Biblical Worldview And Buddhism Worldview

The first debate is that of origin. Buddhist struggle with the answer of how their life began. They believe that where they came from was insignificant in the scheme of life. The belief that the world came into existence by a “natural phenomenon,” speaks loudly about their entire belief of how they evolved (Stuart, J., n.d.). To a believer, or Christian, the answer is clearly defined by creation of a God “who was and is and always will be” (YouVersion, n.d.) Mankind was created by God and all things were created by God.

Hindus believe the earth was created by the Gods in the beginning of time, whereas Buddhists believe the earth was created with man’s desire to produce many beings from his body and from his thoughts created the earth and everything in it. Buddha was born into a Hindu family, just as Christ was born into a Jewish family. Hinduism accepts the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu and some people still argue that Buddhism is an offshoot of

When one looks at the world through a Biblical lens, they lay a foundation for becoming an agent of change, standing apart from society and pointing others towards Christ. A truly Biblical worldview is one which results in the believer honoring Christ and clearly set apart from the world. Every worldview has a set of underlying assumptions which influence how one sees the world, and a Biblical worldview is no different. What is different is that these assumptions can be tied back to Christ. This fundamental difference results in those who hold a Biblical worldview being truly separate from the secular world, pointing towards Christ as they live out a life aimed solely at glorifying Him. In Romans 1-8, Paul supplies Christians with a set of assumptions regarding the natural world, human identity, human relationships, and culture, creating the foundation of the transformative Biblical worldview. Each of these leads to modern implications which can be derived from scripture.

In the Christian/Biblical worldview the origin of life of everything that exists was a direct result of God, our Creator. Not only did God create the universe but he also is intimately involved with it, whereas, the Buddhist view states clearly that they do not believe in God nor that God created the universe, they believe in the religions founder, called Buddha and that the universe is a direct result of natural evolution.

The Christian believes that God created the human from earth matter and the human was created with a purpose: to improve the world and serve God (see Genesis.) Also to be exemplary and moral and to imitate God.

Buddhism differed radically about this most fundamental concept of Hinduism. Specifically, Buddhists do not believe in the existence of a permanent reality or soul. Moreover, they deny the existence of the unchanging Atman. Instead, they believe that there undergoes continuous change about our existence.

There are lots of non-Christian or secular worldviews. I believe that there is one biblical or Christian worldview. This could be referred to as the basic Christian worldview. It reflects the basic principles of Christianity. Dr. Henderson gives a brief explanation of authentic and holistic Christianity in his presentation. I agree with what Dr. Henderson said, “authentic Christianity is Christ-centered and biblically-based”.[1] My Christian worldview should be characterized, by who I am in Christ and what I know to be biblical. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” [2] I want God to shape my worldview, rather than have it shaped by this world.

2. Identity – Christians believe all humans were made in God’s image and are His special creation.

Due to differences in worldview, speculation of the possibility of integration of Christianity and psychology exists. Although these differences seem to cause conflict, or undermine integration between psychology and Christianity, some scientific data can be complimentary to the Christian worldview and provide us with a better understanding of humans as a whole. Some problems can arise when attempting to integrate theology and science, such as some Christians having contempt for secular science or secular science believing the Christian worldview is based on irrational thought. Rather than throwing out a view over differences, the differences can be examined and good aspects of psychology that align with the Biblical truths can be found.

The biblical/Christian Worldview begins with the origin, the beginning, a God, a creator that is above all. God created all things (Psalm 148:5) and He did this “out of nothing”1 (Genesis 1:1). Once we know how we got here we then wonder about our identity. God created us differently than anything else. Man was created out of something, dust from the ground (Genesis 2:7). All other created items were out of nothing and man was placed above all other things created. We are to be

Buddhists are strong believers in Karma, the law of cause and effect. They are often morally

Buddhism began in the fourth and fifth centuries before Christ by Siddhartha Gautama. The teachings of Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama, are the major beliefs of Buddhism. Buddhism is a belief and religion based on an assortment of customs, principles, and practices. The name Buddha means the awakened one. Buddha’s teachings were of the termination of suffering, attaining nirvana, and absconding from the cycle of suffering and rebirth. Buddhism has spread all across Asia and throughout the world, now with between two hundred thirty million and five hundred million followers. Buddhism is largely based around the belief of Karma. Karma is the “action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in a reincarnation” (Dictionary.com) or “the cosmic principle according to which each person is rewarded or punished in one incarnation according to that person’s deeds in the previous incarnation.” (Dictionary.com) In simpler words, how you live your life now determines how you will come back when your current soul expires. Buddhists live their lives in hopes of achieving to be placed in the highest state known as Heaven. The after-life stems from Karma and leads into Rebirth. Rebirth is a course of action where humans proceed within multiple lifetimes in one or more of the six states of after-life. Each lifetime begins with birth and ends with death. Buddhists believe that we should not fear death because

“Rivers, ponds, lakes, and streams—they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do—they all contain truths,” said by Muhammad Ali. Religion is the belief and reverence for a supernatural power and powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe (2003). The religions I’ve chose to compare and contrast would be non denomination/ Christianity and Buddhism. Each religion would be broken down by their religious belief, religious ritual, and religious experience. The definition of these religious things are: religious belief is a statement to which members of a particular religion adhere, religious ritual is a practice required or expected of members of a faith, and religious experience is the feeling or

Christians also believe in such polarities as good and evil, God and Devil, Heaven and Hell -- none of which form an important part of any Buddhist teachings. Christianity is likewise authoritarian and dictatorial -- "you must believe this or you will be condemned" -- whereas Buddhism tends to be more liberal and allows people to believe more or less whatever they like. Christians ban certain teachings as heretical, evil and harmful, but

Buddhism originated from India, and was founded by Prince Siddharta Gautama, who later came to be known as Buddha, or the enlightened one. Born of a princely caste, he later renounced his comfortable life in search for nirvana. In order to do that, he joined a band of ascetic, who was a group of Hindu priests.