The Christian World View "Core" Components

In our previous essay, we outlined the Christian World View in chronologic form, including most of the salient features which distinguish it from other World Views on the basis of content. In this essay we will concentrate specifically on the "3" basic components of any world view or paradigm, including the physical, theoretical, and regulative.

As we indicated in our last essay, the Christian World View has "3" components, all of which define the stable "Core", the portion which is non-negotiable. To change any of these is to induce a "paradigm shift" in the World View. Such a shift will destroy the "Core" of the paradigm, in this case the Christian World View. As Dembsky has outlined nicely in "Unapologetic Apologetics", the "Core" components (of the Christian Faith or World View) are stable and unchanging,(1). The CWV (Christian World View) contains a stable physical, theoretical and regulative "Core". In general, this stable Christian "Core" is held by all "3" branches of Christianity, including the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Churches.

The physical content of a paradigm or world view, is what the paradigm tells us about the state or nature of the physical world. Any change in this portion corresponds to a change in the physical world. The theoretical content of a paradigm is what it uses to explain it's physical content. The regulative principles of a paradigm are those that govern or control how the paradigm is applied in practice or understood in terms of it's use,(2). Practical use of the regulative principles of a paradigm requires discernment.

We have now outlined the concept of World View or paradigm, discussed the "3" major components of any paradigm, and noted that a stable, unchangeable "core" exists which must remain intact. In the Christian World View or paradigm, the "once and for all" nature or character consists in it's non-negotiable "core" components which must be maintained lest the faith fall into apostacy,(3). The following is an outline of the components of the physical, theoretical, and regulative portions of the "Core".

The physical components of the "Core" include, the virgin birth, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. To the theoretical "Core" belong the incarnation, the redemption through Christ, and the Trinity. The regulative portion of the "Core" includes the reliability of scriptures, the preeminence of Christ, and a commitment to truth,(4). While these are not exhaustive, they are extremely useful in helping to define that which is generally agreed to.

Note that the "3" portions of the physical "Core" all involve physical claims, things which are verifiable in fact, without necessarily providing a specific explanation for how they came about. The "3" theoretical "Core" components involve a commitment to an explanation of the physical core elements. In this case for example, the incarnation, the redemption in Christ, and the Trinity, all involve theoretical claims that explain the "physical "Core" of the Christian Faith(5). Any change in these explanations will necessarily involve destruction of the Christian paradigm. For example, God is a tripartite entity in Unity, a triunity or Trinity. As such, Jesus prays to the Father, and promises to send the Holy Spirit. To change the Trinitarian nature of Christianity is to alter the theoretical "Core" of the Christian Faith, and thereby destroy it. Similar analyses can be constructed with respect to the mechanism of or explanation of the virgin birth, or the nature of redemption by something other than Christ's death on the Cross. The reader is encouraged to explore these privately.

The reliability of scripture, the preemincence of Christ and a commitment to truth all constitute regulative claims. These principles help us, in light of the physical and theoretical "Core", to navigate, or journey safely through life. Not all circumstances are specifically dealt with by the "3" components of the Christian "Core", and that is where discernment is important including a recollection of what the physical, theoretical and regulative "Core" components call for. The implications of this are obvious. We must treat anything that renders scripture unreliable as anathema, must repudiate all attempts to minimize or otherwise lessen the scope of Christ's atoning work on the Cross, and must insist that truth be upheld,(6).

In summary, this essay has defined the stable "core components of the Christian World View (CWV) or paradigm. In so doing we have implicitly restated the Vincentian Canon, (what has been believed everywhere, always, and by all) bringing it up to date for comtemporary readers. We are indebted to William Dembsky for his work in this area, from which we have borrowed heavily, specifically his chapter on the Task of Apologetics from "Unapologetic Apologetics". It will become apparent, that there still exists, room for differences of opinion regarding various non-"Core" doctrines such as the perpetual virginity and assumption of Mary, as well as the "filoque" addition to the Nicene Creed by Roman Catholics.

The conclusion to this essay (on the CWV "Core") is the derivation or the definition of Apologetics, that is, the task of defending the "Stable Christian Core". In subsequent essays, the techniques employed in defense of the faith (Apologetics) will be explored.

Ref.:

1) Dembsky, William A. and Jay Wesley Richards. "Unapologetic Apologetics": Meeting the Challenges of Theological Studies. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 2001, p 36.

2) Ibid, p 37.

3) Ibid, p 38.

4) Ibid, p 39.

5) Ibid, p 39.

6) Ibid, p 40.