Examples
of religious paradigms
1. The Church is the
"house of God"
2. A Church is where you go to worship.
3. All people are the children of God
4. Religious (Spiritual) knowledge is the domain of the clergy or priesthood
5. Heaven is the place you go when you die
6. Believers must be properly under the headship or covering of a church
authority or pastor
7. The saints and disciples
are Biblical personalities from another by-gone age
8. Signs and wonders and the miraculous have passed away in modern times
9. The new covenant excludes the root and foundation of the covenants
of Judaism
Biblical
Support For Contrary Views to the Above Paradigms.
1. The church is comprised of each person who believes and has been
born into the kingdom of God. Each believer is described as a 'living
stone' that forms the greater house, also known as the body of Christ
2. You do not go to a church rather each believer is a component of
the the Church (Ekklesia Christ's called-out body.) You and others are
called to come together in Jesus' name. Whenever two or three gather
in His name, you become an assembly of believers Christ the Messiah
is manifested. The Ekklesia. He has called us OUT of darkness into the
glorious light of the sons and daughters of God. (See link: Why Should
Christians Gather?)
3. The Jews sought to stone Jesus when he inferred that God was his
father. There was no such designation as 'children of God' until Jesus
pronounced this doctrine on our behalf and taught his disciples to pray,
" Our Father... " Furthermore, no man comes to the Father except through
Jesus Christ, the door. Others in the world are not children of God.
Jn 1:12 - for those who believe on His name he gives the power (exousia
= authority) to become the sons (children) of G-d.
4. The priesthood has actually been eliminated in the new covenant Gospel
of the Kingdom. In the days of Moses, the people of Israel rejected
God's plan to become a nation of kings and priests (Exodus 19:) and
demanded that Moses and Aaron become the intermediaries before God on
their behalf. Since the founding of the church (also the day of Pentecost)
The fire of God fell on each believer and they received the Power (Gk.dunamis)
to be witnesses of the wonderful works of God. Gradually after the original
apostles passed from the scene, the priesthood insinuated itself back
into the world of Christianity and has held believers captive until
this time. The ecclesiastical traditions of formal religion dominate
the whole world of Christendom today.
5. Heaven. Jesus prayer among other matters, include every petition
that is essential to the life of faith. It begins, after glorifying
the Father, with the theme of connecting the realm of the heavenly (The
Kingdom of Heaven) which is the realm of the Spirit with this world.
Let thy Kingdom come. Let Thy will be done. On earth as
in Heaven! This revelation of the Kingdom can be experienced two ways;
First, in this present dispensation, while we live as people 'born of
and led by the Spirit.' We have overlooked that which is that which
prevails at the present most fundamental in the religious experience.
(The Lord's prayer or the Disciple's prayer.) Heaven is a continuing
reality but on a Spiritual (non intellectual) plane. Heaven was presented
by Jesus as accessible by his disciples. How can heavenly things become
accessible? Only through a Spirit-born and spirit-governed life in which
the natural man has been transformed. The "new man" with his natural
limits subdued and crucified by the POWER OF G-D. Access to heavenly
things is gained by losing one's self awareness, self-identity and self-governed
life. Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am
you may be also. - -" To be absent from the body is to be present with
the Lord - - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day - - I heard - - and
behold - - I see - -. Physical death is the ultimate loss of self control.
"Carrying the cross" is about losing our preoccupation with self so
that Christ's life may manifest within us.
6. The concept of pastoral authority (or covering) is a feature of the
tradition-bound, priest-led institutional church. From early times priests
were designated clergy and the general congregation of pew-sitting listeners
was designated laity. In this system the laity functions primarily as
a personal support system that supports the institutional church. (Ownership
of a flock of God permits the overseers to make merchandise of them.)
Pastoral leadership should not be a distinctive superior class but as
examples to disciples who are maturing in their own leadership. John
writes regarding this misuse of authority: Read about Diotrophes in
3 John and in The Revelation see: (Nicolaitinism. See Rev. 2 and Rev.
3) This answers the question of human headship; The Lord is my shepherd
- My sheep hear my voice - - "There is one mediator between God
and man, the man Christ Jesus." Also we are told in " Matt. 23:
7-11.
to call no man master; call no man Rabbi; call no man Father. "I
extend the assumption that the term "pastor" fits the criterion
of religious titles that set leaders apart. We do not follow a man (person.)
Servant leadership is the correct model.
7. We who believe and have received the transforming gift of New Life,
are called to be Saints, for we are all called to be "in Christ Jesus",
seated in heavenly places. We are exhorted to grow up in the knowledge
of Him until we reach the fullness of Him. (Ephesians 4:13.) The only
question is how do we grow and how are we discipled? The pastoral leadership
(discipleship) paradigm is only partially effective as it does not prepare
all brothers and sisters for leadership and full participation in the
things of God. There is a continuing notion that some are called into
the ministry and then seek to be trained in "the ministry." I have heard
this countless times. Discipleship is what the great commission seeks
to produce. "Make disciples of all nations - - ." (Matt. 28:19) Discipleship
is best realized through Koinonia meaning mutual participation and sharing
of the God life in fellowship. (It is my position that there is no Ekklesia
without Koinonia!) Those called out of the world into the body of Christ
have within them the essence of Jesus' love. These believers are drawn
to value and share their fellow brothers and sisters that make up the
body. A number of authors are adding to the same message that I promote
here. We see liberty in the body being promoted and the trend to come
out from institutional religious systems." Mega Shift" by James Rutz
and other web published writings which teach the full gospel message
free of institutional religious connection: One of my own published
titles is found under the title, "The Gospel
Without Religion."
8. Signs and wonders and miracles are either part of your religious
doctrine or they are not. Those who exclude this from their doctrines
do participate in the living reality of a church that is that first
delivered to the saints. (Jude 3) Miracles and supernatural that was
part of the Pentecostal awakening movement that began in the recent
century in 1906. But experiencing the supernatural seems to be waning
among the Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians today. If your paradigm
does not allow for the supernatural you will not see it because you
are essentially saying No to the experience. Today more supernatural
signs and wonders are in evidence than ever before. There is no more
powerful key concepts to understand than Paul's statement that the gospel
is the "POWER OF G-D" I have never heard a substantial teaching on this
phrase. Yet it is a key to our understanding the promise of the gospel.
The Power of G-d is all about what G-d does, is doing, and will do.
It is not about our ability to understand the Bible, solve problems
or transform ourselves. The "new creation" is a product of the power
of G-d. Spiritual gifts are a product of the power of G-d!
9. The most amazing thing any believer can ever discover is that God
can and does reveal himself to us individually. The miraculous and revelation
awaits any who through the power of the Holy Spirit seek first the kingdom
and knock at heaven's door. Hebrews 11:7 is a powerful key concept in
realizing that some seem to never believe or receive the gift of salvation.
"- - whoever comes to G-d must FIRST believe that he is and that he
WILL REWARD those who diligently seek him. (!) Hebrews 11:7
10. The paradigm of the Old covenant (Judaism) is the root into which
Christianity has been grafted. Christianity is actually nothing more
than Messianic Judaism in which we discover the wholeness and fulfillment
of God's word in which the Mashiac was foretold and depicted in typology,
from Genesis to the prophets and in the Psalms. He fulfills the promise
of the "One new man," Jew and Gentile joined under the Messiah. It is
unfortunate that the terminology of the Messiah was traded in for the
Greek term Kristos (the anointed one) This designation has reinforced
the deception that Judaic foundations has been replaced by Christianity
with a rejection of anything Jewish. We Gentiles by the grace of God
have been grafted into the vine of Israel. To disregard this HERITAGE
of our root and foundations is unbiblical and damnable. The Gentiles
in the age of the church is a distinct chapter and expression of God's
planned time-table in restoring his people Israel, The physical kingdom
and rule of the Messiah upon the earth is the culmination of G-d's plan.
It will be the reign of the Messiah for 1000 years upon the earth.
11. Religious studies have prepared scholars to ordination thus to qualify
to become priests and overseers. They erroneously give the laity to
understand that they posses a particular power and authority that the
church goer does not have. We may well place our faith in a priest to
communicate with God on our behalf. If only the Christian world knew
and understood that there is but "one mediator between God and man,
the man Christ Jesus."
The
great questions of life that philosophers ask is:
"Who are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?
Where
do we go to seek wisdom and answers to the mysteries of life?
Do we inquire according to secular wisdom, or religious teachings?
Or is there another?
How does Godly Wisdom contrast to secular wisdom?
How does Godly Wisdom contrast with "religious" wisdom?
3
PARADIGMS
OF WISDOM AND TRUTH
The
Paradigm of Worldly Wisdom Contrasted to Godly Wisdom
For
it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
(1Cor:1:19:KJV)
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom
knew not God,
it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that
believe.
(-1Cor:1:21:KJV )
THE
PARADIGM OF WORLDLY WISDOM
Worldly
wisdom extols and rewards self-exaltation and individuality Godly
wisdom (the Truth) says deny yourself take up your cross, die to yourself.
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom no man is "good
"Worldly wisdom is based upon observation and the appearance of things
Godly
wisdom (the Truth) The unseen things are eternal and have a substance
yet to be known by human reason.
Worldly wisdom is based upon "scientific" principle and measurable
phenomena.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that if you believe in the unseen you
have faith and will see the results manifested.
Worldly
wisdom is characterized by the domination (rulership) of the strong
and the mighty over the weak.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that God chooses the weak and the insignificant
to shame the wise and strong.
Worldly wisdom devalues humans with few assets, (the poor) having childlike
meekness and simplicity. Godly wisdom (the Truth) reveals that the greatest
in the kingdom of God are like children. Humble, trusting, and meek.
Worldly wisdom values and rewards intellectual achievement and scholarship.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that the wisdom of man is foolishness
to him.
Worldly
wisdom recognizes classes as inferior or superior rank and class, this
is respect of persons. Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that those who
are poor shall eventually receive the blessings of the kingdom.
The proud and the mighty he scatters and turns away.
Worldly wisdom's view of the "vast timeless universe" diminishes or
negates the need of a savior.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) teaches that God created the heaven and the
earth by wisdom and all things that are in it. And he called
his creation "good."
Worldly
wisdom features "self preservation" as a principle
Godly
wisdom (the Truth) speaks of self sacrifice as a divine virtue
Worldly
wisdom believes life may well be over when one dies Godly wisdom (the
Truth) we are eternal beings who retain our own soul's personal
identity forever. Some will inherit eternal blessings and others will
inherit eternal separation from God.
Worldly wisdom presumes that God regards any and all religion or
faith as valid (democratically.)
Worldly wisdom presumes that God does not favor any one nation over
another. Godly wisdom (the Truth) reveals that one nation is the
chosen people of God. There is only one mediator between God and
man. Jesus the son of God, the king of the Jews.
Godly
wisdom (the Truth) reveals that one nation is the chosen people
of God. The Bible established upon infallible promises, states that
there is only one mediator between God and man. Jesus the
son of God, the king of the Jews.
Worldly
wisdom would suggest that (if there is a god) God is the same but
is called by many names.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) though there are many gods there is
but one God who is above all and we can hold no god higher than
He.
Worldly wisdom presumes that God is essentially impersonal.
Godly wisdom (the Truth) says that we can become sons of God. Adapted
into the family. We are called to inherit the blessings and partake
in His divine nature.
Worldly
wisdom (allowing religious belief) believes that all of the human
race are automatically
"children
of God"
Godly wisdom (the Truth) Whoever believes on the Son
of God, Jesus Christ has eternal life. Whoever has not the son has
no life but
the
condemnation of God remains upon them.
Paradigm
of Religious Wisdom
In
the religious paradigm the religious life centers around a "church
house"
In the religious paradigm the church building is called the "Church"
In the religious paradigm the traditional church features such elemests
as: pulpits
and pews, stained glass windows, organs and 'sacred music'
solemnity and formalism, ecclesiastical garb, robes,
orders of service, ritual, - - designated ranks of clerical
authority.
In the religious paradigm a formally trained priest or clergy "officiates"
over the "services"
In the religious paradigm a formal address or sermon delivered to
the faithful is called "preaching"
In the religious paradigm one or two hours a week meet one's religious
requirements, involvement
In the religious paradigm only the professionally trained clergy
are qualified to "minister"
In the religious paradigm there is "respect of persons" - - a heirarchy
of spiritual rank or authority
In the religious paradigm members may be totally disassociated in
worship or prayer
In the religious paradigm a person's spiritual life is largely governed,
directed or sustained others
In the religious paradigm the exploits of God and Saints are in
the dim past
In the religious paradigm people are taught how to please God with
certain deeds or obligations
In the religious paradigm there are may be particular duties required
to attain "good standing"
In the religious paradigm one often does not experience God but
only hears about God
In the religious paradigm one often doesn't know if he/she qualifies
for a heavenly reward, (is saved)
In the religious paradigm Bible doctrine plus traditional
teachings form core doctrines
Paradigm
of Godly Wisdom, (Modeled by Jesus)
In
the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom there are paradoxes to the
natural
instincts or wisdom of man
the
least shall be greatest;
The first shall be last;
many called but few chosen; we must die (to ourselves) in order
to live;
We must hate the things of this world;
we must be like a child, God has hidden wisdom from the wise;
the unseen things are a greater reality than the seen. etc.
In
the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom man in his natural abilities
(I can do nothing of myself) can do nothing of value for the
kingdom of God
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom, the spiritual man is totally
dependant upon the guidance of the Spirit
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom we are in a perpetual spiritual
battle for survival and dominance in life
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom there is eternal life,
promised rewards and consequences
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model Jesus preached to those outside pertaining
to the Kingdom of God and taught his followers
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom only those who are born
of the
Spirit and led of the Spirit are the Children of God
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom people are discipled; disciples
are nurtured and matured and then charged with ministry
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom ministry is through the
leading of the Holy Spirit
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom true worshipers worship
in Spirit and in Truth
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom, wisdom and insight is
hidden from the double minded and the unredeemed
In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom we could memorize the Bible
and not fully know God and the truth- only the Spirit reveals
it.
See
Also Religious Terms and Their Non Religious Equivalents
Next
Chapter
additional
Biblical themes
E Book 1:
The Gospel without Religion
E Book 2:
A
Disciples Handbook
E Book 3:
Mysteries
in the Bible
Index
to all Charles Pinkney Christian Titles
