How Do Paradigms Affect Your Beliefs
- - Your Religious Beliefs Also Follow Paradigms!
Contrast Godly Wisdom secular wisdom?
Contrast Godly Wisdom to "Religious" Wisdom!
3 PARADIGMS OF WISDOM AND TRUTH



The Paradigm of Worldly Wisdom

1Cor:1:19: For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. (KJV)1Cor:1:21: 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. (KJV) 1Cor:2:14: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (KJV)

! Worldly wisdom is Self Directed, It extols and rewards self exaltation and individuality.
! Worldly wisdom is focused on acquiring, having and getting.
! Worldly wisdom is based upon observation and the natural appearance of things.
! Worldly wisdom is based upon “scientific” principle and measurable phenomena.
! Worldly wisdom is not likely to believe in spirit beings who are unseen.
! Worldly wisdom features the domination or rule of the strong and devalues childlike meekness and simplicity.
! Worldly wisdom rewards with leadership personal strength, intellectual achievement and scholarship.
! Worldly wisdom sees worldly success turn to pride and a lust for more power.
! Worldly wisdom recognizes classes of humanity inferior or superior rank and class. 
! Worldly wisdom’s view of a “vast universe” or "infinite time" diminishes or negates the need of a savior.
! Worldly wisdom features and extols "self preservation" the strong survive
! Worldly wisdom allows that life may well be over when one dies.
! Worldly wisdom reasons that if we are not "caught" there is no consequence.
! Worldly wisdom presumes that God must regard each religion or faith democratically and that God does not favor any nation over another
! Worldly wisdom would suggest there is one God who is simply called by other names.
! Worldly wisdom presumes that God is essentially impersonal.
! Worldly wisdom believes that all of the human race are automatically “children of God”


The Paradigm of Religious Wisdom

All formal religions feature some if not all of these attributes. These are common understandings
and considered sound doctrine. This is the presumed truth of God given to the people. 

In the religious paradigm the religious life occurs in or centers around a "church house"” In the religious paradigm the church house is called “the house of God.” In the religious paradigm traditions include various church features or traditions such as:

  • priests or clergy
  • edifice called a church 
  • pulpits and pews
  • altars
  • stained glass windows
  • organs and ‘sacred music’
  • solemnity and formalism
  • catechism or religion classes
  • robes, rituals, tools, ceremonial trappings
  • ranks of authority
  • orders of service
In the religious paradigm a formally trained priest or clergy "officiates" over the “services”
In the religious paradigm a formal address or sermon is called "preaching"
In the religious paradigm one or two hours a week fulfill requirements of personal involvement
In the religious paradigm only the clergy are the only ones qualified to "minister"
In the religious paradigm there is an inherent "respect of persons" spiritual ranking and authority
In the religious paradigm members may be totally disassociated from worship or prayer
In the religious paradigm a person's spiritual life is governed, directed or sustained by another 
In the religious paradigm the exploits of God and Saints occurred in the past
In the religious paradigm people are taught how to please God by good performance or obligations 
In the religious paradigm one often does not experience God but hears about God
In the religious paradigm one often does not know if he/she is saved and heaven-bound
In the religious paradigm Bible doctrine plus traditional teachings form the core doctrines


The 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 natural man can not come to God or know God  
  • God is a God of the paradox: such as the least shall be greatest;
  • the first shall be last; 
  • many called but few chosen; 
  • we must die in order to fully live; 
  • we must not love nor value the things of this world; 
  • we must be like a child, open, innocent, not trusting in our own abilities
  • God has hidden wisdom from the wise; personal brilliance is not Spiritual wisdom 
  • the Kingdom of God is unseen but, for the faithful, a greater reality than that which is seen.
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom, man is not essentially good but fallen, and unredeemed;
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom, mankind is born outside of God's favor under the rulership of Satan, the god of this world
  • The race of humanity is under the limitations of a "curse" which has been in effect since the fall
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom, the focus is upon others and serving.
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom no man is  good (approaching Godliness).
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom a natural man can do nothing of eternal value.
  • 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, the body is the temple of the Spirit of God.
  • 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 beginning with the moment of Salvation
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom the Kingdom of the Heavens is ours with promised rewards
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom there and consequences for words spoken  and deeds done.
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom only some who are born of the Spirit and led of the Spirit are the children of God.
  •  In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom, God rewards with leadership those whose hearts are right toward him inwardly.
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom disciples are called, matured and charged with ministry.
  • In the Jesus, Spirit-led model of wisdom ministry is directed by 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, Truth and wisdom 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 understand truth - only the Spirit reveals it.

 


1995 - 2008