The Beginning of Wisdom: An Introduction to Christian Thought and Life GCU College of Theology

The conclusion wraps up exploration of the Christian worldview by reflecting on wisdom from the biblical book of Proverbs. Because the way that a life is lived matters to individuals and to communities, it is entirely reasonable to pause on occasion to take conscious inventory of one's fundamental convictions and the implications of those convictions. While the investigation of worldviews may prove intellectually stimulating, worldviews are not ultimately about philosophical inquiry and theoretical discourse. They provide the foundation upon which lives are built and lived. Consciously or unconsciously, everyone has committed to a particular way of life and is living it out in community with others. It is worth considering, then, whether the chosen lifestyle leads down the path of wisdom or folly.

Chapter 11 describes how following Jesus leads to the development of wisdom in life. Faith in Christ expresses itself in a complete love for God and for others. Every person needs wisdom, and each person must decide if they will trust in Christ as their foundation. From life-altering choices to daily choices, a person's worldview shapes his or her beliefs and behaviors, and it has major and lasting impacts on every aspect of life. For the Christian worldview, God has provided the opportunity for people to be restored to a right relationship with him through Christ. Those who trust in Jesus rest in a secure relationship of love with God, which leads to a daily transformation of their lives as they seek to follow Christ by the enabling power of God's Spirit.

Chapter 10 centers on restoration, the fourth act of the biblical storyline, and focuses on God's continuing work of restoring broken people, and communities. Eventually, through Christ, all creation will be restored as God’s people are brought to wholeness characterized by his love, justice, beauty, and wisdom. Today, Jesus's followers share his mission to take the kingdom of justice and love to places of darkness and despair, to transform the values of the broken world by the practical wisdom revealed in God's design for his creation. Those who enter God’s Kingdom through faith in Jesus have the opportunity to become disciples, take on God's mission, and spread hope and healing to the world.

Chapter 9 describes the resources that the Christian worldview offers in the midst of life’s storms. It does so by addressing some of the obstacles that may prevent people from placing faith in Christ and forming a worldview built on the wisdom he offers. The storms of life can intensify feelings of loneliness, meaninglessness, depression, guilt, and shame. But the Christian worldview offers a solution to all of these through a relationship with God through his Son and by his Spirit. Jesus shows people how to live. He endured the final storm of death and showed that his wisdom is adequate for everyone in his resurrection. Everyone is offered his destiny through faith.

Chapter 8 interacts with intellectual and experiential objections to Christianity, demonstrating the Bible's clear teaching that Jesus is the only way of salvation. Because he is the one mediator between God and man, seekers and skeptics should patiently seek wisdom by observing his teachings while considering his life, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, and his offer of salvation to all who call upon him. Some of Jesus's followers have failed to live in ways that honor Jesus's perfect life while evil and suffering remain a blight upon humanity's peace and prosperity. Christianity, however, offers an understanding as to why evil exists, and it explains carefully how evil will ultimately be overcome through Jesus's finished work.

Chapter 7 responds to the common criticism that Christianity was devised to control people's lives. This could not be more untrue. Jesus, his 12 apostles, as well as Mark, Luke, James, and Paul were pursued, persecuted, imprisoned, and tortured, and all but one were horrendously murdered for their beliefs. What control did they gain over others? None. Rather, these brave Christians risked everything in order to proclaim freedom. That is what absolute truth and absolute morality do—they bring freedom. Living in the wisdom of absolutes implies that people ought to study and analyze truth and discover universal principles for life.