Secular and Christian Worldviews, which do you follow.  This Bible study addresses the differences between secular and Christian worldviews, and what every Christian must know to defend the faith.   It’s a mandatory study in apologetics to effectively engage the unsaved.  Secular and Christian worldviews are fundamentally different  and depending on the one you subscribe to, it will determine your outlook on life.  We’ll look at the prominent secular worldviews and explain how they conflict with Christianity.

Might and Violence Worldviews

Might equals Right is a worldview that’s in favor of the strong and promotes the will of the strong over the weak.  A main component of this worldview is that power determines what’s right, and an offshoot of this worldview is  social Darwinism. Social Darwinism states that the strong  should see their wealth and power increase while the weak will decline.   Some even suggest that Hitler believed in this philosophy which was widespread up to the end of WWII.

Another ideology that is closely associated with Social Darwinism is Rugged Individualism.  This belief asserts individualism in social and economic affairs and it’s a  belief in personal liberty, self-reliance and  free competition.  Although on the surface this seems to acceptable, it does trample on the weak and vulnerable.

Naturally, from these worldviews a superiority ideology springs forth. Whether this is racial, economic or otherwise, it is founded on the might is right philosophy. This ideology assumes that one group is better than the other, therefore it justifies the domination of the “lesser” group.  Usually proponents of this view demonize, dehumanize and mistreat the group they aim to dominate which makes their actions “justifiable”.

As we know from scripture, none of these views is compatible with God’s nature, nor is it according to the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount.  Christ does not teach us to exploit the weak and vulnerable, neither does he speak about life’s purpose being about money or power.  On the contrary, Jesus says blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3-12).  The principles of the Kingdom of Heaven is counter to this fallen world.  Therefore, we can live according to the ways of the world.  In James 5:12, it states “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world”.  As you can see, none of these views are compatible with scripture and God’s nature.

Feel Good Worldviews

There are five primary worldviews that are a part of this category:  selfishness, objectivism, hedonism, moral relativism and political correctness.  All five worldviews have roughly the same views on life which is one’s own pleasure and how to control others from encroaching on your maximum pleasure.

Selfishness states that we live in a selfish world where our own pleasures and emotions are elevated above all things. A closely related worldview was coined in the 1940’s by Ayn Rand called objectivism.  This secular worldview teaches that the proper moral purpose of one’s life is to pursue one’s own happiness (pursuit of happiness).  Hedonism, which is officially the oldest worldview which was created by Aristippus of Cyrene in the fourth century BC.  This school of thought believes that pleasure is the primary or most important intrinsic good. In very simple terms, a hedonist strives to maximize net pleasure.

What does the Bible say about selfishness, pursuit of happiness and hedonism.  Immediately, we can exclude selfishness and hedonism because scripture does not condone behavior that is sinful.  For example sex provides pleasure, but outside of marriage, the Bible considers this behavior as adultery/fornication.  Therefore, we can not pursue this behavior as Christians , instead all joys of life must be within God’s natural order and His will.  Objectivism may seem acceptable, but this worldview, like the others is based on one’s pleasure.  Our focus as Christians is to seek the Kingdom of God, to live life in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, not our won sinful nature.  Each worldview promotes sin, not Godliness.

Regarding the last two worldviews, relativism and political correctness, these are views concocted to prohibit the Gospel and to consider all views and beliefs as acceptable.  Relativism is states that points of view have no absolute truth or validity.  They are simple relative, having subjective value based on the differences in perception and consideration.  Proponents of this view would say there is no absolute truth and everyones views are valid.  This of course is counter to the Bible as God’s word is the absolute truth.  Those that wish to side step and to minimize the Bible, enact this view to dilute God with all religions and philosophies.

Political correctness may be considered as an extension of moral relativism but with a militant approach.  It aims to restrict free speech that’s not a part of “their” (Globalist/Anti-Christ world order) political objective is considered weaponized.  The problem with this view is that a singular perspective that is anti-God is promoted while all other speech that promotes Jesus, family, salvation and abstinence from sin is considered a violation of political correctness.

The Culprit and the Impact of Secular Worldview

There are two factors that are responsible for the genesis of these worldviews: Satan and our sinful nature.   Satan’s main objective is to destroy God’s creation and create chaos on this world.   His goal is to hurt people, rob them of the Word of God, separate them from God and cause their eternal damnation.  In order to get a better idea of who Satan is, here are some of the names used to describe him: liar, thief, murder, and accuser.  Let’s not be mistaken, he is our foe.  Man’s role in this process is creating ways of life that is best suited for their sinful ways.  It makes perfect sense to follow hedonism as a sinful person because it’s the maximum expression of sin.  However, it’s the least beneficial from a lifestyle perspective and from God’s view.

The impact on humanity is disillusionment from God, chaos, hatred, fear and animosity towards each other.  When we are preoccupied with hating each other, we don’t focus on the Lord.  Satan will do everything possible to create an atmosphere of confusion.  These ideologies are designed to take create divisions in order to replace God in our lives.  The byproduct of a society based on these worldviews is chaos, lawlessness, sickness and generally speaking, it will mirror the time of Noah and Lot.  This is what Christ prophesied in the Olivet Discourse.  (Matthew 24, 25, Mark 13, Luke 21).

Therefore, if we are not literate in secular and Christian worldviews, we can not effectively defend the faith and share the Gospel with the unsaved.  For those that have never received the Lord and want to do so, please pray this prayer: Lord Jesus I know that I am sinner and I ask you forgive me of my sins.  I believe that you were crucified for my sins and through your blood I have redemption and salvation.  Please come into my heart and I receive you as my God.  I pray in Jesus name. AMEN