Your Worldview:

Your worldview is a paradigm. The word paradigm comes from the Greek pardeigma (para, side by side + deiknynai, to show, point out). A paradigm is a model, a pattern, a frame of reference, or simply a way of thinking for understanding and interpreting external reality. It’s the way we “see” the world, not visually but by perception. It is the mental framework by which we construe reality, process information, make decisions, and determine actions. For individuals, it brings order and meaning to our experiences. It’s also at the very heart of any culture.

In practice, a person may not live what he or she professes, but that person will always live in accordance with his or her paradigm. In other words, we live out what we truly believe and think. Consequently, when our paradigm shifts, many things will change.

Theological Problem:

Jesus’ paradigm or worldview was the kingdom of God. What’s your worldview? That’s why the kingdom was his central teaching and at the heart of his ministry. He also commanded his followers to “seek first the kingdom and his righteousness (justice)” (Matt. 6:33). What are you seeking, first?

Today’s sad reality is the kingdom of God is no longer the worldview of most of Christ’s church, its central teaching, nor at the heart of its ministry. What has happened? What has changed?

What Scripture Says:

Below are five foundational verses that, in our opinion, should significantly inform our worldview if we truly want to be true to Scripture. The proper understanding of and obedience to these five verses will also cause our worldview to radically depart from the current worldview of most of Christ’s Church. What do you think?

1. “I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted/delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

The construction “once for all” here means exactly the same as it means in Romans 6:10 when applied to Jesus’ death; in Hebrews 9:12 with Jesus entering the Most Holy Place to pour out his blood; in Hebrews 9:26 with Jesus’ appearance and sacrifice of Himself; in Hebrews 10:10 with us being made holy by the sacrifice of his body; and in 1 Peter 3:18 with Christ dying for our sins. All these are part of that “once-for-all-delivered” faith. And all four are totally done deals. That means, no more remains to be done or delivered. But most of the Church today is contending for a faith that was only partially delivered. Thus, they are waiting for Jesus to come back some day and finish the job. (See again "Two Creations", "Last Days", "Second Coming", "Rapture", "Book of Revelation", "Battle of Armageddon", "End-Time Views")

2. “‘The time is fulfilled,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15).

This was the fulfillment of Daniel’s time-restricted prophecies for the coming of the everlasting kingdom (Dan. 2:44 and 7:14, 18, 22, 27). No other kingdom or form of this kingdom is promise or prophesied in Scripture. But most of Christ’s Church is still looking for Jesus to come back and either establish his kingdom or consummate the one he supposedly only initiated. (See again "Kingdom of God", "The Gospel".)

3. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12 KJV).

Most of Christ’s Church today is in functional avoidance, if not doctrinal denial, of this verse. (See again "Works of Jesus", "Greater Works")

4. “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10)

Most of Christ’s Church today is in functional avoidance, if not doctrinal denial, of this verse, as well. The preferred avoidance tactic is to futurize it—“Oh, someday we will, after Christ returns and removes all evil.” But then what would be left to reign and rule over? (See again "Kingdom of God",  "Book of Revelation", "Works of Jesus", "Greater Works")

5. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15b)

It’s the message of 7th trumpet and part of the Handel’s “Messiah” with its famous “Hallelujah Chorus.” But do we believe this? No! We futurize it, too. (See again "Kingdom of God" and "Book of Revelation")

What a big difference this totally biblical and further reformed worldview would make for how Christianity is preached, practiced, and perceived—and received. What do you think?

Elaborations:

Sources:

  1. The Perfect Ending for the World by John Noe
  2. A Once-Mighty Faith (future book – est. 2014-15) by John Noe
  3. The Greater Jesus by John Noe