Worldview refers to the framework or perspective from which people view the realities of life and the world and make sense of the world and life. Moreover, this concept can be understood as theology, philosophy, ideology, religion or movement that forms an overarching approach in defining God as well as framing the relationship that exists between an individual, God, and nature while faith is a set of beliefs that a person holds concerning God. A person’s faith largely influences his or her worldview and interaction with nature and other people within the planet. Therefore, an individual’s worldview is a critical guiding point that informs their life choices, general conducts, and their relationships with other people.
Section 1
Faith is a fundamental factor that defines a person’s religion. It can be defined as a complete belief in a given set of doctrines that forms the foundation of a certain religion. Faith is based on a religious conviction and not factual proof. Faith has a great influence on an individual’s worldview. It determines how an individual views the forces of nature and the supernatural control behind nature. For instance, the Christian faith is greatly founded on biblical truths and principles. Therefore, a Christian’s relationship with the world and other people is greatly informed by their biblical beliefs. For example, a Christian will honor authorities and subject themselves to their rule, having been informed by the dictates of Romans chapter 13 (Westerholm & Westerholm, 2004). The definition of morality is largely dependent on an individual’s religious beliefs. Such morality largely informs how a person conducts himself and relates to others in the world. Therefore, faith is a fundamental determinant of an individual’s perception of the world and his or her overall worldview.
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People’s religious faith has evolved and has consequently shaped their worldview in a different historical era. In ancient times, many religions believed that several Gods controlled the Universe. For instance, the ancient Greek religion believed that twelve gods were referred to as the twelve Olympians. The nature and dictates of these Gods determined how the people in this era made life choices and related to each other. In contemporary religions, most major religions believe in a single God. Besides, the religious belief on what is wrong and right from a religious perspective has greatly changed with time. For instance, the advent of technology has incorporated the view of religious ethics in cyberspace (Murayama, 2011). Therefore, the evolving religious perceptions have greatly informed a change in the worldview over different historical eras.
Cultural beliefs also influence people’s faith and worldview. Different cultures have different beliefs that shape their religion and overall worldview. For example, the Arab culture has a great concern for decency and modesty largely informed by their cultural beliefs on purity and sanctity. Therefore, this cultural belief informs their worldview in issues of dressing. Moreover, their cultural perception of women dictates how men and women interact. Similarly, the Indian culture promotes nonviolence and consequently forms the Indian worldview on peace. Such examples demonstrate how different cultures and their respective faiths shape the people’s worldview in those cultures.
Lastly, knowledge and truth constructions equally shape an individual’s faith and worldview. Highly educated individuals have gained great knowledge of science and other disciplines. Consequently, their view of the world is greatly informed by the knowledge that they have. For instance, a medical doctor has a view of life informed by his knowledge about body systems. Similarly, a lawyer will have a worldview that is informed by his or her knowledge in law. Besides, people have different constructs of truth, depending on their knowledge and beliefs. Such a construct of truths equally informs how they view the realities of life and the world in general.
Section 2
One of the most popular worldviews in the contemporary world is the Naturalism worldview. There is a narrow similarity between the naturalism worldview and the Christian worldview. The only point of convergence between the two worldviews is the existence of physical things. Both worldviews agree that things exist naturally. However, there are several differences between the two worldviews. First, the naturalism worldview considers that all things that exist can be exclusively explained from their physical existence. On the other hand, the Christian worldview holds the opinion that there is an invisible power of God that creates and defines the physical existence of things (Murayama, 2011). From a Christian worldview, understanding the physical existence and occurrences requires an understanding of the spiritual influence behind it.
Second, there is a significant difference in the perception of humanity in the two worldviews. The naturalism worldview considers man to be a product of a natural biological process. Moreover, the end of a person happens at the point when he or she dies. On the other hand, the Christian worldview holds that God, as explained in the Bible, creates human beings. Therefore, humanity has a spiritual relationship with God, who is their source of life and who protects them (Westerholm & Westerholm, 2004). In contrast, the naturalism worldview considers human beings as physical beings whose existence is terminated by death; the Christian Worldview considers humanity as spiritual beings whose life continues beyond the point of their death.
Thirdly, the perception of truth is a significant difference between the two worldviews. From a naturalist perspective, truth is understood from the perspective of scientific proofs. From this point of view, an aspect or fact is considered true if it can be proven from a scientific point of view. Conversely, the Christian worldview evaluates truth from the perspective of biblical teachings. A fact is considered true in the Christian worldview if it has a biblical backing. Therefore, the perception of truth is a significant difference between the two worldviews. Lastly, there exists a significant difference in the moral values between the two worldviews. Naturalism worldview does not present absolute and objective moral values that ought to guide individual actions. Conversely, moral values are informed by individual preferences. On the other hand, the biblical teachings and God’s commandments form the foundation of moral values in the Christian worldview (Westerholm & Westerholm, 2004). Therefore, the morality of action from the Christian worldview perspective is evaluated from the foundation of biblical teachings.
Section 3
I largely identify with the Christian worldview. This is because I hold the Christian faith strongly founded on biblical truths and principles. My construct of truth is based on the teachings of the bible and my Christina faith in the bible. I consider the bible accurate in all teachings contained therein. Therefore, my actions or lacks of it are largely informed by my Christian faith and the biblical teachings that I have received. I believe in life after death and judgment by God based on my activities during the time in which I live. I evaluate the morality of my actions from the perspective of biblical teachings.
My faith and worldview greatly inform my choices in different ways. First, my choices are based on my Christian beliefs. For instance, the choice of what I eat or drink is greatly influenced by my Christian beliefs. I will avoid drinking alcohol based on my Christian faith against alcohol. Moreover, my choices of friends are also subject to my Christian faith and worldview. I prefer to have friends who share my worldview and faith because such friends have common beliefs, and hence, it will be easy for us to coexist. Moreover, my choices of the places I visit are equally informed by the Christian worldview. For example, I do not visit places such as nightclubs based on my worldviews about such places. Such examples demonstrate how my worldview informs my choices.
My faith and worldview also influence my career. First, the choice of a career to pursue is often influenced by my faith and Christian worldview. For instance, my worldview places significant importance on humanity and life. The life of people is depicted as of great importance to God in the bible. It is for this reason that he gave his son to die for the forgiveness of their sins. This foundation of my faith has led me to choose a career that would allow me to serve the people of God and reemphasize the importance of human life. Moreover, I have rejected the pursuit of careers that I perceive go contrary to my Christian values and worldview.
Lastly, my Christian worldview influences both my practices as well as my relationships. First, my christen worldview influenced by religious practices such as church attendance. Moreover, my practice of giving to the poor and helping the needy is founded on this Christian worldview. My community services are another example of practices that have been greatly informed by this Christian worldview. The Christian worldview has shaped my relationships greatly. As already noted, my friends are those who share in my Christian faith and Christian worldview.
Section 4
Faith and the corresponding worldview play a critical role in wise management. Certain values and principles guide business management. The values that one adopts in managing businesses rely on their faith and corresponding worldview. First, the management and leadership style adopted in management is influenced by the individual’s faith and worldview. For instance, a worldview that emphasizes the importance of humanity adopts a leadership and management style that is more included in people's development (Abend, 2014). However, a worldview that has little regard for human life adopts a management style that is inclined to maximizing profitability, which may occur at the expense of humanity. Moreover, values emphasized in a certain faith, and subsequent worldview is largely reflected in one’s practice of business management. For example, the value of integrity, as espoused by the Christian faith and Christian worldview, is largely reflected in business management by people who ascribe to this worldview perspective.
Secondly, business decisions are equally informed by the faith of individuals making the decisions as well as their subsequent worldviews. Most often, individuals make decisions depending on their perceived truths and their driving values. In the Naturalism worldview, truth is a subject to scientific proof. Therefore, people who ascribe to this worldview will depend on scientific research and findings in making business decisions (Abend, 2014). Moreover, values of integrity as ascribed by different faiths and worldviews greatly influence the process of ethical decision-making. Such examples demonstrate how faith and worldviews determine decision making in the context of business organizations.
Thirdly business practices are equally influenced by faith and subsequent worldview. For instance, the Islamic faith greatly condemns the unfair acquisition of another person’s property through theft or mischievous dealings. From this perspective, the Muslim worldview requires them to work hard and acquire their properties and wealth rather than take advantage of others to acquire their properties in an unfair manner. Therefore, this worldview dictates the business practices for those who subscribe to the Islamic worldview. It dictates aspects such as pricing, product quality, and employee compensation as important aspects of business practices (Abend, 2014). Therefore, faith and worldview are critical determinants of business practices.
Lastly, faith and associated worldviews greatly determine business relationships. Business organizations often conduct businesses with other organizations that share beliefs and values. For example, a business that highly values the environment will conduct business and associate themselves with other businesses that have similar values. Ideally, the values of business informed by their worldview largely drive the interests of business (Abend, 2014). Therefore, a shared interest among business people and business, in general, dictate business relationships.
Conclusion
Faith is a factor that greatly influences and individual’s worldview. Changing faith as well as the cultural environment, has facilitated the evolution of the worldview over time. While the naturalism worldview agrees with the Christian worldview on the existence of things seen, there are significant differences between the two worldviews. The differences are in values, perception of truth, existence, and nature of humanity. I subscribe to the Christian worldview, which greatly informs my choices, practices, and relationships.
References
Abend, G. (2014). The Moral Background: an Inquiry into the History of Business Ethics. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Murayama, M. (2011). Business Leaders Historical Perspective Baron Kumakichi Nakajima’s Worldview after WWI. The Review of Business History, 26 (3), 257-282.
Westerholm, s., & Westerholm, S. (2004). Understanding Paul: The Early Christian Worldview of the Letter to the Romans. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic.
