Worldview: "A worldview is one's philosophy and conception of the world and how it works."
If the past few years have taught us anything, it is that how someone understands events, data, and arguments and makes decisions are largely determined by their worldview - the lens or binoculars through which they see theworld - whether they know it or not.
Francis Schaefer once wrote in "How Then Shall We Live", a seminal book and must read for any Christian, and explained that the Roman Empire went from chaos, to authoritarianism, to anarchy, corruption, immortality and ruin due to the fact that while militarily powerful, the Roman culture lacked a "big enough base". By this, he meant their reference points were finite gods, men (emperors) and gods that were sort of super men, but not infinite, not the personal, infinite God of the Christian faith. The Romans first sought authoritarianism to quell the violence and chaos, eventually ending up with Julius and then Augustus Ceasar who declared himself Emperor and demanded worship. This is why Schaeffer explains, why Christianity not only survived fierce opposition and persecution, but thrived and grew to the point that the Romans had to first legalize Christianity and then later deem it the new "State Religion" due to so many converting to the Faith. It also explained why Christians were persecuted under Ceasar; It was NOT because they worshipped Jesus. It was because they would NOT worship Ceasar.
How about my worldview? How about yours? Does it incorporate ideas, assumptions, values, and "facts" from extra-Biblical sources? Does our worldview come from Scripture, not being conformed to the World but rather transformed by the renewing of our minds in Christ?
The late Tim Keller once said that every Christian has a worldview, even if they cannot articulate it. It may be ill-informed, or even merged and blended with actual heresy.
In these times where credible, authoritative sources often seem elusive, it is more important than ever to ensure our worldview is Biblical and guided by the Holy Spirit. He is the one to guide us in all truth and we can be sure, He will never - because He CAN never, contradict Scripture so we must be familiar enough ourselves with it to apply it, to filter information, to create the actual lense through we which we see the world.
May God bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace.
Keith