A recent Barna poll revealed some startling statistics regarding pastors and the Bible. It shows that just a little over 37% of pastors possess a biblical worldview; the number varies by the position held. Among senior pastors, the percentage is 41%; next comes associate pastors at 28%; teaching pastors was 13%, and youth pastors came in at 12%. (Courtesy of arizonachristian.edu)
George Barna polls are respected as being accurate. I realize his poll represents a fraction of the Christian population. However, keeping up with a good number of current pastors and teachers, I can well believe the numbers may be even lower than his poll. What kind of worldview do the 62+pastors hold? They draw from many existing thoughts and worldviews and combine them to develop and support their own personal, inconsistent, worldview.
The conclusion that is drawn from this poll is simply this: the world has a big footprint in the church; it’s influence is seen from the pulpit to the pew. The very thing that Jesus and the apostles warned the church about is present. The church of Christ is to be a light in the darkness, but when the church abandons the Bible, the light goes out, and darkness comes in. In other words, a worldview is darkness and a biblical worldview is light. So, what is a biblical worldview?
The foundation of a biblical worldview is this. The Bible is God’s word, called the Scriptures. Concerning this, Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 Having the mind of Christ, the apostle Paul taught this, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Reading these two Scriptures should be enough to convince and lead any born again child of God to not just read the entire Bible, but give them a “want to”; to give them a holy desire to read what God has inspired man to write. When anyone plants themselves into God’s word, thinking on what it says, and setting their hearts on listening and obeying God’s word, they develop a biblical worldview.
This biblical worldview first brings the child of God to see three things. The Scriptures show us where we came from, our helpless estate; that we were sinners, with no hope, headed for a fiery hell; that all our righteousness was as filthy rags. They show us how Christ died for us and brought us to life, and into a right standing before God. Christ, in great love, has brought us into the family of God; from rags unto riches.
The Scriptures tell the children of God they are bound for a city that has foundations, built by God. They tell us of a new heaven and a new earth where we’ll live forever in new bodies, in perfect love, joy and peace. They tell us how Jesus is coming after His bride and taking her to live with Him forever.
The Scriptures tell the children of God that this world is not our home we’re just passing through; the children of God are strangers and pilgrims in this present world. We must not love this world or seek to conform ourselves to it, because this present world is bound for destruction. This present world’s wisdom, thinking, spiritualities, and philosophies, are evil and under the power of the prince of darkness.
As the wicked and their deeds grow more evil every day, we know that judgment day is coming, and their day of destruction is ready. The Scriptures teach us to: “…Say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Titus 2:12-13
Brother Bill is a Bible teacher and can be contacted at bboldham@sbcglobal.net
Another insightful article from Brother Bill. It is a very disturbing thought that many men who are teaching within our churches do not hold a Biblical World View!
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