A Christian Worldview

I wrote this paper on Christian Worldview for a freshman class. The verses of the Bible I find encouraging as a Christian. If any questions feel free to ask.


The Philosophical Elements of a Christian Worldview

Metaphysics is “a division of philosophy that is concerned with the fundamental nature of reality and being and that includes ontology, cosmology, and often epistemology.” In the Christian faith, Christians believe that God is real; therefore, God came first then created the world. The Bible says in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God…” proving God existed before the world. Also, John 1:1-2 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” These verses prove God was here before the world was created, and the rest of what is proclaimed in Genesis 1:1, “created the heavens and the earth.” God made the earth. Creation is the foundation because the creation shows God exists. Psalms 19:1-2 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaimed the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.” Noebel talks about how God is intelligent, so humans must be too. A quote from Noebel, “Each created thing has an appointed destiny-God has a plan for His from world, and nothing takes Him by surprise.”
Epistemology is “the study or a theory of the nature and grounds of knowledge esp. with reference to its limits and validity.” In terms of the Christian Worldview Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” So all knowledge is from God, and God reveals Himself through His creation. This revelation of creation leads to knowledge that God can give or take away. Romans 1:28 says, “Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” Psalms 119:66 says, “Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands.” Hastings Rashdall talks about God’s knowledge and man’s reasons that two plus two equals four. The law of nature every human knows that 2+2=4, so there is some stuff in life that is just the way it is.
Ethics is “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation.” Ethics is truth. The humanism worldview “Humanists, Agnostics, Skeptics, and others who don’t believe in any ultimately objective, indubitable, final, or unchanging truths are often asked, “Do you know with absolute certainty that there are no certainties?” or “Is it an absolute truth that there are no absolute truths?” Also this article is about the humanists don’t know what they believe, they are still figuring it out. In the Biblical worldview we have God to explain everything to us. The only way to find real truth is through Jesus Christ instilled in John 14:6, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Noebel says, “Christianity explains the facts of reality better than any other worldview because it relies upon divine inspiration.”
In conclusion, because Christians believe that God has created the world and mankind in his image, they can trust that God has created them with the capacity to have knowledge and to know truth his perfect will. The will of God includes living a life with high ethical standards and moral correctness, knowing what is ”true, good, and beautiful.”

Bibliography
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (Springfield MA: Merriam-Webster’s, 2003), “metaphysics,” 780

All Scripture references are used in: The New Adventure Bible New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: 1984), 2

Noebel, The Battle for Truth (Eugene, Or: 2001), 47

Dictionary, 421

Rashdall, Philosophy And Religion (New York City, NY: 1910), 62,63

Dictionary, 429

7 Edwords, Fred, Humanist, “ Is it Absolutely True that there are No Absolutes?” (Magizine on line), EBSCO Research Databases, Religion and Philosophy Collection, Sep/Oct 2006, Vol. 66, Issue 5


8 Noebel, The Battle for Truth (Eugene, Or: 2001), 17

Dr. Jones, Lectures, often, October 18, 2006