Chapter
2
What questions are you asking?
....asking life's biggest questions, ....and more
When you think about your worldview and describe it for yourself, it might help you understand why you make some choices, ....and what you regard as truth. A worldview typically addresses life's biggest questions, some being more important than others. Here are 6 questions about major considerations. You may think of more questions to ask yourself....
How did we get here? — questions about origins.
Why are we here? — questions dealing with life's meaning.
Where are we going? — question addressing the future and afterlife.
What is true? — questions about the nature of truth and whether it is objective or subjective. If truth is objective, what is it based on? In other words, what is the source of truth?
What is right and what is wrong? — questions dealing with morality. Are right and wrong based on an objective set of moral standards, or are they subjectively based on someone's feelings, desires or standards that fit the time and place?
Who is in charge? — questions about the existence of a supreme being.
A "worldview" by another name....
Doing some research online, I discovered an interesting similarity in definitions for "worldview" and "religion". Let's talk about it....
"Worldview" is the fundamental cognitive orientation of an individual or society encompassing the entirety of the individual or society's knowledge and point-of-view, including philosophy; ethics, existential, and normative postulates; or themes, values, and emotions.
....in comparison with....
"Religion" is a range of social-cultural systems, including designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relate humanity to supernatural, transcendental, and spiritual elements—although there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion.
So, it seems definitions for "worldview" and "religion" might commingle, merge together. Perhaps it depends on who defines it ....from whose perspective.
What are the "tenets of belief"?
Every "religion" has "tenets of belief" as the foundation on which it is based, created. If you are (or considering) accepting and embracing a religion's worldview, do you know its tenets of belief? Do you have an honest trust in those tenets?
"Tenet" DEFINITION: principles, doctrine, dogma, opinions, etc., especially those held as true by members of a group, movement, or profession.
"Tenet" SYNONYMS: assumption, creed, conviction, doctrine, dogma, faith, presumption, profession, teaching.
Here are a few critical questions to ask about any religion's "tenets of belief":
What does that religion (worldview) regard as "truth"? Can you live by it?
What trustworthy evidence validates that religion's history?
What is required of you to believe and follow those "tenets of belief"?
What are the benefits for believing such a religious worldview?
Searching for spiritual connection
From an online search, we learn there are over 4,000 different "religions" in the world. That's a lot of seeking some kind of "spiritual connection" with something or someone. And that is not surprising, because....
I know God has made everything beautiful for its time. God has also placed in our minds a sense of eternity; we look back on the past and ponder over the future, yet we cannot understand the doings of God.
— Ecclesiastes 3:11 The Voice
The challenge discerning differences in worldviews between some 4,000+ "religions" in the world, might be illustrated by this photo of a Zebra herd. Its a blur of stripes without clear distinction. ....Then as you focus on one, you begin discerning its shape ....and it starts separating from the background. That's when you start asking critical questions....
What does that religion's worldview regard as "truth"?
Is it objective or subjective truth? If truth is objective, what is it based on? Is the source of truth trustworthy? Because "truth" as you believe and know it ....influences your choices. ....How would you know if something is right or wrong?
What questions of life does that worldview answer?
Do those answers give you peace and resolve in daily living?
What are the "tenets" for that religion's worldview?
What are its assumptions, creed, convictions, doctrines, dogma, faith, presumptions, teachings ....on which that worldview is created? ....Do you accept all of them, ....or have any reservations or doubts? .......Can you live by them?
Answers to these questions would be important to know, if you were considering accepting and embracing a particular religion's worldview.
The Lord looks down from heaven and sees every person. From his throne he watches all who live on earth. He made their hearts and understands everything they do.
— Psalm 33:13-15 NCV
Why I believe in Jesus Christ....
Okay, ....in the flow of our conversation, let me share my worldview of faith in Jesus Christ ....as my Savior, Lord, ....and Friend. Its important to understand what sets Christianity apart, and why its "tenets of belief" are trustworthy for my past, ....my present, ....and my future.
Compare this photo of a solitary Zebra with the Zebra herd above. ....In the world's opinion, "Christianity" (following Jesus) is listed as just another religion.
However....
THE big, stand-out, unique difference is simply ....JESUS IS AN ETERNAL SPIRITUAL BEING ....WHO IS ALIVE AND PRESENT TODAY. Knowing and believing in Jesus is having A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM, ....now and for Eternity!
Christianity is not just a set of "Bible-based" ideas and propositions. A person can agree with Biblical truths ....and still miss THE POWER OF GOD. People might attempt to reduce Christianity to merely a philosophy based on human understanding, but THE POWER OF GOD cannot be fully grasped by our human minds. ....We must approach God humbly as our Creator, .......and not as humans aspiring to fully explain God from a non-Biblical worldview.
Here's what scripture says about knowing God....
We know that an idol is really nothing in the world, and we know there is only one God. Even though there are things called gods, in heaven or on earth (and there are many “gods” and “lords”), for us there is only one God—our Father. All things came from him, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord—Jesus Christ. All things were made through him, and we also were made through him.
— 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 NCV
Benefits of believing in Jesus
Libraries are filled with books about life-changing faith in Jesus, including Christianity's doctrines and teachings. ....So, let me simply tell you how Jesus impacts my life.
MY PAST: I start fresh with Him....
At one time (I) thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently (I) know him now! ....Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. (My) old life is gone; (my) new life has begun! And all of this is a gift from God, who brought (me) back to himself through (believing in) Christ. ....For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for (my) sin, so that (I) could be made right with God through Christ.
— 2 Corinthians 5:16-18,21 NLT
...and....
MY PRESENT: I desire spiritual growth to know God more....
I pray that from His (God the Father's) glorious, unlimited resources He will empower (me) with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in (my) heart as (I) trust in Him. (My) roots will grow down into God’s love and keep (me) strong. And may (I) have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May (I) experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then (I) will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
— Ephesians 3:16-19 NLT
....and....
MY FUTURE: Heaven is my eternal home....
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by His great mercy that (I) have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now (I) live with great expectation, and (I) have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for (me), pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through (my) faith, God is protecting (me) by His power until (I) receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
— 1 Peter 1:3-5 NLT
In Christ, these benefits are yours too!
Whether our life choices are simple or complex, Jesus is able to help us, wants to help us. ....I want EVERYONE on this Quest with me ....to UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY BELIEVE ....AND WHY, ....because YOUR WORLDVIEW is the filtering perspective through which you make choices in life.
Once in awhile, we get a "do over" on choices. Most times, not. I want you to make good choices on your first try, ....with GOD'S HELP, ....because your worldview is build on the bedrock foundation of Jesus Christ our Lord!
SMILE, ....which brings us back to a verse you too can memorize and live by...
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”
— Psalm 27:8 NLT
Coming with an honest, open heart is the starting point for talking with God about your worldview. ....Ask Him. Trust Him. ....Walk with Him.
"Statement of Faith" for this website
At the bottom of this page is a Statement of Faith download link for a concise foundation of my Biblical worldview and this website's "tenets of belief". Faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, Lord, and Friend ....IS my compass in life.
In this Online Book, over 300 scriptures express Biblical truth. A few verses are repeated, as we look at God's Word from different context perspectives. ....Let the Bible speak for itself, declaring THE POWER OF GOD to change our lives ....and become more like Jesus!
