Humes 2
What is a Worldview? – MLA
When you think of the word “Worldview”, what tends to come to mind? My first instinct
when I first thought of the term “worldview” was religion and seeing life in a different
perspective. In the Bible, it is made clear that we are to build a Christian worldview. Romans
12:2 states, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will.” This verse illustrates not to follow the world’s pattern and instead reopen our
minds.
According to Ed Hinson, the term “worldview” has been used to describe a person’s
standpoint of life. Everybody has a worldview that impacts their actions and beliefs. “The term
“worldview” has commonly been used to describe a person’s perspective on life. Every person
has a worldview that influences his or her beliefs and actions. A worldview has also been
described as the glasses through which a person sees life.” (Hindson 1) In other words, when
studying worldviews, it helps us to be able to better understand other individuals who do not
hold a biblical worldview. It helps us to better communicate our faiths and beliefs to others.
What is the origin of the universe, you might ask. Well, according to the textbook
Finding Your Worldview: Thinking Christianly about the World by Lew Weider and Ben
Gutierrez, it is stated that, “the God of Delusion also propose the idea that God is not necessary
for life or morals, and the answers to mankind’s existence is only found through nature itself”
(Weider and Gutierrez 65). Genesis 1:27 states, “So God created mankind in his own image, in
the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Throughout the book of
Humes 3
Genesis, it illustrates to us how humans were created, it also tells us that God created the heavens
and the earth.
When we think of the word human, we tend to think of a person. A person with a face
and a body; that can breathe air and has blood pumping through their veins. “First, Adam and
Eve sinned in act when they ate the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:6). We are told that “their eyes were
opened” — a change had occurred inwardly. Second, they covered their nakedness because now
they “knew” good and evil experientially” (Caluson). Many Christians tend to believe that
because God has created both Adam and Eve, he then created the humans. Now, when referring
to animals, God has made it clear that animals are not as important as humans. Genesis 9:2-3
state, “The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the
sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given
into your hands. Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you.BJust as I gave you
the green plants, I now give you everything.”
An individual’s purpose and cause are often viewed in their capacity and have an effect
on others and the world around them. In other words, when talking about meaning/purpose,
Christians are supposed to fulfill God’s plan. There are things God wants us to respect and do,
such as the 10 commandments. In Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, God is talking about the purpose of
mankind. He is informing us that we should fear God himself and obey the commandments.
When referring to the word “fear”, we do not fear God himself, but it also a reference to giving
respect for the Lord.
Referring to the question of morality or ethics, I believe there is no right or wrong answer
for Christianity. If I was asked about my morality coming from a Christian standpoint, I would
Humes 4
tell you what I was raised upon. Now, if you decide to ask me to tell my version, then I would
explain what I believe is right or wrong. Talking about the Bible, it has many different versions
and people tend to believe in different ways. Now when we are talking about right and wrong,
it’s all opinion based. In Romans 13: 8-10, it is made clear that we should live through faith and
love one another.
What happens after we die? Nobody truly can answer this question but God. The Bible
states that when we die, our spirit goes on to be with the Lord. Ecclesiates 12:7, tells us exactly
what happens to our bodies as soon as we pass. Meanwhile, Christians believe in both heaven
and hell. Revelation 20: 12-15 is informing us that there is both a heaven and a hell. It shows us
that individuals will be destroyed and cease to exist.
When referring to Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism), the question of origin was back
around the year 1500 B.C. Hinduism started as a polytheistic religion, meaning they
believed in more than one God. The Hinduism ceremonies started pretty simple at first
and then became a little bit more significant. “The rituals were at first simple enough that
they could be performed by the head of the household… During this time, the Vedas were
written to give the priests instructions as to how to perform the rituals” (Halverson). The
Vedas are scriptures and were also referred to as the Upanishads, which are Hindu and are
also similar to the New Testament. Now, Hinduism came into effect by the Cosmic man,
Purusha. He was sacrificed by the Gods, to produce humans.
Humes 5
Being a Hindu human aims for four things. “In contemporary studies of Hinduism,
the four “aims of humanity,” or purusarthas, namely, virtue, wealth, pleasure, and
liberation, are regularly said to be among the foundational and unifying concepts of
Hinduism and Hindu identity” (Davis). Hindus are kind of sacred when referring to
animals. Some animals are more appreciated than human life. Hindus do praise some
animals and birds, such as cobras, apes, peacocks, and cows. Hindus also do not use both
animals and humans for sacrifice.
As previously stated, Hinduism tends to aim for four things. They aim for Dharma,
Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Dharma is to act ethically throughout another’s life. Dharma
covers every aspect of life. Dharma also has another meaning; meaning since Hindus
believe they are born into gratitude of the Gods and other humans; Dharma informs
Hindus to repay this debt. Artha refers to the pursuit of wealth and prosperity. It also
looks out for others' material and social needs. Kama means to obtain enjoyment from
life, such as pleasure seeking. Moksha is the most important out of the four, it offers
things like reincarnation and enlightenment. It also refers to freedom from travails.
Hindus obey the Vedas, which is their scripture. The Vades are just like our Bible,
but of course, they have a different meaning. It tells them everything they should do. The
Vedas are the oldest scripture in Hinduism. It guides them to do right and tells them what
not to do wrong. “The Vedas and Upanishads are poignant and essential texts within
Hindu culture and tradition. They provide an insight into the teachings of Hinduism and
offer a comprehensive understanding of Hindu philosophy and ritual” (Simpson).
Humes 6
Hindus believe in reincarnation and karma. When a person of Hinduism passes
away, they believe their soul leaves the body and goes back into the elements. With
reincarnation, Hindus believe that they can come back to a living organism based on their
previous life. Since Hindus believe in karma, they also think it affects their afterlife.
They believe that after death, their soul is determined by karma. According to Hindus,
there are three different types of karma. There is Kriyaman karma, Prarabdha karma, and
Sanchita karma. Kriyaman karma, are actions performed in the current life. Prarabdha
karma affects what has already been done, and lastly, Sanchita karma is all of the past
karma that occurs within a lifetime.
Humes 7
Works Cited:
Hinson, Ed.BEveryday Biblical Worldview Exploring the Christian Faith.BNashville, Tennessee:
B&H Academic, 2016.
BibleGateway,%https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=Romans+12%3A2&version=NIV. Accessed 23 January 2024.
(New International Version (NIV))
Weider, Lew, and Ben Gutierrez.Finding Your Worldview: Thinking
Christianly about the World.B & H Academic, 2000. p. 65.
Caluson, Marc A. "Human Nature and the
Christians."Digitalcommons.Cedarville.Edu,
digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
article=1164&context=history_and_government_publications.
Halverson, Dean. "Hinduism – The Traveling Team."Thetravelingteam.Org,
www.thetravelingteam.org/articles/hinduism-overview.
Humes 8
Davis, Donald R. “Being Hindu or Being Human: A Reappraisal of the
Puru ārthas.”ṣInternational Journal of Hindu Studies, vol. 8, no. 1/3, 2004, pp. 1–27.JSTOR,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/20106881. Accessed 24 Feb. 2024.
Romano, Donnamarie. "Hinduism."Qcc.Cuny.Edu,
www.qcc.cuny.edu/socialSciences/ppecorino/PHIL_of_RELIGION_TEXT/CHA
PTER_2_RELIGIONS/Hinduism.htm.
Rochford, James M. "Comparing Hinduism with Christianity | Evidence
Unseen."Evidence Unseen.Com,
www.evidenceunseen.com/world-religions/hinduism/comparing-hinduism-with-
christianity/.
Srivastava, Chhitij et al. “Morality and moral development: Traditional
Hindu concepts.”Indian journal of psychiatryvol. 55,Suppl 2 (2013):
S283-7. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.105552
Sivakumar, Akhilesh. "The Meaning Of Life According to Hinduism |
Philosophy 1100H Blog."U.Osu.Edu, 12 Oct. 2014,
u.osu.edu/group5/2014/10/12/the-meaning-of-life-according-to-hinduism/.
Humes 9
Simpson, Daniel. "Vedas & Upanishads Online Course | Oxford Centre for
Hindu Studies."Ochsonline.Org, ochsonline.org/course/vedas-upanishads/.
Hedrick, William P. "The Worldviews of Hinduism and the Christian
Believer."Digitalcommons.Liberty.Edu,
digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?
referer=&httpsredir=1&article=1035&context=honors.
"What Is Karma?"Hinduamerican.Org,
www.hinduamerican.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/KarmaMokshaandSams
ara2.0_0.pdf.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
