Dennis Edwards
A Compilation from Various On-line Resources: I usually include the references to the information. Today, I am sorry to say, that I lost the link references.
On the podcast called Wise Disciple, the author was sharing about a recent Barna study which showed that only around 40% of Christian Senior Pastors in America have a Biblical worldview. The study showed that around 13% of the Youth and Children Pastors have a Biblical worldview. Most younger pastors say they have a Synergy worldview where they incorporate different ideas from different worldviews into one melting pot of a worldview. The Catholic Church had the lowest level of leaders with a Biblical worldview with only one out of ten. The highest church denominations with a Biblical worldview were those churches which were not aligned or non-denominational.
What’s a Biblical Worldview?
According to a Google search, we find the following definitions:
The Biblical worldview says there is a God—One who is personal, powerful and caring—who created the world and everything in it. It states unequivocally that man is created in God's image, living in essence as God's co-regent over creation. Mankind—born and unborn, rich and poor, able and disabled—has intrinsic worth.
Christian worldview (also called Biblical worldview) refers to the framework of ideas and beliefs through which a Christian individual, group or culture interprets the world and interacts with it.
A Biblical worldview is a view of the world which seeks to answer life's biggest questions from the teachings of the Bible, with a special focus on the gospel storyline.
According to Baptist Southeastern Bible Seminary a Biblical worldview consists of the following:
1. The belief in absolute moral truths.
2. The belief that absolute moral truths are revealed in and defined by the Bible.
3. The belief that Jesus lived a sinless life.
4. The belief that God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe who sovereignly rules it today.
5. The belief that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned.
6. The belief that Satan is real.
7. The belief that a Christian has the responsibility to share his faith in Christ with others.
8. A belief that the Bible is accurate in all its teachings.
- Only 4 % of Americans have a basic Biblical worldview of thinking, according to the Barna poll.
- Only 9 % of those who claim to be born again have a Biblical worldview.
From another site we find the following: “Worldview matters because it is the lens through which people see the world. Your worldview is an invisible, but very real filter that you use to understand why things are the way they are. Understanding your own worldview is just as important as understanding the worldviews of the people around you. In the last couple of centuries, the Christian worldview has lost its dominance, and competing worldviews have become far more prominent. These non-Christian worldviews include:
1. Naturalism: there is no God; humans are just highly evolved animals; the universe is a closed physical system.
2. Postmodernism: there are no objective truths and moral standards; “reality” is ultimately a human social construction.
3. Pantheism: God is the totality of reality; thus, we are all divine by nature.
4. Pluralism: the different world religions represent equally valid perspectives on the ultimate reality; there are many valid paths to salvation.
5. Islam: there is only one God, and He has no son; God has revealed His will for all people through His final prophet, Muhammad, and His eternal word, the Qur’an.
6. Moralistic therapeutic deism: God just wants us to be happy and nice to other people; He intervenes in our affairs only when we call on Him to help us out.”
“Of the millennial generation, just 4% qualified to have a Biblical worldview—a paltry 4% of those who will be the next generation of pastors, Sunday School teachers, elders, deacons, Christian school and college teachers, and parents! Looking at other age groups, the following hold a biblical worldview:
· 7% of 30–49-year-olds
· 15% of 50–64-year-olds
· 17% of 65+
According to a recent survey commissioned by the BBC,‘A quarter of people who describe themselves as Christians in Great Britain do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus” and “31% said they did not believe in life after death.’”
The world is definitely going through a major change in its world view. The Christian world-view has been over-taken by these other Antichrist views. The Bible said this would happen.
The Biblical worldview says there is a God—One who is personal, powerful and caring—who created the world and everything in it. It states unequivocally that man is created in God's image, living in essence as God's co-regent over creation. Mankind—born and unborn, rich and poor, able and disabled—has intrinsic worth.
Christian worldview (also called Biblical worldview) refers to the framework of ideas and beliefs through which a Christian individual, group or culture interprets the world and interacts with it.
A Biblical worldview is a view of the world which seeks to answer life's biggest questions from the teachings of the Bible, with a special focus on the gospel storyline.
According to Baptist Southeastern Bible Seminary a Biblical worldview consists of the following:
1. The belief in absolute moral truths.
2. The belief that absolute moral truths are revealed in and defined by the Bible.
3. The belief that Jesus lived a sinless life.
4. The belief that God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe who sovereignly rules it today.
5. The belief that salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned.
6. The belief that Satan is real.
7. The belief that a Christian has the responsibility to share his faith in Christ with others.
8. A belief that the Bible is accurate in all its teachings.
- Only 4 % of Americans have a basic Biblical worldview of thinking, according to the Barna poll.
- Only 9 % of those who claim to be born again have a Biblical worldview.
From another site we find the following: “Worldview matters because it is the lens through which people see the world. Your worldview is an invisible, but very real filter that you use to understand why things are the way they are. Understanding your own worldview is just as important as understanding the worldviews of the people around you. In the last couple of centuries, the Christian worldview has lost its dominance, and competing worldviews have become far more prominent. These non-Christian worldviews include:
1. Naturalism: there is no God; humans are just highly evolved animals; the universe is a closed physical system.
2. Postmodernism: there are no objective truths and moral standards; “reality” is ultimately a human social construction.
3. Pantheism: God is the totality of reality; thus, we are all divine by nature.
4. Pluralism: the different world religions represent equally valid perspectives on the ultimate reality; there are many valid paths to salvation.
5. Islam: there is only one God, and He has no son; God has revealed His will for all people through His final prophet, Muhammad, and His eternal word, the Qur’an.
6. Moralistic therapeutic deism: God just wants us to be happy and nice to other people; He intervenes in our affairs only when we call on Him to help us out.”
“Of the millennial generation, just 4% qualified to have a Biblical worldview—a paltry 4% of those who will be the next generation of pastors, Sunday School teachers, elders, deacons, Christian school and college teachers, and parents! Looking at other age groups, the following hold a biblical worldview:
· 7% of 30–49-year-olds
· 15% of 50–64-year-olds
· 17% of 65+
According to a recent survey commissioned by the BBC,‘A quarter of people who describe themselves as Christians in Great Britain do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus” and “31% said they did not believe in life after death.’”
The world is definitely going through a major change in its world view. The Christian world-view has been over-taken by these other Antichrist views. The Bible said this would happen.
Matthew 24:5,11,24
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
Luke 18:8
Nevertheless when the Son of Man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?
2 Thessalonians 2:3
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
What Does Our Biblical Worldview Look Like to Us?
A Biblical worldview is a view that holds the Bible is true in all its teachings, therefore, one should follow what the Bible says. A person who holds a Biblical worldview believes the Bible is a reliable collection of ancient historical documents written by eye-witnesses in the lifetime of other eye-witnesses who recorded supernatural events and said their writings are of Divine rather than human origin.
A Biblical worldview would hold to the idea of “Solo Scriptura,” or Only Scripture as the source of Truth, rather than the Catholic doctrine of tradition over Scripture. In the Biblical worldview truth is derived from God, God’s Word, and God’s Holy Spirit; and also, from God’s revelation through His natural creation.
1. We believe in God: Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
2. We believe in God’s Word/and Son: John 8:31-32; John 14:6; John 17:17; Psalm 119:160; John 1:1,14,18. Colossians 1:15. 2:3, 2:9 show us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God in whom is hid all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge.
3. We believe in the Holy Spirit: John 16:13. Acts 5:32. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.
4. We believe that God created and that Creations speaks: Job 12:7-10; Romans 1:20; Psalms 19:1-3.
It is God’s Word that gives us discernment. Hebrews 4:12
Having a Biblical worldview is the acknowledgement of God in our lives, which the Bible calls, “the fear of the Lord.” That acknowledgement gives us the right perspective on life. That’s why Saint Augustine said, “Seek not to understand that you might believe, but rather seek to believe that you might understand.” Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 7:1-5. Paul talks about the Omnipresent God in his witness to the Greeks. Acts 17:23-28.
However, the enemy wants to destroy our Biblical worldview, therefore we are in constant warfare mentally. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7;1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:3-4, 1 Pet. 2:11. 1 John 4:1; Ephesians 6:10-18. 1 John 4:4.
Satan tempted Eve to doubt her Biblical worldview. Genesis 3:1 & 4-5. Satan tempted Jesus to doubt His Biblical worldview in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1-11. We face these same temptations today: 1 John 2:15-17. Paul warns us 2 Corinthians 11:3 to be on guard and not carried about by every current fashion of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14. But to be steadfast, 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, and transformed, Romans 12:1-2.
It’s God’s Word that reinforces a Biblical worldview. Psalm 119:105 & 11, John 17:17.
War Against Our Worldview
Everyone has a worldview! Former president of Union University, David Dockery wrote an article entitled “Shaping a Christian Worldview.” He stated the following: "Immersed in our environment, we have failed to take seriously the ramifications of a secular worldview. Sociologist and social watchdog Daniel Yankelovich defines culture as an effort to provide a coherent set of answers to the existential situations that confront human beings in the passage of their lives. A genuine cultural shift is one that makes a decisive break with the shared meaning of the past. The break particularly affects those meanings that relate to the deepest questions of the purpose and nature of human life."
As Christians, we should live with a Biblical worldview, but we also should not be surprised when others do not hold to such a view. In a post Christian culture, many believers in the United States are struggling with a culture that has rapidly dismissed any semblance of Biblical values or morality. Yet, we should not be shocked or discouraged. We have been warned in scripture:
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revellers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NASB95)
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. ‘Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.’ (KJV)
Matthew 24:10-12 (NASB95)
At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, (or doctrines that appeal to their own desires and wants rather than those that follow the teaching of Jesus Christ); and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Acts 20:28-31
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Avery Foley speaker at Answers in Genesis writes, "Despite the growing number of religiously unaffiliated people, over 70% of Americans still claim to be Christians. Yet only 46% of US adults would say they have a biblical worldview. But do almost half of Americans really possess a biblical framework through which they view the world?"
Which ones of these statements are in agreement with a Biblical worldview and which ones are not?
· “The Bible is totally accurate in all of the life principles it teaches.”
· “You have a personal responsibility to share your religious beliefs with people who believe differently.”
· “A person who is generally good, or does enough good things for others, will earn a place in Heaven.”
· “When He lived on earth, Jesus Christ was fully human and therefore committed sins, like other people.”
· “Satan does not exist; he is just a symbol of evil.”
· “The Holy Spirit is not a living entity but is a symbol of God’s presence or purity.”
One hundred and twelve million Americans (46%) say they have a biblical worldview. But according to the Barna study, one of the first of its kind, a mere 24 million American adults actually have a Biblical worldview. In other words, only 10% of Americans think and act according to the most basic Biblical principles.
George Barna, the director of the study, writes, “Our research collected information about attitudes and behaviours related to practical matters like lying, cheating, stealing, pornography, the nature of God, and the consequences of unresolved sin. It’s what some might describe as “Christianity 101” substance. That’s what makes the discrepancy between the percentage of people who consider themselves to be Christians—more than seven out of every ten—and those who have a Biblical worldview—just one out of every ten—so alarming.”
As we attempt to engage a lost world, it is imperative that we understand the times in which we live and how worldviews have been changing. 1 Chronicles 12:32 tells us that the sons of Issachar were men who understood the times, and had a knowledge of what Israel ought to do. We, too, need to understand the signs of the times to be better able “to give an answer to everyone that asks us of the hope that is within us with meekness and fear,” (1 Peter 3:15), and to “warn the wicked from his wicked way.” (Ezekiel 3:17-19)
Reviewing a Biblical Worldview
Do you have a Biblical worldview? Answer the following questions, based on claims found in the Bible and which George Barna used in his survey:
· Do absolute moral truths exist?
· Is absolute truth defined by the Bible?
· Did Jesus Christ live a sinless life?
· Is God the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe, and does He still rule it today?
· Is salvation a gift from God that cannot be earned?
· Is Satan real?
· Does a Christian have a responsibility to share his or her faith in Christ with other people?
· Is the Bible accurate in all of its teachings?
Did you answer yes to these? You should have, if you have a Biblical worldview. Only 9 percent of “born- again” believers did so. Over 60% of those that claim to have a Biblical worldview actually don't.
What Does Our Biblical Worldview Look Like to Us?
A Biblical worldview is a view that holds the Bible is true in all its teachings, therefore, one should follow what the Bible says. A person who holds a Biblical worldview believes the Bible is a reliable collection of ancient historical documents written by eye-witnesses in the lifetime of other eye-witnesses who recorded supernatural events and said their writings are of Divine rather than human origin.
A Biblical worldview would hold to the idea of “Solo Scriptura,” or Only Scripture as the source of Truth, rather than the Catholic doctrine of tradition over Scripture. In the Biblical worldview truth is derived from God, God’s Word, and God’s Holy Spirit; and also, from God’s revelation through His natural creation.
1. We believe in God: Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
2. We believe in God’s Word/and Son: John 8:31-32; John 14:6; John 17:17; Psalm 119:160; John 1:1,14,18. Colossians 1:15. 2:3, 2:9 show us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God in whom is hid all the treasure of wisdom and knowledge.
3. We believe in the Holy Spirit: John 16:13. Acts 5:32. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.
4. We believe that God created and that Creations speaks: Job 12:7-10; Romans 1:20; Psalms 19:1-3.
It is God’s Word that gives us discernment. Hebrews 4:12
Having a Biblical worldview is the acknowledgement of God in our lives, which the Bible calls, “the fear of the Lord.” That acknowledgement gives us the right perspective on life. That’s why Saint Augustine said, “Seek not to understand that you might believe, but rather seek to believe that you might understand.” Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 7:1-5. Paul talks about the Omnipresent God in his witness to the Greeks. Acts 17:23-28.
However, the enemy wants to destroy our Biblical worldview, therefore we are in constant warfare mentally. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; 1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7;1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:3-4, 1 Pet. 2:11. 1 John 4:1; Ephesians 6:10-18. 1 John 4:4.
Satan tempted Eve to doubt her Biblical worldview. Genesis 3:1 & 4-5. Satan tempted Jesus to doubt His Biblical worldview in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1-11. We face these same temptations today: 1 John 2:15-17. Paul warns us 2 Corinthians 11:3 to be on guard and not carried about by every current fashion of doctrine. Ephesians 4:14. But to be steadfast, 1 Corinthians 15:57-58, and transformed, Romans 12:1-2.
It’s God’s Word that reinforces a Biblical worldview. Psalm 119:105 & 11, John 17:17.
War Against Our Worldview
Everyone has a worldview! Former president of Union University, David Dockery wrote an article entitled “Shaping a Christian Worldview.” He stated the following: "Immersed in our environment, we have failed to take seriously the ramifications of a secular worldview. Sociologist and social watchdog Daniel Yankelovich defines culture as an effort to provide a coherent set of answers to the existential situations that confront human beings in the passage of their lives. A genuine cultural shift is one that makes a decisive break with the shared meaning of the past. The break particularly affects those meanings that relate to the deepest questions of the purpose and nature of human life."
As Christians, we should live with a Biblical worldview, but we also should not be surprised when others do not hold to such a view. In a post Christian culture, many believers in the United States are struggling with a culture that has rapidly dismissed any semblance of Biblical values or morality. Yet, we should not be shocked or discouraged. We have been warned in scripture:
2 Timothy 3:1-5
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revellers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NASB95)
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons. ‘Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.’ (KJV)
Matthew 24:10-12 (NASB95)
At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 KJV
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, (or doctrines that appeal to their own desires and wants rather than those that follow the teaching of Jesus Christ); and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Acts 20:28-31
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Avery Foley speaker at Answers in Genesis writes, "Despite the growing number of religiously unaffiliated people, over 70% of Americans still claim to be Christians. Yet only 46% of US adults would say they have a biblical worldview. But do almost half of Americans really possess a biblical framework through which they view the world?"
Which ones of these statements are in agreement with a Biblical worldview and which ones are not?
· “The Bible is totally accurate in all of the life principles it teaches.”
· “You have a personal responsibility to share your religious beliefs with people who believe differently.”
· “A person who is generally good, or does enough good things for others, will earn a place in Heaven.”
· “When He lived on earth, Jesus Christ was fully human and therefore committed sins, like other people.”
· “Satan does not exist; he is just a symbol of evil.”
· “The Holy Spirit is not a living entity but is a symbol of God’s presence or purity.”
One hundred and twelve million Americans (46%) say they have a biblical worldview. But according to the Barna study, one of the first of its kind, a mere 24 million American adults actually have a Biblical worldview. In other words, only 10% of Americans think and act according to the most basic Biblical principles.
George Barna, the director of the study, writes, “Our research collected information about attitudes and behaviours related to practical matters like lying, cheating, stealing, pornography, the nature of God, and the consequences of unresolved sin. It’s what some might describe as “Christianity 101” substance. That’s what makes the discrepancy between the percentage of people who consider themselves to be Christians—more than seven out of every ten—and those who have a Biblical worldview—just one out of every ten—so alarming.”
As we attempt to engage a lost world, it is imperative that we understand the times in which we live and how worldviews have been changing. 1 Chronicles 12:32 tells us that the sons of Issachar were men who understood the times, and had a knowledge of what Israel ought to do. We, too, need to understand the signs of the times to be better able “to give an answer to everyone that asks us of the hope that is within us with meekness and fear,” (1 Peter 3:15), and to “warn the wicked from his wicked way.” (Ezekiel 3:17-19)
Reviewing a Biblical Worldview
Do you have a Biblical worldview? Answer the following questions, based on claims found in the Bible and which George Barna used in his survey:
· Do absolute moral truths exist?
· Is absolute truth defined by the Bible?
· Did Jesus Christ live a sinless life?
· Is God the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe, and does He still rule it today?
· Is salvation a gift from God that cannot be earned?
· Is Satan real?
· Does a Christian have a responsibility to share his or her faith in Christ with other people?
· Is the Bible accurate in all of its teachings?
Did you answer yes to these? You should have, if you have a Biblical worldview. Only 9 percent of “born- again” believers did so. Over 60% of those that claim to have a Biblical worldview actually don't.
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