Bolivia Post Trip - Worldview: Ideas Have Consequences

Do you remember as a kid when your mom told you that the burner on the stove was hot? In your mind you didn't really believe her. So you had the bright idea to touch it. And what happened? You got a nice burn and suffered some pain in the process. Yes, ideas do have consequences. But this is not only true with hot stove tops when you are a kid -- it also happens all throughout your life.

You might ask what this has to do with our trip to Bolivia. Answer: Everything. The poverty in Bolivia is not an isolated incident or caused by one single influence. It is important to understand what worldview is and how it influences all that happens in a particular culture.

The analogy that John from Food for the Hungry gave is that of a tree. Below is a diagram from one of his worldview training sessions for our team while we were there that will help explain how poverty is a fruit (or consequence) of ideas. And this is also why Food for the Hungry works to teach and train on worldview as one of the tools in the aresenal (with the help of Christ) of fighting poverty in Bolivia and other places around the world that they work.

In this diagram, you can see that the fruit is simply a result. To treat the fruit is like just treating the symptom of the disease rather than trying to find the cause. In regards to poverty, it is the fruit of actions based on values that people have which are born out of what they believe to be true and real. This is worldview. And working to change worldview in light of the scripture, the gospel and Jesus Christ is what Food for the Hungry works on to make real lasting change and produce fruit in the lives of the people it ministers to (Matthew 7:16-20).

By definition worldview is: The total set of assumptions held consciously or unconsciously in faith about the basic makeup of the world and how the world works. These assumptions comprise the mindset of an individual and determine what they value and how they behave.

In our training by John with Food for the Hungry we looked at three types of worldviews - animism, secularism, and theism. I would like to take a brief look at each of these:

Animism
The ultimate reality is spiritual. This believes that world is predominately spiritual and supernatural which pervades and controls every area of life. As a result, the truth is hidden and all is mystery. People with this worldview largely live a life in fear of the spirits as they work to always please them in hopes they will not be punished. Religions with this worldview include Buddhism, Hinduism, Daoism and Tribal Religions.

Secularism
The world is predominately physical/material. Matter is the only fundamental reality. They see all being, processes, and phenomena as being explained as manifestations of matter which produces morals that are relative and truth that is empirical (what the senses can perceive). Religions include Agnosticism, Evolutionism (yes this is religion - set of beliefs) and Post-Modern Thinking.

Theism
The world is personal and relational. Man was created by God and in His likeness and image and the physical realm springs forth and is sustained by the spiritual. Truth is revealed by God; it is objective and can be known by man. Christianity is an example of this.

How Does a Worldview Function in Culture?
A worldview is like a road map that sets our direction and guides us through life. You might think of it as like a pair of glasses that filters the way you perceive the universe around you or like like wind blowing through the trees. It cannot be seen, yet it enlivens and animates. Worldview infuses a community with life and establishes its dynamic. It says, "This is who we are."

How Does Worldview Function in Bolivia?
From what Liz and I experienced firsthand, there many things that are apparent while others are not so easy to see. Some of the most obvious include: lack of value of children which results in many not being educated, abandonement of wife/children by many men, physical/sexual viloence, alcholism, and disregard for environment as evidenced by the lack of upkeep and trash all around in the neighborhoods. To fight this, by the help of Christ, Food for the Hungry works toward gospel transformation as found in Romans 12:1-2 "Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will." Lord willing change will continue by God's grace in Bolivia through the work of Food for the Hungry. Please continue to pray that people will be saved so that this transformation will be able to take place.

* Special credit goes to John from Food for the Hungry. I used much of this information included here from one of his presentations. Thank you John.