Dear Doug 1

Dear Doug I am glad to hear that you are settled in and that everything is well. It is also a relief to hear that you and your roommate seem to be getting along and I hope that your friendship with Nathan will grow. I have thought about your questions and decided on some ways to help you explain, and help Nathan interpret and understand Christianity. In my life I have experienced the same situation you mentioned about Christian terminology and what it means to be a Christian.I grew up in a Christian home under Christian principles and it had not occurred to me â€Å"why do I believe in Christianity†? Of course this did not occur to me until I was older and had thought about it for some time. I thought about this world and how it could have been created not by mere chance but by something or someone far more intelligent than mere humans, not by chance. This universe and everything in it was created with superior intelligence and for a purpose.I looked into Christianity and saw how God created the earth; a being far above humans because we were made by him; a perfect powerful all knowing being who created us in his likeness to serve a distinct purpose in this world, rather than leaving it up to mere chance. I knew there had to be a reason for this world and a good one! I looked farther into Christianity and the story of how God created the earth called the Gospel. I am sure you have heard of the Gospel and read the story, but you must take into account many things before you explain it to a non-Christian.Many non-Christians are not familiar with Christian terminology because they have not looked into Christianity and read the Bible to understand our belief, and we as Christ’s followers must explain the Gospel in a simplified way for people who are not familiar with certain Christian terminology so they can understand the concept and become more familiar with the terminology. One way you can simplify the meaning of these words is to define them and s implify them in a way that you clearly present the meaning of that word.An example would be instead of saying we are sinful people, you could say we are disobedient or you could define sin as bad behavior or actions that you commit. Use words that people use on regular bases to define a certain word, which will give them a better understanding since they already understand the correct meaning of that word to better understand any Christian terminology. You may not have known, but you have already or at least started to formulate and create your own worldview. A worldview is exactly what it sounds like, it’s the way we interpret, understand, and our opinion about the world and how we view it.A worldview is how you see the world and your opinion or idea of reality. Norman Geisler and William Watkins give a very well thought out worldview explanation and an example that may help you understand, â€Å"It is an interpretive framework through which or by which one makes sense of t he data of life and the world. † A worldview is like a pair of glasses and the only way to view the world and everything in it, is through the pair of glasses, and like the prescription of glasses, everyone’s worldview is different. Now that I have given you an understanding of a worldview I will do my best to explain to you what a Christian worldview is.A Christian worldview would basically be a Christian influence on how you shape your worldview. A Christian worldview would be based on Christian principles that you’ve read and learned about in your life. How you view the world and reality would be based on Christian morals and ethics rather than a different world view based on society’s standards. A Christian worldview is typically a brighter more positive outlook on life rather than a worldview not based on Christianity; it gives you more of a purpose and reason for the questions what? , why? , and how? Your last question I also struggled with and still do from time to time.We all know that we have accepted Christ into our hearts but the greater reason is why. I have asked this question to myself many times and sometimes feel over whelmed, but there is a reason. Take a look around this world; it is full of proof and purpose. The intelligence that was required to form this world was more than mere chance but above normal human intelligence. God a supernatural being who is perfect created this earth for a purpose and with intelligent design. You yourself were made for a purpose and you yourself are far more complex to be created out of mere chance.Also the sacrifice that God made for us to have another chance even though we wronged him, beyond human means of forgiveness, it amazes me how someone could love us so much; still wanting to obtain a relationship with us. Even when we show disobedience and repetitively wrong God he will still forgive us if we truly and honestly ask for forgiveness from him. He gave us free will to make our own decisions to disobey him or to love him. I hope that this letter has assisted you in understanding your questions and I would be glad to attempt and answer more, so keep thinking and writing! I hope everything with your roommate goes well, Daniel