Dealing with wrong Paradigms

[memoriesbymichelle]

So at church this weekend, the pastor was mentioning that we all have our own Paradigms that we base our opinions and thoughts on and that they are all flawed in some way or another because it's based on alot of different variables of how we grew up and influences we have or have not had, and that's why we need the bible to keep us on the right path.

I had not contemplated this much previously, and I'm not sure if its just because he used the word Paradigm that peaked my interest. But it did interest me.

I know I do not have all the answers and so I don't try to push my opinions on others much, but what do you think of this concept of having flawed Paradigms?

 

[MorkandMindy]

A 'paradigm' is in the World of thought something like gravity or air is in everyday life. Most of us would never notice air or gravity unless someone had told us about them, yet they are part of everything we do. We have to climb trees and stairs instead of just taking one leap and waiting until we get where we want to be. Air and gravity are all around us to such an extent we usually fail to notice them.



People must wonder why in the 'Dark Ages' there was overall no technological progress; about as much got forgotten as discovered.

The paradigm of human learning was that everything of value had to be received by revelation and that the human mind was corrupt and incapable of discovering anything worthwhile, and that fallen man's eyes would never see anything that Adam's more perfect eyes could not see. Corrupted mind and corrupted senses.

In the Renaissance the contrast with the new paradigm of thinking was shown graphically by comparing a painting by Botticelli where Venus arrives from across the sea in her perfection - revelation from outside, and Leonardo Da Vinci's where Mona Lisa sits surrounded by an everyday scene with the wry smile that she has realised something. Basically the distinction between revelation and discovery, between religion and science, between Plato and Aristotle.

It is also shown in a single painting where Plato is pointing upward as he speaks and Aristotle motioning downward (The School of Athens, by Raphael in the Vatican).



disclaimer: the above has been grossly simplified for the sake of readability, but is basically correct as I understand it. I put 'Dark Ages' in inverted comas because although it is not the best description of the period it is one that is often used


.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Thank you for the simplification but I don't get what you are trying to say, sorry for that.

 

[dayhiker]

When I've heard the word paradigm used it isn't usually used in the sense of ones world view. Paradigm is more used of a small view of a specific situation. Business used to the word a lot to point to companies that got complacent in selling a product thinking people would always want that same product and so they didn't keep up with the customers wants and a competitor would start to take market share.

So ya its pretty clear that no person could see every aspect of modern in life with the most productive paradigm. But it wasn't used to say the previous paradigm was wrong just that it wasn't what was wanted any more. A closer way to think of it is the music that is to be played at the morning worship service. Now churches that are playing the old hymns are only wanted by a few Christians and even fewer non-Christians. So the paradigm of the desire of Christians for a more contemporary worship service has had people moving from the churches that stayed int he old mode to a new mode of worship.

None of that is sinful, carnal ... its just personal preference and God is gracious enough to enjoy it all.

 

[iambren]

I've used the word as:

"My dad was mean and always beat me when I did something wrong". I became a Christian and had to change my internal paradigm when I encountered God who is loving and long-suffering with me.
There are numerous ones like this,some we are not even conscious to,until the Holy Spirit allows us to see/deal with it. I think of the admonition in scripture "let every thought be taken captive...".

 

[2ndRateMind]

So at church this weekend, the pastor was mentioning that we all have our own Paradigms that we base our opinions and thoughts on and that they are all flawed in some way or another because it's based on alot of different variables of how we grew up and influences we have or have not had, and that's why we need the bible to keep us on the right path.

So, I think your pastor is right and wrong. He's right about flawed paradigms. The idea that anyone human, or a group of humans, or even all humans, know everything there is to know, is a complete non-starter. So, we all build our world-views, or paradigms, out of incomplete information. Inevitably, therefore, they are flawed.

But reverting to ancient texts and scriptures as the solution? When humanity knew even less than we do now? There may may much wisdom within, but I am inclined to think that humanity has made moral progress, since.

Best wishes, 2RM.

 

[dayhiker]

Moral progress - Clearly there are more words to express where we are in relation to morality. I've been learning a lot of how to communicate with an attitude acceptance and none judgmental words.
Also I've been learning how to ask permission, for even things like giving a hug.
Then there are words I'm starting to use for myself, like self-care and otherwise occupied.

They aren't words that are in the Bible or even a develop idea. But I think they are in the golden command to love others are we love ourselves.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Well in MY paradigm just because we've advanced technilogically and even civily (sp) doesn't mean we are better off or necessarily know more.
My belief is that knowledge comes from God and like Solomon said, There's nothing new under the sun.

Alot of things change but some come full circle. Take fashion for example. When they can't think of something "new" they bring back old styles and call them new.

Sometimes I think we make things so difficult because that's how our world has become....difficult. In my view.....with God it is much simpler than we make it and that is shown in the bible. Think of the laws in the old Testament. How many "rules" did they have to follow? Over 600 I believe. Of course they couldn't keep them all. My head wants to explode just trying to figure out how they dealt with all that in the first place. But is it really that different now? How many laws do we have? In this culture, we just don't take God as serious, and that is to our disadvantage, IMO.

 

[dayhiker]

600 laws is nothing to the number of laws we have now. The paper to print all the laws on will fill a LARGE room. 600 laws is a few sheets of paper.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

I agree, but the laws of purifying yourself etc. I just don't know how they kept it all straight.

 

[dayhiker]

Well, quite a few laws are situational. Like the laws about giving a sacrifice. Those only come into effect when one is about to give a a sacrifice. Otherwise, not much effort has to be put into thinking about them. Maybe some planning to have an animal without spot or wrinkle. But there were no laws on that process, so one did what they thought was best, no right or wrong as there was no law.

Now a law would state how to check the genes to make sure the animal was OK. How to raise it and protect it from injury etc.

 

[TheyCallMeDavid]

So at church this weekend, the pastor was mentioning that we all have our own Paradigms that we base our opinions and thoughts on and that they are all flawed in some way or another because it's based on alot of different variables of how we grew up and influences we have or have not had, and that's why we need the bible to keep us on the right path.

I had not contemplated this much previously, and I'm not sure if its just because he used the word Paradigm that peaked my interest. But it did interest me.

I know I do not have all the answers and so I don't try to push my opinions on others much, but what do you think of this concept of having flawed Paradigms?

This falls into the bible passage of: Do not lean on your own understanding (feelings) but depend on the Word of God. Based on our past and how its affected us, we may become quite biased on certain issues when according to the Bible, they are not the real truth or healthy ideologies . Its great we have Gods Word to direct us for it is a sure compass of truth.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

This falls into the bible passage of: Do not lean on your own understanding (feelings) but depend on the Word of God. Based on our past and how its affected us, we may become quite biased on certain issues when according to the Bible, they are not the real truth or healthy ideologies . Its great we have Gods Word to direct us for it is a sure compass of truth.

Proverbs 3:5,6 my FAVORITE scripture and life verse because it says it all IMO.

 

[blackribbon]

They kept them straight because they were also the social laws of the culture...they grew up doing them and thinking about them...just like I don't have to think to figure out which side of the plate my fork goes on when setting a table. In the grand scheme of things, it does not matter at all...but in my world, a fork on the right side of the plate is "wrong". However, the Old Testament is also a book that is as much a documentation of how the Jews forgot their rules as it is anything. Many of their purity rules are just good health practices. So if you didn't listen to God's rules, you got sick..which is re-inforcement for remembering next time.