Biblical Worldview Essay Paper
Biblical Worldview Essay Paper
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BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW ESSAY INSTRUCTIONS
Rationale for the Biblical Worldview Essay
Every person has a worldview whether he realizes it or not. What is a worldview? James W. Sire defines a worldview as:
[A] commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) that we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being.
Stated more succinctly, “…[A] worldview is simply the total set of beliefs that a person has about the biggest questions in life.” F. Leroy Forlines describes such questions as the “inescapable questions of life.” Life’s inescapable questions include the following: “Is there a God? If so, what is He like? How can I know Him? Who am I? Where am I? How can I tell right from wrong? Is there life after death? What should I and what can I do about guilt? How can I deal with my inner pain?” Life’s biggest, inescapable questions relate to whether there is a God, human origins, identity, purpose, and the hereafter, just to mention a few.
Satisfying answers to the “inescapable questions of life” are provided by the Holy Scriptures. The Holy Scriptures, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, form the starting point and foundation for the biblical worldview. More specifically related to our purposes, the apostle Paul reflects several components of the biblical worldview in his letter to the Romans.
The apostle Paul authored Romans toward the end of his third missionary journey, about 57 A.D. He addressed this letter specifically to the Christians in Rome. At the time the church in Rome consisted of Jewish and Gentile believers, with Gentile Christians in the majority. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome in order to address specific concerns and challenges they were facing. While Romans was an occasional letter (not a systematic theology), Paul presents the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a very systematic fashion. The Gospel is actually the overarching theme of Romans as Paul spells this out in his programmatic statement in 1:16–17. As the systematic presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Romans is foundational to the biblical/Christian worldview.
Recognizing that Romans is not a systematic theology and does not contain all the essential truths that are relevant to a worldview per se, the apostle Paul articulates truths that are foundational to the biblical worldview. In Romans 1–8, Paul addresses certain components of a worldview that relate to the natural world, human identity, human relationships, and culture.
In a 750–1000-word essay, describe what Romans 1–8 teaches regarding (1)the natural world, (2)human identity,(3) human relationships, and (4) culture. Furthermore, (5)explain how this teaching of these topics affects your worldview. Make sure that you address each of these topics in your essay.
• As an essay, it must be written with excellent grammar, spelling, and style.
• Begin your essay with an interesting introduction that contains a precisely stated thesis. End your essay with a strong conclusion that summarizes your main points succinctly.
Structure of assignment paragraphs:
• Introduction/Thesis (approximately 75 words)
• The Natural World (approximately 150–200 words)
• Human Identity (approximately 150–200 words)
• Human Relationships (approximately 150–200 words)
• Culture (approximately 150–200 words)
• Conclusion (approximately 75 words)
• Use each of the categories above as headers for each paragraph in your essay.
• The body of your essay must address the specified components of the assignment in excellent grammatical style.
• Your essay must be typed in a Microsoft Word document using Times New Roman, 12-point font.
• It must be single spaced, and must contain 750–1000 words.
• All sources must be cited, and a bibliography must be included.
• Format your paper in a Microsoft Word document using current APA format.
• Do not footnote Scripture references; cite them parenthetically within the essay body following the quotation or allusion to the biblical text.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Introduction
In his epistle to the Romans, Paul delivers a profound message that men are justified according to the Scripture by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law. He states that righteousness is by Christ alone, and when people believe in Christ, they die to sin and the law and remain alive in Christ. The Holy Spirit sanctifies and empowers such believers and enables them to live a holy life. In Romans 1-8, Paul addresses some aspects that this paper seeks to define. This epistle was authored by Paul while in Corinth and is significant to the contemporary society today. A relationship with Christ according to Paul makes individuals get an assurance of salvation from sin as sons of God. In this epistle, Paul seeks to found a strong doctrinal statement against the false views that were finding root in the Church of Rome.
The Natural World
In essence, the natural world was a formation of God through the words He spoke. He spoke, and everything in the universe came into existence (Genesis 1:1). Paul’s message, therefore, finds root from the creation account that relates the biblical worldview to the natural. In Romans 1:20, Paul emphasizes this point by stating that God’s unseen attributes; his eternal power, and divine character have been perceived clearly. He adds that ever since the creation of the world, these things have been made and are without excuse. The natural world has in some instances challenged the idea that God is the creator of the universe (Bury 2012).
Believers, on the other hand, have the scriptures to justify this and validate the creation to be of God. God has revealed himself through man according to Romans 1:20 through the display of His attributes and character through His creation. The Biblical worldview justifies this based on scripture while the secular world alleges that this is not true.
Human Identity
Paul gives a concise description of the identity of humans in Romans 3 and 8. In Romans 3; 10 Paul focuses on the sinful nature and identity of man by implying that none is righteous, not even one. He continues by indicating that not only is mankind unrighteous, but they do not seek or understand their creator (Romans 3:11). This defines the foundations of the sinful nature of man, his lack of capacity to understand it and the lack of desire to find God (Bury 2012). Man is for this reason viewed as a totally depraved race consequentially because of his inabilities.
Humanity is enslaved to sin and is influenced by the power behind evil. Paul, for this reason, gives man a prescription to this malady in Romans 8:30 where he states that those who are predestined by God are also called of God. He also adds that those whom God has also called, He has justified, and lastly, those whom He has justified He glorifies. This gives humanity the hope of redemption that man cannot attain because of his nature until He is redeemed (Bury 2012). When man is justified by Christ, His identity is changed, and He develops a closer relationship with the Creator through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Human Relationships
As a result of rebellion, the human nature was engulfed by sin and a denial of the Creator. The secular world embraces the human relationships as a means of finding pleasure and fulfilling evil goals. Paul mentions this in Romans 8:24-32 and addresses the problems associated with human relationships. The Bible views the Human relationship as God created, since He made man in His own image and likeness. This should enable man value others in the same manner God values Him. Man should develop love for his neighbors as he does himself (Mark 12:31). The love that God showed through His Son on the cross should be evident in man.
However, the natural world views this command the other way round. Those who hold the natural view seek opportunities to please their egos above everything else and against the instructions of the word of God (Bury 2012). Man has forgotten the love that redeemed him from the claws of sin and turned to hatred. God requires that humans relate to each other in the same manner they would relate to Him. He is a relational God, and that is why the Bible view describes Him as the father.
Culture
Believers in this instance are required to view the diverse cultures around them as those that are filled with people created by God. God is the creator of culture as viewed from the Old Testament where he confused the language of men who had evil intentions. Paul in his epistle speaks of the essence of man knowing that he can only be justified by faith and not law. The Jews of this time were so much deep into the law, and they never considered justification for people outside their own culture (Bury 2012). Paul takes the opportunity to acknowledge the significance of the law even when it had no value in justification.
The natural world has viewed this aspect of culture to create divisions in the society. Culture is embraced and used to define certain aspects in the society. However, the Biblical worldview of culture views this aspect as one that is created by God. It is imperative today that we incorporate culture today in evangelism. By accepting different cultures and weighing the good and the bad in cultures, it makes the people feel accepted (Bury 2012). Not all culture is bad, neither is all culture good; however, we can incorporate the positive sides of culture in our Christian lives.
God, therefore, views people with love and does not only save the Jews only but all who accept Him. He is concerned about the faith of man that brings him into repentance. God, for this reason, does not save on the basis of culture but on grace.
Conclusion
Paul’s epistle clearly gives a balance in between the natural world and the biblical worldview in relation to human identity, his relationships, and culture. He draws a distinction between these factors and provides a prescription that would help man find balance in the contemporary world. It is imperative that man finds a balance between that which is not biblical and that which is biblical before articulating approaches in life. With a little or no understanding on these issues, from the bibles viewpoint, man is likely to sink into darkness. The ungodly therefore have no excuse for not finding God since He reveals himself through his works of creation. God exists and the only way we can find Him is by rejecting our views and perceptions and allowing Him to redeem us.
Works Cited
Bury, B. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Commentary – By Arland J. Hultgren. Reviews In Religion & Theology, 19(3), 330-332. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9418.2012.01064.x
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