From the Class Room: Everyone Has a Worldview Part 2
When I first started teaching worldviews to high school students, I was given a big book. You know the ones that you could use as a door stop! There was so much information that allot of it went over my students head. So the following year I began to narrow down the questions and information, making it easy for my students to understand and remember! Attending Christian school as a child and teenager, I was given a great foundation in Biblical knowledge, yet my weakness was explaining why I believed the way I did and facts to support it. I wanted to create a tool/system that would stick with my students once they graduated. Even today I will run into former students and quiz them, and I would say that about half of them still remember these simple questions. Some have even told me that they have used them in writing papers for their classes! It's four questions, I call them The Four Basic Questions. Here they are:
Lets break them down really quick from a Christian worldview.
Basic Question #1: How do you see the world created?
Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and earth." I'm not going to get into the different theories on creation, long day, short day, etc. God created, and in verse 31, God saw all that he made, and it was very good. It wasn't alright or just good. It was very good! When an artist looks at an empty canvas, he can only imagine what the final result will be. When all is done he or she may step back and say, 'Now that is good!' The artist must wait for the approval of others to justify if the work is very good! Van Gogh had to wait for others to look at his paintings and say, "Wow!". Now today, his paintings are worth millions. God's best is beyond our capacity to comprehend. If God was the artist and this world his canvas, he did not have to imagine the end result - He knew it! Remember God is perfect and all knowing! For God to look back and say it is very good, it gives us the confidence in knowing that what God created was perfect. Just look at the different types of animals and their abilities to eat, live, and create. Look at our own bodies, from the tiniest organism to the largest organ. How do we breath? How does the heart pump? How does our body fight colds and viruses? Check out the stages of child birth! God's amazing world surprises me everyday! When was the last time you really took a look at God's creation?
Basic Question #2: What is a human being?
One of my students worldview video project stood out to me concerning Basic Question # 2. The person interviewed was a college age male (early twenties). When asked "Does humanity as a whole have a purpose?" His response, "I think it is part of reality manifesting itself in intelligent life....we are just animal's. Our purpose is to eat, have shelter and reproduce." Wow! Holding a Christian worldview, our answer may be, "We are created in His image," In Genesis 1:26 and again in 5:1 it reads that we were created in His image or likeness. What does that mean? When we study the word "likeness," we find the definition to be ..."the same form or a copy, portrait" The word "image" is defined ..."as a representation of a person or thing" In verse 3 of chapter 5 we see something similar, but this time it is between Adam and his son. "When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image:" Because of sin, Adam created and passed the sinful nature to his creation, his children. He passed to him his imperfection - the ability to experience pain and death. Does that mean then we are not created in God's image? No, we are created in his image, but God may not dwell where sin abounds. Thus the need for a Savior, Jesus Christ.
Basic Question #3: How do you see of life after death?
Uncle Sal was one of those relatives that you always enjoyed being around. Even as an adult, I always felt like a kid around Uncle Sal. He was full of life, and most of all he loved the Lord! Unfortunately, Uncle Sal had two heart attacks in his late sixties. The time spent with him became all the more special after those incidences. One afternoon I was on my way home, when I decided to take a detour and visit Auntie Sissy and Uncle Sal. I'll never forget that visit. I walked in, and Uncle Sal was playing one of the Gaither music video's with the old gospel songs. As we were visiting, a song would come on, and tears would swell up in his eyes. He would look at me and say, "I just love that song." The songs talked about God's faithfulness and the rewards that awaited us in heaven. I would watch Uncle Sal from the distance and could tell that he was enjoying worshipping God! He was having church! There was a confidence about Uncle Sal. A confidence that stated the existence of his soul, knowing that one day he would meet his Savior. Seeing his confidence and love for the Lord truly impacted my life that day. As we departed and said our good-bye's, I said, "Thank you. Thank you for your love, and the example you are to me and my child." As tears rolled down our checks, Uncle Sal said a few simple words, "It's because of Him. Thank you God." I truly believe God and Uncle Sal knew that He was calling him "home" soon. It was just a matter of time. That would be my last time with Uncle Sal, three months later he passed away and went home to be with the Lord. What made Uncle Sal so confident? The answer lies in the question. "How do you see life after death?" Many believe that life after death may include non-existence. Others may say it is a cycle of one life transforming into another, in the hope of obtaining eternal life. From a Christian worldview the answer is simple. Eternal separation from God or eternal life with God through Jesus Christ. Life after death is decided by that which we accept to be true. That truth in a Christian worldview is founded on Jesus Christ!
Basic Question #1: How do you see the world created?
Basic Question #2: How do you see human beings?
Basic Question #3: How do you see life after death?
Basic Question #4: How do you determine right from wrong?
Lets break them down really quick from a Christian worldview.
Basic Question #1: How do you see the world created?
Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning God created the heavens and earth." I'm not going to get into the different theories on creation, long day, short day, etc. God created, and in verse 31, God saw all that he made, and it was very good. It wasn't alright or just good. It was very good! When an artist looks at an empty canvas, he can only imagine what the final result will be. When all is done he or she may step back and say, 'Now that is good!' The artist must wait for the approval of others to justify if the work is very good! Van Gogh had to wait for others to look at his paintings and say, "Wow!". Now today, his paintings are worth millions. God's best is beyond our capacity to comprehend. If God was the artist and this world his canvas, he did not have to imagine the end result - He knew it! Remember God is perfect and all knowing! For God to look back and say it is very good, it gives us the confidence in knowing that what God created was perfect. Just look at the different types of animals and their abilities to eat, live, and create. Look at our own bodies, from the tiniest organism to the largest organ. How do we breath? How does the heart pump? How does our body fight colds and viruses? Check out the stages of child birth! God's amazing world surprises me everyday! When was the last time you really took a look at God's creation?
Basic Question #2: What is a human being?
One of my students worldview video project stood out to me concerning Basic Question # 2. The person interviewed was a college age male (early twenties). When asked "Does humanity as a whole have a purpose?" His response, "I think it is part of reality manifesting itself in intelligent life....we are just animal's. Our purpose is to eat, have shelter and reproduce." Wow! Holding a Christian worldview, our answer may be, "We are created in His image," In Genesis 1:26 and again in 5:1 it reads that we were created in His image or likeness. What does that mean? When we study the word "likeness," we find the definition to be ..."the same form or a copy, portrait" The word "image" is defined ..."as a representation of a person or thing" In verse 3 of chapter 5 we see something similar, but this time it is between Adam and his son. "When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image:" Because of sin, Adam created and passed the sinful nature to his creation, his children. He passed to him his imperfection - the ability to experience pain and death. Does that mean then we are not created in God's image? No, we are created in his image, but God may not dwell where sin abounds. Thus the need for a Savior, Jesus Christ.
"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:1-3Because of God's love for us, He has created man to be a copy/portrait of His greatness and a representation of all His glory, power and hope to all of mankind. Thus leading to the next question.
Basic Question #3: How do you see of life after death?
Uncle Sal was one of those relatives that you always enjoyed being around. Even as an adult, I always felt like a kid around Uncle Sal. He was full of life, and most of all he loved the Lord! Unfortunately, Uncle Sal had two heart attacks in his late sixties. The time spent with him became all the more special after those incidences. One afternoon I was on my way home, when I decided to take a detour and visit Auntie Sissy and Uncle Sal. I'll never forget that visit. I walked in, and Uncle Sal was playing one of the Gaither music video's with the old gospel songs. As we were visiting, a song would come on, and tears would swell up in his eyes. He would look at me and say, "I just love that song." The songs talked about God's faithfulness and the rewards that awaited us in heaven. I would watch Uncle Sal from the distance and could tell that he was enjoying worshipping God! He was having church! There was a confidence about Uncle Sal. A confidence that stated the existence of his soul, knowing that one day he would meet his Savior. Seeing his confidence and love for the Lord truly impacted my life that day. As we departed and said our good-bye's, I said, "Thank you. Thank you for your love, and the example you are to me and my child." As tears rolled down our checks, Uncle Sal said a few simple words, "It's because of Him. Thank you God." I truly believe God and Uncle Sal knew that He was calling him "home" soon. It was just a matter of time. That would be my last time with Uncle Sal, three months later he passed away and went home to be with the Lord. What made Uncle Sal so confident? The answer lies in the question. "How do you see life after death?" Many believe that life after death may include non-existence. Others may say it is a cycle of one life transforming into another, in the hope of obtaining eternal life. From a Christian worldview the answer is simple. Eternal separation from God or eternal life with God through Jesus Christ. Life after death is decided by that which we accept to be true. That truth in a Christian worldview is founded on Jesus Christ!
"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ." Romans 3:22-24Through Christ we have hope that our lives can change. Remember Christ is the key! Many will say I believe in God yet fall short when it comes to Christ. "He was a good man." "He was just another prophet." "Jesus was a holy man, not the savior of the world." "The idea of one man saving the world is ridiculous!" Christ is the key to our salvation. Seven hundred plus years before Christ's birth, life, death, and resurrection, God already had set into motion the day for our salvation!
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:3-6Seven hundred years later it was fulfilled! It was customary for the men of the town to read the scripture of the day in their hometown synagogue on the man's specific day (Luke 4:14-21). Today it was Jesus day and his turn to read the assigned scripture. The passage was out of Isaiah which talked about the Messiah. "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then in verse 21 Jesus states, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Coincidence that Jesus would read such a scripture on his assigned day? I don't think so. Here was a day that was set into motion hundreds of years before, proclaiming that the Messiah was present and here to bring salvation to mankind! Today in our society we have many people trying to put Christ on the same level as other "holy" men. If that is accomplished, Christ himself becomes like all others, another "holy" man. If that becomes the truth, whom does salvation rely on? Salvation would rely upon us! People would love to take such a belief and make it the norm. For if that is the case, there is no need of accountability or humility towards a true living God, no need for a savior. Remember, even though we are created in His image, we have sin, because we are human. Thus, the need for a savior. God desires for us to have a relationship with Him, a relationship that is based on the beginning of creation. A place where man and God could commune without sin! Where can that place be found? With Him in heaven for eternity. This is why we as a church must dust off the cobwebs to our hearts and stand in confidence knowing that life after death is eternal life with Him through Christ or eternal separation from Him . What makes us confident in proclaiming our salvation? What make us so confident in professing who Christ is? The passage that states, "I am the way, the truth and life. No one comes to the Father but through me" (John 14:6). Either Christ was a crazy person or he was who he said he was!
The answer lies within the fourth Basic Question.
Basic Question #4: How do you determine right or wrong?
Some of the answers below, once again come from my students project. As people were asked this question many gave the same answer.
Watch Ravi's response to teaching apologetics to teenagers....0:00 - 10:47
I hope that this section has challenged you! There will be other times to make you think...just look for From the Class Room! Until the next class period..have a blessed day!
Challenge: Ask a friend the Four Basic Questions. I guarantee, it will open up an interesting conversation.
Basic Question #4: How do you determine right or wrong?
Some of the answers below, once again come from my students project. As people were asked this question many gave the same answer.
"I determine values with what I was brought up with."From a Christian worldview our right and wrong must first come from the Bible. Now remember, your answer will need some backing up. Some extra study is at hand. Remember people see the Bible as just another holy book. So what makes it different? A great resource is Josh McDowell's book "A Ready Defense". Let's get you started though. In Deuteronomy 28:1 it reads, "If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you above all the nations of the earth.". For Moses and the Israelites, it was the Ten Commandments which God gave to them in the desert. For the early church it was the Old Testament that became the foundation for social morality. Today as we look at the Bible there are three examples that can be used. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20). The Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7). And Paul's ethical teachings (some examples are 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 10:1-13; Eph. 5:22; Col 3). The Ten Commandments gives us a foundation in our relationship with God (the first four commandments) and our relationship with our fellow man (last six commandments). The Sermon on the Mount brings Jesus in to play as he shares with us rights and wrongs of the new covenant. Paul's ethical teaching's gives us a great standard on how we are to live as Christians in our culture. If we are to believe that God is all knowing, perfect and has a purpose for us, we are also to believe that His Holy Word is full of knowledge, perfect, and given to follow for a reason. It is through these three examples that gives us a foundation to determine right and wrong. A foundation that is solid and worthy to proclaim true. Why? Because of the life changing experience that has taken place in our lives. It is because of a true living God that intervenes in my life that I can stand in confidence and proclaim that the Word of God is greater than any other. I know that may be a bold statement. It may even be politically incorrect. No one can take away from me the knowledge that I have in knowing what I was before Christ came into my life. Who are we to question God? He is God (Exodus 6:1-8; 7-12; 9:15-16; Proverbs 5:21; 20:24; Jeremiah 1:4-10; Acts 17:16-34)! Through His Word he has provided the means of worshiping Him (Exodus 15:1-21; 20:4; Psalm 95). Through His Word we see His characteristics (Psalm 103; Proverbs 6:16-19). Through His Word we can hear the message of a faithful God (Abraham, Joseph, Moses). Through His Word we can hear the cry of a God who so desires us to love Him back (Joshua 1: 6-9; Isaiah 55; Hebrews 12). Through His Word we can find salvation (Romans 6:23; 8:38-39; 10:9; Hebrews 9-10). Through His Word we can have hope and confidence (Proverbs 3:21-26; Romans 2:13; 1 John 5:14-15; Colossians 1:1-23). Through His Word we can see Him intervene in the lives of others (Hebrews 11). And it is through His Word that we can determine right and wrong to guide our lives. The more we know God's Word, the more we will know Him. The more we know Him, the more God will become real to us. The more He becomes real to us, greater the confidence we will have to stand up to the philosophies of our day. "...but the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits." (Daniel 11:32b, NKJV). Check out a very respected theologian, Ravi Zacharias, give his response on how he can be confident that there is a God.
"I do not believe in right or wrong, everything is relative."
"I believe in correct and incorrect."
"There are universal rights and wrongs."
"There is good, and there is bad."
Watch Ravi's response to teaching apologetics to teenagers....0:00 - 10:47
I hope that this section has challenged you! There will be other times to make you think...just look for From the Class Room! Until the next class period..have a blessed day!
Challenge: Ask a friend the Four Basic Questions. I guarantee, it will open up an interesting conversation.
Building the church to be effective in their culture!His call. His gifts. Your purpose. Irrevocable!
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