Worldviews
The Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
We look at the world around us and wonder how many people can look at something that is evil and not recognize it as evil. We often wonder, “Why can’t everyone see what I see?” Not all issues are so clear. Sometimes we’re dealing with perspectives. That is, we look at an occurrence from a personal perspective and private context. But there are other times in which we are dealing with reality. Everyone has a perspective of an issue based upon their past or current experiences. Theologians call those kinds of perspectives “presuppositions”. Yet, when the issue of reality is involved, perspectives are usually irrelevant. What is… is.
I believe that confusing our perspective of an issue with reality is an all-too-common occurrence. You may have heard your Pastor refer to “worldviews”. This is the term that concerns reality. Specifically, a worldview is a view of reality. There are basically two kinds of worldviews. One is biblical and the other is man centered. A biblical worldview looks at reality knowing God is at the center of the universe. The man-centered worldview sees everything revolving around man. A God-centered worldview is based on absolute truth. A man-centered worldview has no absolutes except that there are no absolutes.
The concern is truth. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). The word “truth” means that which is real. In other words, Jesus is reality. In order to fully understand reality, Jesus must be at the center, the beginning place of thought. Truth or reality is not dependent upon our embracing it.
Stating the obvious, a biblical worldview begins at the beginning. Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning God…” God is eternal. God is self-sufficient. God created everything that we see. The Apostle Paul wrote that God has revealed His invisible attributes by what He has made (Romans 1:20). Jesus said if His disciples would abide in His word, they would know the truth and be set free (John 8:31-32).
The answer to the question “Why doesn’t everyone see what I see?” is “because of the failure to see reality.” Man’s refusal to see the truth or accept reality is at the heart of the problem.
I propose that the worldview on which one can be confident of seeing the truth is the God-centered one. Truth is objective. Reality is not in the eye of the beholder. Here is the truth. The only self-existing being is God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). All truth and reality proceed from Him. God’s word is the standard of good since He alone is good!
Obviously, much of society, some might even suggest that most of society doesn’t look at life with a biblical worldview. The basis of a man-centered worldview, namely, moral relativism is the primary means by which truth and reality are suppressed.
The man-centered worldview is attractive because it suits man’s sinfulness. The Apostle Paul wrote that men suppress the truth in unrighteousness, Romans 1:18. Jesus said that men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil (John 3:19).
It must be clearly stated at this point that seeing life through a God-centered worldview is necessary not only for Christians but for all men. The reason is obvious. The reason is truth (reality) is not in the eye of the beholder. There are absolutes whether or not we think there are. There is a supreme being whether or not we think He exists. The Supreme Being who has revealed Himself as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit has established absolutes. Theologians refer to these absolutes that apply to all men as Natural Law. God established laws by which all nature is governed. God has also established moral law. All men have the moral law on their hearts. By God’s moral law, we are able to know whether something is right or wrong, good or evil.
As a Pastor, I am accountable to God to ask you, “What is your worldview?” “How do you decide what is right or wrong?” I close with the words of the Psalmist, Psalm 119:130, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.” And the words of Jesus who said that the word of God is eternal and unbreakable (Mathew 5:17-18; John 10:35).
