Importance of World View & Importance of World View & The CrossThe Cross

By … Dr. Gwen Dewey

Important Concept to Understand Before We Important Concept to Understand Before We Start: Start:

worldview

values

behavior

culture

Our Worldview (assumptions) Drives Our Behavior

From Christian Overman. Assumptions that Affect our Lives

In reverse order, our worldview is In reverse order, our worldview is developed by our culturedeveloped by our culture

worldview

values

behavior

culture

Two Stories to Help Us Understand the Two Stories to Help Us Understand the Importance of WorldviewImportance of Worldview

Story 1: Conflict between Jews in Judean and Diaspora (10 BC – 135 AD)

Story 2: Novation Schism (250 AD)

Story 1: Conflict between the Jews in Judea and Story 1: Conflict between the Jews in Judea and DiasporaDiaspora

Jews forcefully taken to Babylonian Empire in 580 BC

Lived in “Diaspora” for about 500 yearsTheir lives turned good for a while, as

Babylonia prospered, and they did not want to return to Palestine (Judea)

Things turned bad, and they started migrating back to Judea, their homeland

Story 1: Conflict between Jews in Judea and those in Story 1: Conflict between Jews in Judea and those in Diaspora cont’dDiaspora cont’d

They still spoke the “mother” tongue (Hebrew)

Believed the Diaspora Jews did not honor their forefathers and Prophets by not returning sooner to live in Judea

Believed the Diaspora Jews had been “tainted” by hated Hellenistic culture

They knew the “truth,” because they had the Temple and Priests to guide them

Saw that the Diaspora Jews had discarded many of their Jew-defining laws and circumcision

• They spoke the “civilized” world standard language (Greek)

• Believed the Judean Jews had both ignored and killed the Prophets throughout history

• Believed the Judeans were barbaric (blood sacrifices)

• They had the “truth” too, because they not only had the scriptures, they had Synagogues, and they had the superior education of the Greeks

• Saw that the Judean Jews held onto ancient laws of animal blood sacrifices, and circumcision was a form of barbarism

Why each felt superior to the other

What each disliked about the other

Judean Jews Diaspora Jews

Story 1: Who was Right?Story 1: Who was Right?

Faithful Jews who kept the flame of Judaism alive in their home and held onto their historical practices by worshipping their ancestral Temple ?

The Jews who had grown in Greek wisdom and used that wisdom to better understand and live their faith?

AnswerAnswer: : Jesus Tells Us in the Parable of the Prodigal Son Jesus Tells Us in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)(Luke 15:11-32)

Son leaves, goes to a distant land

Stays there, rather than return, until he runs out of resources

Decides to return home, where things are better

Father welcomes him home in joy and celebration

Faithful brother not happy about it, and complains

◦ He had been faithful and stayed at home

◦ He deserved to be the only son, not the one who had failed

However, the Father wants to always forgive and be reconciled

Father says: Although the faithful son is loved and everything he has he shares with him, it is only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because the brother was dead and has come to life

Story 2: The “Lapsed” ControversyStory 2: The “Lapsed” Controversy

3rd great Roman persecution (249 – 50AD) under the Roman Emperor Decian

Decian wanted to return the Roman Empire back to its “glory” years, and decreed that all should offer sacrifices to the Roman gods

Christians in North Africa were especially persecuted

Some Christians openly refused, were martyred; Pope Fabian was martyred

Others bought fake certificates, saying they had offered sacrifices, but had not

Others recanted Christianity, and offered sacrifices

Lapsed Controversy, Cont’dLapsed Controversy, Cont’d

After the persecution, many wanted to repent and return to the Church

Controversy over how to re-admit them (the Lapsed) back into the Church erupted in the church at Carthage (Tunisia)

Should they be re-admitted?

◦ If forgiven, what kind of penitence should they do?

◦ Should those who purchased certificates be treated any differently than those who actually offered sacrifices?

Meet Novatian (200 AD – 258 AD)Meet Novatian (200 AD – 258 AD)

Lived, wrote and taught in CarthageRoman (heavily influenced by Greek

thought)Highly respected theologian (especially on

the Trinity)Believed, as some other Bishop’s, that Pope

Cornelius was too lenient on the LapseHad himself (with support of many Bishops)

made Bishop of Rome (Pope) in opposition to Pope Cornelius in 250AD

Main spokesman for the position that “only God” could forgive the Lapsed for such a grievous sin, not the Church

Probably martyred in 258AD during the 4th (and last) Valerian persecution

Meet Cyprian (200 AD – 258 AD)Meet Cyprian (200 AD – 258 AD)

Lived and worked in CarthagePagan background, became a Christian at

40 years oldVery wealthy: gave away much of his

wealth to the poorWrote some books, was highly influenced

by TertullianA few years after conversion he was chosen

Bishop of Carthage by the Church

Meet Cyprian (200 AD – 258 AD) cont’dMeet Cyprian (200 AD – 258 AD) cont’d

Highly skilled in rhetoric, and could easily dominate in debates, which added to some of his opponent’s irritation

He fled the Decian persecution in 249-250 AD; Novatian and a few other Bishop’s accused him of cowardice

He claimed he needed to flee into hiding to continue guiding his flock

Martyred in the last persecution in 258 AD

What Happened as a Result of the Novation What Happened as a Result of the Novation and Cyprian Argument? and Cyprian Argument?

1. Novation - Rome (Cyprian) churches split in 250AD

2. Antagonism continued until the Catholic (West) - Orthodox (East) split in the tenth century

The fight opened the door wide for Islam to enter to Africa in the eighth century

3. On the other extreme, the practice of selling “indulgences” (forgiveness papers) in Europe led to the Reformation, or the split between Protestant and Catholic Rome in mid-1500’s

Now three separate branches of Christianity, with little cooperation among them

Story 2: Who is Right?Story 2: Who is Right?

Those who endured persecution and even Martyrdom were faithful

Those who left the Church were sinners

Novation followers did not want the Church to be “tainted” and the blood of the martyrs “cheapened”

Cyprian followers wanted the Church to be known as “loving and forgiving”

What did Jesus teach us? Again, let’s look at the parable of the Prodigal Son

Father wants to forgive; should we go against His desires?

Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The Heart of the Gospel (John 20:19-23The Heart of the Gospel (John 20:19-23))

On the first day of the week, in the evening, after Jesus was resurrected, he appeared to the disciples, and He ◦ Showed them his hands and side – which

validated his authority, and said: Peace (shalom) be with you As the Father has sent me, I am sending you

◦ Then He breathed on them (or breathed out the Holy Spirit on them), and said: Receive the Holy Spirit If you forgive the sins of anyone, their sins

are forgiven If you do not forgive them, they are not

forgiven

First Miracle after the ResurrectionFirst Miracle after the Resurrection

Disciples had to forgive each other◦ Peter failed, John had run away◦ All had scattered and hid from the authorities

Disciples had to forgive the family of Jesus◦ During the crucifixion, the mother of Jesus

was left alone, with no support from other family members

◦ During the ministry of Jesus, His family members had been ashamed of His teaching (John 3:30-34)

First one to forgive: James, the brother of Jesus ◦ Becomes the leader of the first church

Jesus Last InstructionsJesus Last Instructions

This I command you: Love one another(John 13:34, 15:12, 15:17)

By this will they (the world) know you(John 13:35)

How Do We Apply the Stories Today to Those How Do We Apply the Stories Today to Those who Offend Us or the Church)?who Offend Us or the Church)?

The Father is loving and wants all people to be reconciled to Him

Since we have been given the power to forgive, we should not stand in the way of those who seek reconciliation (Matt 6:14)

If an offender does not seek forgiveness, we should treat them well, as Jesus did when he dined with sinners and publicans

How Do We Apply the Stories Today to Those How Do We Apply the Stories Today to Those who Offend Us or the Church)? Cont’dwho Offend Us or the Church)? Cont’d

An unforgiving spirit divides, which opens the doors to attacks by the Evil One

We have been given one commandment by Christ that we are to love one another (John 13-16) and not condemn (John 3:16-17)

Even when we disagree with someone, we must still honor and encourage others, especially those who are part of the Body of Christ

Did the Cross make a difference?Did the Cross make a difference?

Breaks Have Cause Much Confusion and Pain in Breaks Have Cause Much Confusion and Pain in the Worldthe World (Gen 11:1-9) (Gen 11:1-9)

Loss of the purpose; not being stewards of all God has given us◦ Creation - environmental crises◦ People - social, economic and justice inequalities

Loss of seeing people as made in God’s image◦ We use our power to control others, not to serve

others◦ We see others with contempt- not worthy for anything

Loss of connectedness to God◦ Materialism◦ Humanism, etc

Loss of being able to get along with many others◦ We experience and hold onto transactional social

relationships, rather than transformational ones◦ Self indulgent, no regard for consequences of our

behavior

Did the Cross Made a Difference? Did the Cross Made a Difference?

Yes – relationships healed between (Gal 3:27-29)◦ Jew and Greek (ethnic and racial group)◦ Slave and free (social and economic standing)◦ Male and female (gender)

Yes – redeemed from the curse imposed at the Fall (Gal 3:13)◦ Cursed ground◦ Futility of work◦ Relationship between a man and a woman

Did the Cross Made a Difference? Cont’dDid the Cross Made a Difference? Cont’d

Yes – when we walk through the cross, we take a peek at what is in the Kingdom (Is 65:17-25), we see: ◦ Infants will be living and not dying◦ People living longer◦ Have houses to live in, land to plant food and have

plenty to eat◦ Will not build only for others, but for self◦ Not work in vain or have children that are sold into

captivity◦ The strong and the weak shall live peacefully

together◦ People will not work against the new creation

And we work with God as Stewards toward this final consummated Kingdom goal

We are a group of Redeemed people – once we were nothing, now we are something! A royal priesthood! A light to the World!

Despite the pervasiveness of the effects of Sin, God in Christ has redeemed the entire created order (Col 1:15-20)

The Kingdom of God was inaugurated at the cross – and we are the whole of Creation eagerly await its final consummation (Rom 8:19-23)

In the meantime, large numbers of people still live in sin, and much of creation is suffering

Cosmic scope of redemption worked by God Cosmic scope of redemption worked by God (Trinity) at the Cross! (Trinity) at the Cross!

Cosmic scope of redemption worked by God (Trinity) at Cosmic scope of redemption worked by God (Trinity) at the Cross! Cont’dthe Cross! Cont’d

The Creation Mandate is still in place, and it remains our central purpose

Now we have been given the Great commission

◦ God redeems mankind and creation through the Church when by the Holy Spirit His Children bring His presence into the World.

We have been given all the resources we need to do both the Creation Mandate and the Great Commission

Have You only gone Have You only gone ToTo the Cross, or have you the Cross, or have you gone on Tgone on Throughhrough the Cross to see the Kingdom? the Cross to see the Kingdom?

A B C

Kingdom of this world Kingdom of God

D

A: We start as members of the world kingdom

B. We come to the cross, are graciously redeemed

C. We go through the Cross, see the victory of God in the resurrection, and see how things can and will be in the kingdom

D. We go back into the world, knowing that the curse has been removed, and we work/live with God to bring the Kingdom of God into the world (we are lights of the Kingdom in the world) Church penetrating the world

Work after the Fall, and after the CrossWork after the Fall, and after the Cross

We are a group of redeemed peopleWe were nothing, now we are something

◦ a royal priesthood ◦ a light to the world

The Creation Mandate is still in place, and is reaffirmed as our purpose

We work as praise and worshipWe are still stewards of God’s creationWe have been given the Great CommissionWe have been given all the resources we

need to do both jobs – Creation Mandate and Great Commission

How Do we Do Both Jobs? How Do we Do Both Jobs? We Need a New God-given Worldview That Drives Our We Need a New God-given Worldview That Drives Our Behavior--Behavior--Not a Culture that Drives Our BehaviorNot a Culture that Drives Our Behavior

worldview

values

behavior

culture

Christian Worldview:

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to put on and live the “Mind of Christ”

A World Developed Worldview: Our individual environment & experiences creates in us our worldview

We Have Been Instructed to Have the We Have Been Instructed to Have the Worldview of JesusWorldview of Jesus

Jesus instructed his disciples and followers to “Follow Him” 18 times

Paul in his writings instructed us to “put on the mind of Christ” (and to “be transformed”)13 times

Paul instructed us be of the “same mind” 11 times

Paul instructed us to “put off” the carnal mind 10 times

Sounds tough! How do we do this?

We Have Been Given Everything We We Have Been Given Everything We Need Need

Made in His image, God gives us needed abilities/talents

God has given us the Creation Mandate–authority to have dominion over the earth

4000 years of instructions given through the Bible and history

God has given us four Institutions in which to operate:

◦ Family

◦ Business

◦ Government

◦ Church

God has given us His Son to allow us to be reconciled to Him

God has given us His Son as our model for work

Holy Spirit been given to provide us with overwhelming power to do our job

How Do We Proceed?How Do We Proceed?

Theological Studies Actions God (trinity at work) Biblical Instructions Pray - Holy Spirit transforms us worldview

Biblical Stories Apply - We develop (contextualize) (in Hebrew or Greek context) values, goals, purpose,

lifestyle, behaviors

Christian historical stories (in their cultural context)

Live - worship, work and live Study earth needs & resources with the “mind of Christ” in us

Study community needs & resources

How Do We Learn the Mind of Christ? How Do We Learn the Mind of Christ?

1. Listening to what Jesus tells us in words and stories, and living them and having them direct our actions◦ i.e., Sermon on the Mount, the Sea,

Olivet Discourse◦ Parables◦ Post resurrection instructions for the

disciples

How Do We Learn the Mind of Christ? Cont’dHow Do We Learn the Mind of Christ? Cont’d

2. Looking at how Jesus and the Father did their work and emulating them in our actions and behavior ◦ Gave power away◦ Was humble◦ Loving and forgiving, always desiring

reconciliation◦ Provide for our needs and resource

others with gifts and talents◦ Trusting of others, willing to have them

fail◦ etc

The Mind of Christ in UsThe Mind of Christ in Us

As Christians, we follow Christ and put on “the mind of Christ”

This means for us to:◦ Love the Father◦ Love and think of others first and build them

up ◦ Faithfully stewardship the Father’s

calling for our lives ◦ Not proud of what God has given us, but

thankful & humility◦ Be compassionate

The Mind of Christ in Us cont’dThe Mind of Christ in Us cont’d

◦ Seek justice ◦ Be kind◦ Be merciful◦ Be pure in heart; honest, responsible,

high integrity, and open to review by others

◦ Peacemakers◦ Seek justice◦ Be joyful in the Lord, knowing He loves us,

knows us by name, and cares for us

Application Examples of the Mind of Christ in Application Examples of the Mind of Christ in UsUs

Actions of God (the Trinity) God worked and created

universe, and called it good God trusted us to be

stewards of the earth (but resourced us with His DNA, skill, tools)

Father is forgiving – desires to embrace, not exclude

Jesus trusted a group of fishermen to change the world (servant-leader)

Application to Us• We work and create “good” things and it brings joy•We are stewards of God’s creation, and we must do our jobs well•We can disagree, but we always embrace, honor, respect, and encourage others, and not exclude•As Jesus laid down his power, he wants us to trust others who work for us, equip others (by instruction and our actions), and to allow them to make decisions, and yes, make mistakes

Example (continued)Example (continued)The World’s Worldview is Upside-downThe World’s Worldview is Upside-down

Hides values Models valuesArrogant, “do it my way” Humble, “do it your way” Keeps power/control Gives away power to othersKeeps decision-making role Gives away decision-making roleKeeps the rewards Gives the rewards to workers Expects workers to do as directed Expects creativity in workersGives minimal resources for work Gives abundant resources Workers obey rules of organization Requires integrity

Leader, CEO, King, Family Head, Manager, etc.

Servant – Leader

World’s Way Biblical Way

Workers do as

directed

Workers do as

modeled

The EndThe End