Essay on Exploring the Concept of Worldview: From Christian to Non-Christian Perspectives

Introduction

Over the last two centuries several discussions on the concept world view ranging from Christian perspective to non-Christian perspectives. Worldview is a term that is used to an intelligent self-evident perspective on the universe. It is the contemplation of the world and the specific philosophy of the world. The concept of worldview is developed by opinions, beliefs, and certainties about the reality of fundamental aspects. These aspects influence an individual’s perception, knowledge, reasoning, and actions. The elements of an individual’s worldview are believed in reality (metaphysics), beliefs on nature and sources of knowledge (epistemology), beliefs on the origin of man, nature, and the world (cosmology), and beliefs on nature of values and ethics (axiology). In the modern world, there is a belief that wealth is acquisition depends on one’s intelligence and handwork. According to Mohler et al. there is a worldview presupposition that God created scarce resources and people have to spend most of their time working to acquire wealth and become successful in life (p. 10). The presupposition associates wealth with happiness, making people trust their skills and experience in a particular field and disregard the role of God in prosperity. Thesis statement; although wealth acquisition stems from metaphysical and axiological views that adhere to a Christian worldview, current notions and methods of acquiring it have adopted epistemological principles that contradict the Bible.

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Part 1

There exists a significant difference between biblical and metaphysical assumptions of wealth that makes people rely on their intelligence and handwork. Today wealth is the determining factor for social, political, and economic activities. A wealthy person is rich, famous, and without any worry about life. People spend most of their time working, holding the business meeting, and establishing strategies that would expand their business globally to earn extra revenue. The role of god is no longer considered in businesses because individuals believe that they have to take advantage of the capitalist economy (Mohler et al., p. 11) The epitome of mainstream success makes people believe that successful person is popular, confident, and joyful all the time. On the contrary, if an individual is stressed, unsure about life, and having second views about life choices are believed to be unsuccessful. Mainstream media and marketing have effectively programmed society into accepting a dangerous and fabricated definition of success. They make people believe that living in a mansion, driving the latest cars, wearing the fashions, technology, and having lots of money is the key to happiness, therefore success.

The world view poverty as a result of laziness and lack of education or intelligence. The poor are highly discriminated in society and are often associated with misery and stress. However, living a selfish life in pursuit of fame and money brings no happiness or success. Wealth is a regular-mentioned new toy; fun while fresh and new but boring afterward as it may lead to vices such as corruption. Money makes life easier not better, for example, it cannot make an individual wise or knowledgeable because that is earned through hard work and study. According to Beentjes on Ecclesiasticus, people who are busy with different businesses in search of money are not wise because they do not have time to study and understand God (186). Money teaches no one valuable traits such as patience, love, knowledge, respect, and wisdom which are key aspects of a successful person’s life. A strong distinction is that it distracts people from pursuing success by providing temptation, corruption, and distraction. Therefore this explanation about money as a major distraction to living success opposes the illegitimate claim that money is the key to success. Wealth is a gift from God as noted in Ecclesiastes 5:19 “moreover when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil--this is a gift of God”.

Part 2

The bible has become the only answer that explains God's nature and how He created the world. According to Christianity, what is real was formed naturally by God and cannot be changed or questioned no matter the situation. On the other hand, non-Christians perceive that real things usually occur. From that perspective, the non-Christians find it challenging to explain the origin of reality, yet they believe that it never be changed or altered. This assignment utilizes Van Tillian's theory, comparing it with the Christian and non-Christian worldview. However, more concentration is on the Christian worldview based on the supposition that the bible is the ultimate authority in the world (Mayhew et al. 215). On the concept of wealth, the Bible depicts God as the creator and source of everything that exists in the world. He is sovereign, self-sufficient, and in control of everything. The story of creation in Genesis demonstrates that God did not create scarce resources that people would struggle to make wealth because he is God of abundance (Mohler et al., 12).

Part 3

The supposition in this regard is that Christians believe in the bibles as the ultimate authority in their worldview. The implication behind this is that most of the laws governing across the world go hand in hand with the biblical verses. Besides, the political decency in the society is shaped by what is believed to be right, wrong, evil, good, accurate, and real yet these values are traced back in the bible. These sets of values are considered as ethical consideration; hence it sets a foundation where most of the individuals view the world from. Such values and beliefs form the significant Christian teaching hence the belief that Christian faith is the foundation of rational thoughts about how the world should behave. An example from Ecclesiasticus 38-39 in the bible will be used later in this assignment to enhance understanding of the argument (Beentjes 188).

The biblical teachings in the book of John about the love of God, as also explained by Glenn Tinder in his argument, sheds light on the purpose of love and how it used as one of the foundational values of peace and unity in the society. Though the political leadership cannot achieve pure love as compared to the agape love in Christianity, the secular world tries to operate in the framework of standards that indicate love among people in society. In several instances, Christians have to put themselves in the shoe of non-Christians in cases where arguments are necessary to draw some logical connection and truth. The essence behind Christians doing so is because Christians believe that all human beings are all created by God, and Christians have to associate with non-Christians to understand their point of view and how they are behaving the way they do. Van Tillian provides some knowledge that's Christians always have to presuppose the bible's revelation as the reference book to know the good and evil in the world (Hanes, Jonathan and Andrew 22).

The values on good life, integrity, equality, and respect among others have a logical sense in them; hence they form most of the values and laws governing the society. Christians expect that any argument should include bible verses and evidence for it to qualify. Van Tillian contradicts this point of view because he believes that any human being can come up with an intelligent argument as long as it is rational and can impact in positively shaping the society. Tillian was advocating for critical thinking as far as the values and norms of the world are concerned. Importantly, it should be noted that arguments between the non-Christians and Christians are biased because one side of the argument does not want to agree and accept that the opponent's opinion can help explain the view of the world (Beentjes 188).

Conclusion

In conclusion, there have been several discussions on the concept world view for many years ranging from Christian perspective to non-Christian perspectives. This concept has varied definitions basing on the context. Christians put themselves in the shoe of the non-believers to find a basis to start their argument. Van Tillian, a theorist, concurs with the book of Ecclesiasticus 38-39 that encourages people to seek wisdom by finding time to reason and engage in conversations. The non-Christians are so resistant, and they believe that Christianity block people from thinking critically and logically hence individuals subscribed to Christianity do not allow their mind to think intelligently and provide solutions to the problems affecting the world.

Works Cited

Beentjes, Pancratius C. "Recent Publications on the Wisdom of Jesus Ben Sira (Ecclesiasticus)." Bijdragen 43.2 (1982): 188-198.

Beentjes, Pancratius C. "Recent Publications on the Wisdom of Jesus Ben Sira (Ecclesiasticus)." Bijdragen 43.2 (1982): 188-198.

Hanes, Jonathan M., and Andrew Pinsent. "Presuppositionalism revisited: the necessity of a transcendent God for the intelligibility of science." Science & Christian belief 28.1 (2016): 20-23.

King, John B. "Presuppositional apologetics and the theology of the cross." Word & World 38.3 (2018): 282-291.

Mayhew, Matthew J., et al. "Expanding perspectives on evangelicalism: How non-evangelical students appreciate evangelical Christianity." Review of Religious Research 59.2 (2017): 207-230.

Mohler Jr, R. Albert, et al. "The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology." (2009). https://sbts-wordpress-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/equip/uploads/2015/10/19.2-ECONOMICS-MOHLER.pdfMurray, Jason Matthew. "Campbell and "Expository Apologetics": Presuppositionalism Critiques Campbell's "Original Gospel." (2020).

Tinder, Glenn. Can We be Good Without God?: On the Political Meaning of Christianity. Regent College, 1995.