Toward A Christian Worldview - Faith Presbyterian Church Reformed

Chapter 1: The Nature of a Christian Worldview
writes Paul, “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”
(Colossians 2:3). A Biblical philosophy, therefore, must be “rooted
and built up” in Christ (Colossians 2:7). The Christian philosopher is
to analyze all things by means of God’s infallible revelation, seeking
to “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2
Corinthians 10:5).
The Bible is replete with philosophical teachings. The book of
Ecclesiastes is a prime example. The preacher (1:1), the author of the
book, presents us with two distinct and opposing worldviews. He can
do so because he has personally been involved with both of them. He
writes as an old man looking back on life, and admonishes his readers
to pay heed to his instruction (12:1ff.). On the one hand, he views the
issues of life from the standpoint of the man who is under the sun
(1:3,9; 2:11). This is unregenerate man, who only has an awareness of
God and His creation by means of general revelation, a revelation
which he suppresses (more will be said on this below).
On the other hand, the preacher presents the proper worldview of
regenerate man, who makes use of special revelation. This man knows
God as Savior, and is capable of true wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).
Without this wisdom, says the preacher, all things in life are folly
(2:25-26). His conclusion is given in 12:13-14: a proper worldview
must begin with the fear of God: “Let us hear the conclusion of the
matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole
duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgment, including
every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil.” Devoid of
this, man is destined to philosophical vanity, a “chasing after the
wind.”
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