The only thing I would disagree with you on your labeling of Westboro Baptist and their kind as having a Biblical worldview. I get what you’re saying and agree with you, I just don’t consider that a biblical worldview. It is a carnal worldview that twists scripture for their purposes. Yes, they base their belief on the Bible but not the whole Bible, just the passages that agree with their worldview.
Sadly, this is the case with many in evangelicalism today. We love the passages that condemn sin (at least the ones we are not guilty of) but our fallen flesh hates the thought of showing compassion and love to those who commit those sins so we hyper ideas with the judgement of God on them while speaking grace and mercy to those like us.
The article is right in principle but has inconsistent application of definitions.
Some definitions:
Biblical worldview:
1. A worldview that is based on the Bible
2. A worldview that agrees with the Bible
Christian Worldview:
1. A worldview that is based on Christianity
2. A worldview that agrees with Christianity
The article uses Biblical worldview in the first sense but Christian worldview in the second sense, insisting that those are the proper definitions. I see this as an inconsistency which leads to creating a false dichotomy.
For consistency and parallelism, either the first or second sense should be used for both phrases. If we apply the first, there will be a lot of pushback if we say a Christian worldview is merely based on Christianity, and rightly so.
If we apply the second, the two phrases become synonymous within Christian orthodoxy.
Both parties discussed in the article have a non-Christian worldview as well as an unbiblical worldview. Just like their father the devil, they use Scripture in a twisted way because they disagree with the Bible and want to usurp its authority.
I well remember standing at the altar seeking God’s salvation for the first time. It came after a horrific few years ultimately finding me a homeless hippie. As I stood there, I remember the desperation, the realization that my worldview was a house of cards, ready to collapse. (though I would not have used those terms)
In retrospect, I stood at the altar with a Christian worldview. I believed that God existed, I believed that He could save me, and I believed that He wanted to save me. What I knew of the bible was miniscule. Over the years (almost 50) I have read, studied, sang, and memorized scripture. I have allowed it to rebuild my worldview according to the original plans.
Well written explanation of the difference between worldviews. I get it.
It is helping explain to me how so many here on Substack have biblical worldview’s rather than Christian ones. Their worldview can start with something as small as baptism, or be larger as in how Torah is understood. And they use the bible to promote a particular dogma and end up not understanding the Gospel.
I still think if one is truly born-again of the Spirit, his biblical worldview will increasingly align with his Christian worldview.
Excellent article!
The only thing I would disagree with you on your labeling of Westboro Baptist and their kind as having a Biblical worldview. I get what you’re saying and agree with you, I just don’t consider that a biblical worldview. It is a carnal worldview that twists scripture for their purposes. Yes, they base their belief on the Bible but not the whole Bible, just the passages that agree with their worldview.
Sadly, this is the case with many in evangelicalism today. We love the passages that condemn sin (at least the ones we are not guilty of) but our fallen flesh hates the thought of showing compassion and love to those who commit those sins so we hyper ideas with the judgement of God on them while speaking grace and mercy to those like us.
But like I said, excellent article.
Lee is correct.
The article is right in principle but has inconsistent application of definitions.
Some definitions:
Biblical worldview:
1. A worldview that is based on the Bible
2. A worldview that agrees with the Bible
Christian Worldview:
1. A worldview that is based on Christianity
2. A worldview that agrees with Christianity
The article uses Biblical worldview in the first sense but Christian worldview in the second sense, insisting that those are the proper definitions. I see this as an inconsistency which leads to creating a false dichotomy.
For consistency and parallelism, either the first or second sense should be used for both phrases. If we apply the first, there will be a lot of pushback if we say a Christian worldview is merely based on Christianity, and rightly so.
If we apply the second, the two phrases become synonymous within Christian orthodoxy.
Both parties discussed in the article have a non-Christian worldview as well as an unbiblical worldview. Just like their father the devil, they use Scripture in a twisted way because they disagree with the Bible and want to usurp its authority.
I well remember standing at the altar seeking God’s salvation for the first time. It came after a horrific few years ultimately finding me a homeless hippie. As I stood there, I remember the desperation, the realization that my worldview was a house of cards, ready to collapse. (though I would not have used those terms)
In retrospect, I stood at the altar with a Christian worldview. I believed that God existed, I believed that He could save me, and I believed that He wanted to save me. What I knew of the bible was miniscule. Over the years (almost 50) I have read, studied, sang, and memorized scripture. I have allowed it to rebuild my worldview according to the original plans.
Well written explanation of the difference between worldviews. I get it.
It is helping explain to me how so many here on Substack have biblical worldview’s rather than Christian ones. Their worldview can start with something as small as baptism, or be larger as in how Torah is understood. And they use the bible to promote a particular dogma and end up not understanding the Gospel.
I still think if one is truly born-again of the Spirit, his biblical worldview will increasingly align with his Christian worldview.
Blessings.