Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Worldview
What are the consequences of having a "bits and pieces" worldview? We make false distinctions between "spiritual" and "secular" where God has called us to be SALT in a corrupt society. A Biblical Worldview includes every part of our culture such as Law, Politics, and the Media.GOD GAVE US A CULTURAL MANDATE FROM THE BEGINNING! Gen. 1:28 which has been renewed by Jesus in Matt. 5:13-16. What happens when Christians withdraw from the key sectors which shape public opinion and policy? Sixty years ago Christians withdrew from politics and media. Since then national morality has plummeted. We have let godless people shape society while we huddle in our churches. We need to get out of the salt shaker and into the public square and fight to preserve America for our grandchildren! Look at the people God used in the Bible. They came from all walks of life and served in all parts of society. The key is not seminary degrees but a solid core of faith and commitment to Christ- a Biblical Worldview!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Worldviews
A CHRISTIAN STUDENT'S EXPERIENCE: A mother's tear-stained letter describes what happened when her daughter went off to college: "Our daughter was raised in Christian schools and in a Christian home where we taught her values and morals and to trust Christ as Savior. Two years out of high school at 20 yrs old, she enrolled at the University ....We did not know that this was one of the most liberal schools in the nation. Unfortunately she was overwhelmed by the professors and began to believe their philosophies. She graduated two years ago with a political science and English degree and has turned her back on all that she believed in. We are trusting God to bring our girl back. This girl's experience is not unusual. According to a UCLA survey, between 34 and 51 percent of students who claim to be "born again" as freshmen no longer place themselves in that category by their senior year. What do you think causes so many Christians to turn their backs on the faith that they had been taught for 18-20 years? Could it be that we { both local church and parents} are not preparing them to defend their faith against rival worldviews? Francis Schaffer has said that the basic problem is that Christians see things in bits and pieces instead of totals. The Apostle Paul warned, "Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ." Pastor Bill
Friday, July 11, 2008
worldviews
Hi, friends! Let me outline the basic core beliefs of the two major worldviews competing for the hearts and minds of the American people. The Humanist core beliefs are: 1. God does not exist. 2. The universe came about by random chance. 3. Humans are merely intelligent animals. 4. Death is the extinction of the human person. 5. Knowledge can be learned from reason and experience but there is no absolute truth. We determine what is true for ourselves. 6. Morality is man-made ,subjective, and relative. 7. Human history has no purpose nor meaning. There is also a religious version to this Humanist Worldview that does accept a "higher power" but the rest of the points are the same. In stark contrast to this view is the Biblical Worldview with these core beliefs: 1. God is the personal loving Creator of all things. 2. The universe was created by God out of nothing! Genesis 1 is literally true! 3. Man is created in God's image but is fallen due to sin. 4. Death is only a separation of body and spirit. The person ( spirit ) is eternal. 5. Knowledge can be learned from reason and experience but must harmonize with God's revelation in the Bible. 6. Morality consists of absolute right and wrong laws given by God and supported by our own conscience. 7. History records God's eternal plan of Redemption, service, and reward. Of course many of us do not hold a consistent worldview in some areas. Here are a few pointed questions to ask yourself and the person you want to be the next president. 1. Do you believe government should be able to remove children from parental care even when there is no physical abuse? 2. Do you favor sex education, contraceptives, or abortions for minors without parental consent? 3. Except in dire emergency, would you vote for government spending that exceeds revenues? 4. Do you favor voluntary prayer in the public schools if led by students? 5. Do you favor a reduction in government? Please call me @ 704 245-3755 if you would like to discuss any of these issues on Worldview. Would you be interested in a class on worldview in the fall? pastor Bill
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Worldview
Our worldview is our perception of reality. A comprehensive worldview is formed by answering seven basic questions: 1. Does God exist? 2. Is our world created by God or a product of Darwinian Evolution? 3. Is man the image of God or a naked ape? 4. What happens after death? Eternal existence or extinction? 5. How do we know anything? God or chance? 6. How do we know right and wrong? Absolutes or arbitrary? 7. What is the meaning of history? God's purposes or no meaning? Your values and behavior flow out of your worldview! you social and political views do also! To a large extent your worldview will determine who you will vote for this fall. Examine the nominees by their worldview and not by single issues. Make sure that a future president who claims to be a Christian has a consistent Biblical Worldview. If His view on human life is not consistent with Psalm 139:13-16 then you would be voting for a Humanist Worldview which opposes God and the founding values of America. If his view on the economy favors large government programs and higher taxes rather than free market enterprise then study Matt.25:14-29. Ask yourself, 'what would Jesus do?" Has this made you think about your own worldview? Next week we will define the Biblical Worldview and its arch rival the Humanist Worldview. See you then! pastor Bill
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