Sunday, May 16, 2010

How Now Shall We Live? - Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcey

This is simply notes taken from the text, no additional thoughts are added.

Chapter 1 covered the author's visit with Jorge Crespo and Crespo's work concerning the prison conditions in Garcia Moreno.

On to chapter 2.

With every action we are either forwarding the conquest of God or establishing Satan's rule in Earth.

Our choices are shaped by our worldview. One cannot take a stance on issues without worldview.

3 Questions to analyze worldview
  • Where did we come from and who are we? (creation)
  • What went wrong with the world? (fall)
  • How can we fix it? (redemption)
The world separated science and religion, fact and value making Christianity a personal experience. It is not just a personal experience or a acts of piety, it is supposed to be a "way of seeing and comprehending all reality," and is therefore a worldview.

Jesus claims, "I am the way and the truth and the life" (John 14:6). He is the beginning and end of all things. "Nothing has meaning apart from him." This realization compels us to look at Christianity as "the all-encompassing truth," and "ultimate reality."

Just as physical laws apply to us so do moral laws. If we were to attempt to defy the physical laws of the universe there would be grave consequences, especially if we were to jump out of a hot air balloon. It does not matter how immorality is portrayed it still incites pain. Adultery brings about anger, jealousy, and even violence.

Scripture calls wisdom the understanding of life's laws, and is the guide book to life. Because these laws are innately written they are not oppressive constraints but a "guide book through the desert." A wise man looks at the physical and moral laws and fits himself into them. He knows the boundaries and limits, seasons and laws and rhythms of the created order in both the physical and the social world. Those that defy these are both foolish and immoral no matter how well educated they may be.

Our task is not only the great commission but also the cultural commission. We must compete for the minds and hearts of those in this world. To do that we must understand and live within our cultural time. Our battle is not against certain issues like abortion, or the decline of public education because those are simply skirmishes, parts of the battle. The conflict is between Christianity and the secular and spiritual worldviews arrayed against it.

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