Belief Systems

Belief Systems

Belief Systems

The systematic approach toward living and decision-making is a belief system. A belief system gives direction and influences the process of thinking. Beliefs tie an individual to the world they exist in and often provide insight to methods of coping with the obstacles provided by the world. These beliefs create the foundation for existence and incorporate the character of a man and create the moral values and ethical behavior in which to live by. Belief systems are used as a compass for life; and in most religious belief systems formulate the destination after death.

Christians believe that the Bible is an inspired work by God and offers the believer a rule book to live by. Wiese (2006) stated, “[The Bible] has been scrutinized by an endless array of scholars, historians, archeologists, scientists, mathematicians, and the like for thousands of years. There have not been any discrepancies or errors that could not be cleared up with good scholarship,” (p. 89). It is also believed by Christians that God created the world in six days and created in his own flesh man. Evans (1995) stated, “God is the all-consuming, all-powerful, all-knowing, loving, and infinite Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer of this universe,” (p. 13). Christians worship a single God that exists in three forms recognized as the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit exists in the heart and soul of every man who believes in Christianity. He is the supernatural and invisible presence (Evans, 1995). God the Son is Jesus Christ. Christ was sent to the world and born of a woman. The New Testament of the Bible recounts the life of Christ. His birth, life, death, and resurrection were for the purpose of allowing man the opportunity to gain salvation and the opportunity to reach Heaven. This is the foundational belief of Christians and what distinguishes the religion from other beliefs. According to Fisher...