Worldviews

Few people seem to realize that the resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone to a worldview that provides the perspective to all of life. – Josh McDowell

What is your worldview? Even if you have never asked yourself this question, you have a worldview. We all do. A worldview is a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint. More simply, it is the way in which we all perceive and understand the way the world works. Though you may have not consciously developed a specific worldview, you reveal it every day as you act and make decisions. When you stand on the edge of a cliff and do not take another step further, you reveal that your worldview accepts the uniformity of nature. Likewise, when you engage in conversation you reveal that you believe in the laws of logic. While certain presuppositions seem to be evidently true, it is imperative that we each test them to see if they coincide with reality.

Though there are a number of worldviews that have been developed throughout history, I am convinced that only one is tenable. I believe that Christian theism is the only worldview that completely satisfies all life’s greatest questions. In Jesus Christ, we find meaning, purpose, a standard for moral values and duties, a justification for individual worth, a basis for the laws of nature and logic, an explanation for pain and suffering, and a source for complete spiritual joy and fulfillment. Likewise, Christian theism provides a solution to sin and death. The gospel proclaims that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead to serve as a mediator between God and man. Because of Christ’s death and resurrection humanity can obtain righteousness and eternal life. Thus, in Christ, we find it all. For Christ is all and in all (Colossians 3:11).

I find it interesting, however, that many individuals of other worldviews subconsciously steal from the Christian worldview. For example, on naturalistic atheism, we are all cosmic accidents of nature with no objective value or purpose. However, many who adhere to naturalistic atheism live inconsistently with their worldview. They steal from Christian theism and affirm the reality of human worth, dignity, and purpose. Likewise, many who deny God’s existence still seem to believe in objective moral values. When one denies the existence of God, they forfeit the ability to ground morality. But most still really believe that things are objectively right or wrong. If a baby was being tortured, it should be evidently clear that this act is objectively evil. However, if nature is all that there is (naturalism), one cannot make such a claim. Science only reveals what is, it does not declare what ought to be. Therefore, on naturalism, one has no real basis for objecting to anything on a moral level. As Richard Dawkins (an evolutionary biologist and militant atheist) notes, “In a universe of electrons and selfish genes, blind physical forces and genetic replication, some people are going to get hurt, other people are going to get lucky, and you won’t find any rhyme or reason in it, nor any justice. The universe that we observe has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.” Though Dawkins paints a bleak picture of the universe, this is the consistent conclusion for all who deny the existence of God. Without God, all is permissible. There is no higher standard or greater purpose.  Everything is relative. Of course, this is not a livable position. Thus, one must resort to either creating arbitrary standards and goals for their meaningless life or live inconsistently with their worldview.

In Christ, however, we find a tenable worldview that is consistent with reality and offers a meaningful framework that produces joy and spiritual fulfillment where one can truly thrive.