PREVALENT WORLDVIEWS

There is much talk about worldviews in the air today. Is the "Christian Worldview," repeated so often in evangelical circles, a correct Biblical worldview? Make a comparison on the charts below and compare them to the materials available to Baptist Christians.

A "WORLDVIEW" is really another name for "THEOLOGY." Theology, even if we choose not to admit it, is the engine that runs life. So your worldview is your theology and your worldview is your engine. If you do not choose your own WORLDVIEW, believe me, someone will choose it for you. (See The Theology books that sought to destroy the Baptists.) Baptists for the most part, have been Pauline in their theology.

The Pagan Worldview
1. Gods exist to give power.
2. Gods must be appeased for favor.
3. You may choose (or create) your own god according to your desires.
4. The state (world), and the gods are one in power. The God of choice would rule in a theocracy. 
5. The Pagan theocracy was a counterfeit of the old Hebrew theocracy.
5. Corporeal or capital punishment is justified for “heretics” who reject the State-god.
 The Pauline Worldview
1. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Covenant. The New Testament begins a new covenant. 
2. The New Covenant is individual, not patriarchal.
3. Baptism is immersion for believers only.
4. Regeneration is a work of the Holy Ghost, occurring at salvation.
5. There is a coming future reign of Christ (1,000 years) (Chilasm)
6. Christ’s return is imminent.
7. The church is not Israel, and is separate from the world (state). As such, the local church is “a garden enclosed.”
8. The New Testament churches do not punish “heretics.” 
9. The churches are comprised of “pilgrims” or strangers in this world awaiting Jesus to return for them.
 The Augustinian Worldview:
1. Mankind inherits Original Sin.
2. Baptism is a symbol and sign of the covenant (figurative of circumcism) and washes away Original Sin.
3. Infant “baptism” is compulsory and provides regeneration.
4. The church is Israel (figurative interpretation of scripture).
5. Membership in the Universal Church not voluntary.
6. Sacerdotal salvation through the Church.
7. Predestination and Election before being born or born again.
8. The New Covenant is patriarchal, not individual. 
9. The events of Revelation are figurative and Jesus return is not imminent (Amillennialism)
10. Corporeal or Capital Punishment upon heretics.
11. Church-State marriage, the world dominated by the Church.		 John Calvin's Worldview:
1. Mankind inherits Original Sin.
2. Baptism is a symbol and sign of the covenant (figurative of circumcism) and washes away Original Sin.
3. Infant “baptism” is compulsory and provides regeneration.
4. The church is Israel (figurative interpretation of scripture).
5. Membership in the catholic Reformed Church not voluntary.
6. Sacraments are a “means” to grace through the Church.
7. Predestination and Election before being born or born again.
8. The New Covenant is patriarchal, not individual. 
9. The events of Revelation are figurative, Jesus will return at the conclusion of a 1,000 reign of the catholic Reformed Church. (postmillennialism)
10. Corporeal or Capital Punishment upon heretics.
11. Church-State marriage.