Introduction
At this time, my worldview is Christianity, leaning towards a Pentecostal perspective, influenced, in part, by the worldview “tests.” This essay will delve into the merits of this worldview using James Sire’s eight worldview questions and considering the four “C” influences—consistency, Coherence, Congruity, and Comprehensiveness. In his book The Universe Next Door, Sire provides a comprehensive framework for understanding worldviews. The eight fundamental questions, each addressing a crucial worldview aspect, will guide exploring and evaluating the Christian-Pentecostal perspective.
Prime Reality – The Real
At the core of the Christian-Pentecostal worldview is the concept of prime reality. This concept is defined as the “infinite, personal God revealed in the Holy Scriptures” (Sire). This comprehension establishes the parameters for coherent answers to follow-up worldview inquiries and forms the basis of the complete belief system. The Christian-Pentecostal perspective’s claim of an infinite God reflects a strong theological commitment.
The infinite nature of God suggests a breadth and existence that are unfathomable to us. As Sire notes, “No other being in the universe can challenge him in his nature. All else is secondary” (28). This notion aligns with the biblical declaration, “I AM WHO I AM,” emphasizing God’s self-existence and uniqueness (Sire 37). The Christian-Pentecostal worldview posits God as the solitary, ultimate reality, grounding the entire cosmos.
The notion that God is personal has significant ramifications. The Christian-Pentecostal God is not only a force or energy; instead, he contains the qualities necessary for personality, such as self-reflection and self-determination. This human nature suggests that humans are made in the image of a personal God, establishing a deep relationship between God and humanity. Sire elucidates, “In a way, we are like Him. That means there is Someone ultimate who is there to ground our highest aspirations, our most precious possession—personality” (Sire 28). Furthermore, God’s personality is further complicated by His triune nature, a unique attribute of the Christian-Pentecostal worldview. God is a unity beyond our knowledge; He is not a simple oneness.
Nature of External Reality – The World Around Us
Examining the Christian-Pentecostal worldview’s perspective on the nature of external reality—the world around us—we find a distinct emphasis on divine creation and order. According to Sire, the answers to this question reveal whether a worldview sees the world as created or autonomous, chaotic or orderly, material or spiritual (22). In the Christian-Pentecostal paradigm, the outside world is understood as a carefully designed universe that God created out of nothing, signifying a deliberate and intentional act of creation.
The assertion that God spoke the universe into existence, as exemplified in the biblical narrative, sets the Christian-Pentecostal worldview apart. Genesis 1:3 states, “God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light,” emphasizing the divine authority behind the creation of the cosmos (ESV Bible). Sire’s proposition that God created the cosmos “out of nothing” reinforces the idea that the universe is not an extension of God but a distinct creation (31).
This idea is consistent with the Christian-Pentecostal view that the universe functions according to a cause-and-effect structure that its Creator established and that God is the ultimate source of all creation. Within the Christian-Pentecostal viewpoint, “uniformity of cause and effect in an open system” emphasizes that God’s creation follows regular patterns, allowing for human comprehension and investigation of the natural world (Sire 31). Those who think of the cosmos as random or controlled by arbitrary forces starkly contrast this belief in a uniform and open structure.
Regarding the nature of external reality, the Christian-Pentecostal worldview strongly emphasizes the peaceful coexistence of the created world and its Creator. Ex nihilo’s orderly and planned creation reflects God’s intentionality and establishes the framework for comprehending humanity’s place in this divinely ordained universe. In conclusion, the Christian-Pentecostal worldview depicts a finely crafted universe by an all-powerful, personal God, offering a logical and consistent understanding of the nature of the outside world. Within this worldview, acknowledging a uniform and open system and believing in divine creation ex nihilo lead to a thorough comprehension of the world.
Human Being
According to the Christian-Pentecostal worldview, the understanding of human beings is deeply rooted in the concept of being created in the image of God. This foundational belief is derived from the Holy Scriptures and is central to the Christian-Pentecostal perspective on human nature (Sire 56). The book of Genesis 1:26 underscores this belief, stating, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground’” (ESV Bible).
The Christian-Pentecostal conception of humankind is molded by this announcement, which fashions an uncommon bond between humanity and the divine. In Christian-Pentecostal considering, “the image of God” carries a great deal of religious centrality (Sire 22). This thought incorporates characteristics that characterize human characters, such as self-transcendence, ethical quality, gregariousness, judgment skills, identity, and imagination (Sire 34). Recognizing these qualities requires a human-centered point of view that emphasizes both the social and individual aspects of life.
Being shaped within the picture of God proposes that people and the divine share a principal nature, giving humans a special place within the set-up arrangement. This perspective has noteworthy impacts on how individuals see others and themselves. It proposes intrinsic esteem and respect based on the understanding that individuals are reflections of God, the extreme truth.
The Christian-Pentecostal worldview holds that even though the Fall brought brokenness and flaws into human nature, the picture of God remains in part in people. Instead, it is sullied but may be re-established through Christ’s making-up act (Sire 132). This nuanced understanding recognizes the pressure between human fallenness and the potential for divine rebuilding, cultivating a compassionate view of human creatures inside the Christian-Pentecostal community.
What Happens at Death
The idea of human destiny and the afterlife are closely related to what occurs at death in the Christian-Pentecostal worldview. Renowned Christian theologian James Sire holds that death is not seen as a final destination but rather as a transformational process. According to the Christian-Pentecostal viewpoint, people undergo a significant shift in their existence after death that results in either an eternal reunion with God and other believers or an eternal estrangement from the divine.
The biblical underpinning for this belief is rooted in the teachings of the New Testament, particularly the writings of the apostle Paul. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Paul expounds on the transformation that occurs at the moment of death: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed” (ESV Bible). This transformation reflects the Christian-Pentecostal conviction that death is not the end but a gateway to a new, eternal reality.
According to the Christian-Pentecostal worldview, there are two different afterlife destinations for people. It is thought that those who have accepted the atoning work of Christ throughout their earthly lives go into a condition known as glorification, where they will spend a revitalized and imperishable life in God’s presence (Sire 45). On the other hand, people who reject this redemption may experience an endless condition of alienation from God, which would leave them alone and unfulfilled in their desires.
This idea is more important than just an eschatological curiosity; its believers’ lifelong moral and ethical choices are influenced by it. The prospect of an eternal destiny underscores the gravity of human choices and the imperative to align one’s life with the teachings of the Christian faith (Sire 22). In this way, the Christian-Pentecostal worldview provides a robust framework for understanding the profound implications of what transpires at death, offering solace, hope, and motivation for a life lived by divine principles.
Why Is Knowledge Possible?
The Christian-Pentecostal worldview holds that the establishment of human information lies within the character of God as Maker. This concept is profoundly established within the conviction that people are made in the picture of God (Sire 33). This crucial thought is consistent with the Christian conception of God as an otherworldly, inherent, all-knowing being. Genesis tells us that people are made in God’s resemblance and blessed with qualities comparable to those of the divine, such as understanding (Sire 39).
According to the Christian-Pentecostal perspective, since God effectively communicates with humankind and has blessed them with the capacity to know Himself and the world around them, people are competent to know both. The Gospel of John reinforces this idea: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (Sire 36). This notion of the Word as an aspect of God, from which our word “logic” is derived, implies an inherent connection between divine intelligence and human rationality (Sire 36). As beings made in the image of God, humans share in His knowledge and possess the ability to comprehend aspects of the world, reflecting the inherent intelligence and rationality within the divine.
This perspective contrasts with worldviews that may interface human independence or developmental forms with information. According to the Christian-Pentecostal worldview, information is determined by the plan of a God who offers information through His creation instead of through chance or human judgment skills alone. The acknowledgment that God is the ultimate knower of all things and the source of human information may be a repeating topic in this worldview (Sire 36).
In summary, the Christian-Pentecostal worldview holds that as individuals are made in God’s picture, they are skilled with the capacity to know both the world and the divine. In this way, information is seen as a reflection of God’s nature. This viewpoint gives a coherent and steady premise for understanding the source and nature of information inside the Christian-Pentecostal system.
How Do We Know What Is Right and Wrong?
In the Christian-Pentecostal worldview, the question of discerning right from wrong is firmly anchored. This anchoring is in the transcendent nature of ethics, grounded in the character of God as good, holy, and loving (Sire 23). This worldview’s moral compass stems from divine revelation, primarily in the Bible. For those who hold this viewpoint, the Bible is the last authority on what is morally right and wrong. It is also the wellspring of moral principles and values.
As Sire points out, Christian theism’s ethical norms have their foundation in God, who is the source of both the moral and material worlds (27). According to the Christian-Pentecostal viewpoint, as humans were made in God’s image, they are moral creatures who share God’s attributes. Despite the Fall, where human moral understanding has been marred, the belief persists that objective moral truths are rooted in God’s nature.
The Christian-Pentecostal worldview recognizes the complexity of moral decisions in a fallen world. While moral relativity has seeped into human understanding, the inherent sense of right and wrong remains. Even in the face of diverse moral judgments, there is an acknowledgment that specific actions are inherently “right” or “natural,” indicative of an innate moral compass (Sire 23). This understanding of morality underscores the notion that, despite the impact of the Fall, humanity continues to operate within a moral universe.
Meaning of Human History
The Christian-Pentecostal worldview interprets human history as a coherent, meaningful story directed by God’s ultimate goal. This viewpoint is consistent with James Sire’s theory, which holds that comprehending a worldview requires a knowledge of the meaning of human history (44). History is seen by the Christian-Pentecostal narrative as a significant series of events having a clear beginning, middle, and finish. This linear viewpoint emphasizes purpose and direction in contrast to cyclic or chaotic interpretations of history.
The narrative of human history in the Christian-Pentecostal worldview unfolds through key turning points, reflecting the biblical account. Creation, fall, redemption, and glorification are foundational milestones (Sire 21). This teleological approach suggests that history is moving towards a known and predetermined end, underlining the providential control of a sovereign God. These turning points are not merely historical events but carry profound theological significance, shaping the understanding of humanity’s relationship with God.
The emphasis of the Christian-Pentecostal worldview is on God’s historical redeeming activity. Crucial moments in God’s unfolding plan include the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Sire 43). This viewpoint gives Christians a framework for deciphering historical occurrences and seeing how they fit into the larger story of God’s plans.
Personal Core Commitments
Christian theists, in alignment with the Christian-Pentecostal worldview, are driven by a profound commitment to seek the kingdom of God first, aiming to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This core commitment encapsulates the essence of their life orientation, reflecting a selfless and dedicated pursuit of divine purposes. The Westminster Shorter Catechism succinctly captures this commitment, posing the question, “What is the chief end of man?” and answering, “to glorify God and enjoy him forever” (Sire 23).
The commitment to seeking God’s kingdom signifies recognizing God as the ultimate reality and the foundation of meaning in life. The dedication goes beyond simple religious observance and includes living as God’s representative daily. This pledge aligns with the Christian-Pentecostal conviction that exalting God entails ongoing revelation of His nature by moral principles and human behavior rather than being limited to organized worship (Sire 30). To enjoy God eternally suggests that this commitment has a relational component.
This commitment echoes the Christian-Pentecostal understanding of God as a personal being and humans, in His image, finding ultimate satisfaction in a relationship with their Creator. The Christian-Pentecostal worldview emphasizes that seeking the kingdom of God is not a solitary endeavor but a communal one. The commitment to glorify God and enjoy Him forever extends to the broader context of the Christian community.
The gregarious character inherent in the Christian-Pentecostal perspective of humans as being made in the image of God is reflected in this communal feature (Sire 35). Fundamentally, Christian theists’ fundamental convictions within the Christian-Pentecostal worldview provide a comprehensive and intentional approach to living that recognizes God as the ultimate source of satisfaction, meaning, and community involvement (Sire 30). Their acts are motivated by this commitment, shaping a life scrutinized, deliberate, and based on a close relationship with God.
Consistency, Coherence, Congruity, and Comprehensiveness
Key factors in assessing the value and resilience of any worldview, including the Christian-Pentecostal viewpoint, are consistency, coherence, congruity, and comprehensiveness. The fundamental ideas in James Sire’s The Universe Next Door offer a framework for dissecting these attributes. The fidelity of the Christian-Pentecostal worldview to a fundamental belief in the triune, personal God revealed in the Holy Scriptures is a notable example of its consistency. This worldview is logically and self-reinforcingly based on the declaration of God’s infinite nature and His attributes (Sire 30). Consistently adhering to a set of fundamental principles that direct all facets of life gives consistency. Coherence in the Christian-Pentecostal perspective is observed in the interconnectedness of its doctrines.
Each aspect, from the nature of God to the meaning of human history, contributes to a unified understanding of reality. The coherence ensures that each element of the worldview aligns with and supports the others, creating a comprehensive and integrated framework. Sire notes, “The worldview I have adopted will be detected early in the course of the argument” (24). Congruity is demonstrated in aligning core commitments with the overall Christian-Pentecostal worldview.
The emphasis on prioritizing the kingdom of God as a central commitment that guides one’s own life illustrates how beliefs and deeds align. This congruity ensures that the worldview is converted into sound and significant life decisions rather than merely being a collection of abstract ideas. The Christian-Pentecostal worldview is characterized by its comprehensiveness, as it addresses a broad range of fundamental problems about primary reality, external reality, human nature, death, knowledge, ethics, and history. The worldview comprehensively addresses existential and intellectual aspects of human existence, as evidenced by its ability to offer insightful answers to these queries.
Conclusion
Finally, the Christian-Pentecostal worldview provides a thorough and internally consistent framework for comprehending the essential elements of reality. This worldview offers insightful answers to Sire’s eight worldview questions because it is based on the conviction that there is an all-powerful, personal God. Its focus on transcending ethics, a personal core commitment and a purposeful history expose a holistic outlook on life that considers both the existential and intellectual aspects of the human experience. With its focus on pursuing the kingdom of God first, the Christian-Pentecostal worldview challenges people to consider their convictions and promotes a deliberate and introspective way of living.
Works Cited
Sire, James. The Universe next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog. 6th ed., IVP Academic, 2020.
The ESV Bible. Crossway, 2001. Web.