Acts 4:10-12 “Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
A recent article by the American Family Association focused on a 2023 survey report from the Arizona Christian College Cultural Research Center, directed by renown researcher George Barna. The report shed light on seven particular beliefs that, when embraced, cause one to develop a consistently biblical life in both thought and action.
A worldview is a set of beliefs that produce specific behaviors. Barna explained in the report, “People do what they believe; behavior is a tangible outcome of belief. If you believe what the Bible teaches you, then you will believe in harmony with those beliefs.” But he cautions that embracing the seven cornerstones merely so that one can claim a biblical worldview is not the goal. The goal is to actually live in concert with those beliefs. This comes from the repentant born-again Believer’s transformation of their heart, mind, will and emotions in conversion of the soul. “A biblical worldview is imperative,” Barna said, “because it is the only pathway to being able to consistently think like Jesus Christ so that we can live like Him.”
Unsurprisingly, these seven cornerstones of foundational truths are not complex, but basic Christian tenets. Barna said, “ These are not advanced theological principles; they are straight-forward principles of how to make the most of the gift of life.” The research revealed that of those who reject one or more of the seven cornerstones in the survey, only 2% possessed a biblical worldview. Conversely, more than four out of five people (83%) who embraced all seven cornerstones do possess a biblical worldview. A startling 20% of those surveyed reject all seven.
Barna outlined the seven cornerstones as follows: (1) One must possess an orthodox, biblical understanding of God. (2) All human beings are sinful by nature, and choices have moral considerations and consequences. (3) The consequences of sin can only be forgiven and eliminated through faith in Jesus Christ, and forgiveness is available only by personal acknowledgement of sin, confession of sin and complete reliance on His grace. (4) The entire Bible is true, reliable, and relevant, making it the best moral guide for every person in every situation. (5) Absolute moral truth exists, and those truths are defined by God, described in the Bible, and are unchangeable. (6) The ultimate purpose of human life is to know, love and serve God with all one’s heart, mind and strength. (7) Success on earth is best understood as consistent obedience to God in thought, words and actions.
The largest positive trend revealed in the survey was how Americans define meaning and purpose, with 7% more embracing a biblical worldview of purpose than in 2020. Belief of the Bible being the Word of God and a recognition of the sin nature of humans both shared a 5% increase above the 2020 survey results. Barna said, “these changes in life philosophy remind us that such change is possible, especially in times of social instability and uncertainty as we have today.” Barna suggests that Christians seize the opportunity in the current cultural climate to fulfill the Great Commission and lead others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ occurring within the context of a personal trust-based relationship resulting in embracing a pure worldview based on biblical principles.
Go and make disciples of all nations.
In Christ, Brian
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