The Missionary & Worldview
Crossing the border into a foreign land can be intimidating for a number of reasons. Attempt to bring Jesus with you and all kinds of additional fears open up. As an American Christian kid, I grew up learning how to share the "gospel" to Americans, playing off a guilt and judicial culture. When I started international student ministry, I had to learn how to share the gospel tailored to a shame and honor culture. But this week I realized there was a step I've been missing before I even get to the gospel. Enter: WORLDVIEW. Worldview is a set of beliefs one assumes to be true which an individual holds about the basic makeup of the world.
There are three major worldviews:
1. Theism: God made all
2. Naturalism: No God at all
3. Pantheism: God is all
Worldview shapes our view of reality. It forms the foundation of our beliefs (what is true?), values (what is good?), and behavior (what is done?). Addressing an individual's worldview will open up the door to establish the existence of God, since all three worldviews cannot be true at the same time. If one is true, the other two must be false. Working through the basic elements of worldview (a series of questions regarding creation, man, sin, and salvation) opens the door beautifully for the gospel regardless of your culture.
There are three major worldviews:
1. Theism: God made all
2. Naturalism: No God at all
3. Pantheism: God is all
Worldview shapes our view of reality. It forms the foundation of our beliefs (what is true?), values (what is good?), and behavior (what is done?). Addressing an individual's worldview will open up the door to establish the existence of God, since all three worldviews cannot be true at the same time. If one is true, the other two must be false. Working through the basic elements of worldview (a series of questions regarding creation, man, sin, and salvation) opens the door beautifully for the gospel regardless of your culture.
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