What’s Your Worldview?

Recently the U.S. House of Representatives elected a new Speaker, Mike Johnson, from Louisiana.

Honestly, I had never heard of Johnson. Apparently this was true of many people, especially since the shocking news about his life and views mostly escaped the mainstream news until after his rise to Speaker.

Johnson unashamedly and unapologetically claims to be a Christian. In his acceptance speech he invoked the name of God, the Bible, prayer, and a determination to lead based on his faith.

He reminded his colleagues that our national motto, “In God We Trust,” prominently displayed in the House was adopted in 1962 as a “rebuke of the Cold War era philosophy of the Soviet Union. That philosophy was Marxism and communism, which begins with the premise that there is no God. This is a critical distinction that is also articulated in our nation’s birth certificate.”

Then he referenced the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, not born equal, created equal, and they’re endowed by the same unalienable rights, with the same unalienable rights, life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.”

In that regard the famous British philosopher and statesman, G. K. Chesterson once opined that, “America is the only nation in the world that is founded upon a creed. It’s listed with almost theological lucidity in the Declaration of Independence.”

Thus, it’s not surprising when later asked in an interview about his worldview, Johnson replied, “Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it—that’s my worldview. That’s what I believe and so I make no apologies for it.”

Your worldview is your perception of life and the world based on your ideas, beliefs, and values as they apply to family, society, and culture. For many their worldview begins by denying Deity. The foundation of their worldview may be science, as it is currently understood. It may be a particular philosophy with which they are enamored. For many, their worldview is shaped by the ever changing pop culture.

A Biblical worldview begins with the affirmation there is a God. That Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And that the Spirit revealed God’s Word in a book we call the Bible (Gen. 1:1; Matt. 16:16; Eph. 3:3-5)

A Biblical worldview view regards Truth as absolute and unchanging. While a secular worldview says, “there are no absolutes” and that truth is relative and reflective of my personal feelings and opinions. Sadly, our society is greatly influenced by the latter. Furthermore, its impact is both real and subtle. Even on Christians and the church.

Media, movies, pop stars, sports heroes, political leaders, and sometimes even religious teachers advocate and promote a secular worldview. If we are not on guard, it’s easy to be influenced by it. It may be evidenced when considering important moral and spiritual issues by saying, “I feel….” Or “I don’t think that God will…” Or “It seems to me…”

Instead a Biblical worldview asks, “What does God say?” “What does Jesus say?” “What does the Bible say?”

A Biblical worldview values the sanctity of life, both the born and unborn (Psalm 139). It respects the God-ordered and ordained spiritual bond in marriage between one man and one woman (Matt. 19:1-9). It accepts that God made us either male or female at birth (Gen. 1:27;5:2). It embraces the moral standard taught by Paul and the apostles that rejects every form of sexual immorality (Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 6:18-20; 1 Thess. 4:3-8).

Of course, there is much more. A Biblical worldview impacts how we treat other people. The recognition that all races and ethnic groups are God’s creatures. A Biblical worldview embodies “The Golden Rule” and “The Second Great Commandment.” It’s concerned about justice, goodness, and fairness. (Matt. 7:12; 22:37-40; Gal. 3:26-29; Mic. 6:8; Col. 4:1).

A Biblical worldview interprets life in view of the Scripture. And it realizes that this life is but a preface to the next life–eternal life. Yes, we possess both the physical and the spiritual, a body and a soul. And Believers are promised to be raised and given an incorruptible, immortal body that will live on with God in eternity (1 Cor 15). So, a Biblical worldview not only views life differently, but death as well.

Your worldview is important. It guides your daily decisions, both large and small. It’s at the foundation of your value system. And it regulates your principles and priorities.

What’s your worldview?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman