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WTF is a Biblical Worldview?

WTF is a Biblical Worldview?

Last updated on: April 23, 2024 at 6:49 pm by Stuart Delony

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WTF is a Biblical Worldview? 2024-04-23T18:49:40-04:00 Stuart Delony

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The Biblical worldview—Christianity’s VIP backstage pass to moral superiority. But wait, what’s a worldview anyway? That’s an essential question anyone should ask before flaunting one. No one person has the same worldview as it’s comprised of a complex tapestry of cultural background, personal experiences, and ever-changing interpretations of morality. And then we get to a ‘Biblical worldview’? Let’s remember the Bible is a literary anthology, written by multiple authors over 1,500 years, across vastly different cultures and situations. At best, you can only claim to have ‘Biblical worldviews,’ plural. To pretend otherwise is to ignore the multifaceted, and often conflicting, viewpoints present within the text itself.

Throw the phrase “Biblical worldview” around, and you’re instantly elevated to the ranks of the ultra-righteous. It’s the religious version of organic quinoa; everybody thinks it’s good for them but has no clue why. So let’s dig in, shall we?

Historical Context: A Convenient Chameleon

First off, let’s talk about how the so-called ‘Biblical worldview’ has, historically, been a theological chameleon. From the Crusades to Manifest Destiny to the Moral Majority, it’s been there, providing scriptural rubber-stamping for a host of ungodly endeavors. Hell, it’s like the Bible is the Swiss Army knife of justifications. Need to invade a country? There’s a verse for that. Want to discriminate against a group of people? Oh, look, the Apostle Paul has your back.

The Bible vs. The ‘Biblical Worldview’: When Interpretation Meets Amnesia

If you’re wondering how the same text that gave us the Sermon on the Mount also offers a carte blanche for hate, congratulations, you’ve grasped the second point. The ‘Biblical worldview’ often suffers from selective memory loss. It’ll magnify a single verse about homosexuality but skip over the Beatitudes like they’re the Terms and Conditions of a software update. Here’s a thought: If your Biblical worldview doesn’t remind you to love the poor, the meek, and yes, even your enemies, then maybe—just maybe—it’s less Biblical and more, let’s say, bullshitical?

Social Implications: The Worldview of Alienation

Now, let’s talk impact. We’ve seen how this exclusive club of a worldview has been used to shut doors rather than open them. Oh, you’re LGBTQ+? Sorry, not Biblical enough. You’re a woman who wants control over her body? Nah, too modern for our Ancient Near Eastern club. The irony is delicious: A worldview based on a book whose central character hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes is now the VIP section for the self-righteous.

Selective Reading: The Theological Buffet

And don’t get me started on cherry-picking. The ‘Biblical worldview’ enthusiasts often treat the Good Book like it’s a theological buffet. A little prosperity gospel here, a dash of nationalism there, and voila! A custom-made, self-serving worldview, with none of those pesky verses about helping the poor or loving your neighbor. Convenient, isn’t it?

Alternative Biblical Worldviews: Or, How About Just Being a Decent Human Being?

Now, for those still holding out for a genuine Biblical worldview, how about this radical idea: Just love people. All people. Yes, even the ones you disagree with. If we take Jesus at his word—love God, love your neighbor, love your enemy—that’s the only worldview you need. It’s hard to believe that it took an entire book of ancient texts to come up with something so profoundly… basic.

Modern Relevance: Not Your Grandma’s Guidebook

Finally, we come to the crux of the matter. How do Bronze and Iron Age doctrines mesh with the complexities of 21st-century life? Spoiler alert: They don’t, at least not without some generous mental gymnastics.

So, the next time someone touts their ‘Biblical worldview’ as the gold standard for righteous living, remember that it’s just a catchphrase—a trendy buzzword that often does more to exclude than to enlighten. After all, if your worldview can be summed up in a pithy phrase, maybe it’s time to expand your horizons.

While the term ‘Biblical worldview’ is thrown around like holy water at an exorcism, its actual implications are often far less sacred. It’s high time we ask, WTF is a Biblical Worldview? Because, chances are, it’s not what Jesus had in mind.

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About Stuart Delony

My hope with Snarky Faith is to incite change no matter how big or small. I want to cultivate conversations that help people to look for new ways to live out their faith. I'm also one of the weird ones who think that God still moves today - we're just looking in the wrong places. You can read more about the author here.

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