from apes. Says the Bible: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

2. Identity of humans -- Christianity believes that, rather than descents of apes, we are created 'in the image of God'. It also believes that genuine and authentic identity as human lies in emulating God and that this can be achieved most perfectly by simulating Jesus. We are "children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God" (John 1:12, 13). A Christian's identity also exists in Christ as Matthew says "follow Christ" (Matthew 4:19)

3. The question of purpose -- the purpose can be conjoined around the intent of being a true Christian i.e. "following Christ" (Matthew 4:19) i.e. The way he was, thus we are supposed to be and we can be best like that by knowing him, believing in and trusting him and "staying joined to Christ" (John 15:5)

4. The question of morality -- is a matter of committing our lives to Christ, being Christ-like i.e. Surmounting the temptations of the world, being charitable as he was, compassionate, forgiving, tolerant of others, and Godlike. "To him who overcomes, I will give...a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it" (Revelation 2:17). And, as Paul says, "I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). This is the Christian weltenschauung of morality.

5. The question of destiny -- Just as Jesus suffered for destiny of the world so do we strive to live in an eternal relationship with God and, in a matter of speaking, expiate Jesus's sufferings, by making the world somewhat of a better place not only through our actions but also by bearing testimony to Christ. "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven"[Matthew 10:32, 33].

III. Part Three: How might/should a biblical worldview influence the way you:

1. think about, treat, and speak to others on a daily basis?

I will attempt to follow Christ meaning that just as he was compassionate to others, listening closely to them and practicing tolerance and charity espousing us to 'turn the other cheek', even though difficult to do so, I will attempt to remember that each of us are moral -- meaning that I too have my sins and am no better than the other. This being so, why should I reject, punish or unjustly hurt another. Rather, I will attempt to see all individuals as a children of God, all created equal in His image, and that just as Jesus admonished us to 'love your neighbor as yourself' this is injunction about how to treat all humans without distinction.