Christian Worldview Discussion Paper

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:

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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

  • attachment

    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.

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