Introduction
Everyone possesses a worldview greatly determined by society and culture, influencing their beliefs and actions. Therefore, a worldview is a collection of attitudes, values, and ways of expression about the society, environment, or world that inform individual thought and action. Four prominent worldviews include attitudinal philosophical, ideological, and religious worldviews that generally subscribe to differing approaches to knowledge. Overall, worldview is how an individual or a society interacts with the world around them to define major aspects of life, such as origin, identity, humanity’s purpose, morality, and destiny.
Biblical Worldviews in Origin, Identity, Purpose, Morality, and Destiny
Origin
A biblical worldview is based on God’s infallible Word, the Bible that creates the foundation of Christian reality on the origin of humanity, identity, the purpose of life, destiny, and absolute moral truth. According to Genesis (1:1), God was the creator of the heavens and earth at the beginning. On the sixth day of creation, God created humanity out of the dust in his image and likeness to become a living soul with authority over all other creations (Genesis 1:26-28). Belief in God is a relative core doctrine of a biblical worldview that describes God to be the creator of the universe and humanity.
Identity
According to a biblical worldview, humans are unique from all creatures, and identity is ultimately bestowed and revealed by God. Man is created in God’s real image and granted authority over all other Gods’ creations. Therefore, humans are superior beings entrusted with God’s creation and image. However, the scripture does not describe that humans are of more importance than other creations but rather holds that they should take care of the other creations Genesis (1:28). Human identity is superior to all God’s creation in that it resembles Him and has authority over other creations but is not defined as more important.
Purpose
Individuals and groups strive to understand their purpose, guiding life decisions, influencing behavior, and shaping goals and direction. According to Christology, humanity’s purpose is stewardship and dominion over other creatures to bring glory to God. Isaiah (43:7) highlights the ultimate purpose of humanity is to glorify God. Since men are created in God’s image, they are to fulfill their purpose through a life devoted to Him (Genesis 1:26-27). From a biblical perspective, the sole purpose of humanity is glorifying God through actions, decisions, and faith that align with the Word of God.
Morality
Morality includes the principles regarding the distinction between right and wrong and influences the conduct of individuals. In the Bible, morality is ethical laws imposed by God on humans that are subject to retribution and cannot be dismissed, diluted, or compromised (Romans 7:10-12). Differentiation of right and wrong behavior in Christianity involves determining the conformity of personal actions and faith to a set of principles and code of conduct dictated by the Bible. God sent his son, Jesus, to reconnect with sinners and set standards for righteousness (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore authentic Christians acknowledge Biblical laws and Christ as the ultimate standard of right and wrong.
Destiny
In a biblical worldview, human destiny extends beyond earthly life and can either be heaven or hell, determined by personal choice and morality on earth. After death, the soul goes into a sleeping state until judgment day, when it will be either subjected to eternal life in heaven or damnation in hell. God’s sovereign will is for man to fulfill his destiny and acquire eternal life in heaven. God has a predetermined plan for everyone and is sanctified to achieve salvation (Jeremiah 1:5). However, the human was created with the capacity to make moral choices and decisions and take responsibility for them (Leviticus 5:7). In Christianity, the destiny of humanity is either heaven or hell determined by moral choices made on earth.
Conclusion
Biblically, humans should associate with each other’s in unconditional love, harmony, kindness, and compassion regardless of their differences. Jesus modeled kindness, compassion, and unconditional love to people holding differing religions by not discussing other religions and advocating for equality (Han & Varghese, 2019). The Bible commands that everyone should treat others as they wish to be treated (Mathew 7:12). Therefore, I should not be judgmental or mistreat those who differ in beliefs.
Drawing from God’s Word, I should act with kindness, prayers, and love towards a family member who is hard to get along with or unkind. Believers should love, pray for their enemies, and do well to those who are unkind (Mathew 5:44). Family is the foundation of God’s plan for happiness and righteousness since one cannot claim the love of God while showing hate or unkindness to others (I John 4:20). A family member who is mean and unkind should be prayed for and treated with love and kindness.
References
E.S.V., Bible. (n.d). The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with Apocrypha.
Han, H., & Varghese, M. (2019). Language ideology, Christianity, and identity: Critical empirical examinations of Christian institutions as alternative spaces. Journal of Language, Identity & Education, 18(1), 1-9.