INTRODUCTION
The terms “Christian worldview” and “biblical worldview” are often used to actually deflect Christians from following Jesus to embracing conflicting ideologies.
The Jesus Worldview Initiative offers a variety of resources — including individual and group studies, thoughtful writings and in-person experiences. All are focused on providing better understanding and encouraging fresh commitments to following Jesus above any other priority.
RESOURCES
Seeing with Jesus
by Jack Glasgow
Discipleship is not step two in the Christian life: it is the very essence of the Christian life. Discipleship begins with a willingness to trust the one who calls us to follow. It seeks to know Jesus in every way—to know his teaching and to know his sacrifice; to know his healing and to know his resurrection. The goal of Christians and congregations in our context must be to know, love, and follow Jesus.
Seeing Through the Eyes of Jesus
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Calling us back to the central focus of our Christian faith, the risen and living Jesus, this new resource invites congregations into deeper faithfulness with each other, equips congregations to offer a bold and positive witness to the risen Jesus and transforms us individually and corporately while we co-labor with God to transform the world.
Jesus Worldview Presentations
by Good Faith Media Staff
Sermons, workshops, classes and retreats are offered by Good Faith Media. Contact John Pierce, director of the Jesus Worldview Initiative, to explore the options and opportunities.
ARTICLES
Isolating, Overemphasizing John 3:16 Contributes to a Cheap Gospel
John 3:16 is among the most well-known biblical texts, often referenced as if it is “the gospel in a nutshell.” Is this a proper, accurate view of this verse?
Is Christianity More Than a Moral Philosophy?
Christianity has been defined and expressed in myriad ways. Here is why the moral philosophy of Jesus must remain central to any true expression of Christian faith.
If I Were God …
What would I do if I were God? Other than eliminating February from the calendar, here are a few actions I might consider taking.
Church’s Propensity for Discrimination Is Self-Harm That Harms Others
Discrimination has long-been prevalent in Americanized Christian churches. Confession, conversion and correction at the corporate level is essential for many congregations.
Removing the Parentheses Around Jesus’ Life
Have you placed Jesus’ life and teachings in parentheses as interesting but not essential to Christian faith? If so, the celebration of his coming is a good time to get rid of those punctuation marks.
A Longer View of ‘the Sinful World’ Into Which Jesus Came
How do we appropriately get ready for Christmas and the coming of Jesus whose birth Christians celebrate that day? Beyond the pageants and pageantry, turning a careful eye upon ourselves is, perhaps, the most appropriate preparation.
Jesus on the Sidelines
Americanized Christians have made a recent substitution, replacing one player for another star. With this long-revered figure now on the sidelines, many are struggling to know how to proceed.
What Markings Do We Bear?
What does it look like to bear the markings of Jesus in one’s life? One large, visible portion of the Christian church in the U.S. offers up an answer that looks very different from what is set forth in the Gospels.
Look Back | Soiling Good Terms
Words and concepts are often co-opted and used as a basis for discrimination and other problematic actions. ‘Religious liberty’ is one such term that has been used improperly in recent years.
LIBRARY
Suggested reading for exploring more about Jesus.
Resources from Nurturing Faith Books, GFM’s publishing imprint.
Suggested Books about Jesus from Other Publishers
The Disturbing Galilean: Essays About Jesus Malcolm Tolbert (2009, Smyth & Helwys)
The Founder of Christianity C. H. Dodd (out of print; used copies available)
The Historical Figure of Jesus E.P. Sanders (1993, PenguinRandomHouse)
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time Marcus Borg (2005, HarperCollins)
Reclaiming the Forgotten Gospel Charles Stuart (2020, independently published)
RETREATS
Small-group retreats reveal the value of ministers and lay leaders engaging in weeklong conversations about the need to explore creative, compelling and collaborative ways to advance a Jesus Worldview in a time of competing allegiances. Some retreats are focused on pastoral leaders, while others involve lay and institutional leaders.
Ecumenical involvement and collaboration with other organizations interested in pursuing the Jesus Worldview Initiative have made some of the retreats possible.
REVIEWS
Calling Christians to a higher and better-informed loyalty to the teachings of Jesus is the high ground we want to occupy. We don’t want to inhabit the low ground of most of our current political, and even theological, debate.
When as a society we are distracted and overwhelmed, it is essential that we refocus our vision by looking through the lens of Jesus. The Jesus Worldview Initiative invites us into sacred space, to sit at the feet of Jesus, where we find respite and renewal, so that we are prepared, empowered and equipped to be true disciples of our time.
The Jesus Worldview Initiative has a disarming simplicity, but the timing and angle of approach have tremendous potential to change the lives of hundreds of churches and countless believers.
What excites me most about this project is we are getting back to the core of who we are. We are working to make sure we are following who we are called to follow, and if we can accomplish this we might finally and fully bring that Kingdom to earth. And God knows we need it.
I read your piece on having a Jesus worldview and felt a resounding “Yes!” Thanks for being one resource that keeps pointing the way.
The Jesus Worldview Initiative could be the transforming agent the church needs. … and knowing what Jesus said and did is essential.
In examining American Christianity, I cannot help but think we have expectations … that God is on our side (whatever side that may be), and greatness is secured at the expense of others. This is not the way of Jesus. May we learn from him and become his faithful disciples.
The topic of the week was how much of the current American conversation about Christianity actually factors in the life and teachings of Jesus. … I expected stimulating conversation; I did not expect to come home with a disturbed sense of purpose and priority.
This initiative seeks to inform and train Christian leaders to view the world through the lens of Jesus’ life and actions. … A Jesus worldview is needed because far too many Christians talk about a “biblical worldview” or a “Christian worldview” in ways that have nothing to do with Christ.
I’m particularly moved by how powerful the concept of friendship is in trying to live with a Jesus Worldview. … You’re on to something.