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Africa by Radio CONTINENTAL CONVENTION 17-19 September 2009 Reaching, Touching: Progress Together hein van wyk. Biblical Worldview 1. Africa is Blessed. “Africa continues to be demonized as the poorest continent in the world, yet it is the richest continent in terms of natural resources.” - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Africa by Radio
CONTINENTAL CONVENTION
17-19 September 2009
Reaching, Touching: Progress Together
hein van wyk
Biblical Worldview 1
“Africa continues to be demonized as the poorest continent in the world, yet it is the richest continent in terms of natural resources.”
- Chika Onyeani, African Sun Times
“In terms of natural resources, Africa is the world’s richest continent
- Dr. Walter Williams, Professor of Economics at George Mason University
Onyeani, Chika; G8 Nations Fail Africa Again; African Sun Times; June 17, 2004 Williams, Walter; Africa’s Tragedy; www.gmu.edu/departments/economics;
7/1/04
Africa is Blessed
Africa is Blessed
• Blessed with natural resources
Africa is Blessed: Natural Beauty
Africa is Blessed: Agriculture
Africa is Blessed: Rivers and Lakes
Africa is Blessed: Minerals
Africa is Blessed
• Blessed with natural resources• Blessed with an incredible heritage for the Gospel• Blessed with beautiful, imaginative people made in the image of God• Blessed with the foundation of the Church
Africa: A Heartbreaking Paradox
“Despite these countless blessings and riches,
Africa remains undeniably the most poverty-stricken and broken continent on
the planet.”
Africa is Broken
Gross National Product (GNP)• 14% of world’s population – 2% of world’s GNP
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)• 17 of world’s 21 poorest countries based on
GDP
northern america
caribbean
southernamerica
western europe
southerneurope
northerneurope
easterneurope
westernasia
easternafrica
northernafrica
middle africa
southern africa
eastern asia
southeasternasia
oceania
southcentralasia
westernafrica
© GeoHIVE 2005
centralamerica
Human Suffering Index (HIS)• 24 countries in Africa described as “extreme human suffering”
Corruption Perception Index (CPI)• 16 countries in the highly corrupt range of the index
Freedom Index• 21 countries in Africa are “partially free”• 20 from Africa are not free
Africa is Broken
HIV/AIDS Infection Rate• 71% of World’s HIV/AIDS cases in Africa• at least 6,000 people die each day• 12 million HIV/AIDS Orphans; 20 million in 2010• HIV/AIDS infected people in Africa 28.5 million
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)• 30 countries in Africa eligible for HIPC
Human Development Index (HDI)• HDI attempts to measure “Quality of Life”• 174 countries qualified; 33 of bottom 40 are in Africa
Africa is Broken
Africa: Blessed but Broken
Why the Paradox?
Africa’s problems are not located in such things as incompetent leadership, corrupt politics,
infrastructural inadequacies, widespread illiteracy, or unjust economic systems.
These are serious problems, but it is only symptoms, not root causes.
The root of the problem is not material, nor is it primarily outside the continent.
The root of the problem is inside the minds of the people of the continent.
The problem is the worldview.
Africa: Blessed but Broken
WorldviewThe Roots Produce the Fruit
Consequences (Culture) What is the result?
Behaviour What is done?
Branches
Fruit
Trunk
Roots
ValuesWhat is good or best? Why do I do what I do?
Beliefs (Worldview)What is true? What is real?
Worldview has Consequences
“I believe people are as they think. The choices we make … will mold irrevocably the direction of our culture… and the lives of our children!”
- Francis Schaeffer
Worldview determines Culture
“According to Augustine, culture is not a reflection of a people’s race, ethnicity, folklore, politics, language or heritage. Rather it is an outworking of a people’s creed. In other words, culture is the temporal manifestation of a people’s faith.
If a culture begins to change, it is not because of fads, fashions, or the passing of time, it is because of a shift in the worldview – it is because of a change of faith.”
George Grant, The Micah MandateG-7a
What is a Worldview?
• The belief system conveyed in the tribal story
• The mindset of a people• Mental infrastructure• It is like:
– A set of glasses for the mind– The software of the a computer
The Power of Worldview
This grid or glasses are powerful because they determine• How we see the world!• How we think the world works!• The Culture we create!• The kind of nations we will build!
Worldview Defined
• A set of assumptions about life and what is true and important. (Ron Boehme)
• The total set of beliefs or assumptions that comprise the mindset of an individual and determine how they view reality. (Darrow Miller)
• A worldview is a set of presuppositions (or assumptions) which we hold (consciously or unconsciously) about the basic make-up of our world. (James Sire / Charles Dunahoo)
Non-Biblical Worldview Elements
African Traditional MindsetWomen are inferior to men.
Work is a curse.
Tribalism: my tribe is superior to your tribe.
Fatalism: We are poor and there is nothing we can do about it. History is something that happens to us. This “dependency mentality” is outward-looking, waiting for someone or something else “from the outside” to solve problems.
Non-Biblical Worldview Elements
African Traditional MindsetTime: focus on the past; backward looking
Corruption: The gods are capricious and can be “bribed” through various acts or sacrifices.
The life of an individual is not significant
“Zero-sum:” Limited Good; resources are fixed and limited. If my neighbor prospers, it must be the result of him doing something wrong to me, such as stealing.
The universe is capriciousness, chaotic and unpredictable.
Worldview Contrasts
African Traditional Mindset
Biblical Worldview (Christian Standard)
Women are inferior to men. Women are made in the image of God and have equal worth with men. Their roles differ, but their value before God is the same.
Work is a curse. Work is part of our dignity.
Tribalism: my tribe is superior to your tribe.
Community: each race/tribe is equal in value but wonderfully unique, and this should be celebrated.
Fatalism: We are poor and there is nothing we can do about it. History is something that happens to us. This “dependency mentality” is outward-looking, waiting for someone or something else “from the outside” to solve problems.
Freedom: We were made to create history. God created humans with freedom and personal responsibility.
Worldview Contrasts (cont.)
African Traditional Mindset
Biblical Worldview (Christian Standard)
Time: focus on the past; backward looking
Time: celebrate the past, enjoy the present, plan for the future; forward looking
Corruption: The gods are capricious and can be “bribed” through various acts or sacrifices.
Justice: The living God is unchanging in His character, which is both just and good. He takes no bribes.
The life of an individual is not significant
Individual human life is significant
“Zero-sum:” Limited Good; resources are fixed and limited. If my neighbor prospers, it must be the result of him doing something wrong to me, such as stealing.
Positive Sum: Wealth is created.
The universe is capriciousness, chaotic and unpredictable.
The universe is governed by natural laws, it is orderly
Biblical WorldviewSetting the Standard
Africa needs a worldview that • is victorious • is wholistic• is able to provide a sense of destiny and hope• will inspire zeal, commitment and Godly
character under trying circumstances and challenging situations
Africa needs a victorious worldview which is • anchored in Truth• unchanging in nature• eternal in scope • accessible to everyone • able to bridge faith and lifestyle
Africa needs a Biblical Worldview
Africa needs a worldview that is God-breathed and based on a written Absolute.
Africa needs the worldview of the Bible; the life system and culture of the Kingdom of God.
Africa needs the Mind of Christ.
Dr. Tokunboh AdeyemoFounder and Executive Director of the Center of
Biblical Transformation
“Africa has been evangelized but the African mind has not been captured for Christ.”
Biblical WorldviewThe Nature of the Bible
Depth
The G
rand
Sto
ry*
* The story of meaning: what is true, what is good, what is beautiful
Breadth
CREATION:In the Beginning
CONSUMMATION:Christ’s Return
REDEMPTIONFALL
EternityFuture
Before theBeginning
Worldviews in Conflict
Africa Traditional
Religion (Animism)
“Monism”
Absoluteness of the
“spiritual”
Secularism
“Naturalism”
Absoluteness of the
physical
Biblical Theism(Christian Standard)
God-createdGod-created
Radical middleRadical middle
Africa by Radio
CONTINENTAL CONVENTION
17-19 September 2009
Reaching, Touching: Progress Together
hein van wyk
Biblical Worldview 2
Biblical WorldviewThe Nature of the Bible
Depth
The G
rand
Sto
ry*
* The story of meaning: what is true, what is good, what is beautiful
Breadth
CREATION:In the Beginning
CONSUMMATION:Christ’s Return
REDEMPTIONFALL
EternityFuture
Before theBeginning
Worldviews in Conflict
Africa Traditional
Religion (Animism)
“Monism”
Absoluteness of the
“spiritual”
Secularism
“Naturalism”
Absoluteness of the
physical
Biblical Theism(Christian Standard)
God-createdGod-created
Radical middleRadical middle
Epistemological Questions How do I know?
SecularismBiblical Theism
ATR/Animism
Epistemological Questions What Can I know?
Secularism
Biblical Theism ATR/Animism
Meta-Physical QuestionsBasic Relationships & Time
Ultimate Reality?
Result:
Death
Life
Death
Man? Nature? History?
ATR/Animism
Biblical Theism
Secularism
Moral Questions What is the Nature of Evil?
Secularism
Biblical Theism ATR/
Animism
Man’s Basic Questions What is Life?
ATR/Animism
Secularism
Biblical Theism
WorldviewThe Roots Produce the Fruit
Consequences (Culture) What is the result?
Behaviour What is done?
Branches
Fruit
Trunk
Roots
ValuesWhat is good or best? Why do I do what I do?
Beliefs (Worldview)What is true? What is real?
Lies a culture holds to be true
Truth the culture embracesPrinciples of the Development Ethic
WorldviewThe Roots Produce the Fruit
Worldview through the Centuries
Biblical Worldview
GOD
CreationCreation
• Being• History
• Incarnation• Holy Spirit
GOD istranscendent
standing outsideof creation
GOD isGOD isimmanentimmanent
in His creationin His creation
Biblical Worldview
Coram Deo Living before the Face of God
FaithScience
BusinessMissions
JusticeArt / MusicDevotional
LifeBread
ReasonTheologyEthicsPoliticsEvangelis
mNatureCommunit
y ServiceGospel
GOD
Deism
GOD
CosmosCosmos
Secularism
?NatureNature
Reaction“Fundamentalists”
Evangelicals
Pentecostals
Charismatics
Church Divided
Accommodation“Liberals”
Old-Line
Denominations
Church
SecularismSecularism
The Greek Dichotomy
FaithTheologyEthicsMissionsDevotional
LifeGospel
ReasonScienceBusiness/
economicsPoliticsArt/musicPhysical ministryBread
HigherHighermore more
importantimportant
LowerLowerless less
importantimportant
SPIRITUASPIRITUALL
(sacred)(sacred)
PHYSICAPHYSICALL
(secular)(secular)
GRACEGRACE
NATURENATURE
Su
nd
ay
Su
nd
ay
We
ekd
ays
We
ekd
ays
SecularSecular
SacredSacred
GOD
Biblical WorldviewThe Influence of Secularism
Dualistic Worldview
Moral*Faith *Grace
*Missions *Ethics
Sacred* Theology* Evangelism* Discipleship* Devotions
NaturalNatural
GOD
Physical* Works
* Reason* Business
* Politics
Secular* Science* Economics* Mass
Media* The Arts‘Physical’ MinistriesPhysical’ Ministries
Social JusticeSocial JusticeWeekdaysWeekdays
Spiritual DisciplinesSpiritual Warfare
SundaysSundays
Spiritual
The Church Gathered and Scattered
Gathered for worship: fellowship & equipping
Scattered for Worship: service, stewardship & discipling the nations
G-3d
The Church and the Gates of the City
SocialSocial
CommunicationCommunication
Business Business & Economics& Economics
ArtsArts HealthHealth
Government & LawGovernment & Law
Science &Science &TechnologyTechnology
EducationEducation
G-8a
KingdomizersKingdomizers
hein van wyk
0823498465
www.disciplenations.org
www.samaritan-strategy-africa.org
www.harvestfoundation.org
Conclusion
The African Church exists in communities and nations that are in the grip of suffering that follows wars, famine, crime, underdevelopment and HIV/AIDS.
The Church in Africa has a vital message to bring to the Continent; a message that should be lived and proclaimed as a Biblical Worldview, a Kingdom Life system to challenge both ancient animistic and modern secular paradigms resulting in a sure and steadfast foundation upon which to build healthy, just societies and nations.
