What is a Worldview?
Everyone has a worldview, whether they realize it or not.
Our worldview is the set of presuppositions and beliefs that we use to interpret and form opinions and values concerning life, humanity, family, authority, justice, truth, duty, etc. Our worldview is the “big picture” and culmination of all our beliefs. It is the way we understand reality. It is the basis from which we make daily decisions.
If we take a close look at any worldview, we will find that it consists of underlying beliefs (or assumptions) in five key areas that make up one’s big picture of “reality.” It is relatively easy to grasp someone’s worldview (including your own) by considering answers to questions in the following five areas:
The biblical worldview provides unique answers to the types of questions given above. These answers, in turn, have provided a solid foundation for unique attitudes and actions that have shaped history in ways no other worldview has been able to do or ever can do.
This is why worldview matters.
Used by permission from biblicalworldview.com
God
Is there a personal, transcendent Supreme Being to whom we are all accountable? If so, what is this God like? If not, then what? etc.
Creation
Where did the world come from? What sustains it all? Is there a spiritual part of reality or is it all material? etc.
Humanity
Who are we? What gives us any unique value? etc.
Moral Order
Who makes the rules? Do some rules apply to everyone? etc.
Purpose
Why do we exist? Who determines this?
What is a Biblical Worldview?
A biblical worldview is a comprehensive understanding of the world that is formed by the authority of the Bible and the person of Jesus Christ.
Renewanation believes that while the truth of scripture informs the mind, a relationship of personal saving faith in Jesus Christ is also necessary for an individual to fully know and embrace a biblical worldview. Mental assent and spiritual formation combine to form a biblical worldview.
RenewaNation is committed to promoting education which leads to the formation of biblical worldview.
What is Secular Humanism?
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines Secular Humanism as a humanistic philosophy viewed as a non-theistic religion antagonistic to traditional religion. [1]
Secular Humanism is a naturalistic philosophy that embraces the belief that nature and the cosmos is all there is and knowledge is obtained through observation using the scientific method. [2] Naturalism is a belief that the world can be understood in scientific terms without spiritual or supernatural explanations. Science is the god and savior of Naturalism. This doctrine completely rejects the Christian belief that there is a God that created and watches over this world. Carl Sagan, Naturalism’s late spokesman, said, “The cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be.”
As stated on the Council for Secular Humanist website, secular humanists see themselves as undesigned, unintended beings who arose through evolution, possessing unique attributes of self-awareness and moral agency.
The Humanist Manifesto ll, published in 1973 by the American Humanist Association states, “No deity will save us; we must save ourselves.”
Secular Humanism encourages humans to develop their own values and craft their own ethical systems based upon observation. [3]
A few effects of the philosophy of Secular Humanism and Naturalism:
• Secular Humanism’s connection to evolution has eroded the value of human life while elevating the value of animal life. An example is our culture’s growing preoccupation with the planet and animal life, but little or no regard for the life of a baby in the womb or the elderly.
• In April of 2008, the Swiss Parliament passed new laws requiring dog owners to complete a canine treatment course, anglers must take classes on humane fishing, and goldfish may no longer be flushed down the toilet. The Swiss government’s ethics committee is also considering “plant dignity” rights to protect plants. [4] This same country has a constitutional right to assisted suicide for the mentally ill. [5]
• After 12 years of indoctrination in Secular Humanism and Naturalistic philosophy, many kids who grow up in the church abandon their faith. The most intelligent people they have ever known (teachers) have mostly taught them to believe that Naturalism is true. And, if Naturalism is true, the Bible cannot be true. So, if the Bible is not true, then those who follow it are naive, even ignorant.
FOOTNOTES
[1] “secular humanism.” Merriam-Webster.com. 2012. http://www.merriam-webster.com (2012).
[2] secularhumanism.org (2012)
[3] secularhumanism.org (2012)
[4] lifesitenews.com (2012)
[5] lifesitenews.com (2012)