1. What is a Biblical Worldview and Why it Matters Dr. Paul Jehle

2. A Biblical World View defined (Col. 2:6-8) The way we think about or view the world The way we think about or view the world Our perspective, based on thought-patterns Our perspective, based on thought-patterns Everyone has a world view, a bias on life Everyone has a world view, a bias on life It is the lens by which we interpret reality It is the lens by which we interpret reality Believers should see everything through a Christian lens based on Biblical premises Believers should see everything through a Christian lens based on Biblical premises Biblical doctrines that are non-negotiable Biblical doctrines that are non-negotiable Biblical principles that apply these doctrines Biblical principles that apply these doctrines Less than 8% of American believers appear to have even a minimal Biblical worldview Less than 8% of American believers appear to have even a minimal Biblical worldview

3. PEERS Test Trend Chart

4. (1) GOD…. as Creator “In the beginning, God….” – Genesis 1:1 1. Everything begins with God, the first cause 2. God’s Will and man’s response (free will) 3. God sustains what He designs and initiates 4. The question is not whether one believes in God, but which God one believes in… 5. Creation vs. Evolution – what kind of Creator do you believe in?

5. GOD…. is Triune God the Father “In the beginning GOD created the heaven and the earth” – Genesis 1:1 God the Spirit “And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the SPIRIT of God moved upon the face of the waters.” – Genesis 1:2 God the Son (Word) “And God SAID…” – Genesis 1:3

6. The One and the Many applied Monotheism – one, separate from creation, centralized and isolated (Jehovah’s Witness, Mormonism, Islam, Unitarianism) Monotheism – one, separate from creation, centralized and isolated (Jehovah’s Witness, Mormonism, Islam, Unitarianism) An Impersonal God – Statist Idolatry Polytheism – many, united with creation, decentralized leading to absorption (Hinduism, Animism, Pantheism, New Age Mysticism) Polytheism – many, united with creation, decentralized leading to absorption (Hinduism, Animism, Pantheism, New Age Mysticism) We are Gods – Anarchy / Autonomy

7. GOD… is Sovereign “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1 (1) General Revelation; God is the SOURCE of Creation (Creation – Natural Law – Common Grace) “And God said, Let there be light….” – Genesis 1:3 (2) Special Revelation; God is the SOURCE of Truth (The Bible – Revealed Law – Lordship of Christ) “Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it” – Genesis 1:28 (3) God is the SOURCE of Rights given to Individuals (Life – Liberty – Property)

8. A Decentralized Sovereignty INDIVIDUAL receives God-given rights and responsibilities THE HOME Foundation – Marriage Fruit – Child Training Discipline – Corporeal Punishment Voluntary Association of Families to produce businesses THE CHURCH Foundation – Members Fruit – Disciples Discipline – Excommunication Voluntary Association of Churches to impact the culture THE STATE Foundation – Law Fruit – Justice Discipline – Capital Punishment Voluntary Association of Nations to defend the law of nations GOD

9. (2) THE BIBLE (2 nd Timothy 3:14-17 The Bible – written word – final authority The Bible – written word – final authority is Eminent and Sacred – inspired by God is Eminent and Sacred – inspired by God is Law – defines righteousness in every area of life is Law – defines righteousness in every area of life Interprets itself – exegesis (original context) and hermaneutics (application to today) Interprets itself – exegesis (original context) and hermaneutics (application to today) It is a “seamless garment” – the New is in the Old contained, the Old is by the New explained” It is a “seamless garment” – the New is in the Old contained, the Old is by the New explained” Christ – living word – agrees with written word Christ – living word – agrees with written word Divine – the Son of God – only Savior Divine – the Son of God – only Savior Regenerates the heart, inspires desire Regenerates the heart, inspires desire

10. (3) MANKIND “Behold, I was shapen in inquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” – Psalm 51:5 1. Men and women are sinful at conception “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor; thou madest him to have dominion over thy works of thy hands, thou hast put all things under his feet.” – Psalm 8:5-6 2. Mankind (male and female) is made in God’s image, destined to rule over His creation

11. Conversion “You must be born again” – John 3:6 We must be regenerated from above by the circumcision of repentance This is not the end, but the beginning of a life of transformation

12. Sanctification (or discipleship) Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:16-18; 2 nd Timothy 3:16-17 Philosophy – why? Doctrine (research) Biblical Premises and principles Of God By Christ Methodology – how? Reproof (reason); Exposure of Sin Curriculum – what? Correction (relate); Work of the Cross Through God In Christ Goal – godly lifestyle Instruction (record) in Righteousness To God For Christ Reflective Teaching Personalized instruction Creative Expression Disciplined Learning Obedient Living Christian Self- Government

13. (4) THE RULE (KINGDOM) OF GOD Christ’s Rule KingdomNationsChurchesFamiliesIndividuals Matthew 5:14-16 Glorify the Father Light of World City on a Hill Light the House Individual works Eph. 2:2; 6:12 Prince of Air PrincipalitiesPowers Rulers of Darkness Wicked Spirits

14. The Flow of God’s Government Paternalism “For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are you not carnal?” 1 st Corinthians 3:4 God Paul / Apollos You (out from Leader) Priesthood of Believer “…for all things are yours... Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas… all are yours, and you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.” 1st Corinthians 3:21-23 Christ / God the Father You (out from Christ) Leader (out from you)

15. Spirit, Soul and Body SPIRIT SOUL BODY “..the Lord formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” – Genesis 2:7 Inner Man Natural Man Outer Man

16. Self Government SPIRIT SOUL BODY “...the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 st Thessalonians 5:23 Inner Man Natural Man Outer Man Redeemed Being redeemed Will be redeemed Transformed from the Inside-Out Attacks of the Enemy are only successful to the degree we open the door through the flesh

17. Separating Spirit and Soul “…for the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 Spirit Regenerated by the Spirit (breath) attitude (intent) Righteousness (Word) - conscience Marrow – peace with God (blood) communion Hearing God - Joy intuition Soul Renewed by the spirit (to breath) thought-patterns Biblical Principles applied to life Joints – peace with others; fellowship Discerning God’s voice & emotion

18. Our Worldview Journey We begin by being influenced by sin… We begin by being influenced by sin… Born with a sinful lens, must repent to move on Born with a sinful lens, must repent to move on We are intercepted by the gospel… We are intercepted by the gospel… Conversion – lens of Christ overcomes sin nature Conversion – lens of Christ overcomes sin nature Carnality – possible for heart/head in conflict Carnality – possible for heart/head in conflict Our minds are renewed… Our minds are renewed… Our mind must be renewed in a proper worldview Our mind must be renewed in a proper worldview This in turns sanctifies our entire lives… This in turns sanctifies our entire lives… We become an influence of others… We become an influence of others…

19. Levels of Worldview Thinking Level One – presuppositional Level One – presuppositional Heart level, involving assumptions Heart level, involving assumptions Premises must be Biblical Premises must be Biblical Level Two – evidential Level Two – evidential Mind level, involving thought patterns Mind level, involving thought patterns Discernment of concepts built on premises Discernment of concepts built on premises Level Three – application Level Three – application Dominion level, applying premises to life Dominion level, applying premises to life Application comes through attitudes and actions lived out in service of others Application comes through attitudes and actions lived out in service of others