Introduction: So what distinguishes a Christian Comic from other comics? It is primarily the thinking or world view that underlies the basis of the story or series. In this six series we will discuss what makes up the Biblical World View. In this third installment discusses how the Biblical World view differs from other world views.
Last time we explored a few introductory topics including the use of our minds in discerning between what is good and bad and why the Bible I our measuring rod or guide for determining truth.
This time we will discuss the importance of developing a Biblical worldview. A world view is simply the way we perceive how the Earth and universe came to be, how it functions, and the purpose of existence. A world view determines how we look at reality and deeply influences our daily life. A world view, whether consciously or unconsciously, is our foundational belief system. It influences not only our thinking, but our actions as well.
The Biblical world view begins in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” several things should be mentioned here. First, the universe is not infinitely old; it had a beginning. Second, the universe had a Creator— it did not come into existence by itself. Third, the Creator is greater and separate from His creation (the universe). This is important for two reasons. Many eastern religions and much of the New Age movement are based on the concept of monism and pantheism. Monism states that everything is interconnected or interrelated. There is no difference between God, man, a vegetable, or a piece of granite. Pantheism states since “all I one” then “all is god.” All things—including fish, people, trees and rocks— are said to take on the same divine essence. This is why Shirley MacLaine exclaimed, “I am God.” She accepted the concepts of monism and pantheism. The very first words in Genesis leaves no room for such notions. The Creator and the creation are separate and distinct. Fourth, the earth is given special mention from the rest of the universe. Fifth, if God has the power to create the heavens and the earth then He has more than enough power to perform any of the miracles in the Bible. These include the worldwide flood of Noah, the plagues of Egypt during the Exodus, the virgin birth of Jesus, the healings and miracles of Jesus and the New Testament apostles and the resurrection of Christ from the dead.
Further in Genesis 1, God is involved in forming specific aspects of His creation. He created light, water, dry land, the sun and stars, plant, animals and man on different days of the creation week. He commanded the plants and animals to reproduce after their own kind. God created man (both male and female) in His own image. This is important a it precludes evolution from occurring. The modern concept of evolution states that somehow over the course of billions of years organic molecules organized themselves into replicating systems. These systems evolved into single cell organisms, then to primitive multicellular organisms, then to fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and finally man. Man is the highest rung on the evolutionary ladder. All of this was accomplished through natural selection (survival of the fittest) and beneficial mutations, with competition, struggle, bloodshed and death being the means of creation.
Originally printed in Christian Comics & Games Magazine #1 1996
Introduction: So what distinguishes a Christian Comic from other comics? It is primarily the thinking or world view that underlies the basis of the story or series. In this six series we will discuss what makes up the Biblical World View. In the second installment what it means to be a Christian is discussed.
So far in this column we have assumed that mot reader are Christians. We realize that there are some reading this that do not know what a Christian I. If so, please read on.
What does it mean to be a Christian? For some it means living a good life. It means living by the golden rule and helping others. For other it is identifying with the culture in which one was raised. If I am an American, then I am a Christian. For others it mean going to church twice a year (or more) and doing other acts of piety. However, according to the Bible, all of these definitions fall far short of what it mean to be a Christian.
The Bible states that God love each one of us, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten on, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). God has good plan for us. “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Before an individual can know God’s love and plan for his life he must realize that he is sinful and separated from God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Roman 3:23). “The wages of sin is death (separation spiritually from God) (Romans 6:23). To overcome this separation from God we must realize that Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.’” (John 14:6). We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, before we can truly know God’s love, forgiveness and plan for our lives. “But as many as received him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12). “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Jesus Christ said, “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any one hear my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him (Revelation 3:20).
If you have not already received Jesus Christ a your Savior and Lord we invite you to do so right now. You can do this by praying and thanking God for His forgiveness of your sin and asking Jesus Christ to become your personal Savior and Lord.
(If you have jut made the wonderful dicovery of knowing Christ personally, please write us and we will be happy to give you suggestions for growth in your Christian life. Also if you need questions answered concerning the validity of the Bible or other things that have been mentioned in this article please write for a free resource list.)
Originally printed in Christian Comics & Game Magazine #0 1995
Introduction: So what distinguishes a Christian Comic from other comics? It is primarily the thinking or world view that underlies the basis of the story or series. In this six series we will discuss what makes up the Biblical World View. In the first installment dicernment and the Bible are discussed.
So you read comic books?! And you are a Christian!
Some say comic books are totally worthless junk and we should steer clear of them. Others say we are completely free to read whatever we want. This writer would chart a course between these two pole. The abilities to write stories and draw pictures are God-given talents and we shouldn’t disallow the comic book medium entirely. However, we should be discriminating about what we read. What we read can influence our attitudes and actions. They are good and bad thing in the marketplace.
The purpose of this series is to help you discern the difference between the good and the bad—what can encourage you and what isn’t worth your time. In order to discern the good from the bad, the wheat from the chaff, we must know what we believe. The Bible speaks of discernment in at least two ways. One it is a gift that God gives to some Christian (I Cor. 10:12). Two, it is the ability all Christians should exercise by using their minds to determine what is true and what is false (Acts 17:11, 2 Tim 1:17).
Christian faith is satisfying to the whole person. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). Christian faith is not only satisfying emotionally and spiritually, but also emotionally. The Bible encourages Christians to use their thinking abilities in several ways. First, we are to study the Bible in order to understand it properly ((2 Tim 2:15). Second, we should be ready to give answers for our faith (I Peter 3:15). Third, we are to earnestly defend our faith (Jude 3). Fourth, we are exhorted to cast down evil thoughts and everything that is against the knowledge of God (2 Cor. 10:5). A note of caution is in order. We must note make a god of our minds or our reasoning abilities. Man is not just a mind, he has emotions (soul) and a spirit. Also, while we can mentally apprehend much of what is in the Bible we cannot totally comprehend God or His Word (the Bible). A finite mind cannot fully comprehend an infinite being (Isaiah 55:6-9). It also should be stressed that the Christian receives spiritual discernment from God in order to understand the Bible (I Cor. 2:10-16).
The Bible is our measuring rod for discerning and good from the bad. The Bible claim to be the inspired word of God (2 Tim 3:15). It says we have not followed cunningly devised fables concerning Jesus Christ and the rest of scripture (2 Peter 1:16). The scriptures came by holy men who wrote under the direct influence (inspiration) of God (2 Peter 1:21). The Bible claims this about itself, but it also claims to be a historical book. Its historical assertions can be tested by evidence outside itself (i.e., historical research, analysis and archaeology). The Bible also touche on areas of science and other areas of human endeavor. If the Bible is that it claims (i.e. the word from the infinite-personal, all-knowing, creator God), what it says about history and science should be correct. While it I beyond the scope of this series to delve deeply into the specifics of Biblical apologetics (the reasoned defense of the Bible and Christian faith) much has been written in this area.
Originally printed in Christian Comics & Game Magazine #0 1995
