According to the Institute for the Study of Secularism in Society and Culture at Trinity College, 46 percent of Americans between age 18 and 34 indicate that they have no religion. Another recent survey by The Barna Group indicates that less than one percent of adults between the ages of 18 and 23 have a biblical worldview (a “worldview” is the mental grid through which one sees and processes the world in the personal and global realms of life).
The Barna Group defines a biblical worldview as being inclusive of six critical beliefs:
Believing that absolute moral truth exists.
Believing that the Bible is completely accurate in all of the principles it teaches.
Believing that Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic.
Believing that a person cannot earn their way into heaven by trying to be good or by doing good works.
Believing that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth.
Believing that God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today.
What is often the case today is seen in the schizophrenia of professing Christians who have one worldview/belief system for their interactions with life outside the house and a different one for their personal and church life. It is not a unified grid through which every aspect of life is filtered by the principles and precepts of God’s Word but distinct grids that may often contradict one another and are put into play based on what one most wants at the moment. So, if it is gratification you most desire at a given time in your life you will spend money you don’t really have in order to obtain what you most want in the moment. This is precisely how people, (including Christians), can earn $45,000 annually but have credit card debt of $15,000 or more.
We all have a “worldview” whether we realize it or not. If it is based on Scripture then our views, understandings, lifestyles, politics, parenting, leisure activities, character, job performance – everything will be deeply influenced and even dictated by a life view which flows from the mind of God and its consequent lifestyle (see 1 Cor. 10:31). However, if our worldview has been molded by secular education, television, the media, the internet, non-Christian friends, etc. then it should come as no surprise when we look in the mirror and see the likeness of this world instead of Christ. Thus, Paul admonishes God’s people to be diligent in not allowing our minds to be “conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).”
This is one of the primary reasons why we are working our way through The Truth Project on Sunday mornings in the adult class. I am more and more convinced that this series should be a required study of professing believers within God’s house either in this format or something similar. “What do we believe and why do we believe it?” has always been important questions but in the world today they have become essential, vital questions that must be pondered and thoroughly answered. This is exactly what the Bible commands in 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (emphasis mine)
Our worldview must begin with the lordship of Christ. He is the Master and we are His servants. We live and move and have our being at His sovereign good pleasure. We are directed to live for His glory and not our comfort or for the so-called “American dream.” We are to be ruled by His Word and all the implications thereof. “We are not our own.” Why? Because “we have been bought with a price” and thus we are to “…honor God with our body,” which includes our mind. (see 1 Cor. 6:20) The battle we face today is not primarily between Western culture and Islam. It is a conflict between opposing world and life views which ultimately dictates how we think and thus how we live our lives. May God enable us to be submitted servants deeply desirous of living every facet of our lives in conformity to His holy will.
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