What Worldview Should I Adopt?

Everyone lives by a worldview. We all have personal beliefs about human origin, the purpose of humanity, deity, good and evil, the origin of the universe, and so on. A worldview dictates many crucial aspects of our lives; therefore, we must be willing to subject our own to scrutiny. To this end, I will explore various worldviews and provide examples of how they shape our lives.  

Define Your Worldview

It is crucial to be aware of the worldview one upholds. A worldview helps establish boundaries and provides guidelines for societal interaction. It provides you with lenses through which you interpret what happens in your life and how to manage the pressures of life. There are many worldviews, but we can focus on only four here in relation to our context in Africa and young people.

1. African Traditional Worldview: Recently, there has been a significant resurgence of young people returning to their traditional beliefs. It is not surprising these days to see more young people singing their traditional songs and learning about the traditions of their communities on different social media platforms. While this is happening, significant portions of traditional knowledge have been eroded by various developments in our world. This has led to various social and cultural clashes, as the world is extensively interconnected; hence, one cannot find pure traditional culture without influences from other places. For instance, in many rural areas, one may find a syncretism of Christianity and African religion, resulting in divided loyalty.
2. Fatalistic Worldview: In this worldview, its proponents have resigned their lives to fate. Those who hold to this view believe that spiritual forces have predetermined everything in their lives beyond their control. This belief usually results in an attitude of “Why bother when everything has been predetermined?” Whatever will be, will be; hence, there is no need to improve anything about one’s life. Many of these individuals have resorted to living hedonistic, carefree lifestyles, aiming only to please themselves.
3. Humanistic Worldview: This worldview emphasizes autonomy over one’s own life. The proponents of this worldview, mostly atheists, believe there are no spiritual forces governing the world. People who hold this worldview aim to be self-sufficient because they don’t see the need to depend on a Deity, as they believe it doesn’t exist. Individuals here also believe that there are no absolute truths in life and everything is relative to an individual. It is a situation best described in the book of Judges, where the Scripture states that there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was pleasing in their own eyes (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25).
4. Biblical Worldview: In this worldview, the proponents are encouraged to acknowledge both Divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Human beings must then align their lives to God’s will. The proponents of this worldview believe that God did not create the universe and withdraw from it. He controls times and seasons. He reigns in both the physical and spiritual realms. The entire creation belongs to him and serves his purpose. He orders the birds of the air, the beasts of the land, and the sea. All of creation reveals him to the world so that no one has the excuse of not knowing him (Romans 1:18-20). 

Why a Worldview?

Here are some reasons why we must all adopt a defined worldview.

1. A worldview will help guide our decision-making; for example, a biblical worldview will guide us to consider decisions that glorify God.
2. Our values system on specific matters is guided by the worldview we embrace. A fatalistic worldview leads to a carefree lifestyle, thereby disregarding whatever society considers honorable.
3. A worldview provides a framework for interpreting the world around us. For example, the humanistic worldview posits that humans originated from animals and that the Big Bang formed the universe. A biblical worldview begins with God as creator (Genesis 1:1).
4. A worldview may foster a sense of direction and purpose in life, or it may fail to do so. A fatalistic worldview, for example, does not promote any sense of direction or purpose, as it has already been predetermined elsewhere.
5. A worldview influences our societal relations. The biblical approach to life has guided believers in how to engage even with their enemies and has established accountability measures. Ephesians 5:21-30 guides marital relationships, and Ephesians 6:5-8 offers guidance on work relationships between employers and their employees.
6. A Worldview encourages personal development. Looking at our lives through the lens of our worldview can help us identify our weaknesses and areas for self-development, thereby improving our quality of life. For example, the Bible can challenge us to let go of grudges and offer forgiveness, thereby leading to healthier relationships (Ephesians 4:32).

Why Choose a Biblical Worldview

After understanding the different worldviews, it is essential to ask oneself, Which worldview do I want to align my life with? Only a biblical worldview provides a comprehensive explanation that is congruent with world history. A cultural worldview explains matters only within its own community and does not address the similarities and differences across other communities worldwide.

If we are to accept a biblical worldview, we must first confirm that Scripture is a reliable historical text. To verify the reliability of the Bible as a historical document, three tests can be applied to evaluate the historical accuracy of any other religious book.

1. First is the Bibliographical test, which checks whether the text is the same as it was originally recorded or has been changed over time.
2. Secondly, we need internal evidence which determines whether what is written is credible (accurate/true) and to what extent. Were the writers telling the truth?
3. Finally, we have external evidence that determines whether other historical materials confirm or contradict the documents’ internal testimony. What other sources are there, apart from the literature under analysis, that substantiate its accuracy, reliability, and authenticity?

The Bible has been scrutinized and has passed all the tests above, making it a trustworthy guide to life. The Qur’an and many other religious books fail in the above tests. It also takes a lot of faith to adopt a worldview without God, given the numerous and undeniable evidences of God all around us. A biblical view of life strikes a balance between God’s sovereign rule and human responsibility, thereby offering hope in a world that often seems hopeless.  

Application of Your Worldview

It is one thing to adopt an approach to life and another thing to put it into practice. Our goal should be living unapologetically in line with our worldview. We are called to align our behaviors with our beliefs and values, living lives that will serve a great purpose in shaping our earthly and, eventually, eternal future. It is therefore essential to consider finding communities that share your values and belief system, as they will help strengthen your stance on life’s issues. Be prepared to provide reasons for your position on matters as you encounter other worldviews. As you do so, share your thoughts with empathy and respect (1 Peter 3:15).