Mr. Wallace Smith: Establishing Pillars
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
In a recent forum message, Mr. Wallace Smith reminded the Living Education students of the important opportunity that they have during the course of the program. While the Living Education-Charlotte program offers many opportunities to learn, grow, and have new experiences, Mr. Smith encouraged the students to use this time as an opportunity to deeply reflect on the foundational pillars of their worldview.
Belief
Everyone has beliefs that shape their worldview. Even small, unimportant opinions are supported by larger, foundational beliefs that make up the core structure of our perception of reality. We look at the world through the lens of those beliefs, and everyone has a different worldview as a result.
In our Christian journey, the beliefs that we hold in the context of our faith are often supported by a set of more specific, core beliefs—beliefs that frame the very foundation of our understanding of reality. The exact nature of those beliefs may vary to each of us, but no one can deny their importance to our worldview and our lives.
What Should Our Beliefs Be?
While we believe the Bible and what it says, the things that we believe about it really stem from more specific truths—i.e., while we believe that pork is unclean, there are several truths that come before that point that are important for us to internalize.
Mr. Smith took the time to share his personal set of three core beliefs that framed his worldview, establishing the foundation for everything else:
- God Is Real
The reality of God’s existence is a fundamental point for us to understand and internalize. Mr. Smith referenced Romans 1:20, stating: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” If we don’t first make God’s existence a core aspect of our fundamental belief system, we compromise the integrity of our overall worldview and its stability.
- Jesus Christ is the Son of God
If the Man who walked the earth 2,000 years ago preaching the Gospel was not really God’s Son, then an important aspect of God’s plan is missing. We must understand that Jesus was the Son of God and that His death covers our sins. Mr. Smith quoted 1 Corinthians 15:12-18: “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? …If Christ is not risen, your faith is futile.”
- The Bible is God’s Word
The final of Mr. Smith’s proposed pillars is the validity of the Bible. We must recognize its authority and importance, and remember that what it says has been divinely inspired by God. As John 17:17 states, “Your [God’s] word is truth.”
Establish Your Pillars!
It’s important for us to evaluate our priorities and make sure that we have an accurate perception of reality—one that is grounded in the truth revealed in God’s word. As we continue to learn and develop as Christians, it’s critical for us to make sure our worldview aligns with what God has ordained by His will. As students of Living Education have the opportunity to evaluate their personal beliefs and develop a more well-rounded worldview, we all have the responsibility to establish a strong, biblically-grounded worldview that is focused on God.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
