WORLDVIEW a comprehensive conception or apprehension of the world especially from a specific standpoint.
WORLDVIEW: everybody has one. What’s mine? Can I articulate it? Is it determined by my place of birth? Is it simply what I absorbed growing up in a particular home, neighborhood, and country? Is it skewed by the media source I choose to feed it with?
OR… Did I acquire my worldview through my own objective investigation? Has it been healing and revelatory to witness the work of the Holy Spirit in its development? It is important. It determines how I choose to live: whether from a mutated, reactionary stance to the world around me or from a purposeful, consistent approach, always in agreement with my largest reasons for living. A worldview worthy of the name should strive to be... about the world. Which, when I think about it, covers more than the planet I inhabit and the air I breathe. COSMOS is as inclusive as you can get: the totality of existence… the entire created universe. A worldview must extend beyond village, tribe, gang or country. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I embrace a worldview that parts company with all other worldviews. I take the Bible as my guide. I accept the centrality of the incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—God the Son—as foundational to the story of humanity. During his interview with Pontius Pilate, Jesus threw the world’s definitions of “kingdom” out the window: John 18:33-37
Jesus said he was a king, but his home address was not anywhere on earth. He was born with a purpose, but it had nothing to do with staking out a territory and arming servants to defend it. He did have servants, but they were not asked to fight… quite the opposite: "...love your enemies, bless those who curse you…” (Matthew 5:44) He came to bear witness to the truth, but it did not entail taking sides, bearing arms, or destroying his enemies.
Developing and applying a Christian worldview is an essential part of our sanctification as believers, our growth in godliness, and spiritual maturity.
Few would disagree with Mr. Anderson’s statement. Yet, my worldview seems to differ from the worldview of many others. We use similar words and Bible verses to define it, but something happens between defining and applying that is increasingly more perplexing.
Maybe our definition of God’s earthly kingdom and its legitimate activity needs fleshed out more completely. We easily drift from the center into ditches we would do better to avoid. We understand readily enough that God is bigger than all of us. His will is carried out from generation to generation. His plan covers the world… and it includes all of humanity. Yet, in the way we perceive and interact with the world around us, our default mode is still aggressively tribal… a quite un-Christian response. The next few posts will be an effort to focus on what I think is a more consistent worldview, particularly in its application. I hope to provoke thought and a healthier kind of conversation. Above all, I pray our witness be bathed in the love and unspeakable joy that should overflow from the center of our inner habitat, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27)
2 Comments
Bev MErrill
9/13/2019 05:56:32 pm
Wow, so simply and eloquently written. Looove reading and thinking about your posts. Always causes me to ponder and go deeper with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thanks so much Greg. Know you and Carol are in our thoughts and prayers these days. Praying blessings, continuing courage and enduring strength of Christ Jesus for you both. Lovingly in Christ, Bev
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9/13/2019 09:58:30 pm
Thank you, Bev, for your encouraging feedback. It really means a lot...! Today was a harder day for Carol... absorbing the latest news about her daughter, April. Yet, we are aware of how blessed we are... to know that April knows who she is in Christ and to watch how each day she gives clear testimony to that... amazing grace... powerful grace...!
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Yes...! As of July 5, 2020, my book is now available on Amazon.com. It's a new book about an old problem: the cross and the crown… the Gospel and politics… do they mix? Should they mix? If my words generate some reflection and healthy conversation—as in more light and less heat—I will be satisfied. For feedback or questions, feel free to use the email link below. Greg SmithGreg grew up in Menomonee Falls, WI. His ministry began in 1976: 5 years in Central America, 37 in Mexico. Church planting and discipleship have been his passion. CAROL'S BLOG
LivingTheJoy.net "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." -Matthew 13:44 GREG'S other BLOG
BILINGUAL DEVOTIONAL
Concise devotions in Spanish and English, along with some lengthier essays… Designed for personal spiritual growth and to help anyone studying English or Spanish as a second language to improve their skills… Rev 14:6 Categories
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