What is it?

Tracy F. Munsil, Director of Research and Publications for the Center for Arizona Policy has defined worldview very well. She states that worldview is the combination of a person's values, ideas or the fundamental belief system that determines his attitudes, beliefs and ultimately, actions. Normally , this includes their view of issues such as the nature of God, man, the meaning of life, nature, death, and right and wrong.

Worldview begins to develop in us when we are children. We are influenced by the interactions we have with family, social encounters outside the family (school, church), f our friends and then our own experiences in life.

Increasingly, our media culture is playing a key role in shaping worldview. Everything we watch, read and listen to bombards us with the strident voice of it’s own worldview. This sensory overload ends up being incorporated into a person’s worldview without them even realizing what is happening.

You cannot find the term “worldview” in the Bible but we do find the commandment in Colossians 2: 6-8, to prepare ourselves to be able to discern and discard false philosophy-false philosophy is worldview. "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ." (NLT)

Discovering Your Worldview
We all have worldviews and every worldview asks the same four questions. It is crucial for us to understand what our worldview is as followers of Jesus Christ. In order to do this, we have to deconstruct how we view the world by asking ourselves questions that will help us understand exactly what we believe and why we believe it. As issues face you in life, see where they fit into these questions and examine whether your answer is in alignment with Biblical principle.

In Chuck Colson's book, How Now Shall We Live, four questions are used to assist you in defining and developing your worldview:

	Where did we come from and who are we?

	What has gone wrong with the world?

	What can we do to fix it?

	How now shall we live?

Defining each belief you have through the filter of the Bible will formulate your Biblical worldview. For instance, the first questions regarding creation asks an individual what their beliefs are concerning our origin and existence. Some of the attributes of God we learn about in the Bible is that He is sovereign, personal, infinite, , just, omniscient, good and the same yesterday, today and forever. If you hear or hold any beliefs that deny these Scriptural truths you are not dealing with a Biblical worldview.

Once your “filter” is secure and working smoothly and you respond to questions based on Scripture, then you can apply your answers to everything you see, hear and read so that you are viewing the world through your Biblical Worldview spectacles.

We are mandated by Scripture to ensure that we respond to the world with a Biblical Worldview.

“You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” (2 Timothy 3:15-4:4 – NLT)

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