YOUR VIEW BIBLICAL OR WORLDLY?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Everyone has a worldview. Whether or not we realize it, we all have certain presuppositions and biases that affect the way we view all of life and reality. A worldview is like a set of lenses which taint our vision or alter the way we perceive the world around us. Our worldview is formed by our education, our upbringing, the culture we live in, the books we read, the media and movies we absorb, etc.

For many people, their worldview is simply something they have absorbed by osmosis from their surrounding cultural influences. They have never thought strategically about what they believe and wouldn’t be able to give a rational defense of their beliefs to others.

The worldview of many people today is influenced by secularism, post-modernism, and humanism. While many still profess belief in God, the humanistic mantra that life can be better lived apart from supernatural considerations is the practical approach of a large segment of our society.

The Humanist Manifesto, originally published in 1933, revised in 1973, and further updated by Paul Kurtz in 2003, continues to affirm that “traditional dogmatic or authoritarian religions that place revelation, God, ritual or creed above human needs do a disservice to the human species.”

Kurtz criticizes Christianity because it’s unchanging, based on “the faith once delivered to all the saints” (Jude 3). The worldview of humanism, he believes is evolving. The Third Manifesto speaks of issues that Christians would endorse such as equality, kindness, peace, and everything good and beautiful. However, their basic worldview is unchanged.

“No deity will save us,” they assert. “Morals derive their source from human experience,” they still promote. And “promises of immortal salvation or fear of eternal damnation are both illusory and harmful,” the humanists lament. Biblical world views are based on a Biblical foundation, and the sermons we preach, the meetings we hold, and the classes we teach are built and based on these Bible precepts.

“How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets” (Eph. 3:3-5) Ken Weliever

What’s Your Worldview?

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

SINGING WITH VIOLET

An elderly woman named Violet sat in her bed in a Jamaican infirmary and smiled as some teenagers stopped to visit with her. The hot, sticky air came into her little group home unabated, but she didn’t complain. Instead she began wracking her mind for a song to sing. Then a huge smile appeared and she sang, “I am running, skipping, jumping, and praising the Lord”. As she sang, she swung her arms back and forth as if she were running. Tears came to the eyes around her, for Violet had no legs. She was singing, because she said – “Jesus loves me – and in Heaven I will have legs to run with”.

Violet’s joy and hopeful anticipation of heaven gave new vibrancy to Paul’s word in Philippians 1:21-26 when he referred to life and death issues. “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me,” he said. “I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far”.

Each of us faces tough times that may cause us to long for the promise of heavenly relief. But as Violet showed us joy despite her current circumstances, we too can keep “running, skipping, jumping and praising the Lord” – both for the abundant life He gives us here and for the ultimate joy that awaits us.

Lord, when times are tough, help us to find joy. Help us to live in the tough times of this world with happiness while looking ahead to something “better by far”.

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“Shocking,” is how one researcher described a recent study by the Cultural Research Center (CRC) at Arizona Christian University, as reported by The Christian Post.

According to CRC a “nationwide study of about 1,000 Christian pastors conducted between February and March” revealed that “just over half of all U.S. pastors of Evangelical churches (51%) have a biblical worldview.”

“Perhaps most surprisingly,” observed reporter Ian M. Giatti “just 48% of pastors of Baptist churches, widely viewed as the most enthusiastic about embracing the Bible as the Word of God, held a biblical worldview.

“The old labels attached to families of churches are not as useful as they were in the past,” observed lead researcher and Director of the CRC, George Barna. He then offered this assessment.

“With barely half of Evangelical pastors possessing a biblical worldview — and that number continuing to decline — attending what may be considered an ‘Evangelical’ church no longer ensures a pastoral staff that has a high view of the scriptures.”

I supposed we ought not to be shocked or even surprised given the state of our society today and the culture of so many churches. Yet, it ought to give us serious pause and cause us to stop and consider our worldview.

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The United Nations says world population will reach eight billion by November 15!

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

God has a plan for your life provided you don’t spend too much time telling God what He should be doing. Dwight Short

And we are truly living in the beginning of the end time. That’s why, people do not have sane thoughts. The thought of God ebbs from them. But God will have His chosen ones for His kingdom which is going to come soon. Stephen Bernard

The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible. Dwight D. Eisenhower

The two most important days in your life are the day you’re born and the day you find out why. Mark Twain

You don’t get credit for your thoughts. They have to be expressed. Kelly Knouse

Consider the fact that God’s timing is often confusing and frustrating to time-bound humans. Apparent denials or delays are actually manifestations of omniscient grace. If we knew what God knows, we would agree with what God does. Jim Denison

God will not stand by forever and let wickedness reign. Dan Shock

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

A disciple of Jesus must have a correct picture of Jesus and a correct picture of what it means to follow Jesus. Andrew Evans

Our priorities will be based on the principles and values that either consciously or subconsciously guide our lives. Stephen Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effectively People,” wrote, “Personal leadership is the process of keeping your vision and values before you and aligning your life to be congruent with them.

Peter Drucker, the father of business consulting, is often quoted as saying, “the main thing, is to keep the main thing, the main thing.” That’s just not true in business. It’s true in life. And it’s critically vital to spiritual success.

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Or you can write Frank Becker, 2625 Lochinvar Ln, Bryan, TX 77802.

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