So if we’re to “interpret” situations for our kids and our mentees through a Biblical worldview, we need to know what that means. That phrase gets kicked around all the time but how serious is it? Here’s what pastor Rick Warren has to say . . .
“Your worldview includes how you see God, yourself, others, the past, present, and future, money, time, good and evil. It influences everything in your life. Every time you make a decision, you access the worldview database in your mind and decide that, because I believe this, this is what I’m going to do. Your worldview influences every choice you make.”
I agree with him. Our worldview is the lens through which we view everything through. Warren lists seven worldviews prevalent in America:
- Materialism: “He who dies with the most toys wins.”
- Narcissism: “I’ve got to think of me first.”
- Hedonism: “Do what feels good.”
- Isolationism: “Whatever works for you.”
- Atheism or Naturalism: “God doesn’t exist.”
- Humanism: “You are your own God.”
- Biblical or Christian: “God made us for His purposes.”
Most descriptions of a Biblical or Christian worldview say there’s an all-powerful, all-knowing God Who created the universe. He created absolute moral truth and stated it in the Bible. God sent Jesus Christ for the redemption of the world, to be a living sacrifice for our sins. There is active evil in this world, led by Satan, who works to wreck and ruin the work of God’s goodness. This life is not all there is and we have hope for eternal life through Jesus.
My worldview goes a little further . . . it’s more personal (and maybe a tad more positive) but still based on Scripture:
- I was created by the God of the universe. I am not an accident. He knows my name.
- God is my Heavenly Father. Because of my faith in Jesus and His death on the cross, I am God’s adopted son. He loves me unconditionally no matter what I do (or have done). His love is unending and overwhelming. He is always available. He hears me when I pray, and over time He answers every prayer.
- I am to live a life of gratitude. God loves me, forgives me, and gives me every breath I breathe. Everything I have comes from Him. I am a steward, not an owner.
- God has provided a clear set of rules for my behavior. He’s also given me Biblical role models to emulate (especially Jesus) and He’s given me a day-by-day, situation-by-situation spiritual guide via the Holy Spirit.
- God uses everything for good over time. I know all the bad stuff of life came with the fall of man and that in time, all will be restored and made right. I simply trust God and keep living, loving and serving people.
- My job is to worship, love and serve. I trust Him with every outcome.
I lived for years with a narcissistic “what’s in it for me” worldview. I was constantly unhappy, critical, and stressed. When Jesus found me and I came to see the world as He reveals it, everything changed. I now understand “life to the full.” Nowadays, when things get screwy, I realize I’ve slipped back into my old “stinkin’ thinkin’’ and set my Christian worldview aside. I worship, pray, and find God waiting for me right where I left off with Him.
What is your worldview? Really. Not your hypothetical, Sunday school version? How do you really look at and interpret life?
