Having a biblical worldview means seeing the world through the lens of scripture and allowing the Bible to shape your perspective on every area of life. Unfortunately, many Christians do not consistently apply biblical principles to their worldview. There are several potential reasons for this:
Lack of discipleship
Many churches today focus on large gatherings and entertaining sermons but fail to provide deeper discipleship and biblical teaching. Christians who are not grounded in Scripture and trained to think biblically can easily adopt beliefs and behaviors from the surrounding culture rather than God’s Word (Matthew 28:19-20).
Cultural influences
We live in an increasingly secular society that rejects biblical values. If Christians don’t intentionally submit every area of life to Christ’s lordship, they’ll inevitably be shaped by cultural messages that contradict Scripture. Culture powerfully forms our thinking if we don’t filter ideas through God’s Word (Romans 12:2).
Lack of worldview teaching
Many churches don’t teach biblical principles for areas like work, politics, economics, and family. Christians never learn to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5) because they aren’t exposed to a comprehensive biblical worldview covering all aspects of life.
Unwillingness to obey
Adopting a biblical worldview requires repentance and change. Some Christians compartmentalize their faith, refusing to obey in areas like finances, sexuality, or social issues. They don’t want the Bible to confront cherished beliefs and behaviors (James 1:22-25).
Fear of opposition
Standing firmly on biblical truth will inevitably generate criticism and consequences (2 Timothy 3:12). Some believers compromise or stay silent rather than face opposition from culture, family, or friends. They fear people rather than God (Proverbs 29:25).
Lack of spiritual discernment
Christians who lack spiritual maturity can be deceived by false teaching or unable to distinguish biblical truth from spiritual counterfeits. Their worldview becomes an unbiblical mix of truth and error (Hebrews 5:14).
Focus on personal experience
In a subjective culture, many Christians elevate personal experiences and feelings above God’s objective truth. Their beliefs follow spontaneous impulses and “what seems right” rather than careful exegesis of Scripture (Proverbs 14:12).
Lack of accountability
Healthy accountability helps us live consistently with our professed beliefs. Unfortunately, many Christians today don’t have deep relationships that challenge blind spots or call them to obedience in specific areas. It’s easy to become complacent (Proverbs 27:17).
Biblical illiteracy
Polls show many professing Christians are ignorant of basic biblical teaching. It’s impossible to develop a biblical worldview without knowing Scripture. Firsthand exposure to God’s Word is essential (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Unresolved doubts
Critics raise difficult questions about the Bible and Christianity that many believers don’t know how to answer. Unaddressed doubts can undermine confidence in God’s Word and lead to an eclectic worldview (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Wrong priorities
In a busy world, it’s easy to crowd out time studying Scripture and seeking God’s Kingdom. Other priorities like work, entertainment, and success can subtly become more important than pursuing Christ and obeying biblical truth (Matthew 6:33).
Worldview not taught
Young people today often aren’t taught the importance of developing a comprehensive biblical worldview addressing all areas of life. Many never even realize Scripture applies outside “spiritual” activities (2 Peter 1:3).
Lack of worldview education
Classes on biblical worldview are scarce both inside and outside the church. Christians desiring worldview training usually have to take initiative to find specialized conferences, books, or online resources. It’s hard to develop a biblical worldview alone.
Unconscious influences
All of us absorb messages from media, school, and friends without even realizing it. These unconscious influences easily overwhelm our thinking unless we’re continually in Scripture and submissions to Christ (Philippians 4:8).
Limited focus on application
Christians may study Bible facts without learning to apply truth to real-life or wrestle through difficult issues. Head knowledge without personal application fails to transform our worldview and choices (James 1:22).
Laziness and apathy
Developing a biblical worldview takes effort and intentionality. Some believers are too spiritually lazy, passive, or apathetic to exert the discernment and discipline this requires. They’d rather adopt the default secular perspective (Hebrews 5:11-14).
Lack of worldview mentoring
Personal mentoring is invaluable for passing on a biblical worldview to younger generations. Unfortunately, many older Christians have unwittingly adopted secular assumptions themselves, so they aren’t equipped to impart a holistic biblical perspective.
Focus on private morality
Some believers have a narrow understanding of the Christian life focused on private sins like lying or cheating. They don’t realize Christianity speaks to social, cultural, and political issues as well (Matthew 22:37-40).
Dualistic mindset
Secular/sacred divisions trace back to Greco-Roman philosophy, not Scripture. But many Christians separate the “secular” world from their “spiritual” faith. This makes it impossible to develop a unified biblical worldview.
Lack of critical thinking
Christians may uncritically absorb ideas from their political party, favorite talk show host, or social media feeds instead of evaluating perspectives against Scripture. They need to develop biblical discernment (Acts 17:11).
Misunderstanding of grace
Some believers use grace as an excuse for license and antinomianism. They think faith frees us from obedience to God’s commands. But true grace empowers us to live righteously (Titus 2:11-14).
Lack of conviction
In today’s pluralistic society, many Christians believe truth is personal, private, and subjective. Unwilling to take a firm stance, they assemble an ambiguous mishmash of beliefs based on uncertain notions (Jude 1:3).
Fear of dogmatism
Relativism and uncertainty about truth make many believers afraid to state convictions firmly. But we cannot develop a biblical worldview without confidently asserting that God has revealed absolute moral principles in Scripture.
Unwilling to give up control
Having a consistently biblical worldview requires full surrender and submission to Christ’s authority over every area of life. Many believers are ultimately unwilling to relinquish complete control to God and obey when it’s difficult (Luke 14:33).
Conformity to culture
Christians can slip into an unhealthy quest for acceptance by society. This leads to accommodating cultural trends that contradict Scripture. The Bible tells us not to be conformed to the world (Romans 12:2).
Lack of whole-life discipleship
Churches often focus only on spiritual disciplines like prayer and Bible reading while neglecting biblical teachings about work, economics, and social issues. This contributes to compartmentalization rather than whole-life discipleship.
Unaware of worldview concept
Many Christians have simply never heard of “biblical worldview” or been taught that Scripture speaks to every sphere of life. They continue compartmentalizing their faith because they’re unaware of a unified Christian perspective (Romans 11:36).
False dichotomy between truth and love
Some believers separate “doctrine” and “morality” from loving one’s neighbor. But biblical truth and covenant love cannot be divided. Rightly understood, truth always leads to compassionate care for others (Ephesians 4:15).
Lack of theological courage
Adopting an authentically biblical worldview in today’s culture requires courage and commitment. Speaking and living truth invites scorn, cancellation, and persecution. Fearful Christians retreat from biblical conviction (Joshua 1:9).
Unmortified sin
Sinful desires of the flesh hugely impact our ability to embrace God’s truth. Christians unwilling to slay private sins of greed, pride, lust, etc. will struggle to submit whole areas of public life to Christ’s Lordship.
Overemphasizing one doctrine
Some believers focus on a single doctrine like evangelism, prosperity, or grace while neglecting the full counsel of God’s Word. This imbalanced perspective prevents a comprehensive biblical worldview.
Failure to renew mind
Christians are called to renewal and transformation of the mind, which takes hard work and discipline (Romans 12:2). Many believers try to follow Christ without doing the heavy lifting of mental renewal in line with Scripture.
In summary, developing a consistently biblical worldview requires committed disciples grounded in God’s Word, living in biblical community, earnestly seeking Christ, and unafraid of cultural opposition. All believers would do well to evaluate whether they are surrendering every area of life to the lordship of Jesus as revealed in Scripture.