RLGN 105 Biblical Worldview

My Personal Response

Just like any other individual, even I possess a comprehensive worldview that helps me to make sense of the reality of life and the world around me. Although I am an Asian as far as my ethnic identity is concerned, I am a Christian and hence my worldview is essentially a Christian one. According to me, spirituality is an essential aspect of human existence, and it comprises of the body as much as the soul. We all are the disciples of Jesus Christ, and our existence is all about complying with the wish of the Holy Spirit, the guiding spirit of mankind, that helps us to become one with the Almighty.  For me, spirituality is not just about developing my soul, but also living a holy life, by appropriating the Christian beliefs about God, humanity and the world (Sire, 2015). According to me, pluralism is an important concept in the world that believes in religious diversity. Religious pluralism implies that two or more religions, which may not be essentially my own, are and can be equally valid. This is often regarded as a foil to religious ‘exclusivism’ that believes that there is only one religious worldview needed for knowing God. As far as Scientism is concerned, it is a belief that every phenomenon on this earth can be explained by purely scientific theories, without referring to any supernatural beliefs. However, I do not validity of this thought as there are various things that cannot be explained by science. Postmodernism, according to me, is a religious worldview and set of beliefs and religious attitudes, that is most common in today’s world (Jones, 2016). Postmodernism is characterized by religious pluralism, distrust in and questioning of the meta-narratives and denial of the Absolute Truth. The Absolute Truth or spirituality becomes highly subjective, and is a matter of perception rather than a mandate to be followed by all. Thus, the experience of the spiritual quest has become highly individual in today’s postmodern world.

What is the Prime Reality?

As a Christian, I believe that the prime reality of the universe as well as my own existence is God, the eternal, transcendental, omniscient power that is all-pervasive and eternal and unchangeable. The Almighty is the creator of this universe, and he is the only source of life. I believe that human existence and the origin of any form of life on earth can be explained only through God. God is transcendental and hence his existence is not limited to any deity used for worship or the human mind, as he transcends everything, and exists within and without the world. The material world is but an illusion, and is only a creation of God, while God remains the ulterior reality, although his existence can be perceived but not comprehended by mankind (Esqueda, 2014).

What is the Nature of the World around Me?

The nature of the world we all inhabit in, according to me, is created by the Almighty, who alone can justify and explain the existence of the universe as well as the existence of mankind in it. God is the creator of the Universe, and this is why he is believed to be our Father as well (Entwistle, 2015). However, it should not be believed that the universe came into existence randomly, as there was much order, logic and structure that were being used during the creation of God. I believe that God has not forsaken the universe once it was created, and rather he daily controls everything happening on this universe, right from the transformation of day into night and vice versa, to  the unfolding of events with eternal purpose on a daily basis (Ryken, 2013).

What is a Human Being?

The origin of the human beings can be explained through the tale of Adam and Eve, who were created by God, until they were allured into sinful action by the Satan. Hence, I believe every human is but a reflection of God and his divine virtues, although he nevertheless reflects certain vices as well, that he had inherited from Satan. I believe that it is the responsibility of every human being to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and lead a virtuous life, so as to spiritually redeem himself, and lead a life of dignity, virtue, love and compassion.

What Happens to a Person at Death?

A person after death can either be allowed to enter the holy Abode of God, cleansed and purged of all his sins, and ready to lead a pure life, with God and his grace, or he can be eternally separated from God, if he has not led a virtuous life, and his vices exceed and surpass all his virtues. Life after death is indeed a reality, and death is an end of human life, not an end of human existence (Chan & Wong, 2014). The spirit continues to live, as it is eternal, and an essential part of the immortal universe. However, he can either live forever with or life forever without God, afer his death, depending upon his actions.

Why is it Possible to Know Anything at All?

Since the inception of mankind, the human beings have been able to develop sufficient knowledge about the universe around them as well as their Creator, the God. Acquisition of knowledge by human beings has been possible, simply because God has permitted the same. Since God is Almighty, and he knows everything, he has also allowed sufficient knowledge to mankind as well (Ford, 2016). There are two ways we can know about the source of our existence, and the nature of the Almighty and the universe- through creation and through the words of Christ.

How do People Know what is Right and what is Wrong?

The humans have been created from God, and thus each one of us is gifted with the ability to distinguish between the ‘right’ and the ‘wrong’. Each human is a child of God, and hence it is wrong to hurt or harm any other man, who is also a child of God. Love, compassion and willingness to help each other are right while hindering, hurting or harming any creature is s sin, as it reflects the qualities of Satan, that has resulted in the Fall of mankind.  

What is the Meaning of Human History?

The human history, according to me is essentially linear and not at all circular. Hence, each action, each sequence of event that has ever occurred in the universe, that is occurring at present and will ever occur tomorrow, are highly integrated, and are in compliance with God’s wish, that will only ensure harmony and well-being (Searle, 2014). Human history, since its beginning till its end, is essentially meaningful, unfolding the purpose of the Almighty, ensuring the fulfilment of the eternal design of God.

References

Chan, Y. C., & Wong, N. Y. (2014). Worldviews, religions, and beliefs about teaching and learning: perception of mathematics teachers with different religious backgrounds. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 87(3), 251-277.

Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Esqueda, O. J. (2014). Biblical worldview: The Christian higher education foundation for learning. Christian Higher Education, 13(2), 91-100.

Ford, J. L. (2016). Buddhism, Christianity, and The Matrix: the dialectic of myth-making in contemporary cinema. Journal of Religion & Film, 4(2), 1.

Jones, J. S. (2016). Being the chosen: exploring a Christian fundamentalist worldview. Routledge.

Ryken, P. G. (2013). Christian worldview: A student's guide. Crossway.

Searle, J. T. (2014). From Christian Worldview to Kingdom Formation: Theological Education as Mission in the Former Soviet Union. European Journal of Theology, 23(2).

Sire, J. W. (2015). Naming the elephant: Worldview as a concept. InterVarsity Press.