Developing a Biblically Consistent Worldview

(A portion of this is derived from continuing education seminars and classes in medical ethics received over the years, sometimes annually, in Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Most of these had multiple presenters, which presents a quandry for me in determining from my collection of scribbled notes as to what I picked up from whom. I am indebted to everyone who gave me reason to think deeply over every ethical dilemma I've faced over the years of clinical ministry.    jh)

Steps Toward Developing a Biblically consistent World-View:

Understanding how our knowledge is shaped by the accuracy or inaccuracy of our presumptions.

First, we have to determine the starting point for our presumptions:

·        What is to be our baseline?

o       Nationalism             Dangers or limitations?
o       Political platform         Dangers or limitations?
o       Denominationalism       Dangers or limitations?
o       Bible                   Dangers or limitations?
§        Old Testament           Dangers or limitations?
§        New Testament          Dangers or limitations?
·        Gospels                Dangers or limitations?
·        Epistles                Dangers or limitations?
·        Prophecy              Dangers or limitations?
 

How can we determine the accuracy or inaccuracy of our presumptions?

·        What sources are available?
·        Are we willing to listen to various perspectives?

 

Can we differentiate between our presumptions of truth that have come through nationalism, politics, denominationalism/doctrine, and the actual teachings of Christ in the Bible?

 

What is ‘faith?’ Among other definitions, faith is our belief system.

 

Romans 10.17 “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” N.I.V.

 

“So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” American Standard Version

 

“Since a person believes something because he hears about it, he should hear the message of Christ.” Simplified English Version

 

The historical philosophical framework:

 

Ontology:

entos – of being; logia – science, study, theory;

 

Epistemology:

pistos – to know or believe, to have faith – to believe;

A search for answers to the questions "What do you know?" and "How do you know it?" - Ontology can be represented as a search for an answer to the question "What is the nature of the knowable things?”

 

How practical are principles of Ethics? Let’s look at just a few ethical principles:

1.         Veracity: tell the truth

2.         Fidelity: keep your word

3.         Gratitude: does this one need an explanation?

4.         Reparation: bring equity, or right a wrong

5.         Beneficence: do good

6.         Non-maleficence: don’t harm

7.         Justice: equitable distribution of risks and benefits

8.         Resource allocation: equitable distribution of resources

9.         Universality: applies to everyone…regardless

10.        Utility: greatest benefit/least harm to greatest number of people

11.        Autonomy: making one’s own decisions (also called the “respect for persons” principle)

12.        Confidentiality: holding entrusted information

13.        *Teleological or Finality: nothing exists or was made except for a determinate end (predestination in Theology)

There are others. There are also various ‘schools’ of ethics: Bio-Ethics, Utilitarian, Consequential theory of ethical reasoning, Aristotelian, Platonic, Augustinian…

 

Be ye therefore perfect,* even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.* Matthew 5:48

*Teleios (tel'-i-os); Word Origin: Greek, Adjective, Strong #5046

    (King James Version Word Usage and Count: Perfect - 17; Man - 1; of full age - 1)

To ‘view’ the world is to evaluate our conceptions of the

 

How is our knowledge shaped by the

 

How does our motivation affect our mission?

 

Areas in which a Christian needs a Biblically consistent and comprehendible worldview: