
Greece said, “Be wise, know yourself.” - Rome said, “Be strong, discipline yourself.” - (World) Religion says,“Be holy, conform yourself.”
Epicureanism says, “Be sensuous, enjoy yourself.” - Education says, “Be resourceful, expand yourself.” - Materialism says, “Be satisfied, please yourself.”
Psychology says, “Be confident, fulfill yourself.” - Pride says, “Be superior, promote yourself.” - Asceticism says, “Be inferior, suppress yourself.”
Humanism says, “Be capable, believe in yourself.” - Philanthropy says, “Be generous, give yourself.” - Legalism says, “Be pious, limit yourself.”
Isn’t it interesting how all the philosophies end with the same word, and how each one seems to differ from the philosophy of Jesus Christ: “Be a servant, think of others.” - Chuck Swindoll
Viewing The World Through The Lens of The Bible:
Jesus Is God: OT - For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. - Isa 9:6 NT: For by Him (Jesus) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. – Col 1:16
Holy Spirit is God: But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4“While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not 1under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” - Acts 5:3-4
Triune: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name (singlular) of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit - Mat 28:19
Exclusively Through Christ – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” - John 14:6
Political Philosophy
Economic (Stewardship) Equity – caring for the poor and widows (I Tim 5:1-16), Meritocracy – if a man doesn’t work then neither does he eat (2 Thess 3:10) Private Ownership – Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 10Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. – Rom 13:8-10
Epistemology - God is Truth; Jesus is God - Therefore Jesus is Truth
Natural Revelation: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. - Rom 1:18-20
Internal (Rational) Revelation: Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool – Isa 1:18 And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures – Acts 17:2
Metaphysical Worldview
Human beings constitute a material and immaterial reality (dualism) And He said to him, "'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ – Math 22:37
Human beings are made in the image of God: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. – Gen 1:27 (Jesus affirms)
Cosmology: By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. – Heb 11:3; Col 1:16
Philosophy of Ethics / Morality
The Law For All: The Golden Rule: Rom 13:9 (see politics)
In Grace For Christians: Walk in the Spirit: And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.–Gal 5:24-25
Futurology
If unrepentant, unsaved at death: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.Rev 21:8
Amillenialism - (Roman Catholic doctrine based on Origen’s allegorical approach to Scripture)Christ is currently reigning during this, the church age and His return will end the metaphorical 1000 yr church age.
Premillenialism – Foursquare position, evangelical position
Postmillenialism – Preterist –Christ’s return will follow a 1000 year “golden age” ushered in by the church c.f. dominion theology
Methodology
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2Cor 10:5
Opportunism: See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Eph 5:15-16
Can involve a moderate form of altruism in that we are asked to “lay down our life for a friend” which benefits them but may be costly for us. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13
Prayerful – Be anxious in nothing but in everything with prayer and supplications let your requests be known to God. – Philippians 4
Faith – For the just shall live by faith.
Teleology
To Love God and have relationship with Him