GRIZ BEAR COMMENTS

What's your philosophy of life?

Whether they are a philosopher - a lover of wisdom - or not, everyone has a philosophy or philosophies which govern their lives. Perhaps a better descriptor would be the term "worldview."

For example, those who live to have fun and often throw caution to the wind in order to enjoy the pleasures of life have bought into the philosophy of hedonism - at least to a degree. Their view of life and the world may be shaped by many underlying beliefs and thoughts but manifests itself in the view that the world and life itself are to find pleasure and happiness. And what could be more American since the Declaration of Independence includes "the pursuit of happiness" as an inalienable right - though the phrase likely refers much more to the freedom to determine one's own coursein regard to vocation and business.

Those who look to the government to solve all the ills in the world might be called progressives. Those who seek to give meaning to their lives by choosing a certain lifestyle or championing a particular cause could be called existentialists.

It always amazes me how much the evolutionary views of modern thought influence so many other areas of life aside from the science classrooms. Look at the movies and entertainment industry. In what philosophy do you think Star Wars, Planet of the Apes and countless other movies about space aliens and the like have their roots?But it doesn't stop there. People just assume an earth that is millions and billions of years old, that modern man is much wiser than ancient man, that modern society can overcome the evils which have plagued the world for thousands of years.

Of course, the varieties of human philosophies which to some degree govern how people live are almost limitless - I certainly won't cover them all in this column. However, it is important for each of us to examine ourselves and see what philosophies are governing and helping to determine our thoughts and decisions in our everyday lives.

As I mentioned earlier, it seems that so many people in our day live simply to enjoy fun and the pleasures of life. Instead of considering the long-term consequencesand effects of their decisions today, they choose their course in life based on what they think will bring them the most immediate pleasure and happiness. Yes, that could be tied to a hedonistic philosophy or, perhaps, to existentialism if the value of life is determined by experiences.

Rather than seeking to analyze all the philosophies concerning life and how they influence thoughts and decisions, I will share with you another worldview - too often neglected - which accurately sets forth life in this world as it is. I speak of a Biblical worldview, a view which many of us claim to hold but are yet more often influenced by other philosophies.

The Biblical worldview (or philosophy, if you choose) is that man - each and every one of us - is a creation of the one Almighty God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - and that each of us was created for a divine purpose. Life’s problems came about when the first man and woman sought their own pleasure, doubted the wisdom of God's Word and disobeyed His command. As a result, all of their descendants - you and me included - are born into this world corrupted by sin. Instead of loving our Maker, trusting His Word and seeking to honor and glorify His name in our lives, we are turned in upon ourselves (selfish, if you please) and seek our own desires, pleasure, goals and glory in life.The end result has been and still is a very sorry state of affairs in this world. It is a world full of discord and contention as people strive to fulfill their own desires and often abuse and misuse others in the process. It is a world full of wars and every evil. And as Genesis 3 says, human life now ends in death. Though many would rather not look at it, the Bible paints an accurate portrait of the world and mankind as it is today - a view which other philosophies attempt to ignore.

Of course, the Biblical worldview includes the teaching that this corruption will continue - things will get worse and worse rather than better - until the day when God puts an endto this corrupt world and judges mankind according to His perfect and just Word. Though most worldviews and philosophies which include a god and judgmentview man as having the potential to be acquitted in judgment, the Biblical teaching is that all of us have come short and stand condemned before God, who will cast all His enemies into hell - a place of eternal torment and suffering from which there is no escape.

If that were the entire Biblical view, we may as well become hedonists and have all the fun we can before we die and God condemns us to the torments of hell. But, the Bible tells us of another side of God, of His love and mercy and desire that all be saved. The Bible tells us of the promises of a Savior made in the very beginning and repeated throughout the days of the Old Testament until they were fulfilled in the coming of Messiah Jesus.

"God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoeverbelieves in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16 MKJV). "Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures ... He was buried ... He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor. 15:3,4 MKJV).

Jesus, by shedding His blood upon the cross made atonement for the sins of the whole world - each and every one of us - and God, for Jesus' sake, reaches out to us in love and mercy, calling upon us to return to Him for forgiveness and life everlasting. God's Spirit, working through the preaching of His Word, offers to you and me and to all mankind this mercy and forgiveness won for all by Christ. He enlightens us and creates faith in our hearts to believe that it is true, that God forgives and accepts us for Jesus' sake.

My philosophy for life, my worldview, is the Biblical one. That doesn't mean I'm perfect or without fault - the Bible tells me I'm not and reveals those faults and sins in me but also tells me of God's mercy and forgiveness in Jesus. Other worldviews and philosophies still have their sway on me at times, but I continually look to the Bible and its model so that the error and foolishness of other views and philosophies become apparent.

To be honest with you, all the other philosophies and worldviews come short and in the end lead to despair.The Biblical worldview, which causes me to despair over my own sinful condition, gives me peace and acceptance now, and hope and certainty about the future!

Randy Moll is the managing editor of the Westside Eagle Observer. He may be contacted by e-mail at rmoll@nwaonline .com.

Opinion, Pages 6 on 09/28/2011