World Views

Imperial data is readily available in vast quantities. We, as astute human beings, with our curiosity and thirst for knowledge, are compelled to interpret that data. Some things are pretty strait forward, like water freezes at 32 degrees F. That is data that really doesn’t need interpretation. It’s testable and repeatable, but when various data is merged into a single theory the theory must be tested. In days of old, scientists would take there theory and try to prove it wrong. This kept them honest. Most of today’s scientists postulate a theory and then try to prove it right. This leads some to do anything to prove there theory, including falsifying data. So, who do we believe? Data must be interpreted, that can’t be denied. The trick is interpreting it correctly.

The person interpreting the data must use his or her own thoughts, history, education, ideas, notions, gut feelings, beliefs, etc. to interpret the data. This is their world view. This is what everyone uses to interpret data…their world view. The problem with this is that there are many world views. The world view of an African Bushmen will be vastly different than that of a college professor in Canada. So, can we believe anything? Well, if you are like me and believe in the Bible…the inspired, infallible, and inerrant Word of God, then you know where the truth lies. But, aren’t there several professed Christian world views? There is, yes, but there shouldn’t be. The Bible is clear and if you interpret the history as history, the prophecy as prophecy and the various other forms as they are written you can only have one world view…the Biblical Christian world view.

Why is this important? Well, because if you interpret data outside of the Biblical Christian world view, you are not relying on God’s perfect knowledge and wisdom to come to your conclusions. We as Christians must reconcile all data, conclusion and theories to the Bible. If the data does not reconcile with Scripture it should be reinterpreted or thrown out. If it does reconcile with the Scriptures it should be kept and relied upon. We must reconcile all knowledge with Scripture. If not, we are relying on man’s sinful, errant and often foolish interpretations. I would much rather rely on God’s inerrant, infallible insights than that of men or women. I will always try to reconcile everything I learn with the Bible. You just can’t go wrong if you rely on God for wisdom and discernment.

David L Brown, BSHS