I like this definition of biblical worldview: A Christian worldview or a biblical worldview refers to the framework of ideas and beliefs, derived from the Bible, through which a Christian individual, group or culture interprets the world and interacts with it. A biblical worldview necessarily involves application of the whole Bible and not merely the parts that are amiable to our particular situation. If a worldview is the lenses through which one views and interacts with the world, then a biblical worldview means to wear biblical lenses–to work diligently to view all aspects of our world through the filter of the Bible.
It is not vogue to hold to a biblical worldview. Instead, Christians are urged to hold to a worldly view of the Bible. A biblical worldview holds that the Bible should determine and define right from wrong, moral from immoral, and should dictate how I live my life. The Biblical worldview claims that God is the author of the Bible and as its author and our Creator, He has the right to tell us how we should live.
A worldly view of the Bible claims that the Bible is a book written by men. A worldly view of the Bible claims that the Bible is open to wide interpretation and its meaning should change with culture. A worldly view of the Bible claims that people should shape the meaning of the Bible, not that the Bible should shape people and culture.
But, outside of the definition above, what is a biblical worldview? The Colson Center is helpful by telling us first what a biblical worldview isn’t, and then what it is.
A Biblical Worldview is Not:
- It is not merely holding to Christian morals. A person can have good morals without adhering to a Christian worldview or even being a Christian at all. A focus on morality leads to legalism.
- It is not living life with Bible verses attached. Consistent Christian living requires adherence to the big picture of God’s word as well as the small details. The Bible is not primarily a book of wisdom nuggets to apply to our everyday lives, it is a story of God’s work in creation and redemption.
- It is not automatic when you get saved. You need to work to develop a biblical worldview. You need to know the Word of God and you need to learn to critically apply God’s Word to your life.
- It is not Christian reactionism. A biblical worldview is a view of the world an culture through the filtering lens of Scripture. It is not against the world or culture, it is in line with the scripture.
What a biblical worldview is (at least):
- It is biblically grounded. A biblical worldview is not built upon feelings, emotions, and conjecture. It is grounded in the Bible. It is built upon the metanarrative (big picture) of Scripture that includes creation, fall, and redemption. A strong biblical foundation enables believers to apply the Scripture and scriptural principles to literally every aspect of life.
- It is culturally literate. The Bible is not against culture, per-se, nor does the Bible prescribe any particular culture. God’s people have been called upon to trust him and live within his principles in all sorts of different environments, as nomads, as slaves in Egypt, as inhabitants of the Promised Land, as exiles, as persecuted believers in Jerusalem, and as Roman citizens. A biblical worldview can be practiced in any culture, but it does require an understanding of one’s culture.
- A biblical worldview is defined by hope. Biblical hope is certain, it is a confidence in the ability of Christ to save and transform. A biblical worldview does not lead to despair because it is filled with hope, not for what the world is or even could be, but for what it will be when Christ intercedes.
Many today decry the culture wars and have overreacted to the culture wars by adopting a big tent version of Christianity that ignores the moral concerns of previous generations in favor of a false understanding of biblical love. A biblical worldview provides a lens for believers to consider morality, politics, culture, and evangelism as well as materialism, parenting, marriage, and everything else that you could imagine. What our world needs is Christians who consider their culture and their lives through a biblical lens and look the Jesus to tell us how we should live.
