Renewing Your Mind
Worldviews
John 17:14
I have given them your word, and the world has hated
them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong
to the world.
NRSV
We hear and read a lot about the difference between secular world views and Christian world views and the lack of the latter. By “world view” we must understand we speak of the collective pattern of thoughts and motives attached to attitudes. A world view is a system of how we look at things. For example, a secular world view normally uses fame, wealth, power, sex, or self as the main frame of reference. The Christian has died to sin (Rom 6:13) so as a new creature we cannot return to our old nature. However, the old nature may certainly “show through” in our actions. This is particularly apparent when one focuses on world views. So, it is possible for a Christian to have a secular world view.
Unfortunately, most of this discourse does little to assist us in understanding what a Christian world view resembles. We understand the basic concept of renewing our mind, but stumble at the application. Paul will now spend the balance of this chapter as well as the next two and part of a third providing more specific statements of application, some of which will help to answer this question. But, before moving on to these verses, let us spend a few moments considering the concepts of Christian thinking.
Ezekiel 33:10-11
10 Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live?11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? KJV
At the root of a Christian world view or a Christian thought pattern is the Bible, God’s truth. God has revealed to us the good and bad things of the world. God has demonstrated the need for holiness and righteousness and godly love. At the same time, Scripture is filled with examples of worldly thinking, man attempting to do things man’s way as opposed to God’s way. So, God’s truth lies at the heart of a renewed mind.
“. . . how should we then live?”
