Do you have a Christian worldview?

Many years ago in a faraway land, Joseph lived with his father, his father’s wife and concubines, and many half-siblings. Joseph’s own mother had died when he was very young. His half-brothers hated him because Joseph was good and reminded his father of Joseph’s beloved mother. Joseph’s father trusted him and showered him with attention. And his heavenly Father placed a remarkable dream in his heart to be a great leader.

One day his jealous half-brothers captured him. After some disagreement they sold him to slave traders. Joseph had never been apart from his family. He felt humiliated being auctioned like livestock. His father hadn’t raised him to be a slave. He didn’t know the customs of this foreign land. How was he supposed to act? What would become of his dream?

Instead of becoming bitter, Joseph worked to become the best slave. His master put him over all he had. Despite the humiliation of his position, he prospered. 

The owner’s wife noted his good looks and charisma. She repeatedly tried to seduce Joseph. He refused her. She spitefully accused Joseph of attacking her. Potiphar, his owner, no doubt knew the character of his wife and of Joseph, but he bowed to social customs and sent Joseph to prison.

Joseph hadn’t been taught how to be a prisoner. Other prisoners moped, showed no interest in life, and complained. Should he wallow in self-pity and bitterness too? He didn’t deserve to be in Egypt, let alone prison. Joseph chose to act in the manner he always had. His circumstances didn’t change his character or his beliefs. He served the chief jailer who in turn gave him more and more responsibilities. 

Fast forward many years. One day the ruler of the land summoned Joseph from prison. Joseph gave the king wise counsel, and Pharaoh placed Joseph second in command over all of Egypt. His years of self-control and productivity in slavery and prison paid off in noble character and leadership skills. 

This is no fairytale. You can read the true account in Genesis. At times like Joseph, we may feel like we’ve awakened in a foreign land. Values have shifted, but right and wrong never change. 

Joseph demonstrated the importance of what we call a Christian worldview. His soul prospered even while suffering injustice because his core beliefs about God, himself, and life guided and guarded him through prosperity and adversity. Potiphar’s soul, on the other hand, suffered when he betrayed Joseph. I wonder how he felt when Joseph ruled under Pharaoh.

What Is a Christian Worldview?

What is a worldview? Dr. George Barna renowned pollster and author, says everyone has a worldview though most don’t realize it. “A worldview is…the decision-making filter that we use. It’s the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual filter that helps us to understand and interpret and respond to every reality that we experience.” 

In an interview with the NC Family Policy Council, Dr. Barna said fifty-two percent of American Christians believe they hold a Christian worldview, yet only nineteen percent demonstrated a Christian worldview.

Dr. Barna said Americans commonly draw from a dozen or so different worldviews including postmodernism, secular humanism, Marxism, and Eastern mysticism. It’s important to know if our beliefs are biblical, because as we think so we act.

Could the division we see in the church today trace back to our worldview? The Apostle Paul wrote, “for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized” (1 Cor. 11:19 ESV).

Joseph demonstrated a biblical worldview when he trusted the invisible God despite how things looked. Hebrews 11 commended the ancients for a faith that shaped their view of the world and how they lived. 

Popular worldviews elevate personal experience over facts, truth, and biblical revelation. The expression “my truth” epitomizes this worldview. In contrast, in a biblical worldview human reasoning bows to God’s truth (Pro. 3:5-6). 

Joseph found that the Bible’s timeless wisdom works in all situations (Is. 40:8). Jesus said, “the truth will set you free”—free from being manipulated by every new teaching, free from confusion, free from being led into error, and free from regret (Jn. 8:32; Ephes. 4:14-15). 

Through poems, proverbs, instructions, and stories, the Bible presents a clear message of right and wrong, how to treat people, how to deal with injustice, and God’s justice. For example:

“Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly” (Lev. 19:15 NLT).

“And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor” (Ex. 23:3 NLT).

Through what lens are we to look at people? See 1 Timothy 3 and Galatians 3:28 and 2 Corinthians 5:16.

When we’re confused over how to act, we need to review Scripture. Do we trust its wisdom? Or do we look to our culture? 

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