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The Doctrine of Christian Theism

 

             Sire's book, "The Universe Next Door," he defines a worldview as being "a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions that we hold about the basic constitution of reality and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being" (20). There are seven basic questions that can be answered to explain a worldview, such as "what is prime reality-the really real?" (22). Through analyzing the answers to these questions, a person can better understand the main beliefs and tenants of a worldview. There are many world-views, but an example would be Theism. A person who holds Theism as his or her worldview believes in a higher power and, eventually, an afterlife. After evaluating Sire's information on the Theism worldview, I have found that I agree with most of the points he makes.
             Christian theism is believing that God is the one and only creator of the universe. This is the God that is infinite, personal, and good. God being infinite means he is everywhere and beyond all measure. He is "the one prime existent" (28). Being a personal God means he has characteristics, but is also triune. Triune means "within the one essence of the Godhead we have to distinguish three 'persons' who are neither three gods on one side, not three parts or modes of God on the other hand God" (29). God is good. From this state comes all other traits of God's character. There are two ways God expresses his goodness, through his holiness and love. As his creation through his love, we experience his presence. Having this experience reveals how sinful we really are. The idea of and afterlife is an essential condition in the beliefs of theism. We as people worship and praise a higher being in hopes of being rewarded and granted and eternity with the creator. Man kind has the option of free will, meaning we have the choice to either choose God or deny his existence.


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