Introduction
A worldview is a term whose use has grown tremendously across disciplinary boundaries. The term is broadly categorized into two parts, including the religious worldviews and the non-religious worldviews. Flanagan (2020) says, “Literature refers worldviews to discrete bodies of knowledge.” According to DeWitt (2018), a worldview is a system of interconnected beliefs. Worldviews are informed by different aspects and they refer to a particular way a person views things generally. Therefore a worldview is not a collection of unrelated, separate, independent systems of belief but rather a collection of intertwined, interconnected, interrelated belief systems. (Word Count: 94).
Biblical Worldview’s Answer
The Question of Origin
The question of origin is well articulated in the Biblical worldview, with God being the source of all creation. The Bible supports that the universe originated from God, who created everything within six days and took a rest on the seventh day (Good News Version, 1976, Genesis 2:3). He blessed the seventh day and made it a day of worship for the good works he had done creating humanity. The Bible indicates that God existed before anything was created (New King James Version, 1975, Psalms 90:2). The Bible emphasizes that we are God’s offspring and is the reason we live (New International Version, 1984, Acts. 17:28).
The Question of Identity
The Bible states that man is more important and closer to God compared to other living things created by God. God made humans in His image and likeness (New International Version, 1984, Genesis 1:26). Humans, unlike animals and other living creatures, bear the image of God. Human beings have power and authority over other living things and are expected to take care of them (Ngong, 2017). Unlike other living things which God created through the Word of Mouth, He created man using soil and breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life. Human is rational being, unlike other living creatures, and can communicate with God and make choices (Good News Version, 1976, Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24). God created man as a social being and one that needs a companion and thus created a woman to help him.
The Question of Meaning/Purpose
Humanity’s purpose is to become God’s custodians and tend to what God has created (New International Version, 1984, Genesis 2:15). In the beginning, when God was creating the Universe, he put the man in the Garden of Eden to take care of it and all that was in it. Human beings have a special relationship with God and are expected to obey His commands and live according to His guidelines (New King James Version, 1975, Romans 8:17). The Bible acknowledges that human beings are created to serve God and have close communion with Him. The Bible acknowledges that human beings are co-creators of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ.
The Question of Morality
There is Biblical evidence that human beings can determine what is right or wrong (New International Version, 1984, James. 4:17). Everything that man does in the name of God and is established in His word is right (Gill 2020). Biblical evidence shows that anything that makes human beings deviate from God, including worldly pleasures, is morally wrong (New King James Version, 1975, 1 Timothy 6:10). The Bible is clear that being in the company of sinners is wrong and makes an individual deviate from God’s love (New International Version, 1984, Psalms. 1:1; Corinthians 15:33). All that is Godly is right, and all that is of the world is wrong.
The Question of Destiny
There is Biblical evidence that human beings will die and return to the soil from which they were formed (New International Version, 1984, Genesis 9:5). The Bible states that when a person dies, they are not aware of anything, and they are easily forgotten (New International Version, 1984, Ecclesiastes 9:5). The Bible believes in judgment after death; to determine whether the dead will qualify for eternal life or not (Good News Version, 1976, Hebrews 9:27). The Bible mentions that Hades is a place of the dead where people’s souls are kept temporarily to await judgment (New King James Version, 1975, Revelation 6:8). (Word Count: 500).
A Biblical Worldview Belief System
The Biblical worldview warns believers to separate themselves from those that hold different beliefs. According to the Bible, living among the non-believers would make a believer lose their focus and identity in faith (New International Version, 1984, 2 Corinthians 6: 17). The Bible cautions believers who work or live together with people with different beliefs lest they abandon their faith. The Biblical worldview is clear on how to deal with decisions that involve unethical behaviors at work. Believers should read the Bible to seek guidance and instruction when faced with ethical issues (Good News Version, 1976, 2 Timothy 3:16). They should uphold their integrity and remain faithful in their doings (New King James Version, 1975, Proverbs 11:3). (Word Count: 100)
Conclusion
Everyone has a fundamental perspective on the world, whether it is religious or not. The different views people have about the world influences how they treat others and their interaction with them. Christians depend on a Biblical worldview to make sense of their surroundings and deal with issues in their lives. Some of the common questions answered by a Biblical worldview include the existence of humanity, the identity of man, the purpose of humanity, the question of morality, and the destiny question. Questions regarding how to treat those with different beliefs and how to handle unethical issues at the workplace are all provided within the Biblical worldview.
References
DeWitt, R. (2018). Worldviews: An introduction to the history and philosophy of science. John Wiley & Sons.
Flanagan, R. (2020). Worldviews: overarching concept, discrete body of knowledge, or paradigmatic tool?. Journal of Religious Education, 68(3), 331-344.
Gill, R. (2020). Christian Ethics: The Basics. Routledge.
Good News Version. (1976). New York: American Bible Society.
New International Version. (1984). Biblica (worldwide) Zondervan (US) Hodder & Stoughton (UK)
New King James Version. (1975). Thomas Nelson.
Ngong, D. T. (2017). The ethics of identity and world Christianity. Missionalia: Southern African Journal of Mission Studies, 45(3), 250-262.