Why I Believe in a Biblical Worldview: (A Testimony) :: By Rick Segoine

Some say that there is no such thing as God, and some believe that there are many gods. Some believe that perhaps there was a God but that, at some point, he died. Still others are convinced it is they themselves that are God.

The Jews, the Muslims, and the Christians all agree that there is just One True God, yet disagree on what His message is for humanity and about the identity of His main messenger.

So, what is the truth?

Although each and every person has been endowed with the gift of free will to decide for themself, by any and all sound definitions of logic, it is quite impossible for all of these contradictory beliefs to be true at the same time.

Because of this impossibility, the fact of the matter is that a very large number of people have believed, and do believe to this day, in a concept of God that is simply not true. Just because someone sincerely believes something does not necessarily mean it isn’t 100% false. Believing that the earth is flat is just one example, and in fact, an entire book could be written about all the things people have sincerely believed to be true that have, over time, been proven false. Everyone might believe they are right, but that is just impossible.

This is just basic and simple logic. It is wise to think things all the way through to a logical conclusion rather than relying on hearsay or subjective reasoning.

In regard to a Biblical Worldview, I offer this observation. It is not possible to hold a Biblical worldview unless one takes the position that the Bible is quite literally the Word of God and that all scripture is God- Breathed and God-Inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

There are many things written in the Bible that are allegorical or symbolic of actual events. The dreams and visions in the Book of Daniel are a classic example. The different body parts of a statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, as revealed in (Daniel 2:1-49), and various kinds of animals representing actual kingdoms that would exist on the earth in the future.

In retrospect, we see that history has proven these visions and dreams to be perfectly accurate (Daniel 2:1-49).

Another example is God using the fig tree as a symbol to represent Israel.

In contrast, Jesus, when He stated, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life,” uses no symbolism and is in no way allegorical but, instead, is a literal statement of truth.

The writers of the Bible were specifically chosen by God and guided by the Holy Spirit to record in writing precisely what God wanted them to say and how to say it.

God Himself was the Editor and Chief, and He oversaw this gigantic literary enterprise over hundreds of years, from the first word in Genesis recorded by Moses to the last word in the Book of Revelation recorded by John.

The last paragraph in the Bible is of major importance. It is a warning not to add to or take anything away from what has been written.

God got it right, and He doesn’t want it diluted, compromised, or changed into something else.

Confusion arises especially when the literal is lifted out of context and interpreted as allegorical or symbolic, and reinterpreted to fit pre-existing belief systems.

When the scriptures are accepted in their proper context, the Bible paints a very precise and crystal-clear picture of God’s plan for His creation, and there are no contradictions that alter that big picture in any way.

It takes a lot of time, however, to really get to know the Bible, and most people never take or make the time, preferring to form opinions based on hearsay or subjective reasoning. Perhaps that is the main reason why so few people [even Christians] hold what is called a “Biblical Worldview.” In fact, according to a recent Barna Institute survey, only 6% of professing Christians hold a “Biblical Worldview” — a number that has been slowly dwindling over the past few decades.

Certainly, it is possible to believe in Jesus and be saved by grace without knowing the Bible inside and out, and many people do believe and are saved (John 3:16).

Deeply studying the Bible, however, gives us a clear understanding of why people think and do the things they do, why the world is the way it is, where it has been, where it is going, and how things will turn out.

In the Bible, God lays out the historical background and pointedly tells us what to expect in the future, as well as teaching us how to relate to and deal with the present.

The Bible also reveals to us time and time again just how awesome God truly is and how He is in complete control of His creation.

Perhaps most overlooked, the Bible is God’s love letter to us.

Two major things that really set the Bible apart are the miracles and the prophecies. The fact that nothing is impossible with God and that He can see into the future with precisely accurate detail make Him someone that I not only want to find out as much as I can about but also get to know personally.

I want to have a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

I mean, just to name a few amazing things God has done, like the parting of the Red Sea, providing forty years of manna as well as water from rocks to sustain the Israelites in the wilderness, walking on water, calming a storm with a word, and feeding thousands with a few fish and a few loaves of bread. Then, add in hundreds of prophetic fulfillments with 100% accuracy, like Jesus Himself fulfilling approximately 300 Old Testament prophecies.

There are far too many supernatural events (Miracles) and fulfilled prophecies to list them all in one short article. Oh yes, did I forget to mention healing all manner of sickness and raising the dead?

Although born in Tennessee, I grew up in sunny Southern California knowing nothing about the Bible, and despite the fact that my grandfather prophesied over me when I was fifteen years old that I would, in time, come to believe it was God’s Word, had quite a bit less than no interest in it whatsoever.

At age twenty in the year 1967, as a surfer/musician on the island of Maui, I dove headfirst into Eastern religion, and although I began to think of Jesus as a pretty cool guy, to me He was just another master, or avatar (divine incarnation) like so many others that at the time I believed were His equals.

When I reached the age of twenty-three, I, along with a dozen or so other young seekers, helped form a commune in the mountains overlooking Santa Barbara in California.

In 1971, at the beginning of our adventure into an alternative lifestyle, the theology of the commune was based solely on Eastern religious teachings. It was called the Brotherhood of the Sun.

After about two years or so, the leader of the commune, who at the time was in his mid-forties, began making claims that God had revealed to him that he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ.

We were also informed that the commune, about 300 strong at that point, would henceforth be referred to as a Judeo-Christian community and told by Norm (who thought he was Jesus) to start reading the Bible. I spent hours and whole days doing just that. I found out later that hardly anyone else did.

Although I was devouring the whole Bible, I kept reading the four gospels over and over. The words spoken by Jesus (King James with Jesus’ words in red) were just blowing my mind and touching my heart in ways so much more powerful and personal than anything in the many Eastern books I had read.

Ironically, I also couldn’t help but notice that the words and deeds of Jesus were very different than this communal leader, Norm, who claimed to be Jesus.

As time went by, I observed that this man’s words and deeds and biblical interpretations were in direct contrast and contradictory to what I was reading in the Bible. In fact, it became painfully obvious that this man was matching up with old and new-testament definitions of a false prophet.

At the time, this was confusing to me. I had mixed feelings because I had loved this man as a friend and as an elder brother. Over time I began to realize, however, that a choice would have to be made as to whom I was going to believe and follow — the wannabe Jesus or the real Jesus.

Then one day, I hiked miles out into the wilderness of the Las Padres National Forest with an overwhelming desire to meet the real Jesus whom I had been reading so much about and ask Him to clear up the confusion that was ripping me apart.

In a glen, under some oak trees and miles from nowhere, I felt an awesome supernatural presence and fell at first to my knees and then flat on my face. I remember thinking, Jesus, is that really you?

He immediately began speaking to my heart, assuring me that it really was Him. As if it were yesterday, I recall the amazing joy of His presence and how the tears were just bursting out of my eyes.

Jesus cleared away my confusion and spoke many personal things to me. I was aware that He knew me better than I knew myself, and the supernatural reality of what was happening was and still is undeniable.

In that glen under some very old oak trees, in the middle of the wilderness and miles away from anyone or anything, Jesus became my Lord, my Savior, and my best friend.

Jesus told me how He loved me so much that He was willing to give His life for me and promised never to leave me or forsake me (John 15:13; Hebrews 13:5).

He has kept His promise.

Soon after my life-changing encounter and then being visited by an angel whom the Lord had sent to confirm the leading of the Holy Spirit to begin a new chapter in life, I departed from the commune and continued with what has become a life-long study of the Bible.

Although my theology at the time was still a pretty messy mishmash of contradictory stuff, the most important thing for me had happened. I had begun a personal relationship with Jesus and felt the Holy Spirit in my life to guide me.

Many years have passed, and the Bible continues to blow my mind on a regular basis.

I have read the Holy Bible many times and studied the great works by anointed writers such as C.S. Lewis, Walter Martin, and Josh McDowell, just to name a few. The Bible Answer Man radio show with Walter Martin went a long way in straightening out my theology, and his books, Kingdom of the Cults and The New Cults, were also immensely helpful. I have taken courses in Christian apologetics and read pretty much every amazing article written and published on websites like Focus on Jerusalem, Rapture Ready, Prophecy Watchers, Lamb and Lion Ministries, to name a few. And I’ve spent years comparing prophetic teachings, as well as studying archeological and secular historical evidence that supports the authenticity of the Bible along with scriptural integrity.

One of my favorite nuggets of truth is that there is some 20 times the amount of historical evidence to support Bible accuracy than there is for any other work of antiquity.

Perhaps this is why Josh McDowell, when he set out as a college student who had been challenged by his professor to prove Josh’s claim that the Bible was untrue, ended up after some years of intensive and yet honest research, filling two good sized books with all of the evidence he found proving the Bible is in fact true. Of course, we know that Josh went on to become a truly great advocate for biblical truth.

I have to say that along with all of the study and knowledge that comes with it, my dear and precious Jesus always reminded me along the way to never forsake the simple things.

The simple faith of a child. The gratefulness for my salvation and what He did for me. My heart filled with His love that He instilled in me.

To always remember that love comes first. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, he could have all the gifts, including all knowledge, and yet, without love, he would be nothing but a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

As my journey continued, countless hours have been spent in prayer and music, praising and worshipping and thanking Jesus for being my Savior and my friend and for revealing my Heavenly Father to me. I have also seen Jesus do wonderful and miraculous things in the lives of others that have turned to Him.

Having said all of that, it simply means that all of the years of doing these things with the guidance of the Holy Spirit have reordered my once mixed-up theology into a Biblical Worldview and increased my faith and trust in God’s Word beyond measure.

I am not in any way ashamed to say that I and my wife Toni, bless her heart, are part of the 6%.

I have discovered that believing in the Bible as the Word of God and being a follower of Jesus is not about religion. It is about having a living and eternal personal relationship with my Heavenly Father and His only begotten Son who spoke the universe into existence and is my Lord and Savior, and the Holy Spirit who is my constant companion.

On that day out in the wilderness many years ago, Jesus began a good work in me, and though the work is still in progress, He is being faithful to complete it.

Jesus stands at the door of every heart and knocks. He is very respectful of free will, and so He doesn’t just barge in. He waits to be invited (Revelation 3:20).

Some ignore the knocking, some keep the door bolted tightly shut, and some invite Jesus in to discover that He comes bearing gifts.

Gifts that are so magnificent that they not only vastly improve your life on earth but, even more importantly, for all eternity.

Gifts that He needs to give to you personally.

Since it is not the Lord’s will that any should perish (2Peter:3-9), my prayer is that every person on earth would invite Jesus into their life and be blessed.

He wants to give you eternal life and eternal happiness. He loves you more than you possibly can imagine, and He desires to be your best friend for all time.

Even for forever and ever and for all eternity.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit who are the reason for my Biblical Worldview, thank you,

Rick Segoine

All are invited to visit ricksegoine.net for free downloads of my book, From God to Eternity, or to order a paperback copy. Also available are original gospel songs and story songs for free downloads.

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