A farmer brought a strong into town and offer it to anyone who could get the cow to do three things – make it laugh, cry and run.
A pastor whispered into the cow’s ears and made it laugh, cry and later run. The farmer gave the cow to the pastor. He asked what did the pastor said.
The pastor said, he first told the cow how much he earned, how hard he worked then whether it wanted to be a pastor.
Even the cow has a certain perspective about the pastoral ministry. And perspective is all about worldview.
Col 1:16-18 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. (17) He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (18) And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
Luk 12:16-20 And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. (17) He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' (18) Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. (19) And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' (20) But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
What is a worldview?
- A worldview is the way we look at the world; how we think it operates, why things happen the way they do and what is our purpose in it.
- Fundamentally, this perspective of the world is determined by our belief system / ideology.
What is a Christian worldview?
- The Christian worldview is the way we look at the world shaped by Scripture (Col 1:16-18)
- It is having God at the centre of our belief system.
1Co 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Why is an understanding of worldview important?
- Because out of our belief system / ideology we carry with us a set of ideas / presuppositions about what we believe to be truth and error, justice and perversion.
- Our worldview determines our values (cf Jn 4:9; Mk 10:48-52)
Joh 4:9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. )
Mar 10:48-52 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" (49) Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." (50) Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. (51) What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." (52) Go, said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Consider how Jesus treated women. As far as Jesus is concerned, the gender / ethnic group, rich or poor, full sight or blind, healthy or handicapped, etc. matters not. Everyone is made in the image of God and we need to treat everyone with dignity, honour and respect. Jesus’ concern and respect for the down and out and the marginalized. He is the perfect model for all of us.
- Our worldview dictates our practices and lifestyle (Lk 12:16-20; 1 Sam 17:45-47)
In Luke 12:16-20, we read about a man who lived only for his own indulgence and pleasure. Jesus commented that he was a fool.
A man called Fantastic Ong Ah Fook didn’t like his name and asked his wife not to include “Fantastic” on his tombstone. After he dies, his wife put on his tombstone “Here lies a man who has never looked at another woman after he married me.” People looked it and exclaimed “Fantastic!” When we are fantastic, we remain fantastic.
1Sa 17:45-47 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. (46) This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. (47) All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
David’s worldview inspired him to do what he did. He would go up against anyone who threatens him or the people of Israel.
Looking at the way a person lives his live we can tell his worldview.
Worldview and dominant culture
- Our worldview may be influenced by the dominant culture of the day where we live (e.g. Mt. 19:3-8)
Mat 19:3-8 Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" (4) Haven't you read, he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' (5) and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh' ? (6) So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (7) Why then, they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?" (8) Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.
Divorce was not God’s design at all. This is an area where Christians are tragically influenced by the world. The divorce rate of Christians are no different from non-Christians in US and Italian. The Australian churches are infiltrated by the common view of taking marriage lightly.
- All human cultures are tainted by sin (cf Mt 5:13-16)
Salt and light not serving their purposes are useless. We must be in an environment where are can serve our purposes as salt and light. There is no point for us to be salting one another and lighting up one another. Corruption and evil destroy nations. The church must always stand for truth, justice and righteousness. Built into every being is a sense of justice and fairness.
Ostrom Jorgen Moller wrote a book called How Asia Can Shape the World. Pastor Daniel wished another book can be written on How Asian Christians Can Shape the World.
A right worldview
- A right worldview is a biblical worldview (Ecc 12:12,14)
Ecc 12:13-14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. (14) For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Solomon lived a life of abundance and yet abandoned. During a talk, a Filipina told Ravi Zacharias everything is meaningless. Ravi told him life is meaningless when there is no Jesus. Solomon wised up only towards the end of his life.
- We must think Christianity and act biblically
- A biblical or Christian worldview enables us to live in freedom, peace and joy (Jn 10:10)
The implications of a Christian worldview
- It helps us to live integrated lives.
- It must have impact on every area of our life and society.
“If you don’t read newspapers, you are ill-informed. If you read newspapers, you are misinformed.” ~ Mark Twain
Questions for discussion
- Why is an understanding of worldview important and is your own worldview biblical? What areas of your worldview, personal lifestyle and ethics need to change to be more in line with Scripture and the gospel of Jesus Christ?
- What kind of worldviews and therefore personal lifestyle and practices do you discern in the world and among your friends? What are the positive and negative elements you see? In what ways are they unbiblical and how can you be counter-cultural and be involved in influencing and transforming it?
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