Worldview is a difficult topic to discuss, given the fact that the subject changes based on the person. Because everyone has a different worldview, it can become difficult to even speak on the subject, let alone have a decent discussion on the topic.

Christian worldview, on the other hand, is a unifying topic that needs to be discussed more often. Identifying weak worldview and working to grow stronger, Biblically-grounded worldview should be a lifelong goal for every Christian.

With that, we turn our attention on today’s Monday Q&A: Christian Worldview Application. As always, I will be choosing to answer 12 of the 14 questions presented in Stoa Apologetics’ worksheet, found here. Let’s dive in.

1: What is your response to the critique that Christians are intolerant and unloving?

This critique has validity, but does not encompass us as a whole. While there are many Christians who are intolerant, unloving, and, quite plainly, hypocrites, the few do not define the many. If we as a human race defined the group by the actions of the few, all protests are violent and end with something burning down, likely a Wendy’s.

2: What will happen to the people who have never heard about Jesus and the Gospel?

While I will not pretend to know anything about God’s plan outside of what He has already revealed, I can say for certain that, no matter the circumstance, every human being has rejected Jesus hundreds of thousands of times in his life through the act of sinning. In sinning, we spit in the face of God and refuse His sacrifice. Yet God, in His infinite grace and mercy, continues to save many of His children.

In this, we can trust that God is working everywhere, and there is not a single place on Earth that falls outside His sight. There have been many examples of Jesus revealing Himself to people in Papua New Guinea or South America through dreams and visions, so we know that He doesn’t have to work through missionaries. Whatever the case, His will is done, and in that we can trust.

3: Why was Jesus known for associating with sinners? To what extent should Christians follow His example?

Before I answer, a distinction must be made between “associating with sinners” and “hanging out with sinners”. Nowhere in the New Testament does it say that Jesus spent time with the Pharisees and tax collectors with the purpose of chilling and talking about football. Kevin DeYoung writes:

“Jesus was a friend of sinners not because he winked at sin, ignored sin, or enjoyed light-hearted revelry with those engaged in immorality. Jesus was a friend of sinners in that he came to save sinners and was very pleased to welcome sinners who were open to the gospel, sorry for their sins, and on their way to putting their faith in Him.”

Christians should not attempt to hang out with non-repentant, unbelieving sinners such as homosexuals, transgenders, or blasphemers with the purpose of hanging out. We are called to reject the things of the world, including the beliefsets and worldview of the world. If you choose to associate with people like this with the purpose of ministering to them, as is Biblically given, make sure to do so under the covering of a pastor/parent/family member, and do it to the glory of God, not yourself.

I have seen many Christians attempt to do this by themselves, only to become negatively impacted by those they were associating with, occasionally going so far as to become the same as those they were hoping to minister to (ie. Christians becoming homosexual).

4: Compare and contrast God’s view of marriage with the world’s view.

God views marriage as a picture of His Church in three ways.

1: He, Christ, is the bridegroom and His bride is the Church. This image is shown in Christ’s plan for marriage: a man and woman united in purity and love, under God.

2: Christ is the head of the Church, representing the man as the head of his family.

3: Men are called into leadership in the Church, guiding and teaching those within the congregation with his wife as his helper. In the same way, men are called to be the head of the family, guiding and teaching his children with his wife as his “helper” (Genesis 2:18). This does not mean that men are above women in terms of importance, for both men and women are critical to a healthy home.

Marriage is to be kept holy under God. United in purity and love, the man and woman are to hold fast to each other and God, loving and serving unconditionally. Marriage outside of this is portrayed by the world as “wholesome”, “pleasing”, “pleasureful”, and “right”. This is a lie. Lasting, healthy marriage can be found only within Christ.

Lasting, healthy marriage can be found ONLY within Christ.

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5: Respond to the statement by Debasish Mridha: “There is no absolute truth. There is only your truth.”

This classic statement is flawed at its core: if this is the case, why are you forcing your truth (which says that my truth is the only real truth) upon me? What if I believe that truth is only found within rocks? My truth is suddenly concrete and contradicts yours, yet you cannot argue against it for it is, as you say, my truth. No, this mindset does not work. If it were to be implemented into government, rapists and pedophiles would roam free (for their truth says that rape and abuse is good).

God is the only source of legitimate truth, for He is perfect and all-knowing. In this, we have a source of truth we can trust, a truth that can be used to perfectly govern in all sovereignty and righteousness.

6: Respond to Dwight L. Moody’s quote: “Church attendance is as vital to a disciple as a transfusion of rich, healthy blood to a sick man.”

A Christian cannot experience major growth outside of the Church. While many will contest this, claiming that “I was hurt within the Church, I’m never going back” or “I won’t go to a Church that plays the songs I don’t like”, we are not called to treat Church as a friend group or buffet. It is the dwelling place of the Living God, where He speaks to us and where we can assemble to worship Him as He deserves. For someone to claim otherwise contradicts His plan for the Church in the first place.

Mr. Moody used this analogy to prove a vital point: Church provides growth to the Christian that is necessary for his/her life. Without it, the Christian cannot expect to see large changes in his/her life, relationships, and maturity. Church is vital.

7: How would you respond to the belief that everyone will be saved eventually because of God’s unconditional love?

Two words: That’s unbiblical. Revelation 21:8 says, “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” The Bible says nothing about Jesus giving a free gift to those who didn’t want it.

One chapter before, Revelation makes it clearer that those who rejected Christ through their lifetime will receive eternal punishment, for it says, “Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

The Bible is clear. Those who do not believe and repent will be punished for their sin. This deeply grieves me, for I have unbelieving family members and friends, but it is part of God’s plan, and who am I to question Him?

8: From where does a person’s identity come? Why is this important?

A person’s identity comes from God and the factors He has placed. Because He is in complete control of everything, we know that the events that shaped our lives (both good and bad) came as a part of His plan, either from Him directly intervening or allowing something to happen.

This is important because it helps us understand that God knows every single part of us, even the parts we don’t know or understand. Our identity is found within Christ, who shaped us from the beginning. To reject Christ is to reject the One that shaped and created you.

9: Respond to the statement: “Evolution disproves Christianity.”

The mere statement “evolution disproves Christianity” is based on a prideful assumption: that evolution has been proven at all. While the theory of evolution is based upon some valid ideas, it has yet to be confirmed as a law of science. Given the fact that history can only be completely verified through a multitude of trustworthy eyewitnesses, evolution at its core is shaky, while Christianity is not (5,000 people saw Jesus ascend after His resurrection). Furthermore, a theory or belief about a past event does not disprove another past event; it merely casts doubt upon the reliability of this event.

In the same way, while Christianity and evolution disagree on major tenants (ie. the creation of the world), neither completely disproves the other. Evolutionists would claim that evolution could have happened within Genesis, while Creationists would claim that evolutionary dating is wrong and merely fits within a Biblical view of history. They disagree, but do not fully contradict the core beliefs of the other: Christians believe man was created by God, while evolutionists believe that all matter has the potential to evolve or develop, therefore claiming that man has developed from an earlier ancestor. Disagreement, yes, but not complete contradiction.

At the end of the day, determining which belief to trust comes down to a simple choice: which source do you trust? Do you trust the reliability of the Bible, as I do, or do you trust the reliability of human scientists attempting to push their own agenda?

10: Is all human life valuable and if so, why?

Absolutely. All human life is from God and is a part of His plan. For someone to claim that they have the right to go outside of this plan and kill a child, even one unborn, is wrong. They contradict God’s plan for life and humanity.

11: How would you respond to the critique that “God the Father” is a sexist term that demeans women in general and mothers in particular?

This question is charged at its core, but I will answer to the best of my ability.

God is portrayed as the father because of His role as the head of the church. He is represented by the family, in which the father is the head of the home and the spiritual leader (as is defined by the Bible). This is in no way meant to demean women and mothers. The women and mothers within our community are insanely important. I don’t know what I’d do without my mom (I’d probably die).

The answer to this question is best found within Vance Young’s excellent article on God the Father. He writes this on the matter:

“He is the source of life. Fathers have an important part in contributing to the life of children. As you lead your kids, help them recognize how their heavenly Father is the source of all life. Visit zoos, aquariums and arboretums together, enjoying the vast spectrum of life that wouldn’t exist without our Creator Father.
Emphasize also that following God’s plan is the path to abundant life (John 10:10). And when we accept His Son as our Savior, we are given new life — adopted into the Father’s family (Romans 6:23).

He lovingly corrects us. As the true Father, God’s discipline and correction are always done out of love (Hebrews 12:3-11). Help your kids recognize the ways that God’s Spirit corrects us in our everyday decisions and interactions with others, how we can feel Him prodding us toward decisions that reflect His love and truth, and how we feel convicted when we choose to disobey.

He provides for our needs. Show your kids all the ways God provides for our needs. Celebrate rainstorms and apple trees and lakes full of fish. How much joy the true Father must receive when we enjoy all the good gifts that He has provided through creation (Matthew 7:11).

He gives us His wisdom. We help our kids learn life skills and encourage them in their gifts and talents. But help them see that true wisdom comes from our heavenly Father. His inspired Word is the ultimate source of wisdom and truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17d).

He always welcomes us back. We forgive our children when they mess up, and we try to help them make better choices in the future. Help your kids recognize that this is just a glimpse of God’s role in our lives. He is the ultimate model of forgiveness. We all mess up, but our true Father is constantly on watch for our return, running to us with joy when we turn back to His family (Luke 15:11-32).”

-Vance Fry, “God…the Father”

God as the father is a matter of significance, portraying His role as the leader of the Church. Please don’t overthink this, believing that God is sexist. You miss the heart of the matter: that God is our father, leading and disciplining us through life.

12: Analyze the quote by Fyodor Dostoevsky: “If there is no God, then all things are permissible.”

This is actually quite true. If God and His absolute, holy, and perfect truth does not exist, then man has no purpose in life save for reproduction and innovation. Outside the existence of the Holy sacrifice of Christ Jesus, man has no purpose, no hope, and no life. He only exists day-to-day, attempting to live in the brief moments of pleasure and greatly anticipating the next moments. Without Christ, we have no hope and no purpose, and are thus stripped of our humanity at its core.

“Without Christ, we have no hope and no purpose, and are thus stripped of our humanity at its core.”

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These answers have been given in as close of accordance to God’s word as possible. If you disagree with them, feel free to say so (and give your reason for disagreeing), but please understand that these were not written for debate purposes. Constructive criticism is welcome, but insults and anger directed at the author are not Christ-like and will be deleted.

In the meantime, thank you so much for reading, and I hope you have a fantastic day!

-Elisha McFarland

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