Thrive: Perspectives

Feeling like God is distant or not present in your life at times is a common experience for many people, including those who have a strong faith. But God isn’t ‘out-there-somewhere’. God is all around us, much like the air that we breathe, which we don’t notice, because it’s always there!

How do we KNOW? For many outside a faith context, things can only be known and are only considered real, if we can identify empirical evidence of their existence. This perspective asserts that only those things that can be observed, measured, and tested through the senses or empirical methods are worthy of consideration as real. Our need to 'be in control' - the god complex - make this and attractive perpective to our human nature. However, this presupposition is flawed.

Human perception and interpretation of reality are subjective and influenced by various factors, including cultural biases, individual experiences, and cognitive limitations. Concepts like love, justice, and consciousness, for example, cannot be empirically quantified, but they are considered integral aspects of human experience and reality.

From a Christian worldview perspective, the existence of God is understood and affirmed through various philosophical, theological, experiential, and scriptural arguments. Belief in the existence of God is fundamentally a matter of faith, but that does not necessarily mean ‘blind faith’. There is a ‘reasonable-ness’ to the foundation of our faith and our knowledge of God.

The unique characteristic of the Christian worldview, includes belief in the supernatural, the importance of faith, historical events, personal experiences, and non-empirical dimensions of reality. While empirical evidence is valuable in certain contexts, it does not have the exclusive rights to knowledge and truth.

Engaging with people from different religious backgrounds requires understanding, respect, and effective communication. Using common "bridges" can help facilitate meaningful conversations and build connections. Although we know that Jesus is the only way to true reconciliation with God and freedom in Him, it’s important that we find areas of shared ‘truth’ to build bridges where we can share our experience of God and His incredible gift of salvation through Christ.

Within a Christian worldview, there is an ongoing tension between the need for doctrines to provide a solid theological foundation and the recognition that many aspects of God and divine truth are mysterious and unknowable. To strike a balance:

1. Humility: Christians should approach their doctrinal beliefs with humility, acknowledging the limitations of human understanding and being open to the mystery of God's nature.

Doctrine provides a framework for understanding essential theological truths within a Christian worldview, but it must be acknowledged that many aspects of God and divine truth transcend human understanding. Embracing both doctrine and mystery with humility and faith allows for a richer and more profound Christian spirituality.

Jesus IS the answer:

According to the Bible, all human beings are considered to have a sinful nature due to the fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden. This means that everyone is capable of both good and bad actions. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." From this perspective, no one is inherently a "good guy" in an absolute sense. And moreover, we are equally capable of being the “bad guy”.

The concept of collective responsibility is clearly demonstrated through the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the forbidden tree, they were held responsible for their actions. However, their disobedience also brought consequences upon the entire human race, as sin and its effects entered the world. The biblical concept of collective responsibility highlights the fact that individuals are not isolated entities but are part of a broader interconnected humanity. A Christian Worldview emphasizes the need for individuals to consider the consequences of their actions on others and to work together for the betterment of all of humanity.

Human identity is inextricably linked to the importance of a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. This relationship shapes one's identity and influences their values, purpose, and moral framework. Additionally, Christians are called to love and serve others, seeing them as fellow bearers of the divine image.

While as Christians we appreciate the potential benefits of progress, we must also hold a realistic perspective on its limitations. We know that human efforts alone cannot bring about complete restoration or utopia on earth. Instead, we look forward to the final consummation of history when Christ returns, establishing a new heaven and a new earth, where true and everlasting progress will be realized.

A Christian worldview offers a nuanced understanding of the myth of human progress. Whilst we can acknowledge the value of advancements in various areas of life we must emphasise the need for moral and spiritual transformation. We must recognise the limitations of human efforts and look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of progress through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

The question of why a loving God would allow suffering and pain is a complex and deeply theological one. God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving, and he created the world to be perfect and free from suffering and death. However, when Adam and Eve sinned, they brought a curse upon the world, which resulted in disease, and other forms of suffering.