Africa by Radio
CONTINENTAL CONVENTION
17-19 September 2009
Reaching, Touching:
Progress Together
hein van wyk
Biblical Worldview 1
Africa is Blessed
“Africa continues to be demonized as the poorest
continent in the world, yet it is the richest
continent in terms of natural resources.”
- Chika Onyeani, African Sun Times
“In terms of natural resources, Africa is the world’s
richest continent
- Dr. Walter Williams, Professor of Economics at
George Mason University
Onyeani, Chika; G8 Nations Fail Africa Again; African Sun Times; June 17, 2004
Williams, Walter; Africa’s Tragedy; www.gmu.edu/departments/economics;
7/1/04
Africa is Blessed
• Blessed with natural resources
Africa is Blessed: Natural Beauty
Africa is Blessed: Agriculture
Africa is Blessed: Rivers and Lakes
Africa is Blessed: Minerals
Africa is Blessed
• Blessed with natural resources
• Blessed with an incredible heritage for the
Gospel
• Blessed with beautiful, imaginative people made
in the image of God
• Blessed with the foundation of the Church
Africa: A Heartbreaking Paradox
“Despite these countless
blessings and riches, Africa
remains undeniably the most
poverty-stricken and broken
continent on the planet.”
Africa is Broken
Gross National Product (GNP)
• 14% of world’s population – 2% of world’s GNP
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
• 17 of world’s 21 poorest countries based on GDP
© GeoHIVE 2005
northern
europe
western europe
eastern
europe
northern america
cent ral
america
eastern asia
northern
africa
eastern
africa
southern
america
western
asia
southern
europe
caribbean
middle africa
western
africa
southern africa
southeastern
asia
southcent ral
asia
oceania
Africa is Broken
Human Suffering Index (HIS)
• 24 countries in Africa described as “extreme human
suffering”
Corruption Perception Index (CPI)
• 16 countries in the highly corrupt range of the index
Freedom Index
• 21 countries in Africa are “partially free”
• 20 from Africa are not free
Africa is Broken
HIV/AIDS Infection Rate
• 71% of World’s HIV/AIDS cases in Africa
• at least 6,000 people die each day
• 12 million HIV/AIDS Orphans; 20 million in 2010
• HIV/AIDS infected people in Africa 28.5 million
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)
• 30 countries in Africa eligible for HIPC
Human Development Index (HDI)
• HDI attempts to measure “Quality of Life”
• 174 countries qualified; 33 of bottom 40 are in Africa
Africa: Blessed but Broken
Why the Paradox?
Africa: Blessed but Broken
Africa’s problems are not located in such things as
incompetent leadership, corrupt politics, infrastructural
inadequacies, widespread illiteracy, or unjust economic
systems.
These are serious problems, but it is only symptoms, not root
causes.
The root of the problem is not material, nor is it primarily
outside the continent.
The root of the problem is inside the minds of the
people of the continent.
The problem is the worldview.
Worldview
The Roots Produce the Fruit
Fruit
Consequences
(Culture)
What is the result?
Branches
Behaviour
What is done?
Trunk
Roots
Values
What is good or best?
Why do I do what I do?
Beliefs
(Worldview)
What is true? What is
real?
Worldview has Consequences
“I believe people are as they think. The
choices we make … will mold irrevocably the
direction of our culture… and the lives of
our children!”
- Francis Schaeffer
Worldview determines Culture
“According to Augustine, culture is not a reflection
of a people’s race, ethnicity, folklore, politics,
language or heritage. Rather it is an
outworking of a people’s creed. In other
words, culture is the temporal manifestation of a
people’s faith.
If a culture begins to change, it is not because
of fads, fashions, or the passing of time, it is
because of a shift in the worldview – it is
because of a change of faith.”
George Grant, The Micah Mandate
G-7a
What is a Worldview?
•
•
•
•
The belief system conveyed in the tribal story
The mindset of a people
Mental infrastructure
It is like:
– A set of glasses for the mind
– The software of the a computer
The Power of Worldview
This grid or glasses are powerful because
they determine
• How we see the world!
• How we think the world works!
• The Culture we create!
• The kind of nations we will build!
Worldview Defined
• A set of assumptions about life and what is true
and important. (Ron Boehme)
• The total set of beliefs or assumptions that
comprise the mindset of an individual and
determine how they view reality. (Darrow Miller)
• A worldview is a set of presuppositions (or
assumptions) which we hold (consciously or
unconsciously) about the basic make-up of our
world. (James Sire / Charles Dunahoo)
Non-Biblical Worldview Elements
African Traditional Mindset
Women are inferior to men.
Work is a curse.
Tribalism: my tribe is superior to your tribe.
Fatalism: We are poor and there is nothing we can
do about it. History is something that happens to
us. This “dependency mentality” is outward-looking,
waiting for someone or something else “from the
outside” to solve problems.
Non-Biblical Worldview Elements
African Traditional Mindset
Time: focus on the past; backward looking
Corruption: The gods are capricious and can be
“bribed” through various acts or sacrifices.
The life of an individual is not significant
“Zero-sum:” Limited Good; resources are fixed and
limited. If my neighbor prospers, it must be the
result of him doing something wrong to me, such
as stealing.
The universe is capriciousness, chaotic and
unpredictable.
Worldview Contrasts
African Traditional
Mindset
Biblical Worldview
(Christian Standard)
Women are inferior to men.
Women are made in the image of God
and have equal worth with men.
Their roles differ, but their value
before God is the same.
Work is a curse.
Work is part of our dignity.
Tribalism: my tribe is superior to your
tribe.
Community: each race/tribe is equal
in value but wonderfully unique,
and this should be celebrated.
Fatalism: We are poor and there is
Freedom: We were made to create
nothing we can do about it. History
history. God created humans with
is something that happens to us.
freedom and personal
This “dependency mentality” is
responsibility.
outward-looking, waiting for
someone or something else “from
the outside” to solve problems.
Worldview Contrasts (cont.)
African Traditional
Mindset
Biblical Worldview
(Christian Standard)
Time: focus on the past; backward
looking
Time: celebrate the past, enjoy the
present, plan for the future;
forward looking
Corruption: The gods are capricious
and can be “bribed” through
various acts or sacrifices.
Justice: The living God is unchanging
in His character, which is both just
and good. He takes no bribes.
The life of an individual is not
significant
Individual human life is significant
“Zero-sum:” Limited Good; resources
are fixed and limited. If my
neighbor prospers, it must be the
result of him doing something
wrong to me, such as stealing.
Positive Sum: Wealth is created.
The universe is capriciousness,
chaotic and unpredictable.
The universe is governed by natural
laws, it is orderly
Biblical Worldview
Setting the Standard
Africa needs a worldview that
•
•
•
•
is victorious
is wholistic
is able to provide a sense of destiny and hope
will inspire zeal, commitment and Godly character
under trying circumstances and challenging situations
Africa needs a victorious worldview which is
•
•
•
•
•
anchored in Truth
unchanging in nature
eternal in scope
accessible to everyone
able to bridge faith and lifestyle
Africa needs a Biblical Worldview
Africa needs a worldview that is God-breathed and
based on a written Absolute.
Africa needs the worldview of the Bible; the life system
and culture of the Kingdom of God.
Africa needs the Mind of Christ.
Dr. Tokunboh Adeyemo
Founder and Executive Director of the Center of Biblical
Transformation
“Africa has been evangelized but the African
mind has not been captured for Christ.”
Biblical Worldview
The Nature of the Bible
CREATION:
REDEMPTION
FALL
Christ’s Return
In the Beginning
Breadth
Depth
The Grand Story*
Before the
Beginning
CONSUMMATION:
* The story of meaning:
what is true, what is good, what is beautiful
Eternity
Future
Worldviews in Conflict
Biblical Theism
(Christian Standard)
Africa
Traditional
Religion
(Animism)
“Monism”
Absoluteness of
the “spiritual”
Secularism
God-created
Radical middle
“Naturalism”
Absoluteness
of the
physical
Africa by Radio
CONTINENTAL CONVENTION
17-19 September 2009
Reaching, Touching:
Progress Together
hein van wyk
Biblical Worldview 2
Biblical Worldview
The Nature of the Bible
CREATION:
REDEMPTION
FALL
Christ’s Return
In the Beginning
Breadth
Depth
The Grand Story*
Before the
Beginning
CONSUMMATION:
* The story of meaning:
what is true, what is good, what is beautiful
Eternity
Future
Worldviews in Conflict
Biblical Theism
(Christian Standard)
Africa
Traditional
Religion
(Animism)
“Monism”
Absoluteness of
the “spiritual”
Secularism
God-created
Radical middle
“Naturalism”
Absoluteness
of the
physical
Epistemological Questions
How do I know?
ATR/
Animism
Biblical Theism
Secularism
Epistemological Questions
What Can I know?
Biblical Theism
Secularism
ATR/
Animism
Meta-Physical Questions
Basic Relationships & Time
Ultimate
Reality?
Man?
Nature?
History?
Result:
ATR/
Animism
Death
Biblical
Theism
Life
Secularism
Death
Moral Questions
What is the Nature of Evil?
Biblical Theism
Secularism
ATR/
Animism
Man’s Basic Questions
What is Life?
Biblical Theism
Secularism
ATR/
Animism
Worldview
The Roots Produce the Fruit
Fruit
Consequences
(Culture)
What is the result?
Branches
Behaviour
What is done?
Trunk
Roots
Values
What is good or best?
Why do I do what I do?
Beliefs
(Worldview)
What is true? What is
real?
Worldview
The Roots Produce the Fruit
Lies a culture holds to be true
Truth the culture embraces
Principles of the
Development Ethic
Worldview through the Centuries
Biblical Worldview
GOD
Creation
Biblical Worldview
GOD is
transcendent
standing outside
of creation
GOD is
immanent
in His creation
• Being
• History
• Incarnation
• Holy Spirit
Coram Deo
Living before the Face of God
GOD
Faith
Science
Business
Missions
Justice
Art / Music
Devotional
Life
Bread
Reason
Theology
Ethics
Politics
Evangelis
m
Nature
Communit
y
Service
Deism
GOD
Cosmos
Secularism
?
Nature
Church Divided
Secularism
Church
Accommodation
“Liberals”
Reaction
“Fundamentalists”
Old-Line
Denominations
Evangelicals
Pentecostals
Charismatics
Weekdays
Sunday
The Greek Dichotomy
Higher
more
important
Lower
less
important
GRACE
NATURE
SPIRITUAL
(sacred)
PHYSICAL
(secular)
Faith
Theology
Ethics
Missions
Devotional
Life
Gospel
Reason
Science
Business/economic
s
Politics
Art/music
Physical ministry
Bread
Biblical Worldview
The Influence of Secularism
GOD
Sacred
Secular
Dualistic Worldview
Spiritual
Moral Sacred
*Faith * Theology
*Grace * Evangelism
*Missions * Discipleship
*Ethics * Devotions
Spiritual Disciplines
Spiritual Warfare
Sundays
GOD
Natural
Physical
* Works
* Reason
* Business
* Politics
Secular
* Science
* Economics
* Mass Media
* The Arts
‘Physical’ Ministries
Social Justice
Weekdays
The Church
Gathered and Scattered
Gathered for
worship:
fellowship &
equipping
Scattered for
Worship: service,
stewardship &
discipling the
nations
G-3d
The Church and the Gates of the City
Social
Communication
Kingdomizers
Arts
Education
Health
Business
& Economics
Science &
Technology
Government & Law
G-8a
hein van wyk
hein@ehcaa.co.za
0823498465
www.disciplenations.org
www.samaritan-strategy-africa.org
www.harvestfoundation.org
Conclusion
The African Church exists in communities and nations
that are in the grip of suffering that follows
wars, famine, crime, underdevelopment and
HIV/AIDS.
The Church in Africa has a vital message to bring to
the Continent; a message that should be lived
and proclaimed as a Biblical Worldview, a
Kingdom Life system to challenge both ancient
animistic and modern secular paradigms resulting in
a sure and steadfast foundation upon which to build
healthy, just societies and nations.