Running head: DIFFERENT WORLDVIEWS
Poynter 1
Different Worldviews Conflicting with the Biblical Worldview
Brian Poynter
Liberty University
Running head: DIFFERENT WORLDVIEWS
Poynter 2
There are multiple different views of the world besides the Biblical worldview. A couple
of these views that will be discussed in this essay are the view of a human as an animal, and the
view of a human as a pawn in the universe. The view of a human as an animal is an interesting
worldview to have in my opinion. Erickson, Millard, and L. Arnold (2015) state, “This view sees
the human primarily as a member of the animal kingdom and derived from some of its higher
forms” (p. 178). This means that this worldview believes that humans have all been created
through a similar process of evolution as every other animal on the world. They do not believe
that there is a distinctive difference between a human and any animal, besides the fact we are a
different creature in the universe. This view focuses mainly on the points of biology and other
types of science, that revolve around the idea evolution. They also believe that humans can be
trained to react in certain ways just like animals, the way a dog can learn right and wrong
through positive and negative reinforcement. The other view of a pawn of the universe believes
that we are just living a helpless life and have no control of what happens in our lives. Erickson,
Millard, and L. Arnold (2015) state, “Through this view we find that humans are at the mercy of
forces in the world that control their destiny but have no real concern for them. These are seen as
blind forces, forces of chance in many cases” (p. 179). Albert Camus is a believer of this view,
and explained this view through his reworking of the myth of Sisyphus. He explains how he had
to push a rock to the top of a mountain for all of eternity, just to watch it fall back down the
mountain and have to do it all over again. This view essentially believes that all humans are just
at the mercy of the universe, and live in a sense of helplessness.
On the other hand, the Christian view of humanity is a much stronger worldview, because
it is founded from facts. Erickson, Millard, and L. Arnold (2015) state, “The Christian view of
humanity is that a human is a creature of God, made in the image of God” (p. 179). This would
Running head: DIFFERENT WORLDVIEWS
Poynter 3
entitle that humans did not evolve from nothing, but were intelligently designed by a higher
power. The purpose of a human in this worldview is to serve their God to the best of their
abilities, and live their lives through Him. They are supposed to give their lives to Christ, and
understand that everyone sins, but through Christ people can find salvation. With this comes the
ability to have a personal relationship with their creator. God says, “Behold, I stand at the door
and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him,
and he with me” (Revelation 3:20 ESV). Here God makes it clear that if they accept Him into
their lives, then they will gain a personal relationship with their creator. This is what makes
Christianity so special, because everyone has an individual relationship with God, and can grow
with Him in so many different ways. Another thing is that only through God are we able to find
true happiness in life, and He also grants His followers fulfillment and satisfaction when
searching for a closer relationship with Him. God says, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and
the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 ESV). This is
why as Christians we are drawn to fighting for a closer relationship with God, because it is the
only way for us to reach heaven.
There are many reasons as to why these worldviews are so dramatically opposite from
each other. The main reason that the Biblical Worldview is so different compared to these other
two, is because through the belief in God we all have a purpose in our life. This purpose as a
Christian is to serve Christ through everything that we do. Unlike Christianity, the view of a
human as an animal, and the view of a human as a pawn in the universe do not give humans a
true purpose in life. Through the view of a human as an animal we are viewed as creatures who
have just evolved like animals did. This does not give a human any true purpose in life, and they
live a blind life because of this. They also believe that humans can be trained just like how a dog
Running head: DIFFERENT WORLDVIEWS
Poynter 4
can be, through positive and negative reinforcement. Another view that does not coincide with
the Biblical worldview is the view of a human as a pawn in the universe. Christianity gives
humanity a foundation and guidelines to live by, but through this view they believe that
everything in life happens by chance. They believe that all people are just at the mercy of the
universe and have no control of their future. However, Christianity gives all of its followers a
true purpose to live, that purpose being to serve Christ the best that we can in all that we do, and
also to share His message with non-believers. Furthermore, one similarity between the of a
human as a pawn in the universe and a Biblical worldview, could be the feeling of hopelessness
in the world. All Christians make mistakes and can stray away from God, and during this inner
questioning against God can bring people the same feeling of helplessness that one may feel in
the pawn of the universe worldview. God says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and
enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is
fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:14-15 ESV). Here God states that everyone is tempted
to stray away from God, but this desire only brings helplessness and death to people who
continue on this path. There are various worldviews that people can chose from, but only
Christianity can give people a true purpose in life.
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Poynter 5
Works Cited
Erickson, Millard J., and L. Arnold Hustad. 2015. Introducing Christian Doctrine. Grand Rapids,
MI: Baker Academic.
