AN
INTRODUCTION TO THE POWER OF 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 tends to believe that the human race is evolving and
becoming more enlightened.
! Worldly wisdom features the domination or rule of the strong in mind
and body and devalues childlike meekness and simplicity.
! Worldly wisdom rewards those with leadership personal strength, intellectual
achievement and scholarship.
! Worldly wisdom recognizes classes of humanity denoting some to be
of 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 self preservation survival of the fittest.
! 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 if there is a divinity that each religion
or faith be valued democratically
! 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 the following descriptions of the way they
minister the Truth of God to 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 components such as:
-
pulpits
and pews
-
stained
glass windows
-
organs and
"sacred music"
-
solemnity
and formalism
-
catechisms
-
robes,
-
rituals
and routine orders of service,
-
ranks of
credentialed authority,
-
human oversight
and approval
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 disparity due to "respect of
persons" in spiritual rank and authority
In the religious paradigm members may be totally disassociated from
worship or prayer
In the religious paradigm God was glorious and supernatural in times
past but not today
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 only
in the past
In the religious paradigm people are taught how to please God by performing
deeds 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.
For example, the least shall be greatest in the God's kingdom;
He who is greatest is the one who serves, etc.
-
God presents
humanity with paradoxes like; the first shall be last;
-
mankind through
natural ability and understanding can not come to God or know God
-
many called
but few chosen;
-
we must
die to our selves in order to fully live;
-
we must
not value, love or seek the rewards of this world;
-
we must
be like a child, open, teachable, and innocent, not trusting
in our own abilities
-
God has
hidden wisdom from the wise; personal brilliance does not equate
to 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
-
Unredeemed
man is under the ruler of Satan, the god of this world
-
The race
of humanity is under the limitations of a "curse" which has been
in effect since Adam and Eve
-
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 dependent
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 those 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 wisdom those whose
hearts are right toward him.
-
In the Jesus,
Spirit-led model of wisdom all 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 heavenly things.
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