Biblical Worldview Essay
Rationale for the Biblical Worldview Essay
Every person has a worldview whether he realizes it or not. What is a worldview? James W. Sire defines
a worldview as:
[A] commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of
presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) that we hold (consciously
or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides
the foundation on which we live and move and have our being.
Stated more succinctly, “�[A] worldview is simply the total set of beliefs that a person has about the
biggest questions in life.” F. Leroy Forlines describes such questions as the “inescapable questions of
life.” Life’s inescapable questions include the following: “Is there a God? If so, what is He like? How can I
know Him? Who am I? Where am I? How can I tell right from wrong? Is there life after death? What
should I and what can I do about guilt? How can I deal with my inner pain?” Life’s biggest, inescapable
questions relate to whether there is a God, human origins, identity, purpose, and the hereafter, just to
mention a few.
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Introduction
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul delivers a profound message that men are justified
according to the Scripture by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. He states that
righteousness is by Christ alone, and when people believe in Christ, they die to sin and the law
and remain alive in Christ. The Holy Spirit sanctifies and empowers such believers and enables
them to live a holy life. In Romans 1-8, Paul addresses some aspects that this paper seeks to
define. This epistle was authored by Paul while in Corinth and is significant to the contemporary
society today. A relationship with Christ according to Paul makes individuals get an assurance of
salvation from sin as sons of God. In this epistle, Paul seeks to found a strong doctrinal statement
against the false views that were finding root in the Church of Rome.
The Natural World
In essence, the natural world was a formation of God through the words He spoke. He
spoke, and everything in the universe came into existence (Genesis 1:1). Paul’s message,
therefore, finds root from the creation account that relates the biblical worldview to the natural.
In Romans 1:20, Paul emphasizes this point by stating that God’s unseen attributes; his eternal
power, and divine character have been perceived clearly. He adds that ever since the creation of
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the world, these things have been made and are without excuse. The natural world has in some
instances challenged the idea that God is the creator of the universe (Bury 2012).
Believers, on the other hand, have the scriptures to justify this and validate the creation to
be of God. God has revealed himself through man according to Romans 1:20 through the display
of His attributes and character through His creation. The Biblical worldview justifies this based
on scripture while the secular world alleges that this is not true.
Human Identity
Paul gives a concise description of the identity of humans in Romans 3 and 8. In Romans
3; 10 Paul focuses on the sinful nature and identity of man by implying that none is righteous,
not even one. He continues by indicating that not only is mankind unrighteous, but they do not
seek or understand their creator (Romans 3:11). This defines the foundations of the sinful nature
of man, his lack of capacity to understand it and the lack of desire to find God (Bury 2012). Man
is for this reason viewed as a totally depraved race consequentially because of his inabilities.
Humanity is enslaved to sin and is influenced by the power behind evil. Paul, for this
reason, gives man a prescription to this malady in Romans 8:30 where he states that those who
are predestined by God are also called of God. He also adds that those whom God has also
called, He has justified, and lastly, those whom He has justified He glorifies. This gives
humanity the hope of redemption that man cannot attain because of his nature until He is
redeemed (Bury 2012). When man is justified by Christ, His identity is changed, and He
develops a closer relationship with the Creator through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Human Relationships
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As a result of rebellion, the human nature was engulfed by sin and a denial of the Creator.
The secular world embraces the human relationships as a means of finding pleasure and fulfilling
evil goals. Paul mentions this in Romans 8:24-32 and addresses the problems associated with
human relationships. The Bible views the Human relationship as God created, since He made
man in His own image and likeness. This should enable man value others in the same manner
God values Him. Man should develop love for his neighbors as he does himself (Mark 12:31).
The love that God showed through His Son on the cross should be evident in man.
However, the natural world views this command the other way round. Those who hold
the natural view seek opportunities to please their egos above everything else and against the
instructions of the word of God (Bury 2012). Man has forgotten the love that redeemed him from
the claws of sin and turned to hatred. God requires that humans relate to each other in the same
manner they would relate to Him. He is a relational God, and that is why the Bible view
describes Him as the father.
Culture
Believers in this instance are required to view the diverse cultures around them as those
that are filled with people created by God. God is the creator of culture as viewed from the Old
Testament where he confused the language of men who had evil intentions. Paul in his epistle
speaks of the essence of man knowing that he can only be justified by faith and not law. The
Jews of this time were so much deep into the law, and they never considered justification for
people outside their own culture (Bury 2012). Paul takes the opportunity to acknowledge the
significance of the law even when it had no value in justification.
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The natural world has viewed this aspect of culture to create divisions in the society.
Culture is embraced and used to define certain aspects in the society. However, the Biblical
worldview of culture views this aspect as one that is created by God. It is imperative today that
we incorporate culture today in evangelism. By accepting different cultures and weighing the
good and the bad in cultures, it makes the people feel accepted (Bury 2012). Not all culture is
bad, neither is all culture good; however, we can incorporate the positive sides of culture in our
Christian lives.
God, therefore, views people with love and does not only save the Jews only but all who
accept Him. He is concerned about the faith of man that brings him into repentance. God, for this
reason, does not save on the basis of culture but on grace.
Conclusion
Paul’s epistle clearly gives a balance in between the natural world and the biblical
worldview in relation to human identity, his relationships, and culture. He draws a distinction
between these factors and provides a prescription that would help man find balance in the
contemporary world. It is imperative that man finds a balance between that which is not biblical
and that which is biblical before articulating approaches in life. With a little or no understanding
on these issues, from the bibles viewpoint, man is likely to sink into darkness. The ungodly
therefore have no excuse for not finding God since He reveals himself through his works of
creation. God exists and the only way we can find Him is by rejecting our views and perceptions
and allowing Him to redeem us.
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Works Cited
Bury, B. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Commentary – By Arland J. Hultgren. Reviews
In Religion & Theology, 19(3), 330-332.
