2
Introduction
This paper will look at the main features of an Islamic worldview. Looking specifically at
the cultural, political, economic, and industrial implications of the worldview. Then, as a
contrast, the paper will look at a Christian worldview with its cultural, political, economic, and
industrial implications as well. Through this, it will be shown that Christian principles and
worldviews affect the way one interacts with different socio-cultural backgrounds. As well as
how a Christian worldview affects how one participates in the redemptive work of Christ.
Main Features of an Islam Worldview
Cultural Implications
The cultural worldview of a group of people refers to the way that a group of people
perceive the world or have certain beliefs that affect how they interact with it. The cultural
worldview of Islam is affected by a multitude of factors. And article titled An Islamic worldview:
ethics in a modern, democratic and secular state describes how an Islamic community in
Turkey’s cultural worldview is influenced by their religion1. They give a list of multiple
influences on the cultural worldview of this community. These influences include text,
scriptures, metanarratives, stories; teachings, doctrines; ethical principles; communal, social
gatherings of devotees; and ecstatic experiences that strengthen this worldview. These however
are broad categories that could apply to any religion, so this paper will look at the specifics of
these cultural categories. Islam uses the Quran as their sacred text as well as having the Tawrat,
Zabur, and Injil as other texts that they hold as revelations from their god, Allah. The doctrines
and teachings of Islam are referred to as the Five Pillars of Islam2. The ethical principles that
1 John Valk & Mualla Selçuk. (2016). “An Islamic worldview: ethics in a modern, democratic and secular
state”. Türkiye Biyoetik Dergisi., 3(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.5505/tjob.2016.79664
2 David R. Hodge. (2005). “Social work and the house of Islam: Orienting practitioners to the beliefs and
values of muslims in the united states”. Social Work (New York), 50(2), 164. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/50.2.162
3
Muslims hold are that all people are equal before God, benevolence, care for others, cooperation
between individuals, empathy, equality and justice between people, the importance of social
support, and positive human relatedness3. The basic social gathering of Islam is the family.
Political Implications
The political worldview of Islam holds that Islamic law holds a plan for the functioning
of a good society4. They hold it as an alternative to all other political ideologies. Their political
beliefs are based on the scriptures that they use in their religion. Islam emphasizes divine
sovereignty and the rigidity of certain punishments5.
Economic and Industrial Implications
An Islamic worldview towards economics and industry is more concerned with social
justice rather than momentary gain6. There is no separation between religion, economics, and
industry. Religion affects every aspect Muslim's life. Every economic and industrial decision is
from the motivation of how it can help to benefit another. This would be in how one acquires
wealth, does interest, and uses their wealth. There is the expectation that everything done
economically and industrially is first proven to be lawful and then proven to be unharmful to
others. The Islam religion also seeks to keep every person of the same level of economic wealth
and seeks to give everyone what they need, not seeking excess unless it can be used for the good
of others.
3 Valk & Selçuk, “An Islamic worldview”, 165.
4 Nikola Gjorshoski, (2018). “political and doctrinal sources and valuable framework of the political Islam
in the context of political ideologies”. Journal of Liberty and International Affairs (Bitola), 3(3), 38.
5 Ibid. 41.
6 Ismail, A. Rahman, “How Worldview and Ethics Shape Islamic Economics and Finance,” Islamic
Finance, July 29, 2022. https://ethis.co/blog/islamic-economics-finance-system
4
Main Features of a Christian Worldview
Cultural Implications
The fundamental belief that starts the cultural implication of a Christian worldview is that we
believe in God, the maker of heaven and earth (The Gospel Project, 2021) 7. God is a Triune God
and is the maker of heaven and earth. God is also distinct from creation. He is personal and
outside of time, limited by nothing. God is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, unchanging, and
sovereign. God is also our redeemer. Christians also base their worldview on the inherency of
scripture, the Bible. To Christians, the Bible is the authoritative word of God. Christians also
believe that we have all fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus Christ, part of the Triune God,
became incarnate, being fully God and taking on human flesh, becoming fully man, and taking
on the punishment for our sin, which is eternal death. Christians believe there is a sinful nature in
every person and that those who confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their
hearts that God raised him from the dead are saved from eternal separation from God. Another
fundamental belief of Christianity that affects the way they interact with the culture is the belief
in the Holy Spirit, who is part of the Triune God. The belief is that the Holy Spirit comes to live
inside those who have believed and received Christ as Lord and Savior and is a Helper to
believers. The Holy Spirit does many things, but a fundamental belief is that the Holy Spirit is
sanctifying believers throughout their lifetime. These are a few core beliefs of Christianity that
affect their cultural worldview.
Political Implications
Christians foremost hold to the truth that the will of God is the primary influence on any
aspect of life, this holds for politics as well. What He has proposed in government will come to
7 The Gospel Project, “The Importance of a Christian Worldview,” The Gospel Project, July 20, 2021.
https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/the-importance-of-a-christian-worldview/
5
pass. Christians also believe that government is not the fix for man’s problems, only God can
save men from their main problem in life, their sin problem, which influences politics (Got
Questions, 2024)8. With that being said, the Bible is clear that God sets those in authority who
are in politics for our benefit and humans are to give them respect and honor as their authority.
Christians hold to the view that they are to be good citizens and through that create an
opportunity to be a light to the world through their conduct. Christians also hold to the value of
aiming to put those in power who hold to Christian beliefs, but know it is not always going to
happen. Christians do not aim to change the world through politics, but rather through the Word
of God, by aiming to win over souls.
Economic and Industry Implications
Christianity affects one’s worldview on economics and industry because the basis of
economics and industry is found in the goodness of God displayed in the resources available to
invest and expand in economic and industrial systems9. It also points to the sovereignty God has
over all that is on the earth. Christians hold to the truth that God designed people to have
stewardship over this earth, as a response to this call, men and women should steward the
resources of this earth well. Economics and industry should be held in tandem with being good
stewards and seeking to honor God as well as loving your neighbors as yourself. Christians also
believe that the family is the most basic form of the economy.
How Christian principles engage people from different socio-cultural backgrounds
All the aspects of a Christian worldview provide a redemptive aspect of working with
people of all different socio-cultural backgrounds. The fundamental beliefs, and political,
8 Got Questions, “How should a Christian view politics?” Last modified October 31, 2024.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-politics.htmly
9 R. Albert Mohler, Jr, (2015). “Economics and the Christian worldview: 12 theses”. Southern Equip.
https://equip.sbts.edu/publications/journals/journal-of-theology/economics-and-the-christian-worldview-12-theses/
6
economic, and industrial implications of a Christian worldview focus outward rather than
inwardly. Islam is similar in that it is looking to benefit others. But Christians realize that the
most important part of a person is not their state of life on this earth, but rather the state of their
souls. Christian’s worldview impacts the way they live on this earth to glorify God and to make
Him known because of what He has done for them. This results in counting others as more
significant than themselves and stewarding this earth well. There is no partiality shown from a
Christian worldview, so all cultures are treated with love and dignity.
Redemptive work of God
In a Christian worldview, as mentioned earlier, life is lived to glorify God and make him
known. The Bible says that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Christians live
in a way, through the Holy Spirit, that reflects Christ. Jesus participated in community life and
the public square. He spent time at weddings, spent time with the marginalized, organized people
to go out to help the community spiritually, spent time in crowds, had meals with others,
mourned with others, taught, and more. Jesus spent time with others and as a result, lives were
changed. Christians are invited to participate in this same work, to engage the community, and to
share the redemptive love and work of God.
Conclusion
This paper looked at the main features of an Islamic worldview and a Christian
worldview. Describing the cultural, political, economic, and industrial implications of both.
Allowing the read to contrast the two. Through this, it will be shown that Christian principles and
worldviews affect the way one interacts with different socio-cultural backgrounds. As well as
how a Christian worldview affects how one participates in the redemptive work of God.
8
Bibliography
Gjorshoski, N. (2018). “political and doctrinal sources and valuable framework of the political
Islam in the context of political ideologies”. Journal of Liberty and International Affairs
(Bitola), 3(3), 29-42.
Hodge, D. R. (2005). “Social work and the house of Islam: Orienting practitioners to the beliefs
and values of Muslims in the united states”. Social Work (New York), 50(2), 162-173.
https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/50.2.162
Mohler, Jr., A. R. (2015). “Economics and the Christian worldview: 12 theses”. Southern Equip.
https://equip.sbts.edu/publications/journals/journal-of-theology/economics-and-the-
christian-worldview-12-theses/
Project, The Gospel, “The Importance of a Christian Worldview,” The Gospel Project, July 20,
2021. https://gospelproject.lifeway.com/the-importance-of-a-christian-worldview/
Rahman, A. Ismail, “How worldview and ethics shape islamic economics and finance,” Islamic
Finance, July 29, 2022. https://ethis.co/blog/islamic-economics-finance-system/
Questions, Got. “How should a Christian view politics?” Last modified October 31, 2024.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-politics.htmly
Valk, John, & Selçuk, Mualla. (2016). “An islamic worldview: ethics in a modern, democratic
and secular state”.NTürkiye Biyoetik Dergisi.,N3(1), 15–25.
https://doi.org/10.5505/tjob.2016.79664
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