Worldviews
The Rev. Lou Tiscione, Pastor, Weatherford Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Have you thought deeply or even gave a glancing thought as to how others express views of reality that contradict each other? Sometimes, we find ourselves asking if others are looking at the same event or hearing the same words. How can people arrive at such diverse opinions concerning what they see and hear?
There is a lofty phrase that provides the answer. That phrase is “worldview.” It need not be so lofty that its meaning is obscure. It is simply an expression that represents how one perceives reality. Another question that expresses our confusion concerning this issue is, “Why don’t they see what I see?” Yes, there are times when we must look at events from various perspectives. 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.
Our worldview is the agency through which we are able to discern reality. After studying all the different philosophies of life, I believe that you will come to understand that all can be placed in one of two general 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 not absolutes except that there are no absolutes.
Our concern should be truth. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). The word “truth” means that which is real. Jesus is the ultimate reality. To fully understand what we see and hear, Jesus must be at the center. Truth, or reality, is not dependent upon our embracing it or agreeing to it!
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 reason everyone doesn’t see the truth is because they suppress it. 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 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. Jesus, who is very God and very man is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). All truth and reality proceed from Him.
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 we think there are or not. There is a supreme being whether we think He exists or not. 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.
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, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130). And Jesus said that the word of God is eternal and unbreakable (Mathew 5:17-18 and John 10:35).
