Biblical Christian Worldview

Life on earth demonstrates the second law of thermodynamics. Not true of Heaven.Quick Quote - Source - Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective - The second law of thermodynamics is centered around entropy which is “a process of degradation or running down or a trend to disorder" (Wikipedia). We see this dictum at work on many levels from the destruction of man through our own sin nature, to the deterioration of stars as energy is given off through heat and light until death. Praise God that for those who believe in Christ's finishing work on the cross, we will live in eternity in a perfect, sinless state where entropy no longer exists.

Recently I published two articles on the negative state of the Methodist Church (UMC) given its movement toward inclusiveness (see details here and here). The topic resulted in a broad range of responses, most of which challenged the premise that compliance with the world was a bad thing. One of the more succinct, yet telling responses came from a reader, quoted as follows....Good Lord. I feel like I just wasted 3 minutes of my life reading this. I'm a lifelong Methodist. I left the church about 5 years ago. My small town Methodist church, where I raised my daughters, left the UMC. I shall NEVER return to this, or any church. The reason? Because they DO NOT "comply" with MODERN TIMES> In 20 years churches will be nearly empty. IT IS A CULT. Period.This individual is/was a "lifelong Methodist", angry that her church left the UMC denomination because its leadership believed the denomination was not maintaining its traditional views and, was instead, acquiescing to our current cultural norms. Her anger was that her church was not keeping up with the changing world around it. Note that her brief response also generalized to all churches, calling the institution a cult, and that its end as a viable entity is approaching.

Sharing the Good News should come from our love for the lost not to impress others by our virtue.Quick Quote – Source – Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – Christians need to avoid condemning the sin nature of man unless forced to express our opinion based on a direct challenge to one’s worldview. Seekers are looking for those who care about their situation, not those who wish to solely point out their sin. Salvation is a heart change, not a head change. It is the reason for evangelism, not our pride attempting to demonstrate we are “holier than thou”.

Quick Quote Source – Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – Scripture clearly teaches that all of us “have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, that does not mean that we all have the same sin in our lives. As we grow and mature in our walk with Christ (sanctification), our unique sin nature sadly grows and matures along with us. Some are prone to alcohol, others are more inclined to lie, others cheat, others sexual immorality takes center stage. Unfortunately Satan is a master of determining where our weak points are and targeting those areas of our lives to undermine our testimony. To be aware of this obvious vulnerability is the first step in prayerfully guarding against it. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:11

As believers, we need to recognize a broader application of our sin nature beyond the physical realm.When we look at our Biblical Christian systematic theology as presented on Sunday mornings and discipleship classes, what is typically emphasized is our need to focus on the nature of God and Christ as presented in and through the Holy Spirit. In a constant battle with our personal sin nature, we are reminded to pray, read our Bibles, and fellowship with other believers as we repent of our sins and grow towards the Lord (sanctification). These are the most important aspects of the Christian life. However, this is not a complete picture of the obstacles to our spiritual walk. What is missing is a recognition of the influence and the need for protection from the evil side of the supernatural or Spiritual Realm. ConclusionThe six points below should always be part of our awareness of the potential for evil that exists all around us. We have an internal sin nature waging war against the Holy Spirit.There is external spiritual warfare, between angels, demons, and man.We need to be confident that the Bible confirms God wins the war between good and evil.To remain balanced, we need to be careful not to see demons under every rock but accept responsibility for our own actions.We can impact spiritual warfare within and outside of us through prayer, fellowship with believers, and the study of God’s word.We know God will win the war, but we need to be on guard that Satan can win many battles as we move through our lives. 1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour

The activities we do for God are secondary. Quick Quote – Source – Erwin LutzerA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – As Christians, we can get so caught up in church activities and other ministry “opportunities” that we neglect our quiet time with the Father. God wants our attention, not our activity. He desires for us to focus on His presence more than our Christian projects. Take time out of your busy lives to seek the Lord for wisdom and communication, even if it means declining a potluck dinner, a nursery assignment, a finance committee meeting, or even a discipleship class.

If the antichrist was actually in the world today, his personality would be somewhat hidden and obscured by the need to gain power and influence at this stage in his ascendency. Once obtained, his real personality, as presented in the Bible, would then surface. However, systematically working through the verses from Scripture that refer to the coming antichrist, one can get a good sense of what to expect. The question to reflect on at this point in time is…Is there perhaps someone currently on Earth who most fits the attributes of the antichrist? ConclusionAs you skim back over the verses above and reflect on someone whom Christians applaud as a leader and even savior of America, is it possible that an individual appearing to fulfill these lofty goals is only supporting his own, private agenda? If there was such a man, should Christians rally around him, even at the risk of hurting our own testimony due to his hypocrisy? And finally, if there was such a man that begins to perform “great signs and wonders so as to lead astray… even the elect” (Matt. 24:24), should we really be offering our support under the “lesser of evils” dogma?Though much of this material would seem to be slanted toward a specific individual (details), sadly, many world political and industrial leaders would fit comfortably within these prophetic verses of Scripture. Consequently, the Bible makes it clear that as Christians we need to be watchful toward our surroundings and our worldly support (1 Thes. 5:4). For the Lord will ultimately come "like a thief in the night" (1 Thes. 5:2) and we need to be prepared (Matt. 25).So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. - 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Quick Quote – Source – Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – As Christians, do we focus on seeking God’s advice in day-to-day matters?“You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” – James 4:14Often Christians live just like unbelievers, making decisions without seeking God’s counsel through the Holy Spirit. So often we don’t pray, either to ask God’s help or advice on important matters, much less the mundane. Yet we seem quick to close our eyes and lower our heads as part of a Sunday service or when facing a crisis and in need of a “flare prayer”.The Lord was making a point on where our focus should always be when Scripture calls us to:Pray without ceasing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17Prayer is a form of communication with God and should not be limited to “eyes closed and heads bowed”. 

Quick Quote – Source – Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – With every issue, there will always be extreme opinions. I recently responded to a reader who stated that Christian preachers were calling for the execution of gay people.I am sure one can find extreme views such as this if we look hard enough. However, in most cases, the extremes on both sides of an issue are in the minority. But they do garner media attention and gaslight viewers into believing extreme positions are mainstream. It is important to look to the middle of the bell curve, rather than the vocal extremes when evaluating the popular direction on an issue, especially a divisive one. From the center of the bell curve, Christians don’t hate gay people, they don’t want to turn America into a Christofascist state, and most realize there are times when abortion is an appropriate medical need. 

Quick Quote – Source – Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – In our publications, we use the term “Biblical Christian” as a replacement for what was once termed “Christian”. That is because so many Christians have lost their way theologically. Many who associated themselves within the boundaries of Christianity did so, not because of a love for God, but because it was where the “good” people hung out. Many are now disassociating themselves from true Biblical Christians as we have come under more social scrutiny for our unchanging beliefs. There is a set of core theological beliefs (here) that are both clear from Scripture, and necessary for salvation. They hinge around Rom 10:9 and Eph 2:8–9. As harsh as it may sound, Christians, or those who used to consider themselves Christians, who believe they are earning their way to Heaven by being good people, are sadly heading in the opposite direction… they are not Christians rooted in God’s word. Instead, they have been inoculated with dead Christianity. 

Quick Quote - Source - Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective - Science is a wonderful and important construct of the application of man’s intellect and curiosity applied to God’s creation.Many unbelievers, critical of the Christian view that puts religion above science, point out that past theologians have been wrong in areas such as a belief in a flat earth. However, this serves to prove the point that all mankind, including theologians, know only a small fraction of the secrets contained in the universe and God’s omniscient understanding of His creation.Matthew 11:25 - At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.The beauty and complexity of our world are continuously being displayed by science as it explores deeper and deeper into God's creation.

Quick Quote - Source - Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective - A greenhouse is intended to be a place of protection where seeds can grow under a controlled environment of nurturing. However, in many cases, at a point in the maturing process, plants outgrow their confined enclosure and, to continue to thrive and be of value to the one who invested the time to cultivate them, the plants leave the safety of the greenhouse and face the world.This illustration can be applied to Christians as well. The former tagline for our medium-sized church was, “Greenhouse for the Great Commission”. Like plants, Christians need to be nurtured and disciplined in the early stages of their sanctification. However, to truly grow in our faith, we ultimately need to leave the protection of our church and share our faith with a lost and dying world.

Quick Quote Source - Darrell HarrelsonA Biblical Christian worldview perspective - Throughout history, there has been so much fighting over land based on who came first and who has the right to occupy it. Today, this is being played out on the world stage in places like Gaza, Ukraine, Taiwan, and potentially Korea.God began mankind with Adam and Eve and the rest of us have populated the world from that small but significant beginning. We have been told to love the Lord, and through this, to love and care for each other as the summary of all of God's commands. Yet, sadly, our sin nature continues to overwhelm our behavior.The endpoint of our current behavior of selfishness is coming when God will return those of us who have trusted Him, back to a sinless state and the world will be renewed as a New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 21-22).

Quick Quote - Source - Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective - We always seem to compare ourselves, to ourselves rather than to Jesus as a benchmark for how we should behave. When we look at the gap between us and Christ, any moral superiority we think there is between one faction and another becomes infinitesimal and irrelevant.Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,Romans 3:10-12 - as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”This is a harsh reality using Christ, who was without sin (2 Cor. 5:21), as our benchmark. The good news is that God provided a way for all that we have done wrong to be forgiven, by accepting His son, Jesus, as our Lord and Savior.

Quick Quote - Source - Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective - So many Christians view the New Testament and, in particular, Jesus, expressing the importance of love. Jesus put love as the highest command when He said...Mark 12:29-31 - Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 'There is no other commandment greater than these.”1 John 4:8 - Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.However, God and His Son, Jesus Christ, have much more to teach us than a single word. Further, there is a hierarchy of love that begins with a love for God and His commands which allow us to express a true love for our neighbor. Given the consequences which follow death, the greatest love one can show his fellow man is to share the full truth of saving faith in Christ. For some, that revelation can be seen as tough love because it takes control of our lives out of our hands and into His.Hebrews 12:6 - For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

OverviewThe Salem Media Group is a bellwether for Christian media. They own and operate 95 radio stations in 38 American markets, with 3200 affiliates. Further, Salem has multiple internet publications, along with magazine and book publishing enterprises (details here). Headquartered in Irving, TX, Salem represents the largest single Christian media organization in the country. From their latest annual report, Salem's 2023 revenue fell $8m from the previous year, resulting in an operating loss of $46 million (here).DetailsSalem Media Group continues to struggle due to declining broadcast revenues and "changing audience behaviors" (here). To offset losses, the company sold its headquarters ($6.2m), divested of other real estate holdings ($8.2m), and sold six of its radio stations in South Carolina and Kentucky for an estimated $11m and its publishing arm for $4m. Pending divestments represent another $10m in movie and land sales along with a recently failed $30m sale of its Church Products division. Stock prices for the company have trended down from a high of $28/share in 2004, to its current value of 38 cents/share, voluntarily delisting from the NASDAQ this past January (details).What's HappeningMatthew 24:12 - And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.Americans are turning away from all forms of traditional media, and especially Christian media. What we see in churches, book sales, crusades, radio stations, television programming, libraries, schools, and higher education has a single theme running through it. The United States is changing and Christians are having to choose between accepting that change or holding fast to their traditional values.

Quick Quote - Source - Erwin LutzerA Biblical Christian worldview perspective - The distractions of this life are intended to both pacify and nullify our witness for the Lord. Within boundaries, the less we have the less we need, and the harder it is for earthly things to sweep us away from an eternal focus. The reason the Bible says that "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (Matt. 19:24) is that worldly wealth breeds pride, corruption, and earthly power. A perfect recipe from which Satan extracts his payment. 4

Quick Quote – Source – Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – Nearly every religion in the world offers a formula for eternal bliss. Both the recognition of an afterlife and its risks/returns are documented in sacred texts throughout history. What separates Christianity from all others is the truth that God does not demand mankind to earn our way into Heaven. Instead, He provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross at Calvary and by His resurrection from the dead on Easter morning, offered evidence of His power and love for all humanity. Biblical Christians serve God out of their hearts through an appreciation for eternal salvation, rather than the fear of our efforts falling short in comparison to others. Serving our Lord results from our salvation rather than an attempt to gain salvation.

How we see God depends on our perspective and our faithfulness. Quick Quote - Source - Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective - The secular see Him as a tyrant, and for good reason. The believer sees Him as love, and for good reason. The difference between the two can be encapsulated in a single word, faith.

The covenant of marriage for the Biblical Christian should be with a Biblical Christian.Quick Quote – Source – Rich HoltA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – Scripture is clear that marriage is a good aspiration, but not always necessary in the life and ministry of the believer.Proverbs 18:22 – He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.1 Corinthians 7:8 – To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.However, the Lord cautions that marriage should not be the place to evangelize one’s spouse.2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?