Definition
What is a Paradigm?
The word PARADIGM, comes from the philosophy of science. A paradigm is a particular model for analysis and interpretation, a specific lens through which people gathers information and organizes it. It decides which assumptions someone makes and which questions they ask. In addition, it creates borders on the expectable solutions to problems. Each man has his own mindframe, its own worldview, and a paradigm is the generally accepted view of the vast majority.
In short: A paradigm is an overarching mindframe.
What is a Paradigm Shift?
Important inventions in science have been made bij scientist that didn't walk in the usual / accepted pathways. Because they viewed at a situation from a different angle, they got new insights. Because of that they made different links, which caused a radical transformation in their thinking patterns.
Thomas Kühn a philospher in science used the term 'paradigm shift' for the first time in his book: 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.' A Change of Paradigm takes place when people reject one paradigm and embrace another, by which they make completely different assumptions, and ask totally different questions.
An example...
Medieval astronomers worked with a model of the universe in which it
was assumed that the sun and the planets turned around the earth. Even
the Bible showed this picture, they claimed. This paradigm has led to the
assumptions they made, the questions which they claimed and the
information which they thought was relevant. The paradigm in which the
earth was the centre worked reasonably.
However, gradually there were peculiar and stubborn facts found, and they had to create an increasingly complex and ingenuitive system to make those facts fit in the paradigm. Eventually Copernicus suggested a new, simpler paradigm, in which the planets including Earth, rotate around the sun.
That was a radically new way of thinking, a completely different frame of reference through which reality had to be viewed completely different. In the beginning most astronomers opposed against Copernicus' suggestion. They had their careers invested in the old paradigm. Eventually, however, they accepted and start to use this new idea.
Is a Paradigm Shift needed?
Christians, need a Paradigm Shift. They need to have a dramatic turnaround in their thinking about looking at the world, the church and their Lord.
The differences between the church in the New Testament and the present, organised and institutionalized church are tremendous. The consumptionoriented, often passive attitude of the modern believer is in hard contrast with the passionate, dedicated, fiery lifestyle of the people in the early church.
How is a Paradigm Shift established?
If we are talking about a Paradigm Shift that many Christians need than we are talking about the 'shift' of 'worldly thinking and living' to 'thought and life of the Kingdom. " A Christian life in which they show the world that they are citizens of another kingdom, the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, from and with His [biblical] principles. By this the Kingdom of God will be visible here on earth and everyone will know that we are His followers.
