How Christian Beliefs Shape Worldview and Community Belonging

Abstract

Student’s Name ENGL 122-Composition and Reading Professor’s Name 7th May 2021 Unit 2 Essay Assignment: Language and Community What is one community you belong to that affects how you view the world and your place in it? Introduction I grew up in a family and community founded in the values of Christianity. The central meaning of Christianity is the trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As Christians, we accept as true that Jesus was chosen by God to be our savoir and we wait for His second coming as accomplishment of messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. We also believe God has revealed himself through His creation while believers prove God’s existence through reading the Bible, Jesus Christ and God’s words. The world is so diverse and being part of Christian community provides a sense of unity and purpose for existence. In Christian community, one is expected to embrace Christian worldview where an individual sees the world in the perspective of the Bible and the understanding that every message from it is proper. Since we believe in the Bible, it means the foundation of our existence is derived from serving and loving God. Being part of a Christian community affects our world view starting from our moral beliefs, actions, decisions, holiday celebrations, and relationships. Christian worldview has enabled my understanding of the world by providing answers to some of the life questions. Today, the world is segregated by people who believe in different ideologies and theories but still, no one knows for certain what is right or wrong. As Christians, we base our knowledge of right and wrong from the Bible. Sacred texts and writing provide knowledge on beliefs which assist Christians in understanding their reason for existence, goals and dreams (Esqueda, 91-100). They are also crucial to both the living and dynamic features of a religious community. First example is the answers derived from the Ten Commandments such as the laws of not killing, judging, stealing, and committing adultery. These commandments provide the morality and standard of behaviour that influence the choices and activities we do every day. The second example is the answers to the curiosity of believers about their origin, life and body. In Genesis 1:1-2, the Bible provides evidence of God’s creation in his own image and giving them a special purpose of continuing with his creation (Esqueda, 91-100). Furthermore, the Bible provides the answers to the details about the human body, and life, “Christians believe that life in here and now is not the only life, that there is more to this life that science can reveal, and that there is a link between this life and the next” (Valk, 169). This is an illustration that human body consist of spiritual and physical parts. This is due to God’s creation that breathed life into the nostrils of a human thus everybody has a soul recognised as immortal. The Bible also provides teaching that distinguishes between spirit, body and soul but soul is very important since it is the source of life (Esqueda, 91-100). The third example is the answer about the foundation of Christian beliefs. In Luke 24:30-32, the bible provides evidence about Jesus resurrections. This writing is fundamental to us since it is the foundation our belief in celebration of Easter holidays, taking sacrament and Baptism. Lastly, the scriptures provide a deep understanding of Christianity laws that are founded on the nature of God which is unchangeable. The laws derived from the scriptures do not change except from the diverse interpretation by the believers. For instance, I learned about obeying God from the Bible and this law has not changed apart from the fact that I have tried to alienate myself from God several times. Some of these laws motivate us Christians to live a good life. For instance, the stories from the Bible encourage Christians to submit to the authorities and only do what is right. These laws from the Bible are unchangeable, remain unbroken and just. Thus, the sacred texts and writings of the Bible provide answers to the Christian’s understanding of the world that distinguishes them from other groups. The problem we face in our relationship with God is the battle between Christian ethics and sin. Our Christian ethics are founded on the character of God and this is what believers use to distinguish between right and wrong. These moral laws were created by God not to restrict the believers but rather to make them intelligent and more understanding, “Right actions is that which seeks neither harm nor injury of others and the earth for individual gain, needless suffering for human convenience, or wanton destruction of the environment for human expediency” (Valk,...