Stewardship as a Christian Worldview
by Keith
B. Miller, Ph.D.
Department of Geology
Kansas State University
note: This page is the notes for a class on stewardship that I taught at our church.
a summary: I view stewardship as a comprehensive
concept
including all aspects of practical living and the life of the mind.
Stewardship as a Worldview
Stewardship of Human Knowledge
Environmental Stewardship
Ethics of Technology
Social Responsibility
Art for the Glory of God
1. What is a worldview?
• "A worldview is never merely a vision of
life. It is always a vision for life as well. Indeed, a vision of life, or
worldview that
does not
actually
lead
a person or a people in a particular way of life is no world view at all.
Our world view determines our values. It helps us interpret the world
around us.
It sorts out what is important from what is not, what is of highest value from
what is least." (from The Transforming Vision, pp 31-32)
• A
world view is both individual and shared with a community. Our worldview is not the same as our theology or philosophy,
and we may not even be consciously
aware of it. It determines how we interpret everything around us, even scripture. There
are many competing world views in our culture.
2. How do we make our
world view closer to God's view?
• Study scripture
and practice the spiritual disciplines.
• Listen to others,
particularly to those with whom we disagree.
• Learn to recognize
other worldviews, and become aware of our own.
• Seek God and trust that His Holy Spirit will guide us.
• John 15:12-15
3. Biblical basis of stewardship
a) God is the creator, possessor,
and ruler of all things.
• Psalm 95:3-7 — The
Earth is the Lord's
• Colossians 1:15-20 — All
things created by Him and for Him
b) We were created in God's
image.
• Genesis 1:26-30 — We
have been given commission to rule God's creation as His image bearers.
• Image is representational, relational, and responsive (see Imaging
God, by
John Douglas Hall)
• What is the God
like whom we are to image? Christ is the image of God. (John
1:14-18)
• II Corinthians
3:18 — We
are called to be transformed into the image of Christ. Christ's example
was that of a self-sacrificing servant.
c) We were created to do good
works.
• John 15:9-17
• Ephesians 2:6-10
d) We are called by God to be
living sacrifices.
• Romans 12:1-2 — We
are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices,
be
transformed by renewing our minds.
Matthew 16:24-25
• Mark 12:28-31, Deuteronomy
6:4-9 — God's claim on us is comprehensive:
heart, soul, mind, strength.
What we feel — Arts,
aesthetics, relationships, worship
What we think — Philosophy,
theology, history, science
What we do — Technology,
work, finances, social action, spiritual
disciplines
All that we
feel, think, and do is to give glory to God.
• There is no sacred-secular
dichotomy in the Christian life.
All our talents
and abilities are to be used for God's glory.
STEWARDSHIP OF HUMAN KNOWLEDGE
1. What do we think about knowledge?
a) How does our culture view knowledge and learning?
• How has this view influenced the Church?
b) Should we value some knowledge over others?
• Is the search for some knowledge prohibited by God?
Philippians
4:8 — Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely,
admirable,
excellent – think about such things.
2. Why should we value human knowledge?
a) God desires us to be wise
• Example of Solomon: I Kings 3:5-12, 4:29-34
God gave
Solomon wisdom to rule, and that wisdom included knowledge of the created
world as well as artistic creativity.
• Ecclesiates 1:16-18
provides warning of the fruitlessness of knowledge pursued as an end to itself. Importance of motivation in acquiring knowledge. Why
are we doing it?
• Consider also Daniel
1:17-20 — God gave Daniel knowledge and understanding
of all kinds of literature and learning.
b) We cannot be stewards over what we do not know or understand
• God has given us
stewardship over all His creation (Psalm 8:3-8)
• Creation is good
and offers praise to God (Psalm 148)
3. We need to think "Christianly"
a) It is the way we think, not
just what we think, that needs to be Christian.
• A Christian's orthodoxy
is often evaluated on his/her position on an issue, not their way of thinking
about it.
• Attributes of a
Christian mind: supernatural/eternal perspective,
awareness of evil, concern for truth, recognition of God's authority, concern
for humanity,
affirmation of life. (from The Christian Mind by Harry Blamires)
b) How much of our thinking is influenced, if not determined by, our culture?
c) We need to think about stewardship
of our minds as well as stewardship of knowledge.
• Stewardship of the
mind is personal and equally important for every believer.
• Stewardship of knowledge
is more an act of community.
4. The treasure of past
wisdom: the history of ideas
a) Does the evangelical Church in America value history?
b) History is our teacher
• God is the God of
history and reveals Himself in history.
• God repeatedly calls
His people to remember.
• Knowledge of ideas
guards against being deceived by false philosophy.
Colossians 2:6-8
• There is a great
wealth of recorded human experience both good and bad for us to learn from.
c) What was the historical origin of the ideas now prominent in our culture?
• Recognize cultural influences on Christian thinking.
• Why do I think about an issue the way I do?
d) How has an issue been dealt with in the past?
• We may find answers
to our own questions and direction in our own circumstances through the thoughts,
questions, struggles and failures of those before us.
e) How has scripture been understood and interpreted in the past?
• Provides keys to
the transcultural truth of scripture. Helps
us to recognize where our worldview may not be God's view.
5. Science as a way of
knowing
a) The Christian worldview provided
the mental environment for the development of modern science (see Religion
and the Rise of Modern Science by Hooykaas).
• De-deification of
nature — Creator vs. Creation
• Unity of heavenly and earthly realms
• Comprehensibility
of creation — As God's image-bearers we can "think
God's thoughts after Him."
• Creation governed
by laws — Regularity of creation reflects God's character.
• Ministry of healing
and restoration — The incarnation emphasized God's
concern for His creation.
b) The metaphor of warfare between
science and religion is historically false.
• Why are science and theology still viewed by many as enemies?
c) How should science and theology relate to each other?
• Can theology be read from nature?
• God's power and
divine nature can be seen in creation. Romans 1:18-25
Is natural revelation only compelling to the believer?
Issue of human
freewill and God's providence involved.
Nature can,
and has, also be used to support virtually any religious or philosophical belief.
• Scripture uses nature
as metaphors for revealing God's character and will.
Matthew 6:25-30,13:1 — ff
John 15:1-8
• A knowledge of creation
enlarges our concept of God.
Magnifies God's
power and wisdom as well as His grace.
• Can nature be understood through scripture?
Proper use
of scripture — II Timothy 1:14-15, 3:16
Great danger
in wedding scripture to a particular scientific theory.
• What can be known about nature from scripture?
Its value to
God — God's care and provision for His creation.
Psalm 104, Job 38-41
All creation
offers praise to God — Psalm 148
Its relationship
to God and to us His image-bearers.
The meaning
of stewardship and divine rulership.
• Can scientific knowledge
provide a corrective to bad theology? How?
• Can theology provide
a corrective to bad science? How?
1. Biblical basis of environmental stewardship
a) God cares for His creation
• God declares all
that He has made very good — Genesis 1:31
God is revealed
in the present creation — Job 38-41
God takes
pleasure in creation for its own sake independently of any utilitarian value
to humans. Wild
nature glorifies God.
The Earth
is the Lord's possession — Psalm 95:1-5
All creation
praises God — Psalm 148
• God sustains and provides for His creation
God is active in
the world, providing for the needs of its creatures.
Psalm 104
God is continually
creating. His creative power is continually at work.
Psalm 104:29-30
God cares for the
sparrow and lily. Matthew 6:25-30
In Christ all things
hold together. Colossians 1:15-20
b) All creation is part of God's redemptive plan
God so loved the
cosmos that He became incarnate. John 3:16-17
The creator took
upon Himself creation. The word became flesh. John 1:1-18
Creation groans
in anticipation of our redemption. Romans 8:18-22
Creation rejoices
at the promise of God's judgement. Psalm 96:11-13
c) We are given stewardship responsibility over creation
• As God's image bearers
we are give commission to rule, subdue, serve and care for creation. Genesis
1:26-28, 2:15
• Our example of godly
rule is that of sacrificial service.
The responsibility
of the kings of Israel was to serve the poor, widow, orphan, and oppressed.
We are to image
Christ in His humility — Philippians 2:6-8
The greatest
will be the least — Matthew 10:1-5, 20:25-28
• Old Testament law protected the land and animals
Sabbath rest
included animals. Deuteronomy 5:12-15
Sabbatical year
command to let land rest. Leviticus 25:1-7
The captivity of
God people was in part a result of failure to obey this command. Leviticus
26:32-36, II Chronicles 36:20-21
The good and
the prosperity of the land and people were intimately connected.
• Parable of the talents, Matthew
25:14-30
We have been given
of God's resources as trustworthy stewards. Are
we deserving of His trust?
2. How can we rule creation in sacrificial love recognizing
that all life has intrinsic value to God?
• Get to know God's creation
Adam's first
task was to name what God had made.
Over what has
God given us stewardship?
• Think holistically
How can we
act for the good of all creation, not just the perceived good of humanity?
Consider cost
to environment of economic decisions.
• Think sacrificially
What can we
sacrifice for the sake of the rest of creation?
• Conserve what is renewable
Manage resources
for future sustainability.
Preserve what
is irreplaceable
Seek replacements
for non-renewable resources.
Wild pristine
environments
and ecosystems are irreplaceable.
1. Biblical guidelines
• We are all individually
created by God — Psalm 139:14-16
All persons are
made in God's image.
God's image has
been corrupted but not lost as a result of the fall.
• God's desire is for the poor, hungry, and oppressed
Isaiah 58:5-7,
Jeremiah 22:3, Zechariah 7:9-10
Christ's ministry
was to the afflicted — Luke 4:16-21 (Isaiah 61:1-3)
Our ministry is
to those in need.
Command to love
our neighbor as ourselves
Illustrated by
parable of the Samaritan — Luke 10:26-37
"Whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine,
you did it for me." Matthew
25:31-46
We are to look to
the interests of others — Philippians 2:1-11
2. What is technology?
a) Definition: "A
distinct human cultural activity in which human beings exercise freedom and
responsibility
in response to God by forming and transforming the natural creation, with the
aid of tools and procedures, for practical ends or purposes." (from Responsible
Technology edited by Stephen Monsma)
• Technology is the
application of our knowledge of creation for the good of humanity.
b) Humans given rule (authority)
over creation — Psalm 8:3-8; Genesis 1:28-30.
• The use and manipulation
of creation associated with technology is within the creation mandate.
However, as
stewards our technology must be used in a way consistent with God's purposes
and desires.
3. Questions to ask of technology in a specific
situation.
Does it empower people or control them?
Does it broaden the gap between the poor and rich or narrow it?
Does it meet needs or generate wants?
Does it value life or demean it?
Does it respect people's dignity as God's image-bearers?
Does it heal or endanger health?
What is its potential for evil?
Does it appropriately use resources?
4. Ethical dimensions of technology
• Product safety
and quality.
• Impact of technology
on societal values.
What do we
value, and what goals do we pursue?
• Impact of technology
on economic and political systems.
Control over technology
(including development, manufacture, distribution, and application) and control
over information determines centers of power.
• Rationing of limited
resources.
Who gets access to
resources and who, or what decides?
• Conflict between
the potential good of different parties, or the balancing of potential for
good and evil. The answers to most ethical dilemmas
are not black and white.
• Technology involves
a multitude of levels and components. There
is usually no clear responsibility for ultimate outcomes.
1. Summary
principles
Others before self
Need before want or comfort
Poverty before wealth
Oppressed and weak before the powerful
2. Responsibility for the poor, orphan
and widow
a) Old Testament law
Tithe for Levite,
stranger, orphan and widow — Deuteronomy 26:12
Gleanings of field
for poor and stranger — Leviticus 19:10
Sabbatical Year
Deuteronomy — 15:1-11
Debt cancelled every
7 years – prevented absolute poverty and permanent
indebtedness.
Year of Jubilee — Leviticus
25:8-24
Hereditary land
and property restored to original family. Land
could not be sold permanently. Discouraged excessive accumulation of
wealth and property (see Isaiah 5:8).
• How might we apply the principles behind these commands today?
b) New Testament commands
• Honor the poor. James
2:1-7
How can we show honor
to the poor in our community?
Give to the poor
Give to those who
cannot repay. Luke 14:12-14
Give to those who
ask. Matthew 5:42
Pure religion is
to look after orphans and widows. James 1:27
Story of the rich
young man — Matthew 19:16-22
• Is this to be normative
for the believer? If not, what does Christ want of
us?
c) Example from the early church
Early church held
all things in common. Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37
Gift collected for
Jerusalem believers. II Corinthians 8:1-15
Distribution of
food to widows. Acts 6:1-6 (Restrictions on
provision for widows — II Timothy 5:1-16)
How can we as a
church body fulfill our responsibility to the poor and needy. If the
early church model is not relevant, what is?
3. Responsibility
for the sick
a) Healing was significant part of Christ's ministry
• Healing part of message of kingdom of God
Matthew 4:23-25;
8:16-17
Matthew 10:7-8 — Disciples
sent out to preach the message of the kingdom and heal the sick.
• Jesus ministered to those whose sickness made them social outcasts
Healing of lepers — Mark
1:40-42, Healing of blind — John
9
Healing combined
with meeting spiritual needs
Healing of paralytic — Mark
2:1-12
b) Ministry of healing
• Ministry of prayer — James
5:13-16
• Ministry to social,
emotional and spiritual needs of sick.
Lepers of
Christ's day viewed similarly to AIDS sufferers today.
Critical
need for the Church to reach out in love to those afflicted with AIDS.
4. Responsibility for the oppressed
a) Jesus ministered to the ostracized,
marginalized, and despised in the culture (women, children, Samaritans
and foreigners, tax collectors and "sinners," as well as the
poor and sick)
Children — Matthew
18:1-6; 19:13-15
Samaritan women — John
4:4-42
Tax collectors and "sinners" — Luke
19:1-10 (Zacchaeus), Matthew 9:10-13 (dinner with tax collectors), John 8:1-11
(women caught in
adultery), Luke 7:36-50 (prostitute)
b) Ministry to today's oppressed
Who are the oppressed
people in our culture/world?
How can we as God's
people and the Body of Christ show compassion to those
rejected by society?
1. Artistic talent is God-given
• Human skills and
crafts are God-given — Exodus 35:25-35
• Writing and poetic gifts are God-given:
Proverbs and songs of Solomon — I Kings 4:29-34
Understanding of literature and learning — Daniel 1:17-20
• Examples of use of arts in scripture:
Building of tabernacle and temple involved much decorative as well as engineering
skill.
Music in celebration and worship. Music had major part in religious festivals.
Dance as part of worship and celebration.
Drama and theater used by prophets to proclaim their message.
See Ezekiel chapters 4-5 as an example of prophetic theater.
2. What is the
purpose of art?
• To glorify and praise
God — to reflect the beauty of God's creation.
• To express ourselves
to God and others in ways not possible in mere statement of propositional truth. Expression
of the full range of human emotion.
• To communicate truth.
• For the joy and
cost of creating — participating in God's creativity.
• For the enrichment
of others' lives and the meeting of aesthetic needs.
3. The Trinitarian nature of creativity
• from The Mind of the Maker by Dorothy Sayers:
The
Idea
The
Creative Activity — bringing
the idea into existence
The
Creative
Power — the
ability of the created work to impact others
4. How
can we support artistic gifts and steward artistic talent within the Church?
• Financially support
artists within the congregation.
Singers
and musicians serving the temple were paid from the temple tithe.
I Chronicles
6:31-32, 9:33 and Nehemiah 12:46-47
• Commission works — Restore
the place of the Church as a patron of the arts.
Give
individuals time and freedom to be creative and do their best work.
• Encourage the development
of artistic talent by providing mentors and training.
• Utilize a wider
range of artistic expression in worship.
• Utilize artistic talent within the congregation in the design and decoration
of the Church building.
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