What’s History Got to Do With It?
By J. Jeff Toler for Shenandoah Christian Alliance j.toler@sca4christ.org
- “What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” —1 Corinthians 2:12
What do we defend and what do we promote? Is it possible to promote something just by being philosophical? Why Christians use the term apologetics when defending the Christian faith? Must we explain everything as we go? And if we must, do we preach doctrine or do we share our “philosophy?”
These questions are meant to give us pause for a moment as we speed down the highway of this new roadtrip which Trump started for us. A lot has happened in the last six weeks. As I write this, now would be a good time for us to pause long enough to catch our breath. It’s time to take stock of it all… as it were.
Why this might be important was made apparent to me last week. We—America and the world—have been made dizzy by the speed of change. Events, actions, and situations are happening at a breakneck pace.
Elon Musk
For example, now that they have Senate confirmation, President Trump felt compelled to remind his cabinet that they are the ones in charge of their departments—not Elon Musk. This to me was a sign of political pragmatism on his part. It was as refreshing as it was reassuring.
Make no mistake. Not everyone is happy about this change we experienced last week. What does Trump’s critics have to offer? Be honest and admit it, “they got nothin” as the old expression goes.
For the CBS pundits, President Trump’s joint session speech “signaled a rejection of bi-partisanship.”
Well, you think? Save for all but a small minority of Americans, why then, was it so very favorable? The CBS News poll showed 76% viewers approved of his speech, with only 23% disproving. In this day and age, that is a remarkable majority of people. 51% of those watching identified as Republicans, 27% as independents, and only 20% admitted to being Democrats. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-speech-joint-address-congress-poll-2025/]
For people who still manage to think objectively, bipartisanship was over long before the speech. Still, this begs the question, “why would congressional Democrats behave so poorly, so seemingly immature?”
Perhaps because while they are grownup adults, their minds have not kept pace with their biology. Why else the Catcalls? The cheap paddles?
What it boils down to, is what each political party promotes as agents of the governmental authority. Is it their philosophy—what ideas they hold to. Or is it doctrine—what they insist others obey.
I have long been concerned about how conservatism is understood in a world shaped by decades of consistently bad doctrine. Doctrine is not the issue. It’s the flawed ideas that give rise to bad doctrine that are at the root of the problems conservatism aims to expose.
Judging by how congressional Democrats acted on March 4 in the House Chamber of Congress, I don’t believe I have ever witnessed a clearer example of how bad our corrupted politicians have become. I am far from alone in this estimation.
Donald Trump
Trump’s speech was the longest in modern history: over one hour and thirty-nine minutes, beating Bill Clinton’s record by more than 10 minutes. For the entire time, with one notable exception, not one Democrat applauded, cheered or rose to their feet to signal agreement, appreciation, or enthusiasm. Yet, there were several opportunities they could have done so. Why didn’t they?
The answer is apparent: to a person, they are fully committed to an ideology that will not permit them to evince even the most poignant moments of pride or respect lest they dilute their doctrinal gravitas. In plain terms, they are at some stage of losing their humanity, not to mention their minds over what amounts to bad doctrine. If this shapes their worldview, then in their world there is no room for agreement with another person’s worldview.
What is a Worldview?
For that matter, what is a Christian, or biblical, world view? This illustration provides what many agree any worldview ought to answer in the context of a philosophical domain:
Comparing Worldviews
For the committed Progressive Liberal, his ontology is materialistic—no God. It is explained by scientific observation, and relying only predictive models of the present world. His axiology is vague, allowing only scientific inquiry. His praxiology offers no guide for constructive action. For him, there is only theory and observation as his epistemology.
In time, the scientific worldview, whose origins emerged in the 18th century Enlightenment era, evolved into the Societal worldview. Here, ontology is merely shared culture, explained only by the present, and predicted by political forecasts. His axiology is unattainable utopia. The praxiology relies only on political slogans. The society worldview model of epistemology feeds on media sound bites.
For the committed Christian, his worldview is ontologically biblical and explained in the word of God. His prediction holds to the promise of life after death. His axiology is fixed and concrete. His praxiology encourages precise actions—such as, repent and be saved. His epistemology flows from the word of God.
The Final Stages of the Ages
So what do we take away from the stark contrast of the two political party’s leadership that we witnessed in the House Chambers last week? Simply put, worldview matters. One party celebrates hope, accomplishment, and optimism; the other seems angry, pouty, and out of good ideas. Really, paddles?
We are witness to the late stage effects of the secular/societal worldview. The Oscar Awards show is but another example of how even entertainers can be manipulated to promote that worldview. They are not satisfied any to longer merely entertain, so they are not merely thankful for the award for doing what they are paid to do.
Sharing Our Worldview Comes With Sharing Our Faith
Between the speeches and the Oscars—which I never watch anymore—I got my haircut. As my “stylist” and I discussed the things going on in the world, I asked how she was doing, knowing she is a single mother of a 13-year old boy. That’s when she told me her son needed surgery in three weeks for a spinal defect that had not been fully diagnosed before.
She tried to make it sound casual—but she was scared. Sitting in the chair, talk of worldview flowed into talk of hope and encouragement, as I shared my faith with her. When I assured her I would be praying for them both, I knew she was comforted by that. And, very grateful.
Worldview matters, but the Christian worldview matters most when its praxiology inspires specific action. Prayer has the power to bring change, peace, and encouragement. I would ask you to pray for Jackson and his mother, Allie. Even as you pray for this nation.
- “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” —Isaiah 40:31
