Titus 2

There is a popular terminology currently used when discussing philosophy or religion: worldview. This term came into the English language as a translation of the German word Weltanschauung. James Orr, author of The Christian View of God and the World, brought the concept and terminology to the forefront in the 1890’s, recognizing the need to understand and present the relevance of Christianity as a holistic approach to life in the quickly changing world of his Western culture. Christian theology had commonly been relegated to discussion regarding certain details of living. His contention was that theological debate of minutia had its place, but that “…if Christianity is to be effectually defended from the attacks made upon it, it is the comprehensive method which is rapidly becoming the more urgent.” (The Christian View, James Orr) The need to present Christianity afresh as a complete worldview system was, in his opinion, pressingly at hand.

A simple definition of the term worldview follows:

A world view is a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic make-up of our world. (Exploring Christianity; “Four major worldviews”, Dick Tripp)

Current terminology may have been coined by German philosophers and translated by the likes of men such as James Orr (and I am grateful for his abilities to bring the relevance of scriptures into the current field of worldview discussion) but the concept is far from a new one.

Consider Proverbs 29:18 with me. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” KJV

The word vision means sight; more fully, as used in this passage, it means intelligent sight. That would necessarily encompass the element of truth. Think about it. How could erroneous vision be regarded as intelligent? God created us to walk with comprehensive vision and clear understanding based on absolute truth. This is a Biblical presentation of the worldview concept.

According to this passage, the writer of Proverbs relates true vision to the law of God. Long before German philosophers utilized the word Weltanschauung, God gave us His law. His intention was that it would be the underpinning of all thought and action. It would be the basis for an understanding and judgment of life issues. It would form a worldview for His people.

There are consequences regarding vision (worldview), or lack thereof, noted in this verse. Without vision we perish, or we dwell carelessly, without constraint. However, living within the constraints of that vision or worldview (identified clearly as the law of God) secures happiness. The man who keeps the law of God is happy; he is not perishing, dwelling carelessly, or living apart from constraint.

Christians should, of all people on this earth, be living with vision – accurate vision, huge vision. After all, our very heritage is derived from our Father, the author of life itself. Our problem is not who we are and what He says about us. It is rather our great need for renewal of mind regarding those statements. We desperately need the Word of God to wash us if we hope to gain accurate vision. Every notion, every thought, every concept needs to be plunged beneath the spring of truth for purging and cleansing. We come to Him a tainted, sinful people, devastated and broken, confused at best.

As Christians we humbly claim His Word as the final authority in our lives, acknowledging the scriptures as complete truth, but we also understand the reality of growing in the knowledge of His ways. This is a process; it is not an automatic transformation.

Consequently, there is a need for continual examination of our notions, thoughts, and concepts. Why do we do what we do? What do my choices tell me about my understanding? Learning what scripture teaches is vital; embracing what is now being referred to as a Biblical worldview is essential. We must also understand that such foundational truths are under continual assault from the enemy of God. Nothing the world has presented to us is fully true. The worldview you brought with you from childhood needs refining, regardless of your tradition and education. Even if you were raised in a Christian home, God wants to refine your vision. It is without doubt contaminated with error. You dwell in a sin-tainted world.

Like it or not, you do have a worldview. You perceive life through a certain set of eyeglasses, if you will, a preconception of how and why things work the way they do. And your worldview has immediate effect upon your life choices – daily effect. It is time to wake up and be aware of which ungodly worldviews have negatively affected us.

Although we claim the scripture as truth, until we know and apply that truth, we walk as those without vision. (Vision, as referred to in Proverbs 29:18, is only vision if it is correct or true. Wrong vision is not considered vision at all.) “Though recognizing that what we say we believe and how we behave do not always match up, our actions often point clearly to what we really believe.” ( Exploring Christianity; “Four major worldviews”, Dick Tripp)

It is important that as women of God we take seriously the charge to walk in truth, for this alone brings glory to God. He is love, He is truth, He is life. Anything less is a deception, a hoax, a sham, and an outright robbery.

In the next few weeks here at Mom and Us we will continue to talk about establishing a Godly vision for womanhood. We will stir our hearts to seek God, address the authority of the scripture in our lives, consider the danger of wrong vision, and discover a scriptural curriculum written to women, intended to be a guideline throughout the ages. During the course of the next year we will then explore that curriculum, hopefully discovering truths which will dissemble many myths of our modern time and culture. We will be on our way to becoming women of God filled with true vision and purpose.