Africa by Radio CONTINENTAL CONVENTION 17-19 September 2009 Reaching, Touching: Progress Together hein van wyk

Biblical Worldview 1

Africa is Blessed “Africa continues to be demonized as the poorest continent in the world, yet it is the richest continent in terms of natural resources.” - Chika Onyeani, African Sun Times “In terms of natural resources, Africa is the world’s richest continent - Dr. Walter Williams, Professor of Economics at George Mason University Onyeani, Chika; G8 Nations Fail Africa Again; African Sun Times; June 17, 2004 Williams, Walter; Africa’s Tragedy; www.gmu.edu/departments/economics; 7/1/04

Africa is Blessed Blessed with natural resources

Africa is Blessed: Natural Beauty

Africa is Blessed: Agriculture

Africa is Blessed: Rivers and Lakes

Africa is Blessed: Minerals

Africa is Blessed Blessed with natural resources Blessed with an incredible heritage for the Gospel Blessed with beautiful, imaginative people made in the image of God Blessed with the foundation of the Church

Africa: A Heartbreaking Paradox “Despite these countless blessings and riches, Africa remains undeniably the most poverty-stricken and broken continent on the planet.”

Africa is Broken Gross National Product (GNP) 14% of world’s population – 2% of world’s GNP Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 17 of world’s 21 poorest countries based on GDP

Africa is Broken Human Suffering Index (HIS) 24 countries in Africa described as “extreme human suffering” Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 16 countries in the highly corrupt range of the index Freedom Index 21 countries in Africa are “partially free” 20 from Africa are not free

Africa is Broken HIV/AIDS Infection Rate 71% of World’s HIV/AIDS cases in Africa at least 6,000 people die each day 12 million HIV/AIDS Orphans; 20 million in 2010 HIV/AIDS infected people in Africa 28.5 million Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) 30 countries in Africa eligible for HIPC Human Development Index (HDI) HDI attempts to measure “Quality of Life” 174 countries qualified; 33 of bottom 40 are in Africa

Africa: Blessed but Broken Why the Paradox?

Africa: Blessed but Broken Africa’s problems are not located in such things as incompetent leadership, corrupt politics, infrastructural inadequacies, widespread illiteracy, or unjust economic systems. These are serious problems, but it is only symptoms, not root causes. The root of the problem is not material, nor is it primarily outside the continent. The root of the problem is inside the minds of the people of the continent. The problem is the worldview.

Worldview The Roots Produce the Fruit Consequences (Culture) What is the result? Fruit Behaviour What is done? Branches Values What is good or best? Why do I do what I do? Trunk Roots Beliefs (Worldview) What is true? What is real?

Worldview has Consequences “I believe people are as they think. The choices we make … will mold irrevocably the direction of our culture… and the lives of our children!” - Francis Schaeffer

Worldview determines Culture “According to Augustine, culture is not a reflection of a people’s race, ethnicity, folklore, politics, language or heritage. Rather it is an outworking of a people’s creed. In other words, culture is the temporal manifestation of a people’s faith. If a culture begins to change, it is not because of fads, fashions, or the passing of time, it is because of a shift in the worldview – it is because of a change of faith.” George Grant, The Micah Mandate G-7a

What is a Worldview? The belief system conveyed in the tribal story The mindset of a people Mental infrastructure It is like: A set of glasses for the mind The software of the a computer

The Power of Worldview This grid or glasses are powerful because they determine How we see the world! How we think the world works! The Culture we create! The kind of nations we will build!

Worldview Defined A set of assumptions about life and what is true and important. (Ron Boehme) The total set of beliefs or assumptions that comprise the mindset of an individual and determine how they view reality. (Darrow Miller) A worldview is a set of presuppositions (or assumptions) which we hold (consciously or unconsciously) about the basic make-up of our world. (James Sire / Charles Dunahoo)

Non-Biblical Worldview Elements African Traditional Mindset Women are inferior to men. Work is a curse. Tribalism: my tribe is superior to your tribe. Fatalism: We are poor and there is nothing we can do about it. History is something that happens to us. This “dependency mentality” is outward-looking, waiting for someone or something else “from the outside” to solve problems.

Non-Biblical Worldview Elements African Traditional Mindset Time: focus on the past; backward looking Corruption: The gods are capricious and can be “bribed” through various acts or sacrifices. The life of an individual is not significant “Zero-sum:” Limited Good; resources are fixed and limited. If my neighbor prospers, it must be the result of him doing something wrong to me, such as stealing. The universe is capriciousness, chaotic and unpredictable.

African Traditional Mindset Worldview Contrasts African Traditional Mindset Biblical Worldview (Christian Standard) Women are inferior to men. Women are made in the image of God and have equal worth with men. Their roles differ, but their value before God is the same. Work is a curse. Work is part of our dignity. Tribalism: my tribe is superior to your tribe. Community: each race/tribe is equal in value but wonderfully unique, and this should be celebrated. Fatalism: We are poor and there is nothing we can do about it. History is something that happens to us. This “dependency mentality” is outward-looking, waiting for someone or something else “from the outside” to solve problems. Freedom: We were made to create history. God created humans with freedom and personal responsibility.

Worldview Contrasts (cont.) African Traditional Mindset Biblical Worldview (Christian Standard) Time: focus on the past; backward looking Time: celebrate the past, enjoy the present, plan for the future; forward looking Corruption: The gods are capricious and can be “bribed” through various acts or sacrifices. Justice: The living God is unchanging in His character, which is both just and good. He takes no bribes. The life of an individual is not significant Individual human life is significant “Zero-sum:” Limited Good; resources are fixed and limited. If my neighbor prospers, it must be the result of him doing something wrong to me, such as stealing. Positive Sum: Wealth is created. The universe is capriciousness, chaotic and unpredictable. The universe is governed by natural laws, it is orderly

Biblical Worldview Setting the Standard Africa needs a worldview that is victorious is wholistic is able to provide a sense of destiny and hope will inspire zeal, commitment and Godly character under trying circumstances and challenging situations Africa needs a victorious worldview which is anchored in Truth unchanging in nature eternal in scope accessible to everyone able to bridge faith and lifestyle

Africa needs a Biblical Worldview Africa needs a worldview that is God-breathed and based on a written Absolute. Africa needs the worldview of the Bible; the life system and culture of the Kingdom of God. Africa needs the Mind of Christ. Dr. Tokunboh Adeyemo Founder and Executive Director of the Center of Biblical Transformation “Africa has been evangelized but the African mind has not been captured for Christ.”

Biblical Worldview The Nature of the Bible Breadth CREATION: In the Beginning CONSUMMATION: Christ’s Return REDEMPTION FALL Eternity Future Before the Beginning Depth The Grand Story* Scope(Breadth) and Depth – The Big Picture of the Story The breadth/scope of the story is the flow of History – the chapters – 4 key words – creation, fall, redemption, consummation Every story has the answers to basic questions: Who we are Where we came from What are we here for? The depth of the story is the weightiness of the story – the metaphysical story The bible tells us what is true, what is good, what is beautiful What is the nature of God, the nature of creation, the nature of man These are parts of the story that we have neglected and are ignorant of. Give some examples of stories other than the biblical story and how they confuse truth with lies – i.e. Greeks believe that cruelty is a virtue. * The story of meaning: what is true, what is good, what is beautiful

Worldviews in Conflict Biblical Theism (Christian Standard) Africa Traditional Religion (Animism) “Monism” Absoluteness of the “spiritual” Secularism “Naturalism” Absoluteness of the physical God-created Radical middle

Africa by Radio CONTINENTAL CONVENTION 17-19 September 2009 Reaching, Touching: Progress Together hein van wyk

Biblical Worldview 2

Biblical Worldview The Nature of the Bible Breadth CREATION: In the Beginning CONSUMMATION: Christ’s Return REDEMPTION FALL Eternity Future Before the Beginning Depth The Grand Story* Scope(Breadth) and Depth – The Big Picture of the Story The breadth/scope of the story is the flow of History – the chapters – 4 key words – creation, fall, redemption, consummation Every story has the answers to basic questions: Who we are Where we came from What are we here for? The depth of the story is the weightiness of the story – the metaphysical story The bible tells us what is true, what is good, what is beautiful What is the nature of God, the nature of creation, the nature of man These are parts of the story that we have neglected and are ignorant of. Give some examples of stories other than the biblical story and how they confuse truth with lies – i.e. Greeks believe that cruelty is a virtue. * The story of meaning: what is true, what is good, what is beautiful

Worldviews in Conflict Biblical Theism (Christian Standard) Africa Traditional Religion (Animism) “Monism” Absoluteness of the “spiritual” Secularism “Naturalism” Absoluteness of the physical God-created Radical middle

Epistemological Questions How do I know? ATR/ Animism Biblical Theism Secularism

Epistemological Questions What Can I know? Biblical Theism ATR/ Animism Secularism

Meta-Physical Questions Basic Relationships & Time Ultimate Reality? Result: Death Life Man? Nature? History? ATR/ Animism Biblical Theism Secularism

Moral Questions What is the Nature of Evil? Biblical Theism ATR/ Animism Secularism

Man’s Basic Questions What is Life? Biblical Theism ATR/ Animism Secularism

Worldview The Roots Produce the Fruit Consequences (Culture) What is the result? Fruit Behaviour What is done? Branches Values What is good or best? Why do I do what I do? Trunk Roots Beliefs (Worldview) What is true? What is real?

Worldview The Roots Produce the Fruit Lies a culture holds to be true Truth the culture embraces Principles of the Development Ethic

Worldview through the Centuries

Biblical Worldview GOD Creation

GOD is GOD is Biblical Worldview transcendent standing outside of creation GOD is immanent in His creation Being History Incarnation Holy Spirit

Coram Deo Living before the Face of God Faith Science Business Missions Justice Art / Music Devotional Life Bread Reason Theology Ethics Politics Evangelism Nature Community Service Gospel

Deism GOD Cosmos

Secularism ? Nature

Church Divided Church Secularism Old-Line Evangelicals Denominations Accommodation “Liberals” Old-Line Denominations Reaction “Fundamentalists” Evangelicals Pentecostals Charismatics

The Greek Dichotomy Higher Faith Theology Ethics Missions Devotional Life Gospel Higher more important Sunday GRACE SPIRITUAL (sacred) Reason Science Business/economics Politics Art/music Physical ministry Bread Lower less important PHYSICAL (secular) Weekdays NATURE

Biblical Worldview The Influence of Secularism GOD Sacred Secular

GOD Dualistic Worldview Spiritual Natural Moral *Faith *Grace *Missions *Ethics Sacred * Theology * Evangelism * Discipleship * Devotions Natural Physical * Works * Reason * Business * Politics Secular * Science * Economics * Mass Media * The Arts Spiritual Disciplines Spiritual Warfare Sundays ‘Physical’ Ministries Social Justice Weekdays

The Church Gathered and Scattered Scattered for Worship: service, stewardship & discipling the nations Gathered for worship: fellowship & equipping G-3d

The Church and the Gates of the City Social Communication Business & Economics Arts Health Government & Law Science & Technology Education Kingdomizers G-8a

hein van wyk hein@ehcaa.co.za 0823498465 www.disciplenations.org www.samaritan-strategy-africa.org www.harvestfoundation.org

Conclusion The African Church exists in communities and nations that are in the grip of suffering that follows wars, famine, crime, underdevelopment and HIV/AIDS. The Church in Africa has a vital message to bring to the Continent; a message that should be lived and proclaimed as a Biblical Worldview, a Kingdom Life system to challenge both ancient animistic and modern secular paradigms resulting in a sure and steadfast foundation upon which to build healthy, just societies and nations.