The Loudest Whisper

I recently returned from Thailand, a country of rich diversity, unique foods and unusual smells.  Never have I been so aware of the impact of worldview on a nation than during this visit.  Where more than 95% of the population consider themselves to be Buddhist, Thailand have entwined cultural Thai and Buddhism, which effects every part of their daily life.  It seemed as though the spectacles they were wearing were significantly different to mine, and it was obvious that the way they view life shaped the way they eat, sleep and drink (and everything else), which has resulted in a life very different to mine. 

Let us explore these spectacles.  According to Charles Kraft, "a worldview is a 'map of reality' shared by society, which provides a way of interpreting their world and guiding their behavioural responses to it". Everyone has a worldview, so let's explore what it does:

Firstly, worldview provides the story through which human beings view reality.  Secondly, worldview answers the basic questions that determine human existence, namely who we are, where we are, what is wrong and what the solution is.  Thirdly, worldview comes to expression in 'artifacts and events'.  For example, Passover and the temple and sacrifices were 'cultural' symbols for first century Jews, and believing in them determined whether they were 'in or out'.  Fourthly, worldview determines ones 'way-of-being' in the world, where our actions become instinctive or habitual/taken for granted.  Worldview is an integral part of culture, consists of a series of difficult to explain images and forms the foundation of our perceptions.

This is the reason why worldview is so important: it determines the way we exercise our will, the way we use emotion, our use of reason & logic, governs what motivates us and provides basic patterns for our attitudes.

Worldview is therefore extremely important, as we realise that nothing in life is value neutral.  Whether we are playing sport, laying bricks, working at a computer, studying at school or reading our bible, all activities are effecting our worldview, or being effected by our worldview.

So how do we develop a Christian worldview?  The bible has almost 1000 references to the heart being the source of the intellect, affections, will, and spiritually as the place where we think, feel, choose and worship.  Luke 6: 43 - 45 says: "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks".  It would therefore seem that the heart is the seat of our worldview, that the things that enter the heart shape it, forming the basic assumptions upon which life proceeds.  It would also appear that the things that proceed out of the heart as a way of life, reflect our true worldview.

It is therefore essential that we guide, guard and govern our hearts.  Through accountable relationships (discipleship), dedication to an unfolding and growing revelation of the Word and a vibrant and dynamic relationship with Jesus lived out in prayer and worship, we align and recalibrate our hearts to live out a Christian worldview.

As C. S. Lewis says in The Magician's Nephew, "For what you see and hear depends a good deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are". Let us determine where we stand, and what sort of person we will be, so that we may see, hear, explore and influence His world and let the Kingdom come in Perth as it is in heaven.