Biblical Worldview Essay
Christina Roberts
L27520522
September 30th, 2015
INFT 101

Thesis In the book of Romans chapters 1-8, Paul vocalizes truths that are the foundation of a biblical worldview. Paul addresses certain components relating to the natural world, the human identity, human relationships, and culture. In this essay, I plan to compare and contrast Romans chapters 1-8 as it applied in Paul’s tie and mine. I believe Paul’s teachings encourages us to seek the truth of scripture as it influences the way we live and view the world today.

Biblical Worldview Essay
The Natural World One views the natural world in a way that is very negative. Paul’s depiction in Romans 1; 18-32 leads one to believe that this is unchanged since creation. The world remains a very dark place, filled with sin, sexual immorality, perversion, and selfishness. Believers and unbelievers alike do not dispute this depiction. Even with all of our growing technology, we are no better off than those that lived in Paul’s day. In Romans 1; 20, man is told that even creation speaks to God’s qualities and divine nature. This verse warns that there will be no accepted excuse for denying God as their creator. People live in the flesh and worship everything except God. In Paul’s time, he struggled with seeing the same abominations (Romans 1; 18-2; 3). People in Paul’s day, just like today, were divided by their beliefs on false gods or in some cases, no gods at all. Paul warns about God’s anger towards sin in Romans1; 18-20 (NLT).

Human Identity Since the fall of man in the garden, our true nature is to be sinful. We are held captive to sin by our lack of relationship and submission to God. Some people even completely deny their need for God. Romans 3; 10 clearly states that ‘No one is good- not even one”. Even with that scripture being said, man foolishly allows themselves to be deceived. Man believes that being a ‘good person’ or doing ‘good things’, is a sure way to get into heaven. This is in direct opposition to John 14; 16, where man is told there is only one way to get to heaven. Trying to repair our lives while ignoring our need for God’s saving grace (Romans 8; 30). Just as the Jews and the Gentiles of Paul’s day were condemned by sin (Romans 2; 15), man today is no different. In Paul’s day, the Jews were at high risk of condemnation due to the law, which was to govern their lives (Romans 4; 15 NLT). Today we have an entire book to be the standard of how we should live our lives. Man is told where to find hope for redemption in Romans 3.

Human Relationships In Paul’s time, man sinned as an act of rebellion against God. It is man’s ultimate need to be first and have his needs met, which goes against the fundamental teachings of God. We live in a society of political correctness, where the teachings of Paul in submission to Christ, are all but nonexistent. Man does what feels good and believes that as long as no one gets harmed, it is okay. Nothing could be further from the truth according to Paul’s teachings. John 13; 34, tells us how to love one another. As Paul warned the people of his time, and it still applies today, there is a cost and consequence for sin (Romans 6:1-2, 12-13NLT). The me generation gives way to greater depravity and a more urgent need for God. According to Genesis 2:18, we were created to be with another. We form relationships based on our needs and not out of love for one another. We lack the basic desire to treat others as we have been treated by God. We sin openly against each other (Romans 1:21-23), unlike our command to love one another. Man lacks the knowledge of his need to see God as the creator as well as our need for a relationship with him. Our sin causes consequences in ourselves, and all of our other relationships. Having a biblical worldview, helps us to maintain a relationship where God is at the center of our lives.

Culture Paul’s letter to the church in Rome has many elements that relate to the culture of both his day and ours. The culture in Paul’s day, was that of racial prejudice from the Jews towards the Gentiles. The Jews viewed the Gentiles as inferior and hopeless in any redeeming qualities. The Jews, seeing themselves as privileged in God’s sight, were unwilling to hear that Paul was preaching to the Jews and Gentiles alike (Romans 1:16-17). Today, racial profiling and bigotry exist to an even greater degree. Each culture, has the belief that their version of the law is correct, so everyone else should align with them. People are separated by cultural differences and are willing to fight for their beliefs. God sent Paul to tell the Gentiles that the good news applied to them also in Romans 1:3-7. Just as the issues in Paul’s day influenced the people then, today’s society is influenced by television, Hollywood, and social media. Man has idols whose culture may or may not be based in the one true God. Godly culture is pushed farther and farther away in lieu of a “me “centered culture. Reality is that sin is sin (Romans 2:12-14).

Conclusion In the beginning of this essay, my intent was to compare and contrast the biblical worldview in Romans chapters 1-8. It appears that there are more comparisons then contrasts. In society today, as well as in Paul’s writings, man is in desperate need of God. Unless a relationship is developed with God, we as his creation, will not have a successful outcome. Paul describes the biblical worldview of each area from his perspective, not realizing that things would remain unchanged. I believe as Paul did, that man’s lack of a moral compass and failure to seek God, will result in destruction. It is this lack that hampers our ability to live completely in the fullness God has for us.