Friday, February 25, 2022

My worldview


 

Hello Grandchildren – here is my worldview!

In my last note, I discussed how I believe our biases are based on our worldview and why I think this is important for you to understand.  I, as a Christian, am required to share my thoughts, understanding, and relationship to God with you, my worldview.  I need to describe my worldview with you, so you know why I act as I do.  And know that I am not perfect, nor are you, or anyone else.  So, all my actions will not be consistent or in line with my worldview, but that is my goal.

What is a worldview?  Our worldview is our overall view of the world, not just a physical knowledge of the world, but our complete spiritual, philosophical, physical view.  And by our world, I mean everything, the spiritual realm, and our physical universe, and how we think about them.  Thus, our worldview is our all-encompassing perspective on everything that exists and matters to us.  This view represents our most fundamental beliefs and assumptions.  It covers all our answers to the “big questions” of human existence: fundamental questions, who and what we are, why we’re here, where (if anywhere) we’re headed, the meaning and purpose of life, the nature of the afterlife, and what counts as a good life here and now.  Few people think through these issues in any depth or discuss them, and fewer still have firm answers to such questions, but our worldview will direct us toward certain answers and away from others.

Our worldview shapes our experiences of the world around us like wearing colored sunglasses, they affect what we see and how we see it.  Depending on the “color” of the lenses, some things may be seen more easily, or some may be distorted—indeed, some things may not be seen at all.  Like anticipating certain events and planning our reactions our worldview will prepare us to face life’s issues and succeed.  Your worldview can let you see a lie when you hear it.

So, what is my worldview?  I believe there is a God.  Only one, and He is an eternal triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as we describe Him. I believe we are immortal, eternal beings, made in God’s image. Thus, while very important to us and God, our existence (life) here on earth in this age is very transient. I believe that God created the universe as we see it, Webb telescope and all.  Evolution and the big bang are all acceptable to me in measure.  However, man evolving from apes, they from little mammals who survived the dinosaur ending meteor strike, etc. is a stretch that some philosophers have taken to ignore the God creation truth. There is always a missing link for them.  

Since there is a God, and He has said there is sin, then there is right and wrong.  We have an internal spirit that keeps us on track if we chose to pay attention.  Obedience to God’s will, doing right, is a choice, we slip into sin, doing wrong most often when we let our emotions get too involved with our actions.  I don’t believe in drinking alcohol, while I do not believe it is sinful, too many of our family have serious problems with alcohol, so I avoid it.  Now, hunting and eating meat and fish is fine, no vegans in God’s guidance, but it is a choice we can make. Sex, wow!  What a great creation from God, it allows procreation and so much recreation.  However, it is dangerous outside of marriage and often misused.  God says a lot about sex and our relationships with the opposite sex.  However, He says more about money, many lives and marriages are destroyed by debt.  Our ability to handle money is a sign of maturity and few handle it well.  And, before we leave sex, there are two.  And family is God’s plan and vital to Him, we are adopted into His family by accepting Jesus Christ, the Son, as our savior.  Family is a key to understanding our relationships with man and God.

Contemplate your Godly position, establish your worldview, anticipate upcoming situations and your responses.  Discuss them with your mother, Walther, or Grandma and me if you want to.  Think, develop your worldview, and act.

Love Grandpap, 

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Develop a Worldview

Develop a worldview!

Goodday Grandchildren,

In my last note, I discussed bias, our biases, and other people’s biases.  In my opinion, our biases are based on our worldview.  That means our view of what is life, what are we as people here for, evolution, why is there war and peace, what is right and what is wrong; abortion, cheating, euthanasia, pornography, same-sex marriage, love, hate, embryonic research, genetic enhancement, freedom, equal opportunity, fear, patriotism, transgender rights, all these things.  What do we citizens want in our country, who are we citizens? Some of these are political issues, most are religious issues. 

And I, as a Christian, am required to share my thoughts on these issues with you.  See  Proverb 22;6.  God commands his people to talk about Him with their children as He stated in Deuteronomy 6:6-7; “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Don’t be put off by “children” God calls us all His children, none too young and none too old.

I want you to be objective, think clearly, develop and understand your own worldview.  You are an image of God, Genesis 1:26, develop and keep your own convictions and biases, just be aware of them.  And for your sake, take your time on forming opinions unless you know they are correct, and you have spoken to God about them.  Preparation helps, think and determine who you are, who you want to be, ask God who He wants you to be.  He will help you on the way. 

Contemplate your Godly position, time flies!  Grandma and I meet and started dating in high school, Addisson you are already past that age.  Quinlyn, you are in that age group.  Children think about and make decisions now, will you bind date?  Never worked for me.  Will you smoke; tobacco, pot, drink alcohol, take other stuff? Sex, drugs, crime, all these are options that will be presented to you by the world and some of your best friends or coworkers it seems.  Think beforehand, have your worldview ready and you will be ready to respond when the issue arises.  Decide what you will do or not do in crisis situations; discuss it with your mother, Walther, or Grandma and me if you want to.

You can vote, now or soon.  You can help shape our country; your worldview as a citizen is important.  You know mine is Christian based, and may seem rigid, but that is my worldview showing.  I have not been as involved as I should have been, nor has most of my family or the many church members I know.  We have left the left manage politics and education and look where we are today.  Think, develop your worldview, and act.

Love Grandpap,