Who is Man? Part 6
Post-modernism and Culture
Worldview and the Gospel
1 Corinthians 15:4-8 “…that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.”
Another aspect of the Gospel that we need to consider is in the verses above. Jesus Christ was buried; He rose from the grave and was seen by a number of witnesses, over five hundred witnesses at one time.This is good news!
God had told us that every matter should be established by the testimony of two or more witnesses. (Deuteronomy 19:15) However, how does this build a Biblical worldview? Francis Schaeffer talks about the “mannishness of man.” He said: “This draws attention to the fact that humans are different from all other things in the world. Several things bring this out: 1. Creativity; 2. People fear death; 3. We are able to choose and we are able to verbalize. People are able to remember the past and make plans for the future.”
For a worldview to be a true worldview it must answer this question about man, what Schaeffer called the “mannishness of man.” With the Gospel being the core of a biblical worldview we see how this question is answered. When I think of what Christ has done for me (for man) it makes me realize that I (or man) am different from all other creatures. I can think, verbalize, create, love, fear, feel and express emotion, etc. One of the things that Francis Schaeffer brings out is that man fears death.
There seems to be within the heart of man a sense for the eternal. Even in our post-modern culture we see this coming out with man trying to remain young and not looking old. Look at the medicines being propagated that will reduce aging and exercises that we do to remain healthy. Pseudo spiritual mantras are being voiced and all because of the sense of the eternal in the heart of man placed there by God.
Man knows that he is different, but why? The Gospel tells us that man is unique, made in the image of God. Man has a longing for eternal life because God has placed eternity in his heart. Man fears death. But the Gospel gives us hope. Jesus rose from the dead. To collaborate this truth He was seen after the resurrection by over five hundred brethren at one time.
So what does the Gospel teach me?
1. God made the world and He is in control.
2. Man is made in the image of God. Man is different from other creatures.
3. Man has sinned and fallen out of fellowship with God his Maker.
4. Jesus died for my sin so I might be forgiven and brought back into fellowship with God.
5. Jesus rose from the dead and so will I.
Another question that comes is: Why do I know that this is true? The answer lies in the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 15 states that “according to the Scriptures” we know this is true.
These are the core beliefs in creating a biblical worldview. How important it is to be grounded in these truths!