Personhood an Interdisciplinary Look at the Individual Term Paper

person within the Christian worldview. Specifically it will discuss technology, the environment, and the media as it relates to my personal Christian worldview. As noted in this course, understanding a worldview can help a person understand other people and all their roles in today's society. Today's culture is broad, and influenced by a variety of sources, from scientific to religious, and they combine to create a contemporary Christian worldview in others and myself. Personally, my worldview is one of balance between my Christian beliefs and scientific study and analysis, which may be fairly common for a modern Christian worldview.

First, it is necessary to define worldview and what it is. A worldview encompasses every aspect of life, so understanding it is crucial in decision-making and living life to the fullest. It is really a wide-ranging perception of the world around us, formed using a Christian viewpoint. In other words, it is the "big picture" of the world, combined with my own Christian beliefs. Of course, there are many other types of worldview, from the naturalistic worldview, to a secular worldview, and each type of worldview views concepts differently. No matter what a person's worldview is, their worldview is based on three different questions -- Who am I and why am I here?, what is wrong with the world?, and how can we fix it? Those are the questions I will attempt to answer in this paper, as well as defining my own personal view of the world through Christian eyes.

I happen to believe that a worldview can combine different aspects of these worldviews, but still remain Christian in nature. A worldview is important because it defines how we live our lives, how we view the world around us, and it is the basis for decisions in our lives. Many of these decisions are extremely important, such as who am I in the universe?, how do I feel about science, technology, and the soul?, and what is my stand on abortion and euthanasia. A comprehensive worldview is necessary to answer these questions, but even more important, understanding your own worldview is vital in answering these questions and making up your mind about important and controversial issues.

The Environment and My Worldview

According to much scientific research, one of the biggest issues facing the world today is climate change (or global warming), and I have asked myself how that fits in with my Christian worldview. I know many Christians do not believe that global warming is human caused, and that humankind is created to be a steward to the Earth and its resources, and humankind is much more important than the Earth, not the other way around. However, there are Christians who do believe in the scientific evidence of climate change, and there are even organizations formed for Christians to join and explore the spiritual aspects of working to help the planet. One, the Evangelical Climate Initiative, notes in its' "About us" section of their Web site, "That same drive which compels us to take the Gospel to a hurting world brings us together with others of like mind to pray and to work to stop global warming" (Editors, 2009). I believe that science does show a trend in global warming, and like the Climate Initiative, I believe that it is our duty to stop suffering in a compassionate way, and that global suffering will be a result if the predictions about global warming are correct, and so, I support this Initiative in my worldview, and support its goals.

That being said, I understand the position of other Christians, and I respect their position and their right to their beliefs on this subject, even if they differ from my own. I believe it is our duty to protect the planet that God created, and to make it better, and be better stewards of what God made for us. In addition, I think about "what would Jesus do?" In this context. Jesus ended suffering for the poor and the hungry, he healed the sick, and he preached goodness and love for everyone. Another writer notes, "In Matthew 25, Christ declares that one's failure to feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, house the stranger, clothe the naked, or visit the sick and imprisoned is a failure to minister directly to Him" (Gibson, 2004). I believe if Jesus was faced with global warming today, that he would work tirelessly to avoid it, and ask his followers to do the same, because he cared about the world we live in, along with the people who inhabit it.

It also seems that God or the prophets have warned us about global warming in the Bible.For example, Matthew 24:7 talks about what will occur on Earth before Christ's second coming and that includes references to world wars, famines, and other calamities. These are already occurring around the world since the 20th century, and they continue to occur, which could be a prediction that civilization is near its end. In addition, Leviticus 26:19-20 says, "And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: and your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits" (Holy Bible). This sounds much like God has predicted global warming and the other calamities that will occur because of it, and that it may be inevitable that it occurs.

As far as the universe and Earth's creation, which certainly relate to this topic, I do not believe that Genesis 1 can be taken completely literally. I do certainly believe that God created the heavens, the universe, and the planets, and I believe he did indeed create them in seven days. However, it is impossible to know what a "day" is to God, since he is eternal and he is wise and careful in his creations. I believe that one of God's "days" could be millions of years, and very wisely he allowed the Earth to grow and change through time. A sort of evolution, to be sure, but one created by God's hand. This also ties in to my worldview on the environment, because I do believe God created a perfect world, that we sinned and ruined it, and that we do have a way for resurrection and redemption. I believe that this perfect world that God created for us has been harmed by humankind, and that as Christians, we have a responsibility to try to return it to a more perfect, "Godlike" state, as it was when he first created it and made it perfect for us.

I also believe that he created humans the same way, and that the remains of Neanderthal man and other prehistoric beings were the precursors to Adam and Eve, when God created his final, "perfect" creations that would be the model for us all. They could be called his "practice" creations to ensure he got everything right by the time he created the Garden of Eden and Adam and Eve. This explains scientific discoveries, but it also explains how God managed to create such perfect specimens all at once. God had time to work out problems, just as we all work out problems in our daily lives, and he had time to reach perfection, too.

Science, Medicine and Education

The scientific community often seems to be at odds with the Christian worldview, because they base their information on solid facts, not the soul or spirituality. I understand that, but I think they ignore the relationship between spirituality and knowledge. There is a direct relationship between the mind, brain, body, and soul, and they are what people have that helps them interact in society and decide their beliefs. I also believe that the body and the soul must both exist, because without one, there is no other. I think the person in society is very precious, and that the person is not really taken into account in much scientific and medical study, and I feel that is wrong. For example, scientists often do not recognize life after death and the resurrection, and most medical facilities do not, either. I believe science is wrong about this and that when the person dies, they go into the light, and emerge on the other side in Heaven, to serve the Lord and live in Paradise.

That, of course, leads into a discussion of medical practices and genetic intervention. I believe the body is sacred, but that surgery and medicine can help it be better, and that these treatments can help people live longer, stay healthier, and enjoy life more. The ultimate goal is to reach Eternity, but that does not mean Christians must not live long, satisfying lives here on Earth. Truly living well and sharing their beliefs and spirituality with others can have a profound affect on people's lives, and we have many duties to carry out here….....