The Changing Worldview of Christianity Print
Written by Victoria Radin   

 

How did we get here? What went wrong? What is the solution?

“The greatest enemy of hunger for G-d is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of this world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night.”––John Piper

John Piper’s quote hints about the fact that the Church in America has been slowly ‘watered-down’ by the world––a world that has been changing so rapidly around us that we become overwhelmed by the anti-Christian thoughts and ideas expounded by enemy forces in schools, on television, in movies, in politics, and even in leisure pursuits. How, in the midst of all this evil influence, do we avoid being drawn into the cauldron of doubt and unbelief that the Bible is true in all its aspects concerning life? The key is to maintain a Christian Worldview, viewing life from a biblical perspective.

According to one definition, “a worldview is a theory of the world, used for living in this world. A worldview is a mental model of reality––a framework of ideas & attitudes about the world, ourselves, and life, a comprehensive system of beliefs––with answers for a wide range of questions.” (www.asa3.org/).

Everyone, whether living in China, a South American jungle, or in America, has a worldview. It is said that every worldview addresses the questions: “How did we get here, what went wrong, and what is the solution?” There is an incredible struggle going on today for the hearts and minds of Christians to answer these three questions within the framework of a new worldview that is inclusive instead of the biblical exclusiveness of the followers of Jesus.

To better understand the non-Christian worldviews, the following is a short summary of some major worldviews that affect our world today. The one thing they have in common is that they are all anti-Christian in their beliefs as to the origins of man, the problem with man and the ultimate solution.

 

The Islamic Worldview:

Islam is a complete way of life, an all-embracing social, political and legal system that breeds a worldview peculiar to itself. The major difference between Christianity and Islam is Islam’s rejection of the biblical Trinitarian G-d and the death of Jesus for the sins of the world. Muslims likewise reject Jesus’ physical resurrection from the dead and his claim to be the Son of G-d. The history of Islam from 622 A.D. to the present has been a history of violence, submission, and war toward infidels (non-Muslims).

The Secular Humanist Worldview:

Secular Humanism is the dominant worldview on the majority of colleges and universities throughout all Western nations. It has also made gains in many Christian colleges and universities, especially in the areas of biology, sociology, law, politics, and history. Secular Humanists recognize the classroom as a powerful incubator for indoctrinating students into their worldview. Operating under the educational buzzword “liberalism”, a Secular Humanist agenda controls the curriculum in America’s public schools. Another word for Secular Humanist is Atheist or Naturalist. They stress Evolution rather than Creation.

The Marxist Worldview/Anti-Capitalism:

Marxism is a militantly atheistic, materialistic worldview, based upon the writings of Karl Marx in the late 1800’s. Marxism predominates on many American university campuses. Today’s students are virtually bathed in Marx’s ideas. According to Karl Marx, the key problem with capitalism is that it breeds exploitation. Therefore, capitalism must be replaced with a more humane economic system, one that abolishes free markets  (private property, and the free and peaceful exchange of goods and services) and replaces it with a government-controlled economy.

The Cosmic Humanist Worldview/New Age Movement/Neo-Paganism:

The New Age is the ultimate eclectic religion of self: Whatever you decide is right for you is what’s right, as long as you don’t get narrow-minded and exclusive about it. This worldview is summed up by Jonathan Adolph: “In its broadest sense, New Age thinking can be characterized as a form of utopianism, the desire to create a better society, a ‘New Age’ in which humanity lives in harmony with itself, nature, and the cosmos.” Neo Paganism includes occult practices, Native American Spiritism, and Wicca.

The Postmodern Worldview:

Postmodernism refers to a philosophical approach, primarily in the area of what counts as knowledge or truth. Postmodernism is designed to deny that there is a worldview or belief system that can be considered absolute truth.

The Christian Worldview:

The Christian Worldview answers the three questions posed in the title from a biblical perspective. 

  • How did we get here? We are G-d’s creation, designed to govern the world and fellowship with Him. (Genesis 1:27, 28; 2:15)
  • What went wrong? We sinned against G-d and subjected the whole world to a curse (Genesis 3).
  • What is the solution? G-d Himself has redeemed the world through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ (Genesis 3:15; Luke 19:10), and will one day restore creation to its former perfect state (Isaiah 65:17-25).

      A Christian Worldview leads us to believe in moral absolutes, miracles, human dignity, and the possibility of redemption. The true Christian Worldview is an exclusive view that is incompatible with all the others.

      Within Christianity, though, a new worldview has surfaced that does not fall within the guidelines of the true Christian Worldview––the Emerging Church (var. the Emergent Church). The main difference is that the Emergent Church Worldview is inclusionary; they accept religious diversity as the solution rather than Jesus’ redemption. The apostle Paul warns us not to be drawn away from the truth of the Word of G-d.

      “…don’t be gullible. Check out everything and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21 – The Message)

      One of the leaders of this new Emergent Church Movement, Brian McClaren , for instance, has committed to celebrate Ramadan with the followers of Islam. Sharing in the so-called “important part of life” pagan celebration. This ‘union’ with the worship of a false god is in direct violation of Scripture. McClaren says:

      “This year, I [Brian McClaren] along with a few Christian friends…will be joining Muslim friends in the fast [of Ramadan]…as Christians, we want to come close to our Muslim neighbors and to share this important part of life with them…”

      The L-rd warned us:

      “Don’t become partners with those who reject G-d. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with darkness? Does Christ go strolling with the devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in G-d’s Holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom G-d lives.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15, The Message)

      Just as Emperor Constantine destroyed the early Church (4th Century) by mixing Christianity with Paganism, the devil is seeking to draw Christians away from sound biblical teaching by ‘watering down’ the biblical message with worldly views that contradict the Bible. Don’t be drawn away!

      "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for theselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."(2 Timothy 4:3, 4)