Faithful Christians typically share five traditions that generate a worldview that shapes the nature of their beliefs. This worldview may also contain characteristics that other people perceive as factors which, in fact, define a person as a Christian. The following is not intended to be a creed or the final word on the matter, but a reliable guide on 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 following 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 means 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 a man or woman's worldview in multiple ways, primarily in the contexts of knowing that others who believe in Jesus are also saved, that those who refuse this belief are not part of the church community, and that there may be a need for instructing others about the Christian faith.
The third element of outlining a worldview for the Christian faith is a belief in the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) as the working presence of God's power, especially as demonstrated 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 approach to living will develop active expressions of one's faith to affect other individuals.
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.
An outlook on the world evolving from the aforementioned Christian principles may lead to the personal revelation that God will take care of all things in His time, and that belief in Jesus, faith in the communion of the church, and actions that express love toward others will result in a peaceful and joy-filled life, though not without common sufferings of the spirit and the body. And it is the sure blessing of salvation through Jesus that gives enduring meaning to the Christian worldview.
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 following 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 means 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 a man or woman's worldview in multiple ways, primarily in the contexts of knowing that others who believe in Jesus are also saved, that those who refuse this belief are not part of the church community, and that there may be a need for instructing others about the Christian faith.
The third element of outlining a worldview for the Christian faith is a belief in the Holy Ghost (or Spirit) as the working presence of God's power, especially as demonstrated 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 approach to living will develop active expressions of one's faith to affect other individuals.
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.
An outlook on the world evolving from the aforementioned Christian principles may lead to the personal revelation that God will take care of all things in His time, and that belief in Jesus, faith in the communion of the church, and actions that express love toward others will result in a peaceful and joy-filled life, though not without common sufferings of the spirit and the body. And it is the sure blessing of salvation through Jesus that gives enduring meaning to the Christian worldview.
About the Author:
W. H. Lindgren is a published writer now working on a fiction novel. For an in-depth review of today's Christian news and views, visit http://www.FreeChristianPress.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment