(Proverbs 27:17)"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." (ESV)
Through encouragement and constructive criticism one man sharpens another. This applies especially to the study of Scripture and theological matters, as we learn to love God with our mind.
A worldview is your philosophy of life and the world. It is composed of the foundational beliefs you hold, that shape how you see everything else. We will take a brief look at the basics of a Christian worldview.
Metaphysics
-What is ultimate reality?
-(Genesis 1:1)"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (ESV)
-Here we see the Creator/creature distinction. God is the Creator and everything else is creation. God is God and you are not.
Epistemology
-How do you know what you know?
-(Proverbs 1:7)"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (ESV)
-True knowledge depends on God who knows all things and controls all things. We must think God's thoughts after him.
Ethics
-How should we live?
-(Exodus 20:1-17) The Ten Commandments
-(Matthew 5-7) The Sermon On The Mount
-Ethics and morality are rooted in the law and character of God.
How many times have we heard someone say, I do not have time to read the Bible? Usually when a person says he does not have time for something, he means it is not a priority. So when someone says he does not have time to read the Bible, he is saying it is not a priority.
When a person does not consider the Bible a priority, he does not consider God a priority, because the Bible is the Word of God. When a person does not consider God a priority, he views other things as more important than God. These other things have become his god or gods. This person is actually guilty of idolatry.
(Mark 13:27)"And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven." (ESV)
Some have tried to use this verse as evidence that the Bible teaches a flat earth. But Jesus is obviously using symbolic language to say he will gather his elect from everywhere. Jesus has perfect knowledge of the earth, he created it (John 1:1-3).
Since it is Pride Month, let us look at what the Bible says about pride.
(Proverbs 11:2)"Where pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."
(Proverbs 16:18)"Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."
(Proverbs 21:4)"Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin."
(Mark 7:20-23)"And he said, what comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
(James 4:6)"But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
(1 John 2:16)"For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world."
*All Scripture quotations from the ESV (English Standard Version)
In a recent interview Pope Francis said that people are fundamentally good. The Bible teaches the exact opposite.
(Romans 3:10)"as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one;" (ESV)
(Romans 3:23)"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (ESV)
(Ecclesiastes 7:20)"Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins." (ESV)
The faulty theology of Pope Francis undermines the gospel itself. Fundamentally good people do not need a savior. Sinners need a savior. Christ came to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).
We must take the Word of God over the word of the pope. Scripture alone is the ultimate and final authority.
Ephesians 6:5
(ESV)"Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,"
(LSB)"Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the integrity of your heart, as to Christ;"
(KJV)"Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;"
Romans 1:1
(ESV)"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,"
(LSB)"Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, having been set apart for the gospel of God,"
(KJV)"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,"
John 8:34
(ESV)"Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin."
(LSB)"Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin."
(KJV)"Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin."
At issue is how to translate the Greek word doulos. Should it be translated as slave, bondservant, or servant? The ESV sometimes uses slave, sometimes bondservant, and sometimes servant, depending on the context. The LSB consistently translates it as slave. The KJV regularly renders it as servant.
ESV (English Standard Version)
LSB (Legacy Standard Bible)
KJV (King James Version)
