Christian Worldview Chapter 7 Review

Chapter 7 R Review eview                In the late modern world, the workplace is sometimes perceived as a professional environment where religious commitments and personal convictions must be set to the side for the sake of professionalism. Work represents a vital opportunity to integrate Christian commitments, ethical principles, and vocation in ways that glorify God and benefit others. Humans were made to cultivate the natural world through new technologies, service to others, and the development of culture. Work should be understood as a purposeful, creative activity whereby men and women order the raw materials of creation and develop culture in ways that either honor or dishonor the Creator and either increase or decrease human flourishing. Work was a fundamental part of the human experience prior to the fall and represents part of God’s good design for humanity. The work God assigns to humans from the beginning inextricably links service, craftsmanship, and worship in a way that underscores the deep design and purpose of human labor. As a whole, the Bible indicates that work derives from who God has made humans to be and the reasons for which he brought them into existence. In other words, work relates directly to one’s identity and purpose. God graciously calls individuals into profound purpose and significance that requires them to let go of petty, self-serving projects in order to join him in the expansion of a glorious kingdom that will never end. Work should be conceived of in terms of stewardship, which has to do with the careful and responsible management of things that one has been entrusted with, such as natural resources, property, goods, and organizations, and the ways that one cares for and manages these things. The Bible indicates that the notion of stewardship includes the intangible gifts of God in addition to more tangible resources. All are called to receive God’s good gifts with gratitude, a sense of responsibility, and the goal of serving others. Work in a fallen world is often marked by brokenness, incompleteness, and frustration. All people are faced with a choice in this life between the basic patterns of this fallen world and the way of Jesus. Those who lead in the church today as shepherds, teachers, and evangelists are tasked with equipping the saints for ministry. Those who are called to pastoral ministry are to do their work in a way that builds up the larger body for the work of ministry. Because much of the work done by the members of a church actually occurs outside the church walls, much of the ministry also occurs outside of the church. It takes place in homes, in the workplace, and in the communities where Jesus’s followers live, work, and serve. Key T Terms erms      Calling: A divine summons that originates from God himself, rather than oneself, and draws one toward purposes and practices directed toward His glory and human good. Integr Integration ation of F Faith aith and W Work: ork: Application of the Christian worldview within the context of work in ways that honor God, serve neighbors, and contribute to the advancement of society. Stewardship: The careful and responsible management of things that one has been entrusted with, such as natural resources, property, goods, and organizations, and the ways that one cares for and manages these things. Vocation: A strong impulse and inclination toward engaging in specific activities and particular kinds of work as a matter of individual purpose. Work: Purposeful, creative activity whereby men and women order the raw materials of creation and develop culture in ways that either honor or dishonor the Creator and either increase or decrease human flourishing. Additional Things  The gospel reminds us that success in this work does not depend ultimately on one’s skill and ability in isolation from God. Rather, work is to be done in God’s presence and in dependence on him.  Those who bear God’s image are to bear it in ways that may be described in terms of creativity and cultivation.  The work God assigns to humans from the beginning inextricably links service, craftsmanship, and worship in a way that underscores the deep design and purpose of human labor.  The Christian tradition has long conceived of work in terms of a calling that has been placed on human creatures by God himself.  We cannot understand or fulfill our vocational calling except in light of the call to follow Jesus, but each of us is called to follow the Lord in some ways that are shared and in some ways that are unique to who each of us are, how God has made us, and the opportunities God places in our lives.  The Bible broadens the notion of stewardship to include the intangible gifts of God in addition to more tangible resources. These gifts are intended to be given away, as all gifts are, for the sake of others again and again. Chapter 9 R Review eview      Five important negative emotional states that are common in the modern world are loneliness, meaninglessness, depression, guilt, and shame. These feelings make it difficult to live well, to achieve wisdom, and to experience a fulfilled life. This chapter discusses each of these emotions to gain a better understanding of their roots and what is needed to live positively. Jesus Christ offers wisdom, saying that those who build a life on his words will have a strong foundation that will enable them to weather the storms of life (Matthew 7:24–27). A discussion of addiction is included as an illustration of how humans can fall into a vicious cycle of self-destructive behavior. The Bible is used to begin gaining a Christian perspective and to look at how some people experienced the emotional obstacles discussed in this chapter. Finally, the chapter looks at each of the emotions in the context of the ministry of Jesus to see how he speaks into the personal experience of some of the people he met. Jesus came and suffered with humanity. His teaching and his actions illustrate the love of God and how people may find wisdom by their faith in him. Key Terms        Depression: An overwhelming, pervasive feeling of sadness. Guilt: Remorse over an action or even a thought. Loneliness: An unwanted and painful feeling of being isolated and lacking friendship and love. Secularism: The reduction of the influence of spiritual and religious thought on various segments of life such as education, morality, politics, business, marriage and family, and entertainment. Shame: A feeling of worthlessness; a self-inflicted judgment of being irredeemable. Syncre Syncretism: tism: The blending together of diverse and sometimes opposing or contradictory beliefs into one system of thought and/or practice. Transcendence: An experience that is beyond the four dimensions of human life, beyond this universe to the spiritual realm of God. Comprehension of aspects of existence that cannot be apprehended through the senses, but only through the mind or spirit. Additional Things  Alienation and isolation are common in current society, and it is easy to begin to think that no one cares and that God is either nonexistent or far off. Most people    have experienced one or more of the negative emotions covered in this chapter. Students can explore these emotional experiences and see what Christ offers to those who will trust him. The passive, meditating image of Buddha has been compared to Jesus on the cross (Stott, 2003). In Buddha, one receives the advice to detach from life and find peace. In Christ, one sees God coming to suffer with, attach to, and die with and for humanity. This chapter explores the negative emotional experiences in life and shows how Christ meets the deepest human needs. Students can compare their experiences with God to what is offered by various alternatives. Using the measure of how well one has weathered the storms of life, one can see how well the wisdom one has acquired in life, from whatever sources, has served him or her. Students can compare the wisdom they have lived by so far to the wisdom of Jesus. Students who have been caught up in substance abuse or process addictions such as eating disorders can consider their experience for what it reveals about them and what can restore them to health. Addiction strips away one's humanity and leads him or her closer and closer to death. Because most addicts find a need for a "Higher Power," even students who do not believe in God can consider what this means about the essentials of being a human. If there is no God, why do so many find a belief in God necessary for recovery from addiction? Might be helpful  i. Do not worship any other Gods ii. Do not make any idols iii. Do not use the Lords name in vain iv. Keep the Sabbath day Holy v. Honor your mother and father vi. Do not murder vii. Do not commit adultery viii. Do not steal ix. Do not lie x. Do not covet  The first four commandments are more centered around bringing glory and honor to God. The last six focus more on worldly aspects that we should focus on. love God and love your neighbor There is no truth, only interpretations" From the textbook, describe how Raphael, in his great painting School of Athens, depicted Plato and Aristotle. In the center of the painting, amidst the great philosophers of history, Plato is pointing up and Aristotle is gesturing horizontally, indicating two very different ways of understanding the concept of truth. These two ways of approaching the search for truth can affect beliefs about both truth and ethics today and, therefore, can affect personal worldview.           According to the lecture, what kind of absolute truths require the existence of God? Moral and spiritual absolute truths Concept that there is only one way to God or to pleasing God – Exclusivism Concept that there are many ways to God, that one's own religion probably is not the whole story, and that other religions add to the full understanding. Differing religions, when considered carefully, are not really all that different. It is based on a belief that two or more opposing beliefs can be compatible at the same time in the same way. – Pluralism According to chapter 7 in the textbook, the lecture, and Job 1-2 and 38-40, does Job ever find out why he suffered? What is the best explanation from our perspective? No, he didn't question it, he stayed strong in his faith and trusted in the Lord Read the story of the raising of Lazarus in John 11. What can we learn about Jesus and death from this account of the event? He is the resurrection and the life, and even those who die will live on if they believe. He is able to perform miracles, such as bringing those who believe back to life. Read the 11 reasons for suffering listed in the lecture. Which reason(s) might provide good cause for a Christian to "count it all joy" as James says to do in James 1:2-4? o i. Suffering increases our compassion and equips us to comfort others who suffer o ii. Suffering strengthens our character o iii. Suffering draws us to God, compelling us to repent of our sins o iv. Suffering keeps us humble and dependent on Christ o v. Suffering joins us closer to Christ and His sufferings, especially in persecution What are two explanations Christians might give to explain the problem of evil, how a good and powerful God would allow suffering? o It helps to transform Christians into persons who are ready to live in God's holy presence. o Without suffering, people would never be forced to grow up to become their Father's true image bearers