An Oration by Joseph Engle
Joseph was in ninth grade when he wrote this oration in the spring of 2017.
What is a biblical worldview?
Our worldview is very influential in the decisions we make in everyday life. However, many people do not know what a worldview is. According to Derek Melleby, author of Make College Count states, “[A worldview] is simply the sum total of our beliefs around the world, the ‘big picture’ that directs our daily decisions and actions” (Melleby 47). When faced with a problem or challenge, our worldview becomes the source and foundation on which we make our actions or response. We all have worldviews, which means that whatever content we filter into our worldview will determine how we act, speak, and think.
As Christians, it is important that we craft our worldviews with pure and godly information that correlates with the Bible. If evil corrupts our foundation, then we will not be able to live our lives as Christ calls us to live. It is crucial to have a biblical worldview so that one can avoid the corruption of today’s society, evade the evil influence of the media, and overlook progressive views of the colleges and universities.
When faced with a problem or challenge, our worldview becomes the source and foundation on which we make our action or response.
The importance of a Christian worldview
It is important for one to base his worldview on biblical principles because it will enable him to stand firm in his beliefs and resist the strong influence of evil and corruption in today’s society. Society has a profound influence on both youth and adults in the world today. Much of what a secular worldview and society at large believes and portrays rejects and contradicts the whole idea of God and the Bible. However, Romans 12:2 states, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.” A Christ-centered foundation will help us decipher what we should and should not do. Even though the majority of people might act in a certain manner, this does not make their actions biblical. In fact, their actions most likely contradict what the Bible has to say, even though they may not intend to. That is why we must set our worldview in God’s Word, so that we may not fall under the influence of society. Del Tackett, author of the article “Why is a Biblical Worldview is Important?” states, “Aligning our choices with a biblical worldview means our choices will often run countercultural. Even well-meaning believers often have difficulty going against the consensus” (Tackett).
If we let media answer the question of “Who Am I?” for us, we will make ourselves vulnerable to more evil ideas that originate from the media.
Holding a biblical worldview is required to avoid the robust and impending influence of today’s media with a firm belief in the absolute truth. Walt Mueller, author of Youth Culture 101 states, “Teenagers spend a good amount of time and energy trying to answer the question Who am I? When the family or church fails to answer this question for teenagers, they forfeit their influence to the media” (Youth, Mueller 177). Staying grounded in God’s Word will keep us from being pulled into the perverse ideas that the media is trying to make us believe. If we let the media answer this question for us, we will make ourselves vulnerable to more evil ideas that originate from the media. Television shows and music incorporate drug, alcohol, and sexual content to answer our question, “Who am I?” We find these topics in the media because they are weak areas for all humans and appeal to us. However, the Bible tells us that we can take refuge from these things in 1 Corinthians 10:13, which states, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Having a biblical worldview is necessary for us to keep out the perverse concepts that the media throws at us to attack our morality and purity.
Bill O’Reilly states, “Professors dominate and intimidate the students…There is a tyranny in higher education that is gravely harming this nation.”
Having a biblical worldview helps one overlook the influences that modern universities may impose on him. Many colleges and universities of this era are indoctrinating their students with politically progressive and unbiblical ideas. In college, students are taught what to think rather than how to think (Melleby 44). This method of teaching is dangerous and often misleading. Bill O’Reilly, former host of the news program The O’Reilly Factor, claims, “They [professors] dominate and intimidate the students. If you go up against them, your grade often suffers. There is a tyranny in higher education that is gravely harming this nation” (O’Reilly).
One must base his worldview on the Bible; however, some Christians believe it is not essential to center their worldview in God’s Word. A survey by Barna Research illustrates this point clearly. They wanted to know how many actual professing Christians hold a solid, Scripture-centered worldview. The results showed that only 9% of all professing American Christians hold a worldview that correlates with principles found in the Bible (Stetzer). Without a solid biblical worldview, these Christians may live as if there are no moral standards to live by, acting as if a biblical worldview has no purpose. Many may also feel they can avoid potential pitfalls and the evil and sinful nature of today’s society by themselves.
Additionally, they can reason this way because they are afraid of being rejected and set apart from this world. These ideas may seem to make sense at first; however, the Bible tells us otherwise. It says in Psalm 14.1 that, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good” (NIV). Del Tackett makes this point clear “The World deeply influences our everyday worldview… However, by diligently learning, applying, and trusting God’s truths in every area of our lives, we can begin to develop a deep, comprehensive faith that will stand against… the unrelenting tide of our culture’s non-biblical ideas.” It is only through God that we can stand against the powerful influence of our corrupt society.
Through the Bible, God sets a foundation for our thoughts and actions, so that we may resist the heavy influence of the world around us.
One needs to keep their worldview grounded in the Bible so that one may not fall victim to the evil presented by today’s society. We must hold a Biblical worldview because it helps one avoid society’s strong influence; it lets one avoid the strong influence of today’s media. It helps one overlook the negative influence of modern universities. Society has become extremely powerful and influential; however, through the Bible, God sets a foundation for our ethical thinking and actions so that we may resist the heavy influence of the world around us. It is time for us to call to attention the importance of having the Bible as our foundation for our worldview so that we can stand against the tide of our evil society.
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Works Cited
Melleby, Derek. Make College Count: a Faithful Guide to Life and Learning. Grand Rapids, MI,
Baker Books, 2011.Mueller, Walt. Youth Culture 101. El Cajon, CA, Youth Specialties, 2007.
New International Version. Market Harborough: Torch Trust for the Blind, 1980. Print.
O’Reilly, Bill. “A Wrong Against the Right.” Bill O’Reilly, Fox News, 30 May 2013, www.billoreilly.com/b/A-Wrong-Against-the-Right/40863.html. Accessed 12 Mar. 2017.
Stetzer, Ed, et al. “Barna: How Many Have a Biblical Worldview?” The Exchange, www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2009/march/barna-how-many-have-biblical-worldview.html. Accessed 31 Aug. 2017.
Tackett, Del. “Why Is a Christian Worldview Important?” Focus on the Family, www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/christian-worldview/why-is-a-christian-worldview-important/why-your-worldview-matters. Accessed 12 Mar. 2017.