THINKING BIBLICALLY Friday November 30, 2018

THINKING BIBLICALLY Friday, November 30, 2018

John [ESV] 15:5  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

  Everyone has a worldview! Again, what is a worldview? It is our composite personal beliefs by which we interpret and judge reality and act accordingly. Put another way, a person’s worldview shows in their purpose in life. For instance: If we believe the world (or their family) owes us a living we will act accordingly expecting largesse, reacting in resentment if not received. Or if believing living should always be fun, then so do we strive in planning and doing. I’m sure that when candid we know of these attitudes in ourselves and by observing (or loving) others.

  Drug addicts do not set out to be addicts. They have other than a Biblical worldview that influences and determines their lifestyle. I have been blessed in seeing some of them submissively acquire a life-changing Biblical worldview with sobriety opening healthy opportunities.

  I’ve been blessed in observing seriously angry men learn of and submit to a Biblical worldview and gain a reasonable demeanor.

  Ann had seen women walk away from a sordid lifestyle when they developed a Biblical worldview.

  In denial of our need for a life-altering Biblical worldview we may say “But we are not those people.” and temporarily fool ourselves. I pray that I/we do not do so for the façade will not stand before the Lord’s scrutiny. (Heb.9:27)

  Personally shouldn’t we confess with Paul that though “I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.” (ESV 1Cor.4:4-5)

EBB4

THINKING BIBLICALLY Thursday November 29, 2018

THINKING BIBLICALLY Thursday, November 29, 2018

John 13:14-17, 34-35  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. … A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

  In reading THINK BIBLICALLY list of contributors and the preface acknowledging secretaries and others I am again reminded that I/we cannot acquire or maintain a Biblical Worldview alone. Being a lone wolf makes for a meager diet or starvation. Then there’s the matter dirty feet.

EBB4

THINKING BIBLICALLY Wednesday November 28, 2018

THINKING BIBLICALLY Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Romans [ESV] 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

  One of the books I’m presently reading is THINK BIBLICALLY, done by the Master’s College faculty with John MacArthur as the general editor.  Why am I reading yet more writings on the topic? Because though my worldview is Christ-centered and Bible-based I am not yet mature enough in this area and know that my Lord and Paul said seeking maturity is an ongoing lifetime endeavor! (Mt.5:48; Rom.12:1-2; 2Tim.2:15)

  At the center of Biblical worldview studies is Romans 12:2, without which the understanding submissive implementation of there is no such worldview held. Indeed it is quite possible to read and quote God’s Word and yet not attain or hold to a Biblical worldview. (2Tim.3:7) It is even possible to donate in many ways and yet not hold a Biblical worldview. (Hos.6:6; Mt.7:22-24; Epistle of 1^st John, Hebrews) This I know and the conviction motivates me.

  In the days ahead I’ll be sharing personal reminders from THINK BIBLICALLY, first of all upon me, and then with you.

To serve Him all our days,

EBB4

PS. One of my early Christian mentors warned me that too often we sacrifice our convictions on the altar of convenience.

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW?

What is a Christian Worldview?

[Aired on Daily Thoughts Tuesday, November 27, 2018]

By S. Michael Houdmann, Got Questions Ministries

It drives me crazy how inconsistent many Christians are with their worldview. Many Christians claim to believe in God and to trust the Bible as being God’s Word, yet, as soon as the Christian worldview stands in the way of something they want to do, it gets thrown out the window, only to be recovered the next time it becomes convenient. This is the lukewarm faith Jesus spoke of in Revelation 3:16. I, too, would rather have people be hot or cold. If they are hot, I am ready to partner with them in declaring and living the truth. If they are cold, I am ready to attempt to reach them by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). If they are lukewarm…(insert disgusting vomiting sound here).
  A worldview is, simply, how we view the world. Our worldview impacts every area of our lives, sometimes purposefully in that we intentionally base our decisions on it, and sometimes ignorantly in that it impacts us even when we are not consciously thinking about it. Our worldview is a core set of beliefs/values that determines how we view everything else in life. The core of a worldview is made up of the answers to the following questions: (1) Why are we here? (2) What is wrong with the world? (3) Can it be fixed? A Christian worldview would answer the questions: (1) God created us. (2) Sin. (3) Yes, through Jesus Christ.
  God created us for a purpose. God created us in His image so that He could have a meaningful relationship with us. God designed us so that we would be ideal stewards over His creation. This aspect of a Christian worldview impacts how we view and treat other people. Does human life have any value? Should human life be treated different than other forms of life? Why should I be loving, kind, and compassionate towards other people? We were created in order to have a relationship with God. Life has no true meaning of value without that relationship. Yet, so many treat God as an afterthought, something you talk about one day a week.
  Sin is what is wrong with the world. This world, as wonderful and amazing as it still is, is completely screwed up. It is not completely what God intended it to be. While it still contains beauty, and still provides what we need for life – it is a warped and faded image of what God created. We brought sin and evil into the world. We are responsible for all that is wrong in the world. We are completely messed up and infected with a deadly plague (Romans 3:10-23). We are the problem, not the solution. This aspect of a Christian worldview should humble us and keep us from pride and arrogance. The world does not revolve around us. If it did, it would be upside-down, spinning backwards, and shaped like a rotten potato with all those nasty-looking sprouts coming out of it.
  God is the solution. God became a human being (John 1:1,14), lived a perfect life, taught us the truth, and died to pay the penalty for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus’ resurrection proved that His mission was successful. Through Jesus Christ, our lives can be redeemed and restored. Through Jesus Christ, one day, the universe and everything in it will be restored to glory and perfection. Through faith in Jesus Christ, all of our sins can be forgiven and we can have our heavenly eternal destiny secured. Do you see the pattern? It is all about Jesus! We are the problem, Jesus is the solution. Jesus accomplished it all and offers it to us as a gift, if we will just receive it. How could such a tremendous sacrifice not completely shape our worldview? How could such an amazing gift not be the basis for how and why we live our lives?
  Whether it is your marriage, your job, your politics, your hobbies, your morals, or your desires, your worldview should be the foundation. Nothing in your life should be separated from the fact that you are a Christian, a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. If the Christian worldview is true, it demands our all. We should be on fire for God. If the Christian worldview is false, it should be completely ignored. We should be as cold as the south pole. There is no room for remaining lukewarm. It is spewage

EVERYONE IN HIS PLACE

EVERYONE IN HIS PLACE

Judges 7:21 And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled.

  As a young boy, just reaching adulthood, D.H. helped his father farm and as he drove the tractor he wondered what he was supposed to do with his life. When he was older he answered God’s call to foreign missions in the agricultural field.

  Years later in Peru he led a man and his wife to Christ. They, with David’s help, led their entire village to Christ and a church was started.

  The couple’s daughter, who had immigrated to the United States, told David she had prayed for years for someone to come to her village and tell them about Christ. When she and David compared dates they discovered that her prayers had started during the time he was riding the tractor and wondering where his place in life was to be.

Leslie Nivens

# 7 of Ten Reasons Why I Believe The Bible Is The Word Of God by R. A. Torrey

# 7 of Ten Reasons Why I Believe The Bible Is The Word Of God by R. A. Torrey

There is more power in that little book to save men, and purify, gladden and beautify their lives, than in all other literature put together-more power to lift men up to God. A stream never rises higher than its source, and a book that has a power to lift men up to God that no other book has, must have come down from God in a way that no other book was.

I have in mind as I write a man who was the most complete victim of strong drink I ever knew; a man of marvelous intellectual gifts, but who had been stupefied and brutalized and demonized by the power of sin, and he was an infidel. At last the light of God shone into his darkened heart, and by the power of that book he has been transformed into one of the humblest, sweetest, noblest men I know to-day.

What other book would have done that? What other book has the power to elevate not only individuals but communities and nations that this book has?

PS. Possibly some of you will share life-change that DAILY THOUGHTS readers in need will be edified? “Anonymous” is OK signature. Please share the Lord’s story in your life and I’ll publish in the future.  Thank you.  EBB4

Compellingtruth.org on worldview

Compellingtruth.org on worldview

Friday, November 23, 2018

  The term "worldview" is used to describe a core set of values and principles through which the world is understood. A worldview is a compilation of an individual's perceptions of the world, essentially the way a person understands reality. A person's worldview is very important, as it impacts virtually every decision in life. A specifically Christian worldview, then, would be viewing the world through a Christian/biblical lens. A Christian worldview is one in which the Bible is formative.
  A worldview must come to grips with the three following questions: (1) Where did we come from and why are we here? (2) Why is there something terribly wrong with the world? (3) Can what is wrong with the world be fixed? Different worldviews answer these three core questions very differently. Let's contrast the Christian worldview with the naturalistic worldview on the three questions.
  A naturalistic worldview would answer the three questions as follows: (1) We are the result of purposeless acts of nature. (2) We are what is wrong with the world, as we do not respect nature. (3) The world can be saved through environmentalism, conservation, and us coming to terms with our true nature. Common philosophies that come from a naturalistic worldview are moral/cultural relativism, existentialism, nihilism, and utopianism.
  In contrast, a Christian worldview attempts to answer the three questions biblically: (1) God created humanity in His image so that we could have a meaningful relationship with Him and put us on the planet to rule over it (Genesis 1:27-29, 2:15). (2) We sinned against God, subjecting ourselves and the world to the curse of evil, decay, and death (Genesis 3; Romans 8:22). (3) God became a human being and sacrificed Himself to pay the penalty for sin and to one day restore creation to a perfect state (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Revelation 21–22). A Christian worldview should result in an adherence to moral absolutes and to belief in miracles, the value of human life, and the possibility of forgiveness/redemption.
  A worldview is comprehensive in its impact. Our worldview affects everything we do, whether we recognize it or not. Our worldview affects how we spend money, how we treat our spouses and children, who we vote for, how we treat nature, what we choose to do with our time. A true and complete Christian worldview is not something that can exist only at church on Sundays. There is no separating a Christian worldview from everyday life. Jesus Himself is to be our worldview (John 14:6). Forming our worldview on His life and teachings is the only way to navigate through this world. That is what a Christian worldview is all about.

Read more: http://www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-worldview.html#ixzz2gfhTuniJ