Biblical Christian Worldview Jeff Hilles

Writing regularly on BCWorldview.org and Medium, for the past two years, I have grown theologically and have a better understanding of Christianity from a secular viewpoint. I began my journey toward Christ over 35 years ago, based on Apologetics (defending the truth of Christianity with head-knowledge). However, as ironic as it sounds, what I have learned is that it is nearly impossible to defend God when the listener does not have some level of faith. And, it is impossible to have faith unless one is willing to be open to the possibility that there is a loving God who truly cares deeply for mankind.

As Biblical Christians, we have no idea who God will touch, creating that spark of faith. And so, we need to be ready at all times to share the Good News of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 4:2), answering the questions of seekers as best we can (Luke 12:12). However, the burden of convincing someone to consider Christ is not on our shoulders (John 21:6). 
1 Corinthians 3:7 - So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Though the word “Xmas” has receded in our annual lexicon to a large degree there still remains a vacuum in the hearts of man related to the spiritual aspects of this special holiday season. Replaced by Santa and presents, it’s important to reflect on the true “reason for the season”. Below are 15 Christmas symbols. Of course, some have their roots in pagan or non-religious traditions. However, they still act as reminders of God and Jesus when viewed through the lens of a Biblical Christian worldview. Much of the credit for the actual list came from an article recently published in Parade.com. 

These are some of the elements that are reminders of the true meaning of the Christmas season. 

In 1863 then President Abraham Lincoln was finally persuaded to declare a national Thanksgiving holiday (more details). His wife and many others had been pressuring him for some time to set aside a day to celebrate America’s accomplishments and as a distraction from the divisiveness created by a raging Civil War. Below is a full transcript of Lincoln’s speech that began a tradition still celebrated today. Thanksgiving remains a day to be thankful. However, in large part our focus has shifted away from the God of all creation to our own efforts as the source of blessings.

Imagine the reaction if a sitting president made a contemporary version of this speech today. There would be such an outcry coming from all sides on the need to reject any form of Christian Nationalism. Have we come so far in our globalist ideology that any form of patriotism, national unity, and the recognition of the supranational must be rejected at all costs? Are we throwing the proverbial baby out with the bathwater? Finally, are we as a nation (without functioning borders) laying the groundwork for the future One-World Government? 

Over the last few weeks, my wife and I have had the opportunity to travel through multiple countries, including Iceland, Holland, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Germany. It has been amazing to see the sights and experience a slice of such a broad range of cultures and climates. 
Through it all, however, we have been struck with an overarching and unshakable sadness on the lostness of mankind. 

The problem is that the same God that allows evil in the world demands that man must pay for the evil he commits. That payment is extracted at physical death by spending eternity in a real and literal Hell. However, God also provided an alternative to man paying for his own sin (or his commitment of evil behavior). God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Christ died at the hands of man and by His sinless, sacrificial death paid for man’s sins. This payment was a free gift of God offered to all who believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for their sins, rose from the grave (referred to as the resurrection), and are willing to acknowledge Him publicly as both Lord and Savior (Ephesians 2:8-9). Accepting this is the answer, the only answer, for eternal life in Heaven (Romans 10:9). 
These are the thoughts of a Biblical Christian as I look at humanity going by in front of me, knowing how few have any knowledge or interest in these eternal matters. Why is the supernatural so hidden from the natural? Satan wins every battle when, so often, humanity pays no attention to these truths. Yet, praise God, the evil one may win battles, but we know from Scripture, that he ultimately loses the war (Philippians 2:10-11). 

Every year Spotify publishes a list of the 10 most popular Christmas songs on the playlists of their worldwide subscribers. Last year’s list is below and presents a snapshot, both of our culture and its view of the Christmas season (more details).

We are not, as a nation, celebrating the birth of our Savior and Lord, as the angel or star of Bethlehem looks down from the top of the Christmas tree and the figurines gather around the Baby in a manger in the small creche on the coffee table. This, just as a bunny and chocolate eggs have taken over the cross of Christ at Easter. 
 
Our churches are left to remind those who come to visit, twice a year, of the true meaning of the seasons. 

Summary and Conclusions
Homeschooling, and particularly Christian homeschooling, is growing rapidly in America as parents have become more and more dissatisfied with the deteriorating caliber of our public schools. For Randy Weingarten to ask the question why her public schools are suffering an exodus only serves to emphasize the lack of situational awareness, much less demonstrating a willingness to improve our educational system.