"Worldview" – A worldview is a set of
beliefs we hold about the most important issues in life.
These beliefs include our answers to the following questions:
- Is there a God?
- What kind of relationship do I have with God?
- Is there any basis for right or wrong?
- Is there really any objective truth?
- Does my life really matter or have a purpose?
- What happens after I die?
- Why do I look outside of myself to find happiness?
Obviously, not everyone has the same answers; but everyone
does have the same questions. And, since a worldview
contains our beliefs about the most important issues
in life, and these important issues are religious, then
everyone has religious beliefs. What are the core beliefs
of Christianity? How does a Christian define his/her
worldview?
Essential Christian Beliefs — What They Are:
The Bible is God’s Word to all people everywhere
and at all times. It is God expressing himself through
human authors precisely what he intends to say (John
14:26; 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:13; 2 Tim. 3:16). Since the
Bible is God’s Word, it is without error as originally
written (Jn. 10:35; 17:17; 2 Pt. 1:20-21). What the
Bible says, therefore, God says. Today we have responsible
translations that are faithful to the original writings.
The Trinity is the belief that there is one, and
only one, God (Deut. 6:4; Mk. 12:29; Eph. 4:6; Jm.
2:19) who eternally exists as three Persons. Each
Person plays a distinct role in creation and salvation,
but is equally united in purpose, power, knowledge,
purity, and love.
God the Father is an infinite, personal Spirit (Jn.
4:24) Who draws some into a personal relationship
with Him through Jesus (Jn. 6:44, 65).
God the Son is Jesus of Nazareth who shares the exact
nature of God the Father (Jn. 1:1; Phil. 2:5-8). He
lived a sinless human life (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15),
sacrificed himself as final payment for sin (Mk. 10:45;
1 Pt. 3:18; 1 Jn. 2:2), rose bodily from the dead
(Mt. 28:6; Acts 2:24), and ascended into heaven until
His return (1 Thess. 4:16; Heb. 7:24-25; 2 Pt. 3:10).
God the Holy Spirit shares the exact nature of God
the Father and God the Son (Rom. 8:9-11). He was personally
involved in the creation of the universe (Gen. 1:2;
Job 33:4), and continues to be involved in the salvation
(Jn. 3:5-8; Acts 1:8; Tit. 3:5) and the maturing of
believers (Rom. 6:6-7, 14, 17-18; 8:12-14; Gal. 5:22).
The believer’s salvation begins with God’s
unconditional love (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8). Salvation
is a gracious gift to be received, not a reward to
be earned (Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:5). Through personal
faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection (Rom.
10:9-10; 1 Cor. 15:4-5) we are radically transformed
on the inside (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 2:20) and slowly
but certainly changed on the outside (2 Cor. 3:18).
Why Are the Essential Beliefs Important?
- Without a certain basis for knowing right from
wrong, my life would be . . . ?
- Seeing the world as God sees it gives me . . .
?
- As God’s Word, the Bible gives me confidence
that . . . ?
- Just as each Person of the Trinity is perfectly
united in purpose, how can I be united with God’s
purpose for my life?
- Read Heb. 4:15-16.
Knowing that Jesus understands what it’s like
to be tempted will help me . . . ?
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