By Walter Lindgren
Christian people typically hold to five traditions that comprise a worldview that shapes the nature of their beliefs. This philosophy may also contain characteristics that observers perceive as factors which, in fact, characterize a person as a Christian. The writing that follows is not intended to be a creed or the last word on the matter, but a consistent summary of Christian beliefs.
The first aspect of such a worldview is belief in one God, monotheism, and an over-riding love of the deity who is specifically responsible for all creation. With this as the foundation of a Christian worldview, for example, an individual's opinion of concepts that do not acknowledge God or that do not recognize the source of creation will lead to a lack of acceptance for those ideas.
The second factor in a Christian worldview is acceptance of Jesus as the son of God and the only salvation for humans, in the sense that Jesus is the path to everlasting life in heaven. In order to be a "Christian," the meaning of the term requires literal faith in Jesus as a personal savior. This affects an individual's worldview in several ways, primarily in the contexts of knowing that others who believe in Jesus are also saved, that those who reject this belief are not part of the church community, and that there may be a need for educating others about the Christian faith.
The third element of defining a worldview for the Christian faith is a belief in the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) as the manifest presence of God's power, especially as displayed in the acts of the apostles. This leads to the need for good works, or positive actions, through the church and within the community. A Christian style of life will develop active expressions of one's faith to affect one's neighbors.
The fourth component of such a worldview would be the notion of Christians as people of the book, biblios, the Bible. The Bible functions as a source of inspiration and specifically describes the point of view that each Christian should use to evaluate the events of their lives. The New Testament shows people how to believe, think, and act in order to be Christians which, in turn, forms one's worldview.
And the fifth element is the teaching that Christians are to show their "love" for other people in every avenue of their lives. From the basis of choosing to love one's neighbors, a Christian worldview accepts that all things will in the end demonstrate God's love for his faithful, that belief in Jesus is the way to everlasting life, and that Christians can express that love through their actions toward others.
A worldview developed from these five Christian principles may lead to the personal observation that God will take care of all things in good time, and that belief in Jesus, faith in the community of the church, and actions that express love toward others will result in a calm, peaceful, joyous life, though not without sufferings of the faith and physical world. And it is the promise of salvation through Jesus that gives genuine meaning to the Christian worldview.
About the Author:
W. H. Lindgren is a prolific writer currently working on a book of fiction. For a detailed look at today's Christian news (http://www.echristiannews.com) and events, or to research ministry jobs (http://www.eministryjobs.com) , visit eChristianNews.com.
Christian people typically hold to five traditions that comprise a worldview that shapes the nature of their beliefs. This philosophy may also contain characteristics that observers perceive as factors which, in fact, characterize a person as a Christian. The writing that follows is not intended to be a creed or the last word on the matter, but a consistent summary of Christian beliefs.
The first aspect of such a worldview is belief in one God, monotheism, and an over-riding love of the deity who is specifically responsible for all creation. With this as the foundation of a Christian worldview, for example, an individual's opinion of concepts that do not acknowledge God or that do not recognize the source of creation will lead to a lack of acceptance for those ideas.
The second factor in a Christian worldview is acceptance of Jesus as the son of God and the only salvation for humans, in the sense that Jesus is the path to everlasting life in heaven. In order to be a "Christian," the meaning of the term requires literal faith in Jesus as a personal savior. This affects an individual's worldview in several ways, primarily in the contexts of knowing that others who believe in Jesus are also saved, that those who reject this belief are not part of the church community, and that there may be a need for educating others about the Christian faith.
The third element of defining a worldview for the Christian faith is a belief in the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) as the manifest presence of God's power, especially as displayed in the acts of the apostles. This leads to the need for good works, or positive actions, through the church and within the community. A Christian style of life will develop active expressions of one's faith to affect one's neighbors.
The fourth component of such a worldview would be the notion of Christians as people of the book, biblios, the Bible. The Bible functions as a source of inspiration and specifically describes the point of view that each Christian should use to evaluate the events of their lives. The New Testament shows people how to believe, think, and act in order to be Christians which, in turn, forms one's worldview.
And the fifth element is the teaching that Christians are to show their "love" for other people in every avenue of their lives. From the basis of choosing to love one's neighbors, a Christian worldview accepts that all things will in the end demonstrate God's love for his faithful, that belief in Jesus is the way to everlasting life, and that Christians can express that love through their actions toward others.
A worldview developed from these five Christian principles may lead to the personal observation that God will take care of all things in good time, and that belief in Jesus, faith in the community of the church, and actions that express love toward others will result in a calm, peaceful, joyous life, though not without sufferings of the faith and physical world. And it is the promise of salvation through Jesus that gives genuine meaning to the Christian worldview.
About the Author:
W. H. Lindgren is a prolific writer currently working on a book of fiction. For a detailed look at today's Christian news (http://www.echristiannews.com) and events, or to research ministry jobs (http://www.eministryjobs.com) , visit eChristianNews.com.