What is a Worldview?
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (4th Edition, 2000) defines “worldview” as “the overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world.” But “perspective” can be an elusive word. Oftentimes a person’s perspective is influenced by their perception of a situation–and perception is influenced by how clearly we see and understand all of the factors facing us. “Truth” and “reality” therefore become key components in determining perspective.
Wouldn’t it be great to know that the decisions you are daily making are based on real truth? That the perspective you hold on to is indeed grounded in reality?
But what, in today’s world, can be a relied-upon source of truth? Our friends, family, the media, history, the internet? In order to ascertain truth for our lives, we must begin by committing ourselves to something that can be relied upon for providing a foundation of truth. Only the Bible can be trusted to provide us with real truth. Thus, we end up with a “biblical worldview,” a perspective that is based on the Bible–on God’s truth.
A biblical worldview is grounded in a commitment to knowing and understanding the Bible. It is a commitment to ascertaining truth for our lives and applying that truth to the everyday situations we encounter.