Christianity and Naturalism

Christianity and Naturalism

This paper will discuss the differences between Christianity and Naturalism. In order to evaluate a worldview, one must ask these three questions: 1. What is the fundamental reality within this worldview?, 2. What is humanity in this worldview?, 3. What is goodness in this worldview? But before these three questions are addressed, each worldview must be defined. Naturalism is the worldview in which everything is composed by natural entities that are studies in the sciences. Naturalism can be split into two categories. Claim Naturalism is a kind of naturalism where a person believes that only natural things exist. Method Naturalism is another kind of naturalism that says only the methods of science can say what is real and what is not real. Christianity is a theistic worldview that says God is the ultimate deity.

First, Naturalism says that everything in the natural world is the only reality and the fundamental reality is that everything is made of matter and energy. The concept of everything only being a form of matter says that all objects have no personal qualities or purpose within its existence. The Christian worldview says that its fundamental reality is the existence of God; God is a personal being that is triune in nature, intimate and intentional, creator of all things, and also good. In essence, the existence of God in the Christian worldview would imply that everything was made with a purpose and law-like order.

Secondly, Naturalism says that humanity is just another object; people are simply natural beings. Natural beings have a biochemical construction behind them and is also shaped by its environment. Humans in the naturalistic worldview are just beings that are subject to the laws of nature. The issue with this perspective of humanity is that it does not explain how humans have cognitive consciousness and free will. Christianity says that people are made in the image of God. Therefore, people are personal because God...