Worldview and the Life of Pi

We are supposed to glorify God with everything we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). Having a worldview
is something we do. Therefore, we are to glorify God with our worldview―ideally, the Christian   worldview.

What is a worldview? Well, how one views the world. Their worldview is composed of their beliefs about the world. This word comes from the German Weltanschauung, which, according to dictionary.com, means: "A comprehensive conception or image of the universe and of humanity's relation to it."

Now, what is a Christian's Weltanschauung? What is our comprehensive conception of the universe? The answer: We see the universe as something God made to bring glory to Him, and that everything He created is for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). And, likewise, when it comes to humanity's relating to the world, we were created to bring God glory and to serve Him (Acts 26:16). The Christian worldview consists of Christian doctrine being used to view the world. 

When we use our Christian beliefs as a telescope to the world, we are living out our worldview. When we look at the issue of abortion from a Christian worldview, we will inevitably conclude that is wrong because it takes the life of a human in which God has created in the womb.[1] When we watch a nature documentary on Animal Planet, we will see nature as something created by God. And when we are in a Yogurtland and a "Ke$ha" song comes on, we will bang our heads against the wall (metaphorically speaking, but if you take it literally, I can't blame you :P). 

And rather than just rambling on worldview without analogies, I am going to introduce my primary example for this article: When we are on Christmas break, and our brother and his girlfriend are going to see The Life of Pi, we are introduced to the trailer. We see that there is a crucifix in the trailer, so we go see it with them. And, whilst watching the movie, we can't help notice that it is, if you will, Christianly incorrect.[2]

I noticed four themes of the movie in an allegorical interpretation. The first two have to do with the Christianity life and theology, and the other two are what to view as an apologist. So with this post, I will give explanations of those themes. I hope this will encourage you to do a little worldview practice, even if it is in a movie theater.

TCS: A New Beginning

By Langston at Finding Your Way in Christ

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2012 is officially over. Another year has come and gone with a new one taking its place. This New Year is a new beginning, a new era—just as our lives with Christ should be. This post will be shorter than the others, simply because the passage below has so much to say. But remember that you are new, just as this coming year is new.
Newness is not a feeling. Just because we don’t feel new doesn’t mean that we aren’t. We are new because of what Christ did. He brought us back from deadness, and breathed His life right into us. We are now dead to sin and alive in Christ. All those who truly put their faith in Jesus are brand new: new creations in Christ. Remember this as you read Ephesians 2:1-10 and head into the New Year; we are all new. Only for us, our newness will never fade.

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." –Ephesians 2:1-10

God bless and Happy New Year! :]

Ten Arguments that Christians Should Not Use

Ever since Jesus rose from the dead, the gospel has been widespread across the globe. Yes, for as Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations" (Matthew 28:19a). Now, I can't say that the Message of the Cross has been spread to every square mile on Earth (it's doubtful), or "all the nations," but people who have been saved by God's mighty power, grace, and love have shared it in many places. There are missionaries who risk their lives to bring the Gospel to those who have never heard of Christianity. But what about those who are not at the ability (for some reason, say, fear or lack of training) to do this? Well, it's rather simple—a safe and fitting haven for them is the internet. 

Invented in 1958[1], this spectacular invention has changed American society. It seems difficult to go one day without directly or indirectly using the internet. The internet is like the tongue; it can be used for both good and bad[2]. Likewise, the internet can be used to run websites on health, while at the same time, be a door to observances of immoral behavior. 

The internet is also a place for the Christian. There are many places to share our faith on this cyber-world, such as Twitter, Facebook, and the device I am using right now, Blogger. Christians can use these websites to gently and respectfully communicate the Good News, but they can also drive others away from Christ by advocating anti-intellectualism and blind faith in the form of irrational and inconsistent argumentation. 

I remember, as a young (not specifically age-wise, although I was twelve) Christian, I would spend my time on a social network trying to convince strangers of the truth of Jesus. I had never encountered those attacking the Faith, until I experienced it on this iPhone application. I tried to defend myself with horrible arguments such as, "Oh, so Jesus didn't exist? We're 2000 years after who, now?", "If you don't believe in God, you will burn in hell. Repent ye sinner!"[3], and even ad hominem attacks. But after I had been trained in apologetics, I learned to use logical arguments rather than silly ones that could be easily debunked and even rightfully mocked and laughed at. 

There are very bad arguments for the Truth of the Christian faith that could easily have an atheist see Christianity as total nonsense and therefore reject the Savior in which the whole belief system is based upon. I write this post to highlight upon ten logically absurd arguments that Christians should stay away from. By not using these arguments, we can make a better case for the Truth of the Gospel, and make Christianity more appealing to those who are intelligent (which it is). I will start with the less absurd statement and then move on to the even more ridiculous. 

TCS: Why We Celebrate Christmas

By Langston at Finding Your Way in Christ

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Here in America, Christmas is an annual thing. Stores set up their Christmas layouts; people buy Christmas trees; some even decorate their houses or yards—illuminating them with bright lights throughout the night.

                This may come as a surprise, but what if I told you not everyone celebrates Christmas? This may be hard to imagine—especially if you’ve grown up in America—but Christmas isn’t an international celebration. Some Americans don’t even celebrate.

                For example, if you visited India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or Israel, you’ll most likely find in these countries that Christmas isn’t very widespread. Why? Well, Christmas is supposed to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and His arrival into our world. Most Indians don’t have a reason to celebrate Christmas, as many of them are Hindu. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are Muslim countries, and Israel is largely a Jewish nation. So it would make sense that most people in these countries wouldn’t celebrate Christmas.
             Even here in America, not everyone celebrates. Most Muslims, Hasidic Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Sikhs don’t celebrate Christmas, as they have no reason for it or it conflicts with their faith. People of these religious groups are in the minority when compared to the large number of professed Christians in America, but it does show that Christmas isn’t a total nationwide celebration—like many assume it is.

But say someone asked why you celebrate Christmas (assuming that you, the reader, do). How would you respond? What would you say?

I imagine most of you might answer something like, “Because it’s the day that Jesus was born and came into our world,” or “We celebrate it because Christians like us have been doing it since Jesus’ time.”

I admit, before I started researching Bible history and learning more about the Bible, I used those answers too.  Another thing that might surprise you is those statements are actually false.

Let’s say you time-travelled back to the first-century. You’re staying at Thessalonica and bump into the Apostle Paul while heading to the market. It’s three days until Christmas, and you ask Paul what he’s planning to get Silas and Timothy this year. But all you get back is a blank, confused look.

TCS: Born To Die

I once heard a chiasmus that I thought to be very true. "Jesus was born to die, so that we could die to live."

Jesus Christ came to earth to die for our sins--this is the message of the gospel! Jesus died for our transgressions, he took the penalty, he took the punishment for every one of them. He died for us, so we could die to ourselves, to live for Him. The story doesn't end there. Not only did Jesus die for our sins, He is alive today. God raised Him from the dead on the third day, and he showed himself. Acts 1:3a (KJV) says "To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs," This very thing is what makes Christianity different from other "religions". Our God, Jesus, is alive, living and well today!



Although Jesus' birthday was most likely not in winter, Christmas is when it is celebrated. So, what's the big deal about Jesus' birth? Why do we recognize it at all? The birth of Christ is one of the most important events in the history of mankind. It marks the birth of the Savior, the Messiah. When we celebrate the birth of Christ, we are not just celebrating the birth of a great man, we are celebrating the birth of God's son, who came to save mankind from themselves, from sin, from the gates of hell! He came to give us life, so that we may have it more abundantly! That is why Christmas is so important!

The coming of Christ had been expected by the Jews for hundreds of years. Isaiah 52 and 53 tell us, in prophecy, much about what Christ would be like. Isaiah 53:4-5 and Isaiah 52:14 tell us of the sacrifice Jesus would make. These passages declare the coming of a Savior! They tell us what Christ came to do.

I have heard my youth pastor say something along the lines of this many times, and I think it is quite relevant. "If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been knowledge, God would have sent us a philosopher. If our greatest need had been entertainment, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was a Savior, so God sent us Jesus Christ."

Remember everyone, Jesus was born to die and be risen again, so you could die to yourself and become new in Him! Remember that this Christmas, remember Him!

Merry Christmas everyone!

-Anastasia

Sandy Hook: Gethesemane, Guns, God, and Grace

Deprived of meaningful work, men and women lose their reason for existence; they go stark, raving mad. ―Fyodor Dostoevsky

A week ago from the time of my writing this, a horrible tragedy occured in Newtown, Connecticut. It took place inside the building of Sandy Hook Elementary School. Including the gunman himself, 27 earthly lives were lost. And what's really disturbing is that 20 of these lives were the ones of children, the ages ranging from six to seven years old. A man by the name of Adam Lanza is said to be the shooter. This event is extremely horrendous, and America has mourned and remembered the death of all the victims over the past seven days.[1]

This event not only takes the spotlight in the cultural scene, but also in a spiritual one. It seems to be obvious that many are asking where God was during the Sandy Hook massacre. The topic has entered my pondering and though as well. I have thought much about gun control, death penalty, how America needs both God and a Judeo-Christian ethic,  and how we need to start shaping society in such a way that things like this won't happen again. 

I really wish I didn't have to write this post. I really wish that the lives of all those innocent people would not have been taken. But a great evil has happened, and if we can't see it as an evil that will lead up to a greater good at the moment, let's at least view it as a wake up call. But, unfortunately, I feel the need to write this article on such a tragedy. I want to first discuss what happens when we desert God. Secondly, how the issue is at the core of our heart and not the core of a gun. Then I will take a short time to explain how the fact that God is loving can be perfectly reconciled in the midst of darkness and sin. And last but not least, I will let others know the hope that they do not suffer alone. 

TCS: The Art of Giving

“A life not lived for others is not a life.” ―Mother Teresa

This previous Saturday, I was involved in something called Operation Care. Basically, I volunteered and helped distribute gifts to the poor and homeless. It was really amazing, and it reminds me of one of the core meanings of the Christmas season. 

The amazing journey began a little after ten when my Dad drove me to the area in which the event was to take place. We found a place to park, walked a bit, and then found where we were supposed to be. My Dad signed me up and all, and the one of ladies in charge of getting people registered told me, if I heard correctly, to go to the children's clothing section. We walked down a hallway and found the huge room in which the gift and food distribution and other things that glorified God took place in. After a couple minutes of traveling, I found a section where coats were being handed out to children, so I decided to kick off the joyous experience by helping out over there. 

TCS: Keeping Christ in Christmas

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Most of us have a hard time with this command. As human beings, we like to take credit for the accomplishments we make. We like to make devotion time for God, church time for Him, some of us even read our Bibles and pray on a regular basis. Although this is an excellent thing to do, some, if not most of us, forget God after that. We leave Him inside our devotion time. We go around our lives and live them as if the Spirit of the Living God was not inside of us. We put God in a box. We say, "God, I love you, I want to better my relationship with you." This is an excellent desire, but we have to realize that giving God full reign in our lives means letting HIM live and reign through us. It is not you who lives anymore, but Christ who lives in you. (Galatians 2:20)
We must realize that our identity lies in Christ. For example, I am a pianist. At fourteen, I have played for eight years. I could say that I am a pianist who is a Christian. However, my identity lies inside Jesus Christ, so what I should say is that I am a Christian, who happens to be a pianist. I am a Christian who happens to love school. I am a Christian, who happens to enjoy reading. I am a Christian, who happens to be a geek. I am a Christian, and nothing else! I am God's and fully His. Apply this to your life. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)