Generally, a worldview can be defined as a set of norms and beliefs about the world and reality that affect how an individual think and live. These beliefs, to a great extent, determine what is true and readily acceptable in the eye of an individual. Factors such as culture, education, experience, religion, and relationship influence your worldview. The basic worldview includes atheism, pantheism, and Christianity.
Spirituality is the part of humanity that involves how people seek and showcase meaning and purpose, as well as the manner in which they experience a connection to oneself, others, and the higher sacred being. Spirituality among Christians is based on God, who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and compassionate. Although God has revealed himself in various ways, the primary guiding principles have been laid down through the bible and Jesus Christ, his son (Shelly & Miller, 2009). Therefore, Christians tend to relate spirituality, direct or indirectly to God. Therefore, the bible forms a big part of the Christian foundation of spirituality. Moreover, Christian spirituality corresponds to beliefs and practices which are meant to showcase the perfect function of God’s creation, which encourage the close relationship to God and deeper knowledge about Him. Ethics in Christianity are also based on God and the Bible. According to the Christian viewpoint, God created the world with moral structural, and everything that is good and right is a reflection of God’s character (Shelly & Miller, 2009). Revelations in the bible, such as the Ten Commandments or the sermon in the mount, are supposed to guide believers on what is right and wrong in the eyes of the Lord.
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On the contrary, postmodern relativism diverges from the foundation of spirituality and ethics according to Christianity. According to relativism, the reality is relative to either a person or the society he or she finds himself or herself in. Therefore, truth is invented and not discovered by people (Shelly & Miller, 2009). There is no truth to be discovered; only subjective opinions and beliefs. The concept remains when it comes to moral and ethical propositions; according to relativism, ethics and morality are invented based on societal culture and personal preferences (Shelly & Miller, 2009). Truth, including ethics, morality, right or wrong, are all but subjective matters of opinion.
Scientism
Contrary to Christian worldview, where everything, including medical technology, which is a gift from God, is there to be discovered and manipulated to bring good to human being, scientism is the belief that science the best and only way to have any knowledge about the world and reality (Shelly & Miller, 2009). If something lacks scientific backing, it cannot be considered as the truth. If a given phenomenon does not have a scientific explanation, it is an unknown that can only become a truth to believe in once it has been successfully explored scientifically.
Although the concept holds some ground, some strong arguments have been made against scientism. First, scientism is a self-refuting concept. If one is to go by scientism’s argument, that the only way to know the truth is through science, then its thesis itself cannot be considered as the truth because it cannot be explored and proven scientifically (Shelly & Miller, 2009). Scientism thesis, which is a philosophical statement, does not pass its own truth test. Scientism philosophy invalidates itself from its definition.
Secondly, science has clear limits that it cannot surpass. While science can help explain various phenomena, it does not provide any information on ethics and morality, which are central to how things are run in the world (Shelly & Miller, 2009). While science is a good way to gain very important knowledge about things in the world, it must be combined with other forms of knowledge and knowledge acquisition, for the scientific results to be put into action. Therefore, the opinion that science is the only way to gain knowledge is flawed because there are other ways to explore and discover the truth.
What is Ultimate Reality?
Reality incorporates a physical world that was created by God to help human beings get what they require through discovering and manipulating nature (Shelly & Miller, 2009). God, who is a sacred and superior being, exists as a separate entity from reality. He watches over the world and all there is in it. Therefore, the ultimate reality includes the physical matter and energy, as well as the spiritual relationship with God. Spiritual revelations are, however, depend on individuals’ spiritual level of God’s knowledge and understanding.
What is the Nature of the Universe?
The universe is a broad and complex that it is inconceivable to the human brain. God created the world, and human beings can only understand what God wants them to about the world. From the Christian point of view, God is aware of every small natural occurrence that takes place in the universe (Shelly & Miller, 2009). It is upon people to believe that he is in control and not blame him for any situation that does not serve to their benefit. Contrary to the opinion that nature is an illusion, the universe and nature, according to Christians, incorporates the real and tangible nature that was created to satisfy human needs as well as a spiritual real that people are supposed to explore (Shelly & Miller, 2009). The occurrences in the world are not accidental; they have a purpose to either test you or reward you for your bad or right behavior.
What is a Human Being?
Depending on one's perspective and self-awareness, a human being can be considered as a powerful biological machine that reacts on morals, ethics and self-awareness, or simply a marvelous creation of God. From the Christian viewpoint, God created human beings according to his image and likeness.
What is Knowledge?
Knowledge and truth can be absolute or relative depending on whether one believes in theism or relativism. However, according to Christianity, knowledge is absolute and cannot be invented (Shelly & Miller, 2009). People can only discover knowledge. Christians can only discover knowledge under the guidance of God. Therefore, one ought to achieve given spiritual levels to explore, discover and understand knowledge. Contrary to scientism, there are numerous ways one can discover knowledge. Irrespective of the method used to seek knowledge, knowledge comes from God.
What is your Basis of Ethics?
The bible is the primary foundation upon which Christian Ethics are based. The bible provides Christian with an overview of God’s characters. It is, therefore, upon Christian to try their best to be like God. People who stray away from God’s guidance are considered immoral. Churches, as well as other Christian institutions, are supposed to instill and guide people on how they should behave ethically. In addition, biblical teachings such as the Sermon on the Mount or the Ten Commandments are meant to guide people on what is morally right or wrong (Shelly & Miller, 2009). Although Christianity bases its morals and ethics upon biblical teachings, the culture and societal upbringing usually have a significant impact on a person’s perspective of ethics and morality.
What is the Purpose of Your Existence?
Every Christian was created for a particular purpose in life. Therefore, immediately a person is born, he or she commences his or her journey towards a particular purpose. However, there are numerous paths that you can use to explore and understand your purpose in the world. God gives you free will and freedom of choice (Shelly & Miller, 2009). It is upon you to judge what is right and wrong. However, Christians should always put biblical teaching into consideration. In other words, every Christian was created to serve God, although you are provided with an option to choose what you want with your life.
Your life on earth will dictate the nature of your life after death. If you lived your life practicing ethics and morality according to God’s teaching, you would be awarded an eternal life in heaven. However, if you strayed away from God’s teaching, and chose your destructive path, you will be punished with eternal fire in hell. It is upon every Christian believer to forge his or her life after death while they are still alive on earth.
Reference
Shelly, J. A., & Miller, A. B. (2009). Called to care: A Christian worldview for nursing . InterVarsity Press.
