A recent Huffington Post article cites the seven most important things for a child to hear. But as a Christian, there is an eighth that is the most important of all.
The seven cited, and all are good and positive, in the article which comes from Sherrie Campbell PhD -
- I love you
- I'm proud of you
- I'm wrong and I am sorry
- I forgive you
- I am listening
- This is your responsibility
- You have what it takes to succeed
Each of the above are listed and discussed and I for one would recommend them, but they do not go far enough in terms of a holistic Christian world view.
Holistic Christian World View
An holistic Christian world view must include the idea that central to life's experiences is that of Jesus Christ who is the beginning and the end, the central focus of human endeavour and of eternal worship.
Man's inner need to worship, man's inner need to recognise they are not alone, man's inner need to see that life is not singularly about one's own life physical span, the eternal claim upon one's life to consider a much broader world view, is both essential and incredibly important for any child.
This Christian world view sets apart a philosophy that has Jesus Christ as the central focus and luminary figure of the entire world time from start to finish.
What is more, this Christian world view sets out the following:
God says man is not an entity unto himself
God says man is dependent upon the divine
God says man is humbled before the almighty
God says man is created to praise the LORD
God says man is able to rejoice in His creator
Jesus Christ
This Jesus of whom we address as Lord is of such moment in time and space that he encapsulates the very history of which we study.
Eras are determined as before Christ or after Christ. Salvation is central to His story and what he achieved on the Cross, which is the highpoint of His life, a sacrifice that covers the entire sin of the world, let alone my personal sin.
There is a new creation, a fresh mandate, a unique plan, a magnificent story that altered everything for mankind. It is likened to the dawn of a new day, the loveliness of a day's sunrise, the beginning of a new story for each time someone falls at the foot of the cross in repentance.
The names of this Jesus given in the Scriptures encapsulates such encounters with the divine -
The Son of God
Alpha and Omega
The Bread of Life
Saviour
The Lamb of God
King of Kings
The Light of the World
The Prince of Peace
The Living Word
Messiah
The Good Shepherd
The Way, the Truth and the Life
Yes, the unlisted eighth is the by way and afar the most important.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html