As numerous posts and comments in the past show, plus his latest, Cory Heidelberger at the Madville Times really seems to have a problem with a Christian worldview that doesn't have enough Marxism and Leftist pablum mixed in (which, incidentally, makes it NOT a Christian worldview).
I'm not too awful concerned with what people think of my personal opinions. I learned a long time ago that what I come up with on my own may or may not be true, and neither I nor anyone else should stake their life on it.
But when I write something that is clearly and solidly supported by Scripture and someone maligns it, it isn't just my credibility that's being undermined, but the character and authority of God that's being attacked. The Bible says over and over and over and over that this kind of thing will happen, and it really isn't personal, because it's not me they're rejecting but God himself. Yet the stability and welfare of our world--and everyone in it--depends on following the Creator's design, so it's important that we be able to identify and separate the truth from the lies.
As Dr. Del Tackett states in that "Truth Project" that Cory seems to despise so much (that I'm pretty sure he's never seen or attended), having a biblical worldview means that you study God's word with an intent to find out what it says, not how you can make it lend religious credibility to your own ideas. It means an effort to see the world through God's eyes. It means you want to see as good the things that God sees as good, and see as bad the things God sees as bad.
Using some things that Cory has said, here are some examples of what does NOT line up with a Christian worldview:
Here, Cory seems to confuse not only the role of private entities versus the government, but the very identity and nature of government itself. Jesus and His Bible admonishes PEOPLE to help people, not government to help people. And there are foundational reasons for that which the Bible also reveals.
Here, Cory states that capitalism is a great evil, despite the fact that capitalism is the economic engine that has provided us with the great affluence and comfort we enjoy in the United States. Capitalism also is harmonious with a biblical worldview, as there are numerous businesses and business people mentioned in the Bible; none are disparaged for being business people, only when they personally engage in unethical practices.
Meanwhile the Marxism he seems to embrace so lovingly is in direct conflict with the Bible because it crushes freedom, erodes human dignity and the Judeo-Christian work ethic, and denies the fallen nature of man.
Here Cory displays stunning ignorance about the Christian heritage of America, the nature of what an "official state establishment of religion" really is, and fails to recognize the Christian worldview of the Founders who wrote the Constitution and set up this great nation.
Here Cory dismisses the importance of examining the worldview and character of political candidates and the Christian duty to support the candidate that best matches God's character.
In this comment, Cory elevates public opinion over what is right.
Here, Cory advocates government control of our economy (socialism). This comment further illustrates Cory's animus for business and the free market, when neither the Bible nor the Founders of the United States indicate there is anything to fear from business or that anything is wrong with it. The Bible advocates morality in every sphere of life, including business, but it does not even remotely state that business and the free market are evil.
By displaying an overweening hostility toward business and the free market, Cory is drawing focus away from what can create problems in the business world: a heart disposed to greed and disregard for honesty and integrity. Immorality is bad; business is a legitimate tool for meeting material needs, and is only as good as those who use it. Wise, reasoned people don't advocate throwing out the baby with the bath water.
What's more, business does not have the same power to make law and punish lawbreakers that government does. As the writings of the Founders indicate, government is the entity to be feared and kept tightly restrained.
Here Cory pooh-pooh's the courage and fortitude the Bible encourages, in favor of the politics of victimhood so loved by today's liberals.
Here, Cory makes light of both drunkenness and abortion. The Bible condemns drunkenness repeatedly. It also affirms human life as being created in the image of God, speaks of the wonders of how God creates a human being in the womb, and speaks of the purpose and destiny of human beings even before they're born.
Here again Cory dismisses efforts to save unborn children by banning abortion.
Numerous times in the Bible God entreats people to "choose life" over choosing the way of evil, suffering and death. Can one genuinely say their worldview is a biblical one if they advocate practices that destroy human life in the womb, bring physical suffering on women, and wrenches their souls?
I wish for the sake of clarity he'd tell me what he finds so unbiblical about what James Dobson has said or anything said at Focus on the Family? It'd be nice if Cory would be specific instead of just maligning people and organizations that don't line up with his buffet-style pop theology?
It'd be nice if Cory would bring out his philosophy with specifics so we could compare them to the Bible--and to the Constitution and the writings of the Founders, since those are the standard by which public policy in the United States, a nation founded by Christians on Christian principles of whom most people still claim to be Christians, should be measured.
What is not harmonious with the Bible cannot be called Christian, and what is not harmonious with the U.S. Constitution and the intentions of the Founders cannot truly be called "American." If I say something of a moral bent that can't be supported by the Bible or isn't harmonious with it, then it doesn't doesn't deserve a hearing. But if it is backed by the Bible...well, I'm just repeating what God said.
The Bible warns about mixing human wisdom with God's truth; it doesn't take much "foreign matter" to spoil the batch.
I'm sure my worldview isn't nearly as Christian as it should be; as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:12, in our humanity we see the truth through the flawed mirror or glass of our fallen nature, and we now know only in part what someday we will know fully.
But a person is more likely to get close to the bullseye when they focus on their target, than when they show no regard for their aim, or look at a different target altogether.
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Friday, January 11, 2008
How Accurate is Our Worldview Aim?
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