Can you say more about “Paradigm shifts?”

[The following is an outline from a recent leadership event at Solid Rock.]

Paradigm

Norman Shawchuck – A paradigm is an upward view of God and an inward view of oneself.

A paradigm is an accepted norm in the way we think about and approach subjects.

A paradigm is an accepted norm for the way things are done.

Paradigm Shift

A paradigm shift, then, is a change from one way of thinking about and approaching subjects to another.

A paradigm shift is a change in the way of doing things.

World Dictionary – a paradigm shift is a radical change in underlying beliefs or theories.

Thomas Kuhn – “[a] series of peaceful interludes punctuated by intellectually violent revolutions”, and in those revolutions “one conceptual world view is replaced by another”.

A paradigm shift is a transformational and revolutionary reformation in the way things are thought of and in the way things get done. It is a radical change in the upward view of God and in the inward view of oneself.

Past Paradigm Shift – From the Old Testament to the New

The Agent of Change: John the Baptist (Matt. 3:1-12; Mark 1:2-8; Luke 3:2-18; John 1:15-36)

Vision of Change: Transformation of religious thought from empty ritual to self-reflection and realization.
-He challenged Israel in its hypocrisy.

Agents of Change: the stagnation of Judaism
-social margins
-a gulf between religious leaders and the people
-a dissatisfaction with the status quo
-God idolized into stone-and-mortar and gold, the Temple and its rituals have become God and the building a marketplace
-talk about God and not talking to, for, or forth Him
-talk about what God did as if He were long-since dead
-God has been re-formed into a graven images
-political unrest
-the broken cry out to God

Point of the Paradigm Shift: Herald the Coming of Christ

Present Paradigm Shift – from Christendom to the New Paradigm

The Agent of Change: The Church (flesh-and-blood, rather than brick-and-mortar; an organism, rather than an organization)
-transformation of religious thought from empty ritual to self-reflection and realization
-challenges humanity in its hypocrisy

Agents of Change: the stagnation of Christianity
-social margins
-a gulf between religious leaders and the people
-a dissatisfaction with the status quo
-Christ idolized into brick-and-mortar and money, the church and its rituals have replaced the Temple and the building a business
-talk about Christ and not talking to, for, or forth Him
-wonder “what would Jesus do” as if he were long-since dead
-Christ has been re-formed into our own images
-political unrest
-the broken cry out to God

Point of the Paradigm Shift: Herald the Second Coming of Christ