A Christian World View and its Implications Class Session 2 © John Stevenson, 2008

A Christian World View of Creation What does it mean to have dominion over nature? Is it wrong to hunt animals for fun? Is it permissible to kills pests and predators? What about animal rights? Should we encourage population control?

A Christian World View of Sin What is sin? What do other world views say about sin? –Naturalism –Religious pluralism Are some sins worse than others?

A Christian World View of Sin If sin can be on a corporate as well as an individual level, how might that affect the way that Christians and the church think about and deal with sin in this world?

How have Christians’ World Views been affected by… Race Gender Social class Sexual orientation

What is Culture? “Culture represents human responses to God’s first and foundational command: ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it’ (Gen 1:28). God entrusts human beings with the continuing process of creation” (Romanowski, Pg 44).

Christians and Culture Antithesis Church World Church God’s Realm Church divorces itself from culture Monastic approach

Christians and Culture Conversionist Church Church God’s Realm World Antithesis Church World Church God’s Realm The church seeks to convert individuals from the world to the church At the same time, individuals impact culture with Christian values

Christians and Culture Conversionist Church Church God’s Realm World Antithesis Church World Church God’s Realm Transforming Church Church World Power of the gospel transforms the world Roman Catholic model Reformed model

Christians and Culture Conversionist Church Church God’s Realm World Antithesis Church World Church God’s Realm Transforming Church Church World Accommodation Church World Church

Christians and Culture Conversionist Church Church God’s Realm World Antithesis Church World Church God’s Realm Transforming Church Church World Accommodation Church World Church

Christians and Culture “I believe Christians should be actively engaged with culture; studying it, discerning positive and negative aspects, and working to redeem it” (Romanowski, Pg 45)

How does a biblical understanding of culture and stewardship affect the way we think about the popular arts and culture?

Team Time Planning for Group Projects

Review A Christian world view impacts how we see the God, the world, and ourselves. Christians have used different approaches in the past and present to deal with culture While our culture will always impact us, an awareness of that impact will help us to evaluate that impact and, when necessary, to counter it