1. Africa by Radio CONTINENTAL CONVENTION September Reaching, Touching: Progress Together hein van wyk

2. Biblical Worldview 1

3. 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; 7/1/04

4. Africa is Blessed
Blessed with natural resources

5. Africa is Blessed: Natural Beauty

6. Africa is Blessed: Agriculture

7. Africa is Blessed: Rivers and Lakes

8. Africa is Blessed: Minerals

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Africa: Blessed but Broken
Why the Paradox?

15. 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.

16. 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?

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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!

21. 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)

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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.”

28. 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

29. 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

30. Africa by Radio CONTINENTAL CONVENTION September Reaching, Touching: Progress Together hein van wyk

31. Biblical Worldview 2

32. 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

33. 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

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

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

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

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

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

44. 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?

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

46. Worldview through the Centuries

47. Biblical Worldview
GOD
Creation

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

49. 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

50. Deism
GOD
Cosmos

51. Secularism ?
Nature

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

53. 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

54. Biblical Worldview The Influence of Secularism
GOD
Sacred
Secular

55. 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

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

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

58. hein van wyk

59. 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.