Get a 10 % discount on an order above $ 100!
Christian Worldview Discussion Paper
Christian Worldview Discussion Paper
Capstone Paper written 8 pages. APA Format no Plagiarism.
The following should be incorporated in the Capstone Paper:
ORDER ORIGINAL, PLAGIARISM-FREE ESSAY PAPERS HERE
Christian Worldview Capstone Paper
Purpose of this Assignment
The purpose of the Christian Worldview Capstone Paper is to have all the students express how they intend to apply the Christian Worldview and the practice of the academic major to five areas of life:
Vocation, Academic Major, and Career
Church Membership
Singleness, Marriage, & Family
Community Service & Citizenship
Stewardship
Preparation for the Assignment
To prepare for this assignment, students should first read God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
1. Gospel articles from this link Gospel Coalition:Copy and paste link below and type in Gospel coalition and different articles will appear (please choose 3 articles and include in the paper)
The Gospel Coalition: http://resources.thegospelcoalition.org/library?f%5Bresource_-category%5D%5B%5D=Articles
2. Lectures ( I have attached lectures that need to be incorporated in the paper)
3. Cycle of Violence (include and discuss all topics) Idols, Idol denied, Violence, Regret
4. One – two paragraphs on each topic:
A. Adultery
B. Addiction
C. Domestic Violence
D. Marriage and Divorce
E. Remarriage
F. Vocation
G. Violent Speech
H. Singleness
5. Inserts from the book: Boundaries in Marriage by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend
6. Inserts from the book: Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller
-
WVC401-Unit1.pdf
WVC 401
Kingdom Life
Belhaven University
Unit One
Biblical Foundations: Overview
Image of God & Threats
Marriage, Sin, & Intruders
God’s Plan of Redemption
Learning Tools
Class lectures
Hearing and seeing
Textbook
Reading
Individual homework
Analyzing
Discussion forum
Applying and examining
Completing all
components is very
important to accomplish
the objectives of the
course.
2
Online Learning
Characteristics
Online learners must be
highly self-motivated.
Online learners must
have high responsibility
for assignments and
discussions.
Facts
Online learning is not
easier than traditional
classroom learning.
Learners must meet
deadlines.
It’s easy to think we’re
anonymous because
there’s no face time.
3
Tips for Success
Course Page
Activities
Individual homework
Discussion forum
Weekly discussions
Media
Module
Handouts & links
Class lectures
Schedule
Be attentive to deadlines.
The week (unit) begins
on Sunday and ends on
Saturday.
Observe Sabbath
Manage your time
4
Tips for Success, cont.
Communicate
Ask questions
Participate
Be engaged in discussion
Seek handouts
Contact the professor
with questions or
problems
5
What has happened to humanity?
Child Runaways
Domestic Violence Abortions
Child Abuse
Employee/r DishonestyAddictions
Idolatry
Theft
Murder
Cursing Adultery
Racism
Unfair Wages
Gender Confusion
Divorce
Elderly Abuse
Work Frustrations
Back to Scripture!
Problems with our present culture:
1) Degrading human dignity & worth
2) Loss of God’s original design
Finding our original design
We start with what is humanity? We are made
in the image of God. Christian Worldview Discussion Paper
Imago Dei
Genesis 1:26-27 – Humanity is made in the image
of God.
Humanity is God’s special creation with dignity and
value.
Ancient Greek philosopher Democritus argued
that there was no order or purpose to the world
but mere colliding atoms.
Genesis 5:3 – Adam fathered Seth “after his image.”
To be made in God’s image meant that God
considered us to be his children – a special
relationship.
Imago Dei, cont.
Human Dignity and Worth, cont.
Genesis 9:6 – God prohibits murder
because humanity is made in the image of
God.
James 3:9 tells us not to curse another for
humanity is made in the image of God.
Who is made in God’s image?
Genesis 1:27 – Both male and female are
equally made in the image of God. To treat
someone as inferior is to discard the image
of God. Christian Worldview Discussion Paper
Problem: Disregarding That Humanity Is
Made in God’s Image
Child Runaways
Domestic Violence Abortions
Child Abuse
Employee/r DishonestyAddictions
Idolatry
Theft
Murder
Cursing Adultery
Racism
Unfair Wages
Gender Confusion
Divorce
Elderly Abuse
Work Frustrations
Imago Dei, cont.
What does it mean to be made in the image of
God?
Genesis 1:26-28 tells us that we were
supposed to have “dominion” over creation. • The Hebrew word for “dominion” actually
means to “govern” or simply stated “to
care.”
We will see that something goes wrong when
sin enters the world. Governing turns to
abuse! Abuse also enters human
relationships.
Imago Dei, cont.
What does it mean to be made in the image of
God?
Psalm 139:14 tells us that humanity is “fearfully
and wonderfully” made by God. This will have
serious implications for: How we treat people and how we speak to one
another
How we raise children and conduct our
marriages
How we treat ourselves
How we resolve conflict
How we think about work and much more!
Imago Dei, cont.
What does it mean to be made in the image of
God? To be created in the image of God meant that we were
given certain abilities that God himself possesses:
For instance, ability to think, create, plan, love
(bear emotions), know right from wrong, have
relationships with God and others
Ability to speak, communicate in a way that
builds the other up These gifts gave humanity the ability to properly
govern God’s creation. Christian Worldview Discussion Paper
Threats to the Image of God
We have cultural and philosophical threats to
human dignity and worth.
Pornography
Pornography celebrates the degradation of the
human body and lessens the value of the person
in exchange for the gratification of human
perversion.
Our culture celebrates sex, violence, and
cursing in the movies as a form of human
freedom. It is actually moral decay.
Threats to the Image of God, cont.
We have cultural and philosophical threats to
human dignity and worth.
Sexual Abuse
Degrades the worth of the person. It can
have lasting effects even into adulthood:
(1) anger issues, (2) distrust of authority,
(3) drug abuse, (4) distrust of men and
fractured relationships, (5) addictions,
(6) self-loathing and guilt, and (7)
resentment against God.
Threats to the Image of God, cont.
We have cultural and philosophical threats to
human dignity and worth.
Racism Judging the other from one’s own
perceived superior position
Attempts to degrade the worth of a person
who is actually formed in the image of the
Creator
Goes against Scriptural principles: love the
foreigner as yourself (Leviticus 19:34). All
humanity is made in the image of God
Threats to the Image of God, cont.
Pagan Philosophical Threats:
Hedonism is living for pleasure. Sometimes
hedonism leads to addictions and poor
judgments. Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
While there are legitimate times when we can
divorce on biblical grounds (e.g., adultery,
abandonment) often people separate in the name
of “irreconcilable differences.”
When marriage gets too hard, people leave in the
name of “God wants what is best for me, God
wants me to be happy!”
Threats to the Image of God, cont.
Pagan Philosophical Threats: Competing for
our allegiance
Naturalism: Deny God’s existence, and, with
the death of God comes the lowering of
human dignity.
Nihilism (violence & suicide): World is
absurd and there is no purpose to life.
Threats to the Image of God, cont.
Pagan Philosophical Threats: Competing for
our allegiance
Atheistic Existentialists: There is no God
and so we make our own meaning, “Break
out of the herd mentality.”
Postmodern: There is no absolute truth.
Judges 17:6: In those days Israel had no
king; all the people did whatever seemed
right in their own eyes. (NLT)
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders
Genesis 3-4: First Human Family Adam: Head of household who was to govern
God’s creation Eve: Adam’s suitable “helper”
The question for this course: what qualifies as a suitable helper?
Who will pay for making wrong relationship choices? The Hebrew word for “helper” is also applied to God
(e.g., Exodus 18:4). God is our helper. Female role has god-like qualities. Female
leadership is empowering.
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
Genesis 1:28 – Together they were to be fruitful
and multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.
Male and Female together fulfilled God’s
original design.
Children were to be raised in the Lord.
Something goes wrong! Adam’s children
begin to commit murder. Why?
Garden of Eden: Place of Testing
Genesis 3:1 – Serpent was the wild animal
“the Lord God had made” who tempted
humanity.
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
Genesis 3: Human Couple Fails Test
First Temptation: Desire to be like God Humanity after sin desires everything to be according
to one’s own will rather than God’s will.
When people and events do not unfold according to
one’s desires:
• Anger, frustration, grief, depression, doubt,
addictions, & violence
People will use bribery, abuse, seduction, deception,
enticements, rewards and punishments to achieve
their wills.
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
First Temptation: Desire to be like God
What is anger? It supposes sorrow, feelings of
being denied or wronged, and has elements of
desires for vengeance
What is frustration? When one’s will or desires are
not met or hindered
What is depression? Driven by hopelessness &
ultimately a home
What are addictions and suicide? Desires to be
comforted or to escape the pain of life
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
Sin exists both in the act and the heart. All starts
from the heart’s desires.
Anger Fantasy: A life where I am so happy!
Frustration Perfect spouse
Sorrow Smart & obedient children
Depression Stress-free job
Rage Financial abundance
Money, Sex, Power & Beauty
When
I don’t have
god-like
control:
Nurtures
desires
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
The first human relationship: Adam and Eve
lived in harmony with God, each other, and
worked creation according to God’s purposes.
There was work to be done.
But there was no frustration in the work and
yielded returns as much as one invested.
Work was part of God’s original design to find
fulfillment in human existence.
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
Nature of sin: Genesis 3
“You won’t die!” – The Serpent minimizes
consequences.
“You will be like God” – Serpent falsely
magnifies rewards
Temptation appeals to the (1) lust of the eyes,
(2) pride of life, and (3) lust of the flesh.
“she wanted the wisdom it would give her” –
Temptations are alternative sources of
wisdom.
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
Consequences of sin: Genesis 3 Fear, shame, and guilt: consequences of desiring
and seeking the wrong
Humanity no longer celebrates God’s presence.
They hide from God.
Adam blames God & Eve: “It was the woman you
gave me.” Woman blames the Serpent – “The
Serpent deceived me.”
“It’s not me, I was deceived.” or “She made me!”
Spiritual Warfare (Genesis 3:15)
Consequences of sin: Genesis 3
Woman’s childbirth: painful. Moments of joy are
mingled with pain.
Power struggle between husband and wife
(Genesis 3:16).
Creation is cursed (Genesis 3:17). Work is now
frustrating, toilsome labor
Death: “dust you will return”
God’s Compassion: (1) clothing from animal skin, (2)
barred the tree of life lest they live forever under the
curse of sin.
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
Adam’s Children: The first sin of Adam reigns in
humanity (Genesis 4).
Genesis 4:1 Adam and Eve have sexual relations
Our culture celebrates sex in music, movies, and
magazines as liberty, pleasure, and without
consequences.
Sex in God’s design was supposed to be pleasurable
within the bounds of marriage.
Sex outside of God’s Design: Abortion pill, unwanted
pregnancies, termination of unwanted life, painful regret,
desensitization to sinful lifestyle
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
Adam’s Children: The first sin of Adam reigns in
humanity (Genesis 4).
Desire to be like God (Genesis 3:5)
Cain – anger and envy hijacked his heart
“Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control
you” (v. 7)
First human murder
Cain did not care about what God wanted, he
cared only about what he wanted
Blood of Abel vs. Blood of Christ (Hebrews
12:24)
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
Intruders
“Leave and Cleave” (Genesis 2:24)
Cultural issues & family traditions
Friends
Family (Grandparents)
Work
Children
Marriage, Sin, and Intruders, cont.
God’s Plan of Redemption
The image of God has been perverted by sin
but vestiges of the image of God remain in all
humanity. All human beings continue, for instance, to think,
create, plan, love, hate, have a conscience,
maintain relationships with God and others, and
care for creation.
All have been perverted by sin. Human body and
soul were created good but now fallen to sin. Soul
is not imprisoned in the body. “Flesh” in Paul’s
writings often means “sinful nature.”
Fruits of Sin: Pain
Child Runaways
Domestic Violence Abortions
Child Abuse
Employee/r DishonestyAddictions
Idolatry
Theft
Murder
Cursing Adultery
Racism
Unfair Wages
Gender Confusion
Divorce
Elderly Abuse
Work Frustrations
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
New Life in Christ: We cannot take sin lightly! Behavior change is not enough. It merely masks the sin
within.
“I won’t do it again, I promise!”
Proverbs 26:11, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so a
fool repeats his foolishness.” (NLT)
We need a heart change that leads to a transformed life.
Sinful heart: adultery, domestic violence, racism,
deceit, etc.
Transformed heart and mind: faithfulness,
meekness, love, honesty, etc. Christian Worldview Discussion Paper
New Life in Christ:
Regeneration of the Holy Spirit
Faith and Repentance
Justification by faith alone
Definitive and Progressive Sanctification
Possible Temporary Backslide &
Perseverance of Saints
Glorification
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
In Jesus Christ, God’s plan of redemption is to
reclaim a world fallen to sin and corruption.
Human relationships: dating, domestic violence,
abortions, raising children, cursing, racism,
divorce, etc.
Workplace environment: employer abuse,
employee dishonesty, irresponsibility, rudeness,
insensitivity, deceit, self-centeredness, etc.
Human addictions and idolatry: money, sex,
power, and beauty
We need the wisdom of God in this fallen world!
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
Saved but not
Perfected
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
We need biblical convictions that (1) God is
creator and (2) we are his creation. Adam’s sin caused spiritual death then physical
death.
Jesus Christ offers spiritual life in the regeneration of
the Holy Spirit then eternal physical life at the
resurrection.
Already and Not-Yet
Before our life in Christ Glorification (Eternalization)
Follow our ungodly passions Perfected & Resurrected
Antinomianism Romans 6:1 “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can
show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” (NLT)
What is so bad about sin? Romans 6:16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of
whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. (NLT)
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
Saved but not perfected: believers still struggle
with sin. Christian Worldview Discussion Paper
Old Self Crucified New Life in Christ
with Christ
Ungodly passions Restoring the image
Violent self-desire of God
First sin of Adam
Seeking relationships according to God’s criteria
Doing marriage God’s way
Raising children God’s way
Working with God’s perspective
Righteous living that sows good consequences:
happiness takes commitment
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
God’s way is better! An example from Old Testament marriage: Finding a spouse: we must have the right standards!
Marriage to foreigners was prohibited because pagan spouses often led the family away from Yahweh:
• 1 Kings 11:2 – “The LORD had clearly instructed the people of Israel, ‘You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.’ Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway.” (NLT)
Solomon worshipped Ashtoreth, Molech, & Chemosh (1 Kings 11:5). Molech required child sacrifices (Leviticus 18:21) and Ashtoreth was a sex goddess.
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
Ancient Israelite Marriage Ceremonies
Ezekiel 16:8-13
Acts of love and promise of provision and
security
Oath to faithfulness and entered into a
covenant
Anointed and adorned his new bride
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
God’s way is better! An example from Old
Testament marriage:
Family in ancient Israel — patricentrism: Unlike modern families, ancient Israelites lived
together with extended families.
Head male looked out for the interest of his family:
confidence, trust, and security.
Serve the well-being of those he was entrusted with
since failing to secure the well-being of the family was
a failure of the head male.
Failure of head of household (e.g., idolatry) could
have generational effects on his descendants
(Exododus 20:4-5; Deuteronomy 5:8-9).
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
Family in ancient Israel — patricentrism: Model devotion to Yahweh, lead the spiritually family
(e.g., national festivals), instruct the family in Torah. He
should not exploit others or covet another’s possessions
(e.g., Exodus 20:10, 15; Deuteronomy 5:14-17).
Work the land according to God’s ways and provide for
the needs of the family.
Defend against outside threats.
Participate in community affairs or duties (e.g., serve as
elder).
Implement major household decisions (e.g., property,
levirate marriage, harm to the family).
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont.
Family in ancient Israel — patricentrism:
Supported those in the ministry and was kind to
widow, orphans, and foreigners
Deuteronomy 14:29 – “Give it to the Levites, who will
receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to
the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and
the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be
satisfied. Then the LORD your God will bless you in
all your work.” (NLT)
Wives partnered with her husband by empowering them to
lead the family in a Godward direction – God-like role. God
empowers us to live godly lives.
God’s Plan of Redemption, cont. Christian Worldview Discussion Paper
Fruits of Sin: Pain
Child Runaways
Domestic Violence Abortions
Child Abuse
Employee/r DishonestyAddictions
Idolatry
Theft
Murder
Cursing Adultery
Racism
Unfair Wages
Gender Confusion
Divorce
Elderly Abuse
Work Frustrations
References
Campbell, K. M. (Ed.). (2003). Marriage and family in the biblical
world. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
Chapman, D. G. (2014). One more try: What to do when your
marriage is falling apart. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.
Chapman, G. D. (2010). Things I wish I’d known before we got
married. Chicago, IL: Northfield Publishing.
Edgar, W. (2017). Created and creating: A biblical theology of culture.
Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
References
Frankl, V. E. (2006). Man’s search for meaning. Boston, MA: Beacon
Press.
Gottman, J., & Silver, N. (2015). The seven principles for making
marriage work: A practical guide from the country’s foremost
relationship expert. New York, NY: Harmony.
Guinness, O. (2003). The call: Finding and fulfilling the central
purpose of your life. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
Keller, T. (2011b). The meaning of marriage: Facing the complexities
of commitment with the wisdom of God. New York, NY:
Penguin Books. Christian Worldview Discussion Paper
References
Mack, W. A. (1999). Strengthening your marriage. Phillipsburg, NJ: P &
R Publishing.
Parrott, L., & Parrott, L. (2009). Saving your marriage before it starts:
Seven questions to ask before-and after-you marry. Grand
Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Thomas, G. L. (2015). Sacred marriage: What if God designed
marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Ulin, R. C. (2001). Understanding cultures. Malden, MA: Wiley
Blackwell.
-
WVC401-Unit2.pdf
-
WVC401-Unit3-1.pdf
-
WVC401-Unit3.pdf
-
WVC401-Unit41.pdf
-
ChristianWorldviewCapstonePaper.docx