Developing a Christian Worldview
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Actually a follow-up on 1 Peter 1 6-7
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Counter-cultural
Counter-cultural
Nobody wants trials
Yet, James tells us James 1 2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Don’t be Surprised
Don’t be Surprised
…but rejoice
We are sharing in the sufferings of Christ
We have the spirit of Glory and of God resting on us
The Current Problem
The Current Problem
The Gospel is not the priority in the Church
Though it may be taught, it is buried beneath other things
“It’s a Gospel issue” becomes the cry
…and people buy into it
The plight of the homeless
Perceived inequities in matters of justice
Economic, civil, racial, environmental, criminal… “adjectival justice”
When we focus on fixing things for one group, we disenfranchise another
Making the Main Thing the Main Thing
Making the Main Thing the Main Thing
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Did He heal the sick? Yes
…drive out demons? Yes
…do vast amount of good for people? Yes
But that was not the thrust of His work—His work was salvation
Looking backwards through the prophets of the OT
Do we see healings? In places yes
…other miracles? Yes
But their ministry was to point people to God, faith and repentance
Looking at the ministries of the Apostles
Same questions; same answers…same focus
How Do We Develop our Worldview?
How Do We Develop our Worldview?
Points on which we must stand
The singularity of the the Gospel, John 14 6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
This precludes the “many paths to God” view or the “many gods” view
The inspiration and authoritative nature of Scripture
Not just another book written by man
Not a collection of stories
A comprehensive narrative of the history and future of the earth
Man is made in the Image of God, “Imago dei”
Has to preclude evolution
Without this, no “Adam and Eve,”
Without Adam, no fall; no fall, no need for a savior
Without a need for a savior, no Christ
Sanctity of human life to preclude euthanasia and abortion
Biblical standard of sexual identity and morality
The physical return of our Lord to this earth
Not going to worry about eschatological scheme of preference
Should influence our understanding about ecological calamities
How Is this Related to Suffering?
How Is this Related to Suffering?
When we stand, inflexible, on these things, we will take heat
There are some bright spots, e.g., Kirk Cameron
Our Hope
Our Hope
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.