Transformed Worldviews - Research Paper Example

? Transformed Worldview al Affiliation Transformed Worldview What Is Truth? One’s personal viewpoint on truth is that which is universally known and accepted as factual, real, and not imaginary. It is the anti-thesis of falsehood, spurious, or erroneous. Truth is therefore perceived as a concept or a state which could be referenced from theological frameworks. There has been several acknowledgements from the Bible regarding defining truth in terms of being analogous to God. Even in the Old Testament, it was evidently noted that God, the Almighty is in fact explicitly mentioned as God of Truth (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 31:5; Is. 65:16) (Holy Bible: New International Version, 2011). Thus, in terms of theological viewpoints, one is convinced that God is accepted as the truth. This fact was actually support and corroborated in Packer’s (1993) book, entitled Knowing God, when he provided and considered the best definition of God as: “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth” (Packer, 1993, p. 19). Thus, truth is perceived to be free of fault, error, and presented in the most objective and unbiased manner. Truth is known to have been mentioned in the Holy Bible to be synonymous with Jesus (and God, the Father): “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will knowb my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (Holy Bible, New Internartional Version: John 16:4, 2011). Thus, it could also be deduced that truth is the correct path of life that, when adhered to, would lead to eternal life, in union with God. The truth, in one’s personal perception therefore, adheres to specific teachings and guidelines that have been explicitly written in the Holy Bible, for instance, particularly in the Ten Commandments. As such, it means not having to bear false witnesses or testimonies that gravely hurt oneself or others – or even jeopardize relationships with other people through lying, making erroneous acts, and behaving indiscriminately against ethical, moral, or legal standards. Also, truth is consistent with one’s personal philosophy and adherence to the value of honesty and integrity. These values had been instilled in one’s persona early during one’s stage of child development and growth. It was handed down from generation to generation as documented among the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011). Thus, the verse stressed the importance of not telling lies and adherence to the truth. The modernist’s view is similar to one’s personal viewpoint. One actually gained knowledge of the truth from this view. In the reading entitled “Idolatry of Novelty” written by Lynn Gardner, the author emphasized that truth is actually anti-thetical with the acceptance of alleged false teaching: “'Doing truth' (or 'acting truly') is an Old Testament expression used especially when fidelity between two parties is the subject. Whether spoken or expressed in action, the truth is never to be dissociated from love." "Grace and truth" came through Jesus Christ (John 1:14, 17)” (Gardner, n.d., pp. 15-16). Likewise, truth, as asserted here, reverts from the source in the Holy Bible: as emanating from Jesus Christ; and the teachings relayed, communicated, and documented through the Bible attests to the need to adhere to ethical, moral, and legal standards which conform to truth, based on facts and reality. In addition, Packer (1993) averred that truth in the Bible means “stability, reliability, firmness, trustworthiness, the quality of a person who is entirely self-consistent, sincere, realistic, undeceived. God is such a person: truth, in this sense, is his nature, and he has not got it in him to be anything else” (p. 127). Therefore, God is the perfect embodiment of truth because in His Divinity, He was noted not be have any ability to lie (Packer, 1993). On the contrary, the post modernist’s views were deemed to have asserted that there was allegedly no basis for absolute truth. The advocates of post modernism were noted to be distrustful of any form of authority or conformity to dogmatism. As such, any belief of the supporters of modernism were openly rebutted; especially the belief that truth is synonymous with God, Jesus Christ and their teachings. The post modernists have allegedly asserted that previous beliefs to the truth did not actually result to the life that was destined to be: lived within the virtues and aspects of right or wrong. For the past has apparently led to division, war, hatred, slavery, racism, indifference; despite alleged confority to the teachings that were supposed to assert living a righteous and truthful life. Therefore, post modernism does not emphasize avoidance to error or always being on the right course of life, per se; but, in acceptance of openness and in the belief that no one is right or has the right to assume that others are committing error. Thus, the modernists’ view of truth stems from teachings and guidelines that emphasize doing right; as discerned from wrong. It therefore presupposes that there should be limited room for error given that rules, laws, and regulations on following the right path of life have been explicitly noted. On the other hand, the post modernists’ view have stressed openness and being non-judgemental in asserting that truth is not absolute and that error, if and when committed, leaves room for potential growth. Thus, it assumes a more optimistic and open-minded stance in accepting various opinions and perspectives depending on people’s view points. 2. On Knowing About God Different people gain knowledge about God through diverse modes and medium. From the material from class texts and discussion, one acknowledges that people learn about God from stories, narrations and testimonies of family members and relatives; from theology or religion courses; through the scriptures, specifically through the teachings in the Holy Bible; through attendance of religious practices and obligations (masses for the Catholics); and through personal interests and intentional pursuits. Knowing about God comes from information gathered or collected from external sources or from the experiences of other people who shared the information to others. As emphasized, ““knowing” God is of necessity a more complex business than “knowing” another person, just as “knowing” my neighbor is a more complex business than “knowing” a house, or a book, or a language. The more complex the object, the more complex is the knowing of it” (Packer, 1993, pp. 36-37). The critical aspect of the knowing about God is the contention that “knowing them is more directly the result of their allowing us to know them than of our attempting to get to know them” (Packer, 1993, p. 37). It was therefore appreciated that Packer (1993) revealed that people who have genuinely gained knowledge of God evidently exhibit and manifest similar and distinct characteristics, to wit: (1) possessing innate and great energy for God (Packer, 1993, p. 27); (2) have great thoughts of God (Packer, 1993, p. 29); (3) show great boldness for God (Packer, 1993, p. 31); and (4) manifest great contentment in God (Packer, 1993, p. 31). One is strongly convinced that the theoretical frameworks surrounding knowing God actually could be sourced from different revelations: general, special, and through personal experience. There are some who have gained knowledge of God through general revelation; which means that information about God was sourced from discourses that have been communicated and disseminated to all creation; regardless of demographic, ethic, or cultural orientations. Therefore, information about God could be solicited or availed from different accessible external sources: from the Holy Bible, other religious or theological books, religious organizations, journals and publications, as well as online sources. On the other hand, special revelation is perceived to become possible through the dissemination of information or particular messages disclosed to chosen or selected individuals. These individuals could be some of the people mentioned in the Holy Bible: the early people whom God was acknowledged to directly talk to: Adam and Eve; Noah, Abraham, a host of prophets, and of course, Jesus Christ. Through these special people or envoys, the word and teachings of God have been shared and effectively disseminated to others. Jesus Christ, for instance, have been significantly instrumental in enhancing knowledge about God from his perspective as the Son of God. It was emphasized that “this is part of the biblical concept of knowing God, that those who know him—that is, those by whom he allows himself to be known—are loved and cared for by him” (Packer, 1993, p. 39). Finally, revelation of God through personal experience could have been evident from daily encounters with ordinary people and events; which could have paved the way for internal and personal pursuits to want to know more about God better. For instance, an individual could be totally or partially unfamiliar with God and could acknowledge feeling that there seems to be something lacking in his or her life. Then, when that individual gets to encounter people who attested that God has significantly made transformations in their lives, this unbelieving person could intentionally pursue knowing God more through personal endeavors and experiences. There have been several testimonies from people whose lives have been significantly changed through knowing God better. By seeing and acknowledging how life with God was extremely uplifting and gratifying, others who search would likewise learn that God is the only answer to whatever it is they are looking for. 3. The Difference in Knowing about God and Knowing God Packer (1993) has clearly established through expounding on the topic which deals with the difference in knowing about God and knowing God. From his discourse, Packer (1993) asserted that knowing God means and “involves, first, listening to God’s Word and receiving it as the Holy Spirit interprets it, in application to oneself; second, noting God’s nature and character, as his Word and works reveal it; third, accepting his invitations and doing what he commands; fourth, recognizing and rejoicing in the love that he has shown in thus approaching you and drawing you into this divine fellowship” (p. 39). This is therefore contrasted with knowing about God which could be interpreted as more detached and distant; as if, gaining knowledge about a third party or individual from the points of views and perspectives of others or from purely external and secondary sources. Knowing about God is therefore obtaining knowledge through other means and without necessarily expressing any internal commitment to know God further, on a more personal experience. It could be acknowledged that knowing about God could use the general revelation source without extending the learning further due to some personal interest or enthusiasm for continued spiritual growth and development. Likewise, it was emphasized that knowing God is more of a personal matter: “Knowing God is more than knowing about him; it is a matter of dealing with him as he opens up to you, and being dealt with by him as he takes knowledge of you. Knowing about him is a necessary precondition of trusting in him (“how could they have faith in one they had never heard of?” [Rom 10:14 NEB]), but the width of our knowledge about him is no gauge of the depth of our knowledge of him” (Packer, 1993, p. 42). In addition, Packer (1993) also explained that knowing God, apart from being a personal dealing is also allegedly “a matter of personal involvement—mind, will and feeling” (p. 42). Another crucial facet of knowing God is the aspect of grace: “It is a relationship in which the initiative throughout is with God—as it must be, since God is so completely above us and we have so completely forfeited all claim on his favor by our sins” (Packer, 1993, p. 44). Likewise, as one has briefly discussed above, people who evidently know God have manifested similar characteristics and traits of the knowledge of God. Their proven evidences include the following, as cited: “those who know their God are sensitive to situations in which God’s truth and honor are being directly or tacitly jeopardized, and rather than let the matter go by default will force the issue on men’s attention and seek thereby to compel a change of heart about it—even at personal risk” (Packer, 1993, p. 29); and “People who know their God are before anything else people who pray, and the first point where their zeal and energy for God’s glory come to expression is in their prayers” (Packer, 1993, p. 29). Thus, the disparity between knowing about God and knowing God lies in the extent of personal involvement, the grace bestowed upon us, and the commitment to continually learn and grow in personal relationship through his teachings. 4. Explain a) how you came to know God Honestly, one came to know God through general revelation and through personal experiences. General revelation has been evidently possible with the assistance of one’s parents, first and foremost, who made the initial introduction to God early in one’s stages of child development. The introduction was disseminated in the form of learned prayers, which had been handed down from one generation to the other – due to cultural norms, values, traditions, and acknowledgment of reading verses from the Holy Bible. One remembers joining the whole family, including grandparents, uncles and aunties during the traditional 6:00 p.m. prayer and devoutly attend regular masses and novenas as forms of personal contact and commitment to the faith. As such, early in life, one had been immersed and encouraged to actively participate in these religious traditions and practices: attending masses, being deeply committed to devotions and novenas, observing daily prayers, sharing one’s blessings with others, and practicing the ethics of reciprocity: doing good to others as one wants others to do good to oneself. Several religions have actually adhered to this particular teaching, known as the Golden Rule to the Catholic faith; but likewise observed and followed in other religious orientations and affiliations, as well. Secondly, knowledge about God was enforced through subjects in school which were part of the curriculum through religion. The knowledge continues to be enforced through cultural practice and traditions of having to attend weekly masses, saying daily prayers, and hearing the word of God through the gospel. Thus, faith in God has been slowly; yet firmly entrenched. This was evident through living or practicing that which was learned; such as learning to consistently observe obeying the Ten Commandments and the need to share one’s blessings to those in need. Later in life, even without the prodding of one’s parents or relatives, one has already imbibed the values of wanting to learn more of God through personal experiences. There have been different challenges, personal or family problems, and other difficulties which were solved through the assistance of prayers. One asked the intercession of patron saints through prayers and have confirmed that whatever intentions or problems that have been offered; were duly answered according to God’s purpose and will. b) How you are coming to know Him better Currently, one continues to know God better through consistency in adherence to the traditions and beliefs adhered to through one’s cultural orientation. Although it has been encouraged to read the words of God through the Holy Bible on a regular basis, one still struggles to sustain this endeavor on a more committed basis. One is convinced that through dedication and persistence of learning more of God through personal experience would eventually lead to greater depths in spiritual growth; as well as in the intensity and level of improvement in undertaking effective interpersonal relationships with others. However, through continued and regular attendance of weekly masses, one gets to be enriched through the readings communicated during the mass. Likewise, the explanation of the gospel readings as delivered by the officiating priest assists significantly in knowing God better. There are those who acknowledged that people could actually know God better through learning from the personal experiences of others who were deeply and immensely touched by him. Concurrently, through the testimonies of others who got to know more of God through their personal experiences, one is also significantly enriched. For instance, there was a very inspiring person, Nick Vujicic, who, despite his having been born without limbs, was able to inspire others through the gospel. He travels around the world in quest for evangelization. In his travels, he showed that people with disabilities could still serve and inspire others just by faith and love of knowing God. Though he initially questioned God’s plan for him, he eventually discerned that despite a life without limbs, he could be instrumental in spreading faith, love, hope, and encouragement to others. This is one of the examples where testimonials from extraordinary people – the chosen ones, through some form of special revelation – could be used as instruments for evangelization. Nick Vujicic’s travels internationally have assisted in spreading the word of God; and therefore becomes instrumental in contributing to knowing God better. One is convinced that by sustaining a genuine interest to continue establishing a personal relationship with God, one gets to understand Him better. One clearly appreciated the assertion of Lewis (2001) when he acknowledged that “the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us” (Lewis, 2009, p. 63). When one actually feels and appreciates the love, graces, and blessings that are being received, one gets to be more attached and honored to know God better. Thus, there is some evident good or benefit effectively derived from one’s continued knowledge of God. As one gets to know more of Him, one gets to embody all the positive characteristics and traits that should be manifested and exhibited by people who know and love God deeply and genuinely. In the end, it is realized that by knowing God better, one appreciates living life to fulfill God’s purpose for us and for mankind. References Gardner, L. (n.d.). Idolatry of Novelty. Holy Bible, New Internartional Version. (2011). John 14:6. Biblica, Inc. Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Deuteronomy 5:1-22. Biblica, Inc. Lewis, C. (2009). Mere Christianity. San Francisco: CA: Harper San Francisco. Packer, J. (1993). Knowing God. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. Read More