WORLD VIEWS

By

Dr. Jan Kunene (CMF South Africa)

 

This is a big topic, and I will focus on the idea called “ Secular-Sacred Dichotomy”.

Let me illuminate on a concept; View   >>  Vision  >>    Action. (>> = leading to )

If  your view of life is limited, this will result in a limited vision and ultimately it will result in a limited action. “As a man thinketh so is he”

 

What is your definition of :

·         Call

·         Purpose

·         University

 

How many wrote “ A place of study”.

WYSIWYG: “What You See Is What You Get”.

 

However, if you described a university as “ a place where God brings young leaders so that they can be equipped to go build nations”

When it comes to words like calling and purpose, I encourage you to make up your own definitions but here are mine.

Calling - “ Contextual environment”

Purpose - “ Function”

 

A calling is not a position but a context. Not a futurised, productised, finalised situation. God calls us to be faithful servants, not future servants

Purpose should not be mixed with calling. Purpose is how you function in the contextual environment. It is nice  to have a cup with its own design, but you need to use it to fully get used to it. You need to be faithful in exercising  your gift. You need to develop your strengths and manage your weaknesses.

 

Terms like ‘Five-fold ministry’ are man-made definitions. These ‘offices’ don’t have to necessarily be found in the local church. Jesus Christ is Lord over all.

 

So how equipped are you?

1. How many patients have you prayed for?

2. How many books have you read on - Christian counseling

                                                          - Marriage

                                                          - Raising children

3. Can you confidently answer the question “ Doctor, if God is so good, why did He give me cancer?”.

4. Can you break bad news confidently?

5. How many patients have you led to God?

6. How many students have you led to God?

7. Have you used a spiritual gift on the ward?

 

Medical School influences our thinking. It disciples you. Daniel 1:8

What is your picture of reality?

Humanism

Biblical Christian World view

African Traditional World view

 

Is modern medicine neutral?

Is modern medicine a religion?

Is science a religion?

 

Medical school will disciple you as you go through it. Sometimes we even copy our professor even to the way they ask questions. If you don’t try to integrate your faith into your medicine, you will develop a secular Vs sacred dichotomy.

In medical school, we get exposed to precepts of dualism, determinism, reductionism.

If we do not exercise our faith in terms of discipling our minds we will prevent ourselves becoming “Doctors, who by the way are Christians”.

 

Therefore, are you equipping yourself

1. Reading 2 Timothy 3:16

2. Positive Christian role models

3. Exercise your purpose 2 Peter 1:10 “...make your calling and election sure.”