Why Christianity? A Critical Worldview Analysis ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba

Critical Analysis of Christianity as a Worldview

How does Christianity stand as a Worldview when placed under the microscope of Internal Consistency, Existential Viability, as well as, Intellectual and Cultural Fecundity? Since these were the criteria under which we examined the Secular Humanists, I believe it only fair to evaluate Christianity by these same three. Today we will look at the first two.

Internal Consistency

Christianity presents a never changing, omnipotent God as creator and sustainer of the Universe. The story presented throughout the scripture is unchanging and consistent from Genesis to Revelation; despite it being written over thousands of years by many writers. The story has not changed. God has remained constant. God created mankind with free will, man chooses evil, God’s grace redeems those who choose His gift. He consistently continues to reveal Himself.

In the Old Testament, He revealed Himself through nature, special revelations and the prophets in the Old Testament. God revealed things before they happened through His prophets with perfect accuracy. He forewarned the people; before judgment would befall them, and always provided them a means to escape the impending trials. If only, they would turn from their sin and seek Him; He would provide a way of salvation. Even when they utterly failed; God remained faithful to His covenant and would draw them back to Himself.

TRUTH

Knowing that the only hope of true fulfillment, joy, and love were found in a relationship with Him; God did and continues to do everything to bring that about. Daniel even told of the very day Jesus would ride into Jerusalem in Daniel 9:25-26. He continues to reveal Himself today through nature, through scientific discoveries, archeological finds, and through our ability to know joy and love.

The critics would say that there are many inconsistencies within the Bible; however, a careful study of the scripture shows that just not to be true. Furthermore, critics want to say the manuscripts must have been altered over time; however, “manuscripts that are part of the Dead Sea Scrolls, for instance, clearly show that our modern copies of the Old Testament are incredibly accurate.”[1]

Furthermore, there is nothing more profound concerning the internal consistency of Christianity, than the life, the teaching, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those who discover the gospel of Jesus Christ, “find a truth that is both humbling and ennobling. The saving truth of Jesus Christ is a gift of God’s grace. As sinners we can only receive it in humility. Yet Jesus declared that the gospel is a truth that sets us free (John 8:31-32). [2]

Existential Viability

Christianity provides a message of hope, joy, and peace; even amid tragedies. Because Christians live within a relationship with God who speaks with them, guides them, provides for them, and comforts them; they can face great trials with hope and joy in their heart. The gospel message makes life livable, here and now. As Douglas Groothius wrote: “A true worldview should be livable; it should not commit us to perpetual intellectual and moral frustration”[3] No other worldview provides such a message of hope and livability as does Christianity. Furthermore, within each individual human on this planet, we find a desire for something much greater than our own existence. That is the search for being; rather, than mere existence on this planet. Yet as Paul so aptly spoke in Acts 17:24-28

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hat determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in Him we live, and move, and have our being

A DESIRE ONLY GOD CAN FILL

The fact that we are born with desires for more than mere existence, desires that transcend our mere hope to survive suggests that there is something much greater than our mundane existence. To make that existence livable; we too must transcend beyond our day by day existence. This is what C.S. Lewis referred to when he wrote:

“Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists. If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my early pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly desires were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing”[4]

That the Critics Cannot Deny

Even Jean Paul Sartre wrote from the point of an atheist, we “find it extremely disturbing that God no longer exits, for along with his disappearance goes the possibility of finding values in an intelligible heaven.”[5] Jonathan Benthall, himself a secularist, suggests there is a void that occurs which must be filled when we remove religion from the world. He goes on to say, “Reason tells us that what separates human beings from animals is precisely – short of some future extraordinary discoveries by neurobiologists – the elusive stuff, whether it is poetry or electronic bank transfers.”[6]

Furthermore, we find on the back-cover description of Returning to Religion: Why a Secular Age is Haunted by Faith these words: “A human universal, the religious inclination underlies the fabric of who and what we are: we cannot choose to repudiate it, only how to channel it.”[7] He suggests there is a need for religious substitutes or ‘religiod’ (religious like) activities. But, if there is truly within humans a religious inclination; doesn’t that indicate there is much more to mankind that the mere evolutionary changes of atoms? Why must we search for substitutes, rather than recognize that God placed that desire in our hearts that we might find Him?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

Two Newest Books Available

ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY

A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.

WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”

Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.

You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.