An Illustrated Guide to How Theology Changes the World

Notes: A) The progression of figures is continually zooming-out. B) all images are not copyrighted.

Figure 1: The Student Doing Theology (Specifically Stated)

Figure 2: The Student Doing Theology (Generally Stated)

Figure 3: The General Enterprise of Theology (Immediate Functions)

Figure 4: The General Enterprise of Theology (The Delayed Functions)

Figure 5: Theology as the Foundation of Worldview; Worldview as the Foundation of Behavior

Figure 6: Worldview as the Orientation of One’s Heart

Figure 7: The State of Society as a Reflection of the State of the Human Heart

“…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” – Matthew 20:34

“But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” – Matthew 15:18, Luke 6:45

The State and Condition of Man’s Heart

“The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” – God, Genesis 6:5

“The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?” – God, Jeremiah 17:9

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” – Jesus, Matthew 15:19

The State and Condition of the World

“For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder…”

• In-womb murders: 40 every 30 seconds; 48.6 million since 1973
• Out of womb murders: 500,000+ per year; nearly 300 per week

“…adultery, sexual immorality…”

• Rapes: over 230 each day in US
• Nearly 1/4 men have had sex outside marriage

“…theft…”

• 5,500 burglaries every day in US
• 1,100 robberies every day in US

“false witness, slander.”

• 1/3 job-seekers lie on their resume.
• 1/4 workers lie in job interviews.

The State and Condition of the New Man

The Need for a New Heart

“Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – Jesus, John 3:3

The Promise of a New Heart

“And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh.” – Ez. 11:19

The Means of Receiving a New Heart

“…everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Acts 2:21

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” – Romans 10:14

The Fact and Results of Regeneration

“He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” – Titus 3:5

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.  By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.” I John 5:1-2

The New Heart Sent to Transform the Alien World

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” – Matthew 5:13

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20