Worldviews and You

Every so often, something happens that calls into question my basic beliefs. I am a conservative Christian. I take the Bible seriously as God's Word that tells me about God, Jesus, the world, me, and my place in the world. The Bible also tells me that God is a loving and powerful being who exercises some control over what happens to me and to the world around me.

Given that, what do I do when something happens that seems to contradict my basic beliefs about God, something that seems to have no redeeming value? Where do I find a loving and powerful God when my world seems to be falling apart?

A Brief Overview of Worldviews. Before I proceed, let me introduce the term "worldview" and then list the basic worldviews that are found in the world. Simply put, a worldview is how we understand the world and how it operates. Although there are only a few worldviews, each person has his or her own worldview, because we all see things a little differently, even if we are operating out of the same worldview.

David Noebel, in his book, Understanding the Times, lists four worldviews:

1. Secular Humanism-Believes there is no God
2. Cosmic Humanism-Known in some places as "New Age"-believes that each person is potentially a god
3. Marxist-Leninism-Basically the same as Secular Humanism, but allows free will which most Secular Humanists would logically deny
4. Biblical Christianity-There is a God who is active in the world and created the world

Obviously, there are other views that could be mentioned, but in basic ways they would fit into the above categories. For example, Islam believes in one God and would fit into the worldview that says there is a God. Overall, Noebel's categories include everyone.

Worldviews and Our Thinking and Acting. Since all of us operate within one of these worldviews, our thinking is shaped according to that worldview. For example, if you are a Secular Humanist and you believe there is no God, then you cannot (and logically, should not) believe there is anything special about humans. They are merely the end products of a long evolutionary process. So, there should be nothing inherently wrong with abortion, child abuse, stealing, cheating, and even murder. Things are simply what they are without any labels saying "good" or "bad." For the sake of order, society may forbid certain actions, of course. I have met very few people who can consistently live their lives as Secular Humanists.

Cosmic Humanists emphasize spirit and the "god-ness" of humans. However, they share with Secular Humanists the idea that there is nothing that is good or bad in and of itself. People are merely acting out their desires and no one has the right to judge those actions as good or bad. I even read about a Cosmic Humanist who refused to judge Adolph Hitler for causing the death of six million Jews. If we're all potential gods, how can we be doing anything wrong?

I won't deal much with Marxist-Leninism except to point out that, against the logic of their position (atheism-no God), they allow free will on the part of their followers. Their reasoning is that people can make the free choices necessary to advance the revolution to overthrow the oppressors of the world.

That leaves only Biblical Christianity and the conviction that there is a God who created the world and that is in it, and who is still actively present and working in the world. Because God created us in "the image of God," we are special beings. While that may sound wonderful, it does create a problem.

The Problem When A Worldview Meets the Events of Life. In his book, The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis discusses the "problem of pain" as a situation where a person believes in a loving God and yet suffers from painful physical or other problems. While pain may be problem for everyone, Lewis says it is especially acute when coupled with a belief system that says that God should make things better for people who believe.

That brings me back to my starting point. So what do I do when I confront a situation that seems to clash with how I see the world and its operation? My father died about 22 years ago from complications following a brain tumor surgery. He was relatively young and wanted to keep on living. About 11 years ago, one of my brothers committed suicide. A few days ago, someone shot up a church in Missouri, killing the pastor and two others. In the Twin Cities, where I live, a major bridge collapsed and some people died. Right now there are two members of the church to which I belong who are struggling with cancer. The list could go on and on.

In all of these situations, where do I find room for a powerful and loving God who, at times, seems to be weak and unloving? I have two choices: I can reject the worldview that has helped me for most of my life or I can acknowledge that there is something good going on that I don't understand.

My Resolution of the Problem. I long ago rejected the other worldviews as being inadequate to explain life as I understand and live it. I am "forced" then to believe that I don't fully understand the work of God in my life and in the lives of others. I am "forced" to admit that my understanding of good and bad may not agree with God's understanding. I am "forced" to be patient-something that most of us are not very comfortable doing-and wait to see what happens. I am "forced" to conclude that there is a divine master plan that hasn't been shared with me.

Do I enjoy being in the dark? No. Do I enjoy the frustration of not knowing what's going on? No. But I am learning more and more what it means to be patient and to walk by faith. I have a worldview that has worked for me and I'm not going to abandon it when life turns in unexpected and painful directions.

It does make a difference what you believe. What is your worldview? Does it work for you? Does it explain life as you experience it?

Sources:

David A. Noebel, Understanding the Times (Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1991)
C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (New York: MacMillan Publishing Company, paperback edition, 1962)