Predominant worldviews that impact ministry
October 16th, 2007 Posted in Spiritual Markers
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Over at MMI, Todd summarizes a recent Rick Warren article that lists six worldviews that are most prevalent in our culture today. They must be faced and addressed in order to expose the falsehood and emptiness that they represent.
- The ones with the most toys wins.
- Me first.
- Do what makes you happy (or what feels good).
- If it works for you, it must be ok.
- There is no God.
- You are God.
Which of these do you confront the most in your own surroundings? Which have you fallen victim to before?
October 16th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
2.
I would say the “me first” attitude is a huge one.
example: getting a divorce, because you think YOU would be happier elsewhere, disregarding the impact on your kids.
4.See #2 explanation.
3. See #2 explanation (such as having an affair, and causing the above mentioned mentality)
October 17th, 2007 at 9:04 am
#3, definitely #3!!!!! i have had several friends/family that i would LOVE to see come to really know who jesus is, say over and over, “if i’m god’s child, and he wants me to be happy, then ___________ has to be part of his will. or, “he won’t send me to hell just because of __________….if he really loves me and want me to be happy.”
and even those who are not so vocal (myself can sometimes be included here) just live out a life that is completely self centered and all about what makes us happy. we really confuse happiness with joy often. and are constantly pursuing the next “thing” to fill us up.
October 17th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Brandy! Welcome back and thanks for commenting!!!
Shell, so…. which one do you struggle most with?
Jeff’s last blog post..Third party apps for the iPhone a?comin?
October 17th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
You can witness all of those pretty much daily just working in a major city or by watching the news. Good post.
October 17th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
ME first.
October 17th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
I think number 1 2 and three are most prevalent,that is my personal opinion-which do I struggle with the most-well number 3 of course.
I would like to see a post that delves further into this so I will follow that MMI link very soon.
October 17th, 2007 at 5:13 pm
I think I struggle most with #1… I sometimes can like having “stuff” way too much. I’m doing better at my old age now though… ;)
I see #3 a lot. It seems like people want to make themselves happy no matter what. I just wish that there was a sure fire way to make everyone see how doing for others makes you happier than anything else… usually. Sacrificing your own “good feeling” for someone elses, in the long run, is much more fulfilling than always doing things to please yourself.
Mandy’s last blog post..Pumpkin Patch
October 17th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Mandy:
Although I agree to an extent, trying to show that to people is extremely difficult because there is no *immediate* gain on their part.
October 18th, 2007 at 12:24 am
in many ways, I think #6 may be the most prevalent. Our decisions many times are not just selfish - they’re made with the assumption that we’re the only ones that matter. We wrongly conclude that our decisions will only benefit or hurt us. In short, we’ve set ourselves up as little gods…
How dare anyone suggest that we should submit ourselves to someone else - especially a pastor or spouse. We have claimed control of our own lives, and have lost the concept of authority. We have made ourselves gods.
jeff’s last blog post..Third party apps for the iPhone a?comin?
October 18th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Because of our self sufficiency and our actions I say # 5, there is no God. We live in a culture that says, “work hard, get a good job, provide for your self and family.” These things are not bad in fact they are extremely biblical. But were we mess up is in our motivations behind working. We might not realize it but our purpose for working is to make money to pay for the overly expensive house, cars, and credit cards. I’m not saying that working is wrong, I just think our motivation in life needs to be like Paul says in 1 Cor. 10.31, “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” As Christians we must be about bring glory to God in all situations in life. Our actions and words must reveal to people that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit do exist.
October 18th, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Dustin,
You’re so right. It was a hard lesson for me to learn as well… I think I learned it quite by accident to be honest.
Mandy’s last blog post..Joyful things
October 19th, 2007 at 9:35 am
Great comments, everyone! So… how do you combat (lovingly and respectfully) these erroneous worldviews in your friends and loved ones? Obviously, we are called to impart truth and beauty in place of error and falsehood.
Yet, many a Christian or church has “turned off” folks completely by too harsh an approach. 1 Peter 3.15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…
October 19th, 2007 at 10:17 am
The wisest thing I have heard and/or read in awhile.
K.T.’s last blog post..Look closely
October 20th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
I think you start with prayer and the Word of God. Ephesians 6.10-20 gives us the information to as to what to do when faced with spiritual warfare. The later parts of the passage talk about the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. And it is coupled with much talk about prayer. So, before we should go and confront, loving of course, any one about there belief’s or non-belief, we must be bathing in the scriptures and we must be praying. Not just some of the time, but continuously in prayer. After that we can be lead to exhort and diligently love people.