When Worldviews Collide

     A collision is not a pleasant experience.  The first time I was in an accident was in my parent's driveway.  My nephew was young and I was busy trying to get him to sit down and stop jabbering as I backed my mother's car up.  Unfortunately, I was so distracted that I backed across the large driveway into my father's car.  Needless to say, the crunching sound was the last thing I wanted to hear or tell my father about.  He couldn't believe that I had such skill in driving, but he did forgive me.

Armor displayed in the Tower
of London

     Besides car collisions which are never enjoyable, there is another type of collision happening every day all around us.  It is the collision of worldviews, and over the years, the intensity of these combats has increased.  This was the main theme of Dr. Del Tackett's presentation at the Ligonier Conference which my husband and I attended.  Dr. Tackett is the president of the Focus on the Family Institute and is known for advocating the importance of developing a Christian worldview in "The Truth Project" and other endeavors.  My husband and I had the privilege of leading "The Truth Project" at our church and it was a life changing series for us. 
     Of essential importance in Dr. Tackett's presentation is the notion that there is no area of life to which God has not spoken whether it is in science, education, labor, family etc.  This was the key premise in "The Truth Project".  The problem for Christians is that we have bought into the lies of the world and not clearly proclaimed our message that Christ is "the way, the truth and the life."  In Him, we are able to see how God does speak to us in every area of life.
     Currently, I am reading a book by Dr. Michael Horton entitled "Where in the World is the Church?".In his book, he quotes Abraham Kuyper, a pastor and eventually the Prime Minister of the Netherlands.  As he gave an address at the Free University of Amsterdam, he stated:  "There is not an inch in the entire domain of our human life of which Christ, who is sovereign of all, does not proclaim, 'Mine!'" This statement sounded very much like Dr. Tackett's.  We cannot ignore the fact that we are in a battle of worldviews.
     Our Pastor's sermon yesterday centered on the war of the worlds and the scripture he shared is found in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6.  However, I will be centering on verses 3-6:  "For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete."  Certainly, as Paul expounded, we have "divine power" to destroy the strongholds or demonic opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

     As believers, we are in a battle and God has provided us with the armor to protect us (Ephesians 6:10-17).  One of the pieces of equipment He has given us is the Sword of His Word which will cast down all lofty opinions and arguments which are raised against the knowledge of God.  Dear ones, we cannot afford to be passive in a world system intent on wiping out the name of God in our schools, the public market place and in the political realm as well.  We have the truth to tell, and God has commissioned us as His ambassadors in this world.  We are in this world but we are not to be of it.  Our minds are to be transformed by renewing them in the Word of God.  This is our truth and strength.
     Dr. Tackett said that "the real conflict in our world is between contradictory truth claims."  Both cannot be true. Just as Satan convinced Eve that God was denying her a delicious fruit that would make her wise like God, so we are assaulted daily by the lies of this world making it seem as though we should be the masters of our own ship.  The world wants us to believe that God belongs in a box.  It is okay to bring Him out on Sunday for church or when we need Him, but otherwise, we can run things just fine.  This argument appeals to our flesh, but it is not the truth. 
     Jesus came and told us that He was the truth.  Truth is non-contradictory, universal, immutable, exclusive and ultimate reality.  In contrast, the world has lost touch with reality.  This system wishes for things to be as they want them to be not as they are.  We can see this in the unrealistic arguments made by some politicians.   We wonder if they have lost touch with reality.  However, they are representing the wisdom of this world not the truth of Christ.
     When we become wrapped up in the lies of this world, we believe that life is all about us and our self centered needs.  This leads to the death of relationships, isolation, rejection of authority and loneliness.  While we are the most connected generation in history through our electronic gadgets, we are also the loneliest.  What a sad picture of our society!  So what is the answer?
     For believers, we must realize that Jesus is the truth, and like Him, we must yield to the Father's will daily.  Dying to self and living for Christ is the answer.  Like any good solider, we also must know our weapon of the Word and how to use it in love as Christ did.  Armor, weapons, and boldness are nothing unless we put them on daily and realize that we have in Christ the divine power to destroy strongholds, destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God.  Then, we must take every thought captive to obey Christ.  If we do these things, we will be able to go into war fully prepared.  God has already secured victory for us my friends.  He triumphs over sin and death, and we are His children the heirs of His Kingdom.  Therefore, today be filled with the absolute belief that God's Word is truth.  This will help us stand firm against the wiles of the devil and his many glittering worldviews!  Selah!

A statue of John Knox in the graveyard behind the Church of the Holy Rood in Stirling, Scotland

I welcome your comments and thoughts here.  I do read them all and am blessed.  I would ask all my readers to please pray for my husband Glenn as he is scheduled for a heart catheterization on Wednesday this week at 9:30 a.m.  I appreciate your intercession!  Thank you!