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A worldview is a perspective as to how someone views the world. A biblical worldview can be more defined as a perspective of the world but with God in mind. Living in America has given me the ability to build my own worldview. For me, I have built a biblical worldview. I choose to view the world from a perspective that brings me back to Christ. In a way, I believe that a Christian worldview should always point back to Christ. Being raised in a Christian household has helped me form a biblical worldview, however, through God I have chosen to continue living in that way. As a follower of Christ, I am to lead others through the Bible, God and love.
Biblical Worldview
My perspective of life within the biblical worldview was formed from the numerous love letters God has given us in his Word. My goal is to love and obey what God has called me to do. Clearly, it is said in his Word how we are called to love. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34, NIV). This verse is said to be one of the greatest commandments God has given us. Through my 24 years of going to church every Sunday I would hear the amazing stories as to how continues to love even when we are not deserving of it. The love of God is something I value and is the foundation of my biblical worldview. It is critical for followers of Christ to acknowledge the sacrifice that we are given every day.
Having a biblical worldview is the understanding that we began and will end with God. Esqueda (2014) concluded that from the beginning of time God is the creator and throughout the Bible we find that God is what is keeping us together and sustaining us throughout our lives (p. 93). As Christians, we understand and respect who God is to us and where he lies in our hearts. Throughout our lives we respond and behave in this Christian perspective as to how we are called to walk with God and intertwine that into our lives.
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Christian Philosophy of Education
A Christian philosophy of education is based on the acknowledgment of how real God is not only through the Bible but through his interactions in our lives as well. The basis of this education is one focused on the Bible. The Bible is seen as the Truth. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, NIV). It is faith that we have which gives the Word so much strength and power.
Some metaphysical issues regarding a Christian philosophy of education would be the dependence on existence of God. Knight (2006) explains the importance of God’s existence in a Christian philosophy. The only reason why such a thing exists, is because of his existence (p. 178). From the perspective of a Christian worldview everything is centered towards God. This includes the curriculum that is learned and taught in education. Everything that is taught is in the Christian perspective is the idea that we relate back to God. Everything in our lives has a relationship with God as our creator and our savior. Our purpose is to live for him and for him to be seen through our lives.
The values in Christian philosophy go back to the metaphysics of it all. This is the same for other philosophies. The axiological issues include numerous concepts of truth and importance. The simple question is what do Christian value. The simple answer is God and Truth. Knight (2006) states “There are ethical and aesthetic values because there is a creator who deliberately created a world with ethical and aesthetic dimensions” (p.184). As earlier explained the Truth is the basis of this Christian philosophy. Using the Bible, Christians read about the many commands the Lord gives us. Each verse has a meaning that is written to us. We find our truth and God’s values through the Word. From a Christian perspective, we understand that we are sinners and we yearn for the relationship that God is waiting to have with us. Through our sin we may have created our own values but from the principles that we have been given we are to form a new set of values that God has expressed to us.
Implications for Educational Practice
Living with a biblical perspective can definitely cause some implications when working in the educational field. Considering the amount of court cases and laws that keep church separate from state. When teaching in a public classroom there is difficulty to implement a Christian perspective in the classroom. Watson (2007) states that teachers “are to develop our teacher education programs to the point that we are not merely preparing teachers but to where we are integrating a biblical worldview throughout in such a way as to transform our students, we must be clear on what it is we are attempting to do” (p. 360). Christian teachers are called to teach in a classroom where there are numerous of different beliefs and value systems.
As Christian leaders in the classroom, we are to show our character as well. The fruits of the spirit and characteristics of leadership can be taught in the classroom. Some fruits of the spirit that can be taught in the classroom are love, kindness, peace and self-control. Teachers do have the ability to teach about the bible in the classroom. However, it can be used to teach history and literature. Schwartz (2015) expresses the idea of the Bible as literature. She comes to find that literature is an art that inspires others. The Bible is considered to not only be inspirational but expresses not only political but social views as well (p. 216-217). In the classroom, it can be difficult to share the works of God with our students but through how we treat our students we can show that biblical perspective. As teachers, we work closely with these students. We are able to see the gifts that God has given them and that is when we have the opportunity to help them increase and grow in this.
Right now, I do plan to finish school to pursue a teaching career. However, in the future, I would like to expand to the administration. Having a Christian perspective in an administrative setting can have a number of implications as well. As followers of Christ, we always have to keep in mind that everyone might not agree with what we believe and keep our faith in. However, we do have chance to lead others in a way that Christ lead.
Conclusion
A biblical worldview is formed by Christian life we try to live out. Throughout our lives Christians notice the relationship between God and the rest of the World. We live out each day pursuing the goal of sharing God’s word and his love to all. A Christian philosophy is found on the Truth God has given us. In education, it is important for teachers and administrators to live up to the standards of walking in the way of the Lord and to create a safe and warm environment for those around to feel God’s love.
References
Biblical Worldview: The Christian Higher Education Foundation for Learning. (n.d.). Christian Higher Education, 13(2), 91–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/15363759.2014.872495Knight, G. R. (2006).
Philosophy & education: An introduction in Christian perspective. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press.
Schwartz, R. M. (2015). The Bible, Literature, and the World. Religion & Literature, 47(1), 215–221. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=114504068&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Watson, J. R. (2007) Integrating a Biblical Worldview into Bible College Teacher Education Programs, Christian Higher Education, 6:5, 357-369, DOI: 10.1080/15363750701285842
