Basic World View Classification

by: John P Hubert MD

World Views

As we have previously stated, everyone has a "World View" whether they recognize it or not, a "filter" whereby they "sift" the information through which they understand the world. Some have referred to it as a metaphysical bias, a way of organizing existence or reality into a "construct" that "makes sense" and allows an individual to interact with their world.

Two basic World Views exist, with many variations on a theme. They are; Theism and Non-theism, (the latter often includes; Materialism, Atheism, Agnosticism, Skepticism, and Naturalism). This designation is arbitrary to some extent, but we like it for teaching purposes. Others teach that there are "3" basic World Views: Theism, Atheism, and Transcendentalism, the latter is usually considered a subset of Theism in the first classification system. Phillips and Brown have written a nice book entitled; "Making Sense of Your World",(1) which summarizes the "3" basic views, giving examples of each with their characteristics. We recommend their book and think it might answer some of the questions many visitors have. Another excellent book is that of Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey entitled, "How Now Shall We Live",(2)in which much information can be gleaned regarding the Christian World View and that of Naturalism or Atheism.

It is much easier to describe the "Core" elements of the Christian World View then it is to discuss all of the nuances of Biblical interpretation with respect to "non-core" Christian doctrinal issues that continue to divide Christians. The "Core" elements of the Christian World View are summarized in 1 Cor 15: verses 1-8. These passages are thought to be some of the earliest ever written, and were later included in the New Testament canon. It is this early "creed" which served as the "forerunner" of the formal creed (Nicene Creed) codified at the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, to which all "3" branches of Christianity still adhere today, that is the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Churches. It is impossible to adhere to the Christian World View as held for the past 2000 years without accepting the literal truth of l Cor 15: verses 1-8. These are non-negotiable "Core" elements of the Christian paradigm or World View. The data from the Church Fathers clearly establishes that the literal truth of this early creed has been held since the time of the Apostles, in fact the forerunner of the Nicene Creed, (The Apostles Creed), is an excellent summary of the doctrinal position of the Church Fathers. It serves as a valuable reminder of the "core" elements of the orthodox Christian World View, free from heresy or apostasy. We will include it here for completeness sake, although it can be found elsewhere on this site.

The Apostles Creed:

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of Heaven and Earth. I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day rose again. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again ("in Glory", in the Nicene Creed) to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen.

Anyone who thinks of themself as a Christian, should be able to accept the truths delineated in the Apostles or Nicene Creeds. In fact, the only significant difference between the "3" branches of Christianity with respect to the Creeds is that the Eastern Orthodox version holds that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father through the Son, (as per the Eastern version taught by Cyril of Alexandria), not the Father and the Son, the so-called "filoque" of the Western version codified at the Council of Toledo in 589 AD, which was preferred by Augustine.

In the next essay, we will examine the "3" portions of the Christian "Core", in other words, the necessary organizational elements of the Christian paradigm.

Ref.:

1. Phillips, W. Gary, and Brown, Wm. E., Making Sense of Your World, Salem, Wisc.: Scheffield Pub. Co., 1991.

2. Colson, Charles, and Pearcey, Nancy, How Now Shall We Live, Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Pub. Inc., 1999.

All essays