Paradigm Shifts

PARADIGM SHIFTS
Paradigm shifts involve a complete transformation in the underlying assumptions, theories, and methodologies that guide a field of knowledge or work. They challenge existing frameworks and establish and establish new ways of thinking and approaching problems. They often lead to significant breakthroughs, advancements, and disruption within their field. (Chris Drew- Helpful Professor.com)

Examples: (Chris Drew- Helpful Professor.com)
Geocentrism to Heliocentrism          Industrial Revolution
Flat Earth to Spherical Earth             Digital Revolution
Quantum Mechanics                         Internet Revolution
Theory of Relativity                            Human Rights
Darwin’s Evolutionomen’s Suffrage

Did you know that different faiths have also gone through paradigm shifts? Phyllis Tickle describes this subject in her book, “The Great Emergence” (2008, 2012). In Chapter 1 entitled, “Rummage Sales: When the Church Cleans Out Its Attic”, she states that Christianity has experienced a change of thinking about every five hundred years.
First Century:   The Great Transformation:  Birth of Jesus and the beginning of Christianity

 6th Century: Pope Gregory the Great presided over the tumultuous last decade of the 6th Century at the beginning of the Dark Ages (476 – 10th Century). He laid the foundation for the Monastic movement which allowed Christianity to survive through this difficult era.

11th Century: Great Schism (1054) The Greek Patriarch in Constantinople and the Pope in Rome could not agree with theology about communion and the Holy Spirit. The result was the origin of Roman Catholicism and Greek or Eastern Orthodoxy. and Eastern Christianity.

16th Century: Great Reformation (October 31, 1517)
 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church which resulted in the split between Catholicism and Protestantism.

21st Century: Great Emergence: Tickle, who passed away in 2015, believed we are living in another time of a new paradigm shift, composed of the centuries of changes of the first four shifts, and the continued changes of the 20th Century. In Christianity, some of the changes she mentioned are: 1) The new belief of uncertainty and no absolute truth (no ‘Sola Scriptura’ from the 16th Century), 2) search for the historic Jesus, 3) Pentecostalism and Fundamentalism, and many secular issues, such as immigration and government change.


Thoughts to Ponder and Conversations to Have
with family, friends, and church classes/groups

-Discuss your personal changes in thinking and basic assumptions at different seasons in
 your life.
-What is your opinion about the subject of paradigm changes? (Note: Keep in mind that changes in faith beliefs accompany the scientific and personal shifts in thinking and assumptions.)
-What other shifts have occurred in the 20th century that have had an impact on where we are now? What about in the last 50 years? (1970-2025)
-Do you think knowing history helps to understand the present?
-What is the role of churches of all faiths during a paradigm shift?  What is the role of Christians and the Christian church?  Do our Methodist Social Principles change or evolve?
(www.umcjustice.org   or    www.resourceumc.org)

Conversation Rules: Be respectful. Show empathy and understanding concerning different perspectives. Give everyone who wants to talk a chance. Share your ideas with JAG.
Have Fun!

NOTE:  Another current issue is Christian Nationalism, as it is currently in our government. PRRI by Robert P. Jones will be having an on-line seminar on the subject on Tuesday, August 5 at 12:00-1:00 CT. It is “Understanding Charismatic Politics Today: Spiritual Authority and Political Power.” If interested, you must register to watch it live or to be able to watch it later.
FYI: The current administration will be mentioned.

In closing, we ask that you read scriptures on:  
Accepting Change:  Ecclesiastes 3; Isaish 43:19, Romans 12:2              
Separation between Government and God: John 18:36;  Mark 12:17/Matthew 22:21

Blessings,
JAG

If you want to join the JAG Committee, or have questions, concerns, or topic suggestions, please email us at jag@wrumc.org  




No Comments


Recent

Archive

Categories

Tags