Saturday, February 25, 2012

What do worldviews and truth have to do with each other?

A worldview is the lens through which we see the world.  There are many worldviews held amongst the people of the world.  There are Biblical, materialistic, atheistic, Marxist, relativistic, and the list goes on.  Why does it matter what worldview we hold?  It matters because when a worldview matches up with how the world actually is (aka reality) that's called truth.  Believing something false can have serious consequences.

I read a poll recently (I can't remember the source) that 6%  of Americans (that's over 2,000,000 people) believe lunar landings never happened and were staged in a movie studio.  However, given the evidence this worldview doesn't reflect reality.  Now the consequences of this worldview probably aren't too serious.  It might cause embarrassment or ridicule but it's unlikely it's going to affect your health or well being.  However, other worldviews have serious consequences.  We all know that Hitler's worldview led to the holocaust and the execution of millions.

This is why it's important to examine the evidence and defend the truth of the Christian worldview.  There is an abundance of evidence to support the Biblical worldview and the Christian worldview best explains the world around us.  Others would have you believe that Christianity and science are at odds or reason is the enemy of faith.  However, that viewpoint is a pretty new phenomena in terms of human history.  The first scientists were Christians and the Christian tradition is steeped with great philosophers we have defended the faith going back centuries.

All of this isn't to say that all non-Christian worldviews lead to the holocaust.  However, on a more personal level if Jesus was a real person in history and he was the son of God then what he had to say matters.  Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me."  John 14:6 (NLT).   If that's true and Jesus is the only way to heaven then having a worldview other than that has real consequences.  That's why all Christian's have a responsibility to provide answers for those who ask.  Peter wrote "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life.  And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.  But do this in a gentle and respectful way." 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT).

If you don't have answers to the tough questions do some reading and get them.  There are lots of great resources out there and this blog references several of them.  But know that there are answers to those questions and take hope that the Christian worldview best explains and matches up with reality.  Go to the resources below and search their websites on specific questions you have.  There is great material on these websites and will no doubt lead you to other great resources as well.

Resources
Please Convince Me (www.pleaseconvinceme.com)
Stand to Reason (www.str.org)
Apologetics 315 (www.apologetics315.com)

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