Core Principles of a Christian Worldview
What does it mean to have a Christian worldview? How does it make me any different from those around me? Believers in Jesus stand on a few core principles from God’s Word that are important to understand.
Head
Does the world feel confusing sometimes? Millions of mixed messages compete with each other for your attention, shouting things like, “Dress this way!” or “Listen to this music!” Breaking news seems to hit several times a day. And never mind that you’re trying to navigate school, relationships, dreams, goals, and figure out your place in the world. It can feel absolutely overwhelming. But, there is hope! Believers in Jesus stand on a few core biblical principles that shape our worldview and help us stand on the rock of God when the world feels like shifting sand around us.
What is a Worldview?
A worldview, simply put, is how you see the world. It shapes how you see the world, what your expectations are, and how things in it should behave. A worldview is built on your deepest beliefs and core principles and seeks answers to these three questions:
- Why am I here?
- What does a good life look like?
- Do other people matter or only me?
Many different sources can influence your worldview: Your parents, friends, teachers, school, religion, culture, technology, even your brain chemistry! Which of those influences do you think has the most significant impact on your life? Can you think of any others?
As you grow, change, meet new people, visit new places, and learn new things, your worldview may change too. Other beliefs will stick with you for your whole life. Hopefully, that includes your Christian faith.
Heart
What Does It Mean To Believe In Jesus?
You may be asking, “What does it mean to be a Christian?” There are three key things that all Christians ought to agree on, regardless of which church or denomination to which you belong. Each of these three core principles is absolutely important to understand as a follower of Jesus Christ.
- The Person of Jesus
- The Gospel
- The Trinity
1. The Person of Jesus
First, we believe is that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus was born from a virgin mother, lived without sin, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the grave three days later. He then ascended to Heaven, sending the Holy Spirit as our helper until He returns. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy written about the Messiah.
When sin entered the world, a rift formed between God and humankind (Genesis 3). However, because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, that rift has been healed. You and I can come into the presence of God at any time. His resurrection means that He has overcome death and sin and that He loves us so much He would stop at nothing to regain a relationship with us. If you believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be, and tell others what you believe, He will give you the gift of His salvation (Romans 10:9). When you are saved, you are promised the gift of eternal life with God.
Key Verses to Know:
- Romans 5:8: “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Romans 10:9: “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
- John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
2. The Gospel
Next, we believe that the Gospel and the Bible as a whole are true. Not only are they historically accurate, but they are the inspired Word of God. The Gospel itself includes the first four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These books describe Jesus’ life, teachings, character, death, and resurrection.
Many researchers have studied the accuracy of the Bible and the Gospels themselves and have concluded that they are true. Researchers such as Lee Stroebel have made compelling arguments in the Case for Christ.
Key Verses to Know:
- 1 John 5:13: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”
- 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
- 2 Peter 1:20-21: “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
3. The Trinity
We also believe that God (the Father), Jesus (the Son), and the Holy Spirit are all parts of the same God. This is called the Trinity. The details of exactly how the Trinity works are a grand mystery, but the Bible does tell us that the Trinity exists.
While Jesus is the Son of God, He wasn’t created by God and has always co-existed with God (John 1:1-3). Colossians 1:15 states that “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.” God sent the Holy Spirit to live inside each of us and be a helper. However, the Spirit has also been a part of God since the beginning (Genesis 1:2).
Each of these three aspects of God exists within the creator, God Himself. What a beautiful thing that He chooses to share each of them with us!
Key Verses to Know:
- John 1:1-3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.”
- Genesis 1:2: “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
- Colossians 1:15-17: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
How Our Beliefs Contribute to Our Worldview
Your belief in Jesus Christ, and the three core principles above, will have an absolute impact on your worldview. Can you think of three ways that your Christian faith has impacted how you see the world? How has it affected your values?
A Christian worldview values each life and offers hope when situations otherwise seem hopeless. By sharing your belief in Christ, you can provide that same hope and the promise of eternal life to your friends, family, classmates, teachers, and others around you. In what ways can you reach out and share your beliefs and worldview with someone today?
Hands
Join Captain Absolutely as he battles against fear and doubt! Explore the importance of truth and standing on a Biblical Worldview through Focus on the Family’s graphic novel, Captain Absolutely.
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