Many of my blog posts are about how our worldviews influence us. So, as Christians around the world celebrate Holy Week, I will consider two contrasting worldviews at the heart of this week.

My image for these competing worldviews is the Continental Divide, the line that divides the watersheds in our western mountains. Depending on which side of the Divide a raindrop falls, it will eventually end up flowing into the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans. Just so, some worldviews make “an ocean of difference” between people.

The watershed issue I want to consider this week is what the Bible calls “sin.”  Here is the great divide: is sin so debilitating that it warps one’s very being? Is sin so powerful that it counteracts all our best efforts?

On one side of this divide, people answer “no.” Their response would be: “While I make mistakes, I see myself as basically good. With more effort on my part, I can become even better.  I have within myself all I need.” The people rolling like raindrops down this side of the great divide are searching for incremental help. 

Now this may surprise you, but a good number of folks on this side of the divide are interested in Jesus. They resonate with Jesus’ compassion—especially the way he treats outcasts in his society. They find in Jesus’ teaching and lifestyle just the incremental help they need to become better persons. Thus, they try their best to follow Jesus’ example. Since following Jesus’ example in their individual lives does not require organized religious activity, often these folks are not church-goers, but they consider themselves spiritual people. 

Here’s a second surprise. One might expect people on this side of the divide to be happy and carefree, while those on the other side (who have a darker, Calvinistic view of sin) would be morose or joyless.  Strangely enough, I’ve observed that this is often not the case.  Why?  Because people on this side have their entire well-being emotionally resting on their own efforts.

If they have a great career, a wonderful family, and the respect of their peers—life is good. But what if their career tanks?  What if their kids turn out to be an embarrassment to them?  What if the person whose love they depend on leaves them or dies?  What if they lose the respect of their peers? Remember, their worldview says they have within themselves all that they need.  In my experience, there is no deeper pit of despair than when trying harder will never be enough. But on this side of the divide, that is the only option.

One final surprise.  I suggest that a disproportionate number of fanatics (even religious fanatics) are on this side of the divide.  How can that be?  Normally we associate fanaticism with “true believers.” But remember,here success or failure solely depends on one’s own efforts. This means some will do ANYTHING for their cause. They might claim God told them to kill abortion-performing doctors. They might shout vile, hateful language against those who disagree with them. If it’s all “up to them,” some people (certainly not all) will justify any means if it achieves their ends.

To sum up: our worldviews do make a difference!  On Wednesday, I’ll offer the other side of this great divide.

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