Good lenses for seeing reality

What’s in a worldview

The last five years have generated many and much-needed conversations regarding the necessity of Christians having a Biblical worldview. With the rise of Statism and State-tyranny, the infiltration of Marxism and Wokeism into every institution, and the rise of neo-pagan ideologies, followers of Jesus have had to respond to these beliefs and defend the truth of the Christian faith.

Thus, the discussion surrounding worldviews – what they are, how they function, and why it’s important to understand them. If you were to ask most people to define the term “worldview,” they might respond with something like, “Well, it’s how you view the world.” Aside from being a circular definition that doesn’t actually define anything, it doesn’t get to the heart of the matter, certainly not in a way that matters for Christians. So, the questions remain, “What is a worldview? Why is it necessary to understand and define them? What does it mean to have a distinctly Christian worldview?”

Get the gears spinning together

While theologians and philosophers debate the exact number, I propose that a worldview consists of eight parts, or distinct elements, that combine to provide the lenses through which we perceive the world and understand reality. But first, we have to define what a worldview is. A worldview is a network of ultimate beliefs, assumptions, values, and ideas about the universe and our place in it that shapes how a person understands their life and experiences (and the lives and experiences of others) and how that person acts in response.

Think of a spider web, or a brainstorming diagram. A worldview is a system of interconnected parts consisting of what you believe to be true, your presupposed assumptions of what is true, your values and morals, and what you think about the origin of both the Universe and humanity, as well as how all of these parts influence how you understand what you’ve been through and what’s you’re going to do about it.

The eight components of a worldview are Theology, Epistemology, Cosmology, Anthropology, Ethics, Soteriology, Teleology, and Eschatology (don’t worry, we’ll examine what each of those means).

Entangled in the web

Theology is the study of God. Every worldview says something about God or the divine. Whether they say there is no god, one god, or many gods, every worldview has a theology. The Christian worldview says that God exists in Trinity – the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God – and there is one God existing in three distinct persons.

Epistemology is the study of knowledge. Every worldview seeks to answer the questions, “What we can know and how we can know it?” It also comments on closely related subjects, like truth, logic, reason, experience, intuition, and revelation. How we acquire knowledge, and how we account for what we know to be true are dealt with in epistemology. The Christian worldview says that we perceive general truth from observing the natural world, specific truth about spiritual reality from the Word of God, and the nature and character of God revealed through Jesus.

Cosmology is the study of the universe, and more specifically, the origin of the universe. Cosmology seeks to answer the questions, “Where did we come from, and how did the Universe get here?” Has the Universe always existed, did it have a definite beginning, and what brought about that beginning? The Christian worldview says that God created the universe out of nothing by speaking it into existence.

Anthropology is the study of humanity. Every worldview has something to say about humans, which are a particularly unique living creature on the earth. Anthropology seeks to answer the questions, “What are the origin, uniqueness, purpose, nature, and destiny of human beings?” Are humans the product of an unintentional process of genetic mutations and natural selection? Have we always existed, just like our universe? Were we created? The Christian worldview says that God created human beings in His image, from the dust of the earth, as the crown of His creation.

Ethics is the study of morality, distinguishing between good and evil, right and wrong. Ethics covers areas like the highest good, whether morality is objective or subjective, what is right and wrong, and rewards for doing good or judgments for doing evil. Is there an absolute “right” and “wrong?” Moreover, can we know which things are right and which things are wrong? Do we determine our own morality? The Christian worldview says that right and wrong are defined by God, because they flow out of His divine nature and sinless character.

Soteriology is the study of salvation. Each worldview has a basic problem that exists for humans, specifically, and on our planet, in general. This problem is a serious one for humanity that demands thoughtful action. Some say the problem that plagues humanity is organized religions. Others say the problem is injustice and inequity. Still others would say the problem is climate change. Worldviews include a “salvation story” as it were, but this salvation is more generic than the traditional Christian understanding. Soteriology seeks to answer the questions, “What is the basic human problem and what is the solution to that problem?” Do altruism and charity “save” us? Is our fundamental problem solved by doing religious works? Some would say salvation is to be found in saving our planet from climate catastrophe. Others would say that Social Justice is how we “save the world.” The Christian worldview says that the problem facing humanity is sin, both the sins we commit and the sin nature we inherited from the first humans (Adam and Eve), and the only solution is to have the consequences of our sins (death and separation from God) paid for by the sacrificial death of Jesus when He died upon a cross.

Teleology is the study of meaning, or more specifically, what are things designed and destined to do. Teleology seeks to answer the questions, “What is the meaning of life? What is my purpose in life? How can I achieve my fullest potential?” The answers to these questions attempt to tell us why we are even here. Do we exist to worship some god? Do we exist to be good people? The Christian worldview says that we have been made to love God with all of our beings, love one another, and in the process of both of these to bring much honour and glory to God.

Finally, Eschatology is the study of destiny, or “last things.” Every worldview tells us something about the destiny of the universe and everyone in it. Though the end has not happened yet, each worldview describes what will happen based on its understanding of reality and revelation. Eschatology seeks to answer the questions, “What happens after we die? Are there different eternal destinations for people?” Some would hold to a belief in reincarnation. Others would say after we die there is nothing but blackness.  Still others would say that we become one with the Universe. The Christian worldview says that everyone who dies will spend eternity either in the presence of or separate from God, and this destination is based upon whether or not a person has truly loved and followed Jesus during their life on earth. Biblical eschatology also holds that the final state of the universe will be a physical one, and we will inhabit the universe with physical-spiritual bodies.

Why bother with all this networking

Some might consider these things and say, “Well that’s great Andrew, thanks for the philosophy class. But what’s the point of all of this? Can’t I just love Jesus, go to church, be a good person, and go to heaven when I die?” Well, that would be the bare minimum, yes. But if we are commanded to love God with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind, it is incumbent upon us to use our brains to honour the Lord with sincerity and intentionality. As such, I want to suggest three reasons why understanding worldviews in general and the Christian worldview in particular is not only beneficial, but also wise and prudent.

First, understanding the basic structure of a worldview will help us to better understand and recognize specific opposing worldviews. If we know the parts, then we know which aspects of other worldviews occupy those parts. Part of not being taken captive through hollow and deceptive philosophies (Colossians 2:8) is seeing those empty worldviews for what they are and labelling them as such. This will also better equip me to engage in evangelism with people from very different worldviews than my own. This is not a call for everyone to become an expert in comparative religions. However, different worldviews have different and particular hang-ups with truth, the Bible, Jesus, miracles, and sin. If I understand where they are coming from, I can proclaim the truth in such a way as to remove barriers and make sure that I don’t put extra and unnecessary hindrances in their way.

Second, understanding the constituent parts of a worldview helps us to see how the various and distinct aspects of our belief system work together, enabling us to have an integrated and holistic worldview. Seeing how all the pieces fit together gives me confidence in what I believe, and it is further evidence that the Christian worldview is logical, internally consistent, and able to fend off all external attacks.

Third, if we are commanded by God to instruct the next generations in understanding truth and growing in wisdom and virtue, then grasping our own worldview is the best way to instruct our children when we sit, when we walk, when we lie down, and when we rise up (Deuteronomy 6:7). How do you expect your children to think Christianly when you yourself have neglected the disciplines of study and reading the Word of God? Consider the prayer of Asaph in Psalm 78:

“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” – Psalm 78:4-7

Understand what you believe, and why you believe it. Sharpen your thinking with other serious Christians. Raise your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Proclaim the Good News to those who are lost. Love God well, especially with your mind.