Intro to Worldviews and Christian Theism (Chapter 1)

wolter's worldview definition

a worldview is a comprehensive framework of basic beliefs about things

philosophy

love of wisdom

metaphysics

above and beyond the natural world

monism vs dualism

monism is only physical and dualism is a physical and spiritual realm

epistemology

study of knowledge

ethics

moral principles that govern behavior

infinite

beyond scope and measure

personal

a person to be loved

triune

three in one (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)

transcendent

above and beyond

immanent

existing and operating within

omniscient

all-knowing

sovereign

everything within power

good

morally right or holiness

ex nihilo

out of nothing (creation)

cause and effect

human interaction has an effect on the universe

open system

open to reordering (not programmed)

image of God

to be like God, but not God

fallen

our actions have an effect on external reality

metanarrative

overarching account/interpretation that provides structure for people's beliefs

metanarrative Christian theism

creation, fall, redemption, glorification

general revelation

God revealing himself thru nature and spiritual awareness

special revelation

God revealing himself thru "extra-natural" ways (miracles)

linear

not reversible, not repeatable

what is prime reality

God

what is a human being

being created in the image of God

what happens to person at death

life with or without God (heaven or hell)

why is it possible to know anything at all

bc God gave us the capacity to do so

how do we know what is right or wrong

morality is based on God's chracter

what is the meaning of human history

creation, fall, redemption, glorification

core commitments

meaning of life is to glorify and enjoy him forever

what is the nature of external reality

spoken into existence out of nothing/cause and effect

"the glory of God" Romans 3:23

the standard and perfection of Him which we are measured against and fall short of

"hope of glory" Colossians 1:27

the hope that we have looking forward to the final stage of the meta narrative glorification where we get to spend eternity with Christ

how do humans reflect God

humans were created in the image of God to be good (self-conscious, self-determined, self-transcendent)

what happened at the fall

image of God was defaced as humans exercised autonomy to be disobedient to God. Bc of that we have become a servant to nature, impaired, struggling to differentiate good and evil

where did I come from

God created everything out of nothing

what am I doing here

God created me to do good and gave me the choice to give my life over to him

where will I go

to either heaven or hell

what is humanity's dilemma

Humanity cannot live in harmony with others, nature, and themselves but some day we will live in harmony in heaven

what role does the bible play in the christian worldview

the bible is the final authority, it reveals God's character to us and establishes right and wrong, it teaches us about God's plan for redemption through Christ and how we may live for him and live in relationship him till we are reunited in heaven

why is the bible reliable

it is an accurate collection of historical documents that tell about God's supernatural power and his redemption plan for humanity, it was written across 1500 years, 3 continents, 40 authors, 66 books, and in 3 languages