Two Worldviews: The Biblical

There are ONLY two worldviews.

The biblical worldview can be summarized in Romans 11:36 – “Because from Him (as the Source) and through Him (as the Doer) and unto Him (as the Great Aim) are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” [All verses are my own translation.] This worldview says that God is everything. He is the Creator, Sustainer, Governor, Redeemer, and Judge of the universe.  Everything that happens in this world takes place under God’s overarching providence. Man does not help Him in any of these areas in any way. This is especially true when is comes to raising sinners from their death in trespasses and sins. Any doctrine that says that man makes a contribution to this work of regeneration denies what we have just quoted above. When it comes to repentance from sin and faith in Christ, no one “decides for Christ” unless God has “decided” for him. Men love the darkness and do not want to come to the light (Jn.3:19-20) unless God does something to their “wanter” (Jn.6:44).

             But perhaps most surprising of all (judging by a lot of preaching that goes on) is the fact that after a person is born again, he is just as dependent on God’s grace as before. No sinner can make himself come to Christ and no Christian can make himself holy. We are still absolutely dependent on God to be the Source, Agent and Aim of the Christian life. Paul put this succinctly in 1 Cor. 15:10 – “By the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace towards me was not without result; on the contrary, I labored more than all of them; but it was not I, but rather it was the grace of God with me.” No one labored like Paul, yet Paul tells us that God did the real work, whether in motivating him, enabling him, guiding him, teaching him, protecting him or blessing his labors and making them fruitful. The grace of God is the entire explanation for Paul’s life and ministry. And it is the same for every Christian. The Lord Jesus Himself said, “Without Me you are not able to do anything (with regard to bearing fruit).” (Jn.15:5) This statement is emphatic in the original. It should be emphatic in our thinking. When it is we will be a lot less man-centered and a lot more God-centered in our doctrine and practice.

More to come, God willing…

The Bible Among the Myths

John N. Oswalt, The Bible Among the Myths. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008. [http://www.amazon.com/Bible-among-Myths-Revelation-Literature/dp/0310285097/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1301585526&sr=1-1]

This book was recommended to me by my Hebrew professor at GPTS, Dr. Shaw. Thank you, Dr. Shaw [read his excellent review at the Amazon link above]. This was an exciting book! It was written in answer to those so-called scholars who say that the religion of ancient Israel was really like the other ancient religions around them. The Israelites simply borrowed from the myths of their pagan neighbors and produced just another syncretistic myth of the day. Never mind that the OT itself says that God had strictly forbidden it! What do they do with that? Some scholars just don’t read their Bible.

In answer to these pundits Oswalt gives us a brilliant discussion of the characteristics of the pagan mythical worldview and the features of the religion it produces. Then he contrasts it with the biblical worldview and the revealed religion of the Lord, which, of course, is the complete opposite of Israel’s neighbors. In explaining the paganism of the ancient world the author does us two services. First, he helps us to see many important points in the OT that we probably just pass over in our ignorance. His clarification of ancient idolatry goes a long way in showing us how abhorrent it is to God and why He so consistently condemned and punished it among His people. Secondly, Oswalt makes comparisons with the pagan worldview of today. Wow! The similarities are scary. Knowing this is crucial for understanding where postmodern unbelievers are, and helpful in our approach to them. Taken far enough, an understanding of the pagan worldview can uncover idols both in church and believer.

Such a pitiful book review! It does not begin to do justice to the book. Just click on the link and order it NOW. [No, I do not get a commission on the sale. Just trying to make it easy for you to get this great book.] You won’t be disappointed. You might even get as excited about it as I did, and still am. I hope to develop this theme in future posts because it has been so enlightening to me. There ARE only two worldviews…

Real Christianity: Fellowship with God (1 John 1:3)

What is real Christianity? You will get different answers to this question, depending on whom you ask. Charismatic Christians might say that speaking in tongues and the display of supernatural gifts were essential elements to real Christianity. Others might insist that keeping their rules and conforming to their standards was critical. Yet others might say that social action and outreach were of the essence of true faith in Christ. Some would put traditional forms at the center and others would promote contemporary expression. Messianic Christians hold that all things Jewish are essential to faith and worship. If that is not enough, to add more variables to the pot, simply go to other countries and study the churches there. In the end, whoever answers this question is probably describing himself and then pronouncing his form of Christianity as the “real thing.” And although they would never say it, what they imply is that to be a real Christian, you have to be like them. While each of us believes that all his positions are right, the almost endless variety in the Church on earth suggests that many of the differences among us are not really all that essential to Christianity. At least that is what the Scriptures seem to suggest. When all is said and done, the real answer to the question must be sought in God’s Word. Christianity is His “religion” after all.

Among other portions of Scripture, the First Epistle of John was written in answer to our question. Believers in John’s day were being distressed by massive defections from their churches. Former teachers in the church had left because they had rejected apostolic doctrine and were teaching “another Jesus.” Simple folk in the churches were asking how they could know they had real Christianity. John answers them by giving infallible proofs of the possession of faith in Christ, eternal life, and sonship with God. He tells them what real Christianity is.

John’s ultimate purpose in writing the letter is found in verse 3:“What we have heard and seen we declare to you so that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” [My own translation]. From man’s perspective God’s aim in sending Christ to be our Savior was that we might enjoy fellowship with Him. This is His aim for every one of His children, regardless how we might differ from one another on other matters. This is the reason both for my existence and my redemption. This is why I get up in the morning – to have fellowship with the Father through Jesus Christ my Lord. Real Christianity is fellowship with God. Now that is something worth living for!

More to come, in the will of God…