There is a deepening cultural divide that exists around the world. Protests, riots, and wars are being fought over these political differences.
The disagreements run the gamut from annoyance to vehement disagreement. Some even live in fear of what action those with different views will take to advance their agenda.
This tension certainly exists between our government and the populace. It existed long before I was born, and has existed throughout all thirteen presidents who have served during my lifetime.
We have become a people who, for the most part, look to the president and the rest of our government to direct our affairs. When they do what we want, we like them, when they don’t, well, we hate them.
Many of the international, domestic, economic, and social issues that divide us have been around for a very long time. For example,
- Some people want secure borders; others want open borders.
- Some people want tight controls on drugs and guns, while others don’t.
- Some people believe in limited government, while others see the government as the solution to most of the problems we face as a society.
- Some people believe abortion is a woman’s right, while others believe in the rights of the unborn.
Secular versus Biblical Worldview
In every case, the various opinions are an expression of the differences in people’s worldview; either secular or Biblical.
A secular (or humanist) worldview places humanity at the center. The secularist rejects the idea of a supernatural being (God), preferring to explain the cosmos in terms of science. Morals are derived from human experience. Ethics are relative since there is no higher being (moral relativism).
A Biblical worldview places God at the center. The Biblical worldview accepts God as the Creator of all things. Morals and ethics are derived from God. God created man; man sinned against God, and God has a redemptive plan in His Son Jesus Christ.
There is no Biblical provision for a separation between the “religious” and “secular” life of a believer. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Jesus did not say, “I am the way on Sunday, but anything goes at work on Monday.” So, in the Biblical worldview, all aspects of the believer’s life, has at its core, a belief in God and His plan for humanity.
The Cause of the Cultural Divide
The cause of our cultural divide traces directly back to a difference in worldview.
Secularists, or in today’s nomenclature, progressives, espouse a worldview in direct opposition to a Biblical worldview.
What is difficult for me to reconcile is that many secularists I know say they believe in God, yet support secular beliefs. This inconsistency baffles me. How can someone say they believe in God and reject what He says?
Sadly, there are just as many who claim a Biblical worldview as Christians who manage to divide their lives between Biblical and secular life. This inconsistency also baffles me.
Christian Leaders and a Biblical Worldview
A worldview is comprehensive. It informs every area of our lives from work to finances, family, marriage, politics, and everything in-between. Inconsistency in the expression of our worldview weakens the testimony of the Christian leader. There must be no inconsistency in the expression of our worldview.
Writing to the church in Laodicea the Spirit said, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot” (Revelation 3:15 HCSB)” The last thing a Christian leader should be is “lukewarm.”
A Christian leader who holds firmly to their Biblical worldview becomes spiritually mature and “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (Ephesians 4:13).
If you are a Christian leader, who holds firmly to a Biblical worldview, congratulations! Be strong and courageous.
If you are a Christian leader who recognizes some inconsistency in the expression of your worldview then pray for direction from the Holy Spirit, spend time in God’s Word, and seek out other Christian leaders with whom you can share your struggles.
No matter what, do not remain lukewarm!
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. How does your worldview influence your life? What role does your worldview play in decisions you make?
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Category: Personal Development | Obedience to God
I agree that our world is more divided than ever in today’s society. Especially in regards to the recent election. Whenever I turn on the news, I seem to only be looking at bad news (riots, protests, violence, uprisings etc…). This makes me ashamed of our nation in a way because this is not how we should be handling it. Personally, I feel like we, as a nation, should be coming together and hoping for the best. We need to be supporting our president and accept the fact that we won the election. I strongly feel like as Christians, we are the ones that need to lead by example through showing this type of maturity, respect, and love for our nation, instead of becoming divided.
Kaki, I totally agree as Christians we must set an example of maturity, love, and respect for others. I pray that in time, with consistency, our witness of God’s love will melt the hearts of those who do not know our Lord and Savior.
I really like the point that you made about not being lukewarm. In todays society we are obsessed with not pushing any buttons, not stepping on any toes, and adopting a laissez faire religious belief style where everyone can believe whatever they want and life is all good. I also really like the point that Christianity is an all the time thing, not a once a week, only on sunday faith. A lot of people, the “lukewarm” christians only practice any kind of faith once a week and don’t do anything of the sort later on.
Ben – I struggle in my own walk balancing the need to be fully committed to the Kingdom versus being able to move about in a secular world. I think in the long-run being lukewarm is actually harder than being fully committed to walking in God’s truth.
I do believe it is important for Christians to live a God-centered life. God needs to be in the middle of everything that we do whether it is school related things, family things, job things or more. We can help be the change that our world needs right now by putting God in the center of our thoughts and actions.
I agree Megan, Christians must life a God-honoring life. It is the only way we will be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
I agree that it is important to express what we believe and be able to support our claims for those beliefs. Instead of rejecting one another because of our differences, we as a nation should be building each other up and supporting one another. As Christians, we should reflect the love of Christ everywhere we go whether that be in the workplace or in our own personal lives. I also agree that true Christians need to stay consistent and strong in their beliefs being able to support their faith with knowledge, evidence, and confidence. A true Christian fully devotes their life to God and is all in. Ultimately, a cultural divide does exist and instead of tearing each other down, people should embrace begin to realize how we are all way more alike than we are different.
Elisa, I pray you are right, that Christians will fully embrace their position in Christ and reflect that light to the world.
It saddens me to see such division and fervent partisanship today. I believe part of the answer is to lead by example, show kindness yet resolve. It may sound like a cliche, but asking oneself in all situations, “what would Jesus do” is a good template to navigate one’s life by. Thanks Ron.
I agree John, the division that exists in our society today seems greater than at any other point in my life. In the short term, I am afraid our “resolve” will continue to deepen the divide between the secular and Biblical worldview. In the long-term, I have read the end of the book and I know God remains on His throne.
This blogpost is so timely with everything going on in the world and in our country right now. I think it is sometimes hard to know what is a secular world view versus a Biblical world view because there are so many blurred lines and, like you said, Christians that claim to be a Christian but have secular world views. I think it’s important to constantly be praying that we can chose to live in this world but not be of it. It is up to us to help change the world for Christ and that starts by living out our beliefs.
Great point Allison – we are called to be in the world, not of the world! Easier said than done sometimes but as Paul said we must run the race to win!
I found this to be a very thought provoking post because it addresses some things I notice and think about frequently. Like you mentioned, it is confusing when someone who claims to be a Christian lives a life and makes decisions that seem to directly contradict a Christian lifestyle. I thought it was a very good point when you said that a secular worldview puts man at the center while a Biblical worldview puts God at the center. It is important to remember to place God at the forefront in every aspect of our lives and not pick and choose.
Rachel, Agreed. We must place God at the center of our lives and not pick and choose. The real challenge in life is making that happen!
What a relevant and fruitful topic with all that is going on in our world and country lately. I have never thought about the divide between our country as one that goes as deep as our worldview and how we understand the world. I can see how this would cause such an intense divide.
I totally agree that Christian leaders, along with Christians in general CANNOT afford to be inconsistent. Inconsistency is exactly what causes people who are not Christians to have skeptical and negative view of them. I think being in college, this is huge struggle for me and for a lot of other kids, as being a “God Guy” is not always the coolest thing. That could apply to our leaders as well! Just like nobody likes lukewarm coffee, God does not like Lukewarm Christians! I agree with that statement at the end of the blog to do whatever you have to not remain lukewarm! It is our duty as Christians to place Jesus as the captain of our lives, and allow him to guide us and give us direction, not the world, and certainly not both!
Well said, Andrew. Christians, in general, cannot afford to be inconsistent. However, I am afraid to some extent we all are. That is what the World sees and they judge us by that moment of inconsistency rather than the whole of our lives.