Volume 4 Number 1 January 14, 2009

MarketFaith Ministries is an equipping ministry which is focused on helping Christians become more effective
in living out their faith in the midst of the increasingly diverse worldview environment of modern society.
Introduction

A new year has begun and, as we often do at this time of year, we need to reflect on the important things of life – particu-
larly regarding how we want to move forward into the future. I, personally, don’t recommend that people make New Year’s
Resolutions because resolutions are not very strong. What I recommend are commitments based on a considered deci-
sion about where we want our life to go into the future.

Let me recommend that you consider a personal commitment to become proficient in your understanding of worldview
during this year. Your worldview is affecting how you think and act no matter how much you know about it. So wouldn’t it
be better if you really understood it so that you could control more effectively how you move forward?

Our article today is designed to help you think about that a little more deeply. Read it prayerfully and see what commit-
ments you need to make for yourself this year.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for praying and for giving to support the Worldview Summit for Ministry Profes-
sionals. It is ongoing this week and is turning out to be a tremendous success. We have ministry professionals gaining
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Why Worldview Matters: The Effect of Worldview on How You Live Life

If you are seriously engaged in learning about worldview,
you are literally on the cutting edge of understanding the
Christian’s role in our modern world. The world we live in
now is radically different from the world as it was when I
was growing up. Then, there was no internet, no cell
phones, no digital TVs ... in fact, not even any personal
computers.
Sure we got the news, but it was pretty much filtered
through just three TV networks. Communication and trans-
portation technology were extremely limited. As a result,
there was not a lot of cross- pollination of cultures and
ideas. America was very homogenous – particularly as it
related to belief in God and the values of American culture.
But we live in a new day. We live in a day when it is possi-
ble to personally interact with almost any person on the
planet. We can do it via the internet or by cell phone. And if
we want to, we can actually go where they are, almost no
matter where it is.
The result in terms of cultures and beliefs has been dramat-
ic. In just a few short years we have become a world where
every belief system is in play in the marketplace of ideas,
and where anyone claiming exclusivity of their beliefs is
looked on as a bigot. What has happened is that many
worldviews have suddenly collided in our world and are cre-
ating explosions that are manifested in anger, confusion,
terror and even war.
So, is worldview impacting your life? You bet it is. Even if
you don’t recognize that particular issues you are facing are
related to worldview, they are related anyway. And the
clash of worldviews is affecting the world economy and your
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Contact MarketFaith Ministries

312 Anton Dr. Toll Free: 888-883-0656
Tallahassee, FL 32312 info@marketfaith.org Phone: 850-383-9756
http://www.marketfaith.org Fax: 850-514-4571

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(Introduction - Continued from page 1)

wonderful worldview training so that they can be more effective in equipping their constituents. You have been a bless-
ing to us in making this possible.

As we prepare to move into the new year, we are working on new projects and opportunities. We would be ever grateful
if you would continue to remember us in the coming year. Any time you feel led by God to contribute to this ministry, you
may send a tax deductible donation to MarketFaith Ministries, 321 Anton Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32312. You can also do-
nate online at the MarketFaith Ministries website at www.marketfaith.org. Simply click on the “donate” button. We would
deeply appreciate your support.

As always, feel free to contact me at any time with your thoughts, opinions and suggestions. It is always a joy to hear
from you.

God bless,
Freddy

(Why Worldview Matters - Continued from page 1)

personal pocketbook. It is affecting the clashes of culture in larger society and your personal beliefs. It is affecting what
movies are being made and the entertainment you are personally watching. It is affecting the intellectual ideas that are
being taught in school and what you and/or your kids are personally learning. In fact, there is nothing it is not impacting.

So, just what can an understanding of worldview do for your life? Why should it matter to you? There are several ways
we can answer this question.

First, an understanding of worldview can give us internal stability by providing knowledge about what we believe. A lack
of confidence about what we believe leads to internal insecurity. This insecurity causes us to doubt ourselves and to not
be able to stand strong in the face of opposing ideas. If there really is no such thing as truth, or if the purpose of our lives
is not tied to actual objective truth, this may not even matter. But if there is such a thing as truth, and if God really does
intend to use us as his instruments to bring people to faith in him, this internal confidence is critical. Our confident intel-
lectual and experiential knowledge of God puts us in a position to fulfill the very purpose of our existence.

A second thing that understanding worldview gives us is the ability to defend our beliefs in the face of opposition. There
are a lot of people in our world today who are intent on attacking our Christian faith in every way they possibly can. This
is really not a problem for the Christian who understands worldview. This knowledge gives us ammunition in two different
arenas. First, it is possible to reasonably answer any objection that an opponent throws out. Our faith is not an intellectu-
ally bankrupt belief. Secondly, we have the ability to question the questioner. The fact is, every non-Christian belief sys-
tem is not the truth, and the non-truths can be easily exposed by those who understand worldview.

Thirdly, an understanding of worldview gives us the ability to make a difference in society and in other people’s lives.
There are a lot of bad things going on in the world.

Some of those things are happening on a societal level. Many of these are resulting in the lessening influence of Chris-
tian values and an increasing influence of pagan, atheistic and other destructive values. Another result relates to actual
persecution of Christians because of our desire to be faithful to God.

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Find these books along with other

great worldview resources at
www.marketfaith.org

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(Why Worldview Matters - Continued from page 2)

There are other bad things which are happening on an individual level. We see this in the dramatic increases in single
parent homes, children living in poverty, domestic violence, and so on.

Everyone, without exception, lives out their worldview beliefs in life. When a large percentage of the population holds
worldview beliefs which lead to degradation and destruction, it is to be expected that it will be expressed in society and in
individual lives. As Christians, we desperately need to understand our Christian worldview and make our lives conform
more and more to it. As we do, our interaction with society and with individuals will have a positive impact by leading them
to wholeness in Jesus Christ.

Fourth, and finally, an understanding of worldview gives us the ability to be an effective witness for Christ. Non-Christian
worldviews have proliferated in society beyond what might ever have been imagined even thirty years ago. The advent of
modern transportation and communication technology has created a very small world. As Christians, we do hold the truth
about God and salvation. And, we have been commissioned by Christ, himself, to share that message. But it is virtually
impossible to do that with such a diverse population unless we have the knowledge to do it. We must know more than just
the gospel message, we must know how to express the message in terms that people will understand. In our current soci-
etal circumstances, this means that we desperately need an understanding of worldview.

Worldview is not some strange, esoteric topic that is without relevance to real life. It is a topic which has the potential to
make our personal Christian faith and our witness more exciting and relevant than ever. But no understanding is relevant
unless we grasp it and apply it to life. Make the commitment now that you are going to make the effort this year to master
worldview. As a part of that commitment, go ahead and
make a plan as to how you are going to do it. It will change
your life.
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applications of worldview. We are involved in developing
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send your tax deductible contribution to MarketFaith Minis-
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