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The church is in disarray. Theologians and commentators speak of the demise of evangelicalism. Are they alarmists? Is Christianity as we know it in the process of dying? Writer, scholar, teacher, and missionary Dr. David Alan Black thinks that the answer does not lie in the politics of the left or the right. In fact, he doesn't think that Jesus tells us what our politics should be. He doesn't see answers in Christian nationalism. But even further, he sees serious flaws in the very structure of our churches and denominations that prevent us from truly being obedient to the gospel. The solution lies, not in renewal, revival, or even in reformation, but rather in restoration-a restoration of the church organized as Jesus intended it and according to the example provided by the earliest church sources in the New Testament. To make the church and its members true servants of Jesus Christ again, we need to change our entire paradigm-to The Jesus Paradigm.
Moral Transformation by Andrew J. Wallace,R. D. Rusk Pdf
Recent scholarship has challenged post-Reformation ideas about the early Christian doctrines of salvation. This ground-breaking book draws together the conclusions of recent scholarship into a compelling and clear view of the early Christian paradigm of salvation. It presents the case that the early Christians focussed not on Christ's death on the cross or 'saving faith', but on moral transformation. They saw Jesus as God's appointed teacher, prophet, and leader, who died as a martyr in order to teach them a new way of life. Their paradigm of salvation centred upon this way of life taught by Jesus, and on following faithfully his example and teachings. Part 1: 'How the Gospels present Jesus' explores the way in which the early Christians understood the teaching of Jesus. It highlights five themes of Jesus' message: economics and wealth, moral purity, social equality, the temple system, and physical and spiritual affliction. It shows why people viewed Jesus as a divinely appointed teacher, prophet, and leader, and saw his death as a martyrdom for his cause and movement. Part 2: 'Doctrines of the early Christians' presents the key early Christian doctrines of salvation and shows why several post-Reformation doctrines conflict with their views. It shows that the early Christians believed God's final judgment is made on the basis of character and conduct. They believed that by following Jesus and transforming their lives morally, they would obtain positive judgment and resurrection. This part shows how the early Christians' ideas of faith, justification, forgiveness and grace all fit into this paradigm. Part 3: 'The importance of Jesus' looks at why the early Christians considered Jesus so significant; they focussed on the moral transformation he brought to their lives. This part highlights what they believed Jesus achieved for them, and how they used sacrificial language to explain these beliefs. It explores the evidence for viewing Jesus' death as a martyrdom, and for seeing his resurrection as equally important. Part 4: 'Ideas throughout history' shows that Christians held this paradigm of salvation for several centuries. It outlines the key changes that occurred from the 4th century through to the Reformation, which moved tradition away from the early Christian ideas. Finally, it offers a critique of modern post-Reformation doctrines of salvation.
This volume examines the Fourth Gospel narrative in terms of its character portrayal, especially the portrayal of anonymous characters. It focuses on how characterization impacts readers, eliciting their involvement in the narrative, particularly the recognition of and response to Jesus' identity, and how anonymity facilitates that participation. The first chapters examine the understanding of characterization in contemporary literary theory, then the author explores other contemporaneous narratives for the function of anonymous characters in those narratives. The final chapters examine specific character portrayals in the Fourth Gospel, demonstrating how the narratives of anonymous characters draw the reader into participation in the narrative and enables identification with those characters, especially the disciple Jesus loved, the Johannine paradigm of discipleship.
Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission by David J. Bosch Pdf
"David Bosch's Transforming Mission, now available in over a dozen languages, is widely recognized as an historic and magisterial contribution to the study of mission. Examining the entire sweep of Christian tradition, he shows how five paradigms have historically encapsulated the Christian understanding of mission and then outlines the characteristics of an emerging postmodern paradigm dialectically linking the transcendent and imminent dimensions of salvation. In this new anniversary edition, Darrel Guder and Martin Reppenhagen explore the impact of Bosch s work and the unfolding application of his seminal vision." --
Some of us fear moments when we need to defend our theology. Some of us seek them out. But we are seldom ready the way Jesus seemed to be ready. So how do we draw others to God in the midst of these ordinary conversations the way Jesus did? In Speaking of Jesus, Carl Medearis draws on his experience of international reconciliation between Muslims and Christians to remind us of the heart of the matter: Jesus. Here he gives us tools, stories, and the foundation we need to move beyond “us” and “them” and simply talk about the One who changes it all. As Carl writes, “While others are explaining and defending various isms and ologies we’re simply pointing people to our friend. The one who uncovers and disarms. Who leads people right to himself. The beginning and the end of the story. A good story indeed.”
Changing Christian Paradigms and their Implications for Modern Thought by Knox Pdf
Though the Bible and creeds have provided a compass for Christianity from earliest times, the frameworks of thought within which they have been understood have constantly changed, the contribution of Augustine to these changes being fundamental. This book traces, first, these changes chronologically and shows how they have led to the separation of religion and science, faith and reason, supernatural and natural, and so to current materialism: but also to radical alterations to our understanding of God and his relationship to the world. The second part shows in more detail how these changes have altered the significance of major features of Christian faith and led to serious incoherences. And the third part shows, not only how pre-Augustinian and Biblical understandings cohere closely with modern science, but that they have radical implications for our understanding of man, his place in nature and survival of death, for Jesus Christ and for the role of the Churches.
How could the early church, with only a handful of men and women, under heavy persecution, without the means of mass communication or distribution of their message, have such influence in the world they lived in that was said of them that they turned it upside down! It went from being an enemy of the Roman empire, to the official religion of the same, with the Emperor Himself coming to the faith. As we look at the church today, with all of its technological advancements and boasting a membership of over 2 billion people, we find its influence waning and relevance being questioned. How is the possible? The answer is found in its "paradigm." The early church lived and operated from a paradigm established by God for those in covenant with Him, that contained not only their assignment and purpose, but the power to overcome and transform the world. The church's current paradigm (Salvation Paradigm) was intended to be used "by" the church to bring men to Christ, but was never intended to be the paradigm "of" the church, which is comprised of those already in Christ. We must recover this original paradigm, the Kingdom Paradigm, in order for the church to regain her place and fulfill her purpose in the world to which she is assigned. God has sent a shift, a paradigm shift, within His church to restore the power inherent within the Kingdom Paradigm to cause His Kingdom to come, and His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven!
Jesus, the New Testament, and Christian Origins by Dieter Mitternacht,Anders Runesson Pdf
An introduction to the New Testament in its historical context, with an overview of interpretative approaches and exegetical exercises In this up-to-date introduction to the New Testament, twenty-two leading biblical scholars guide the reader through the New Testament’s historical background, key ideas, and textual content. Seminarians and anyone else interested in a deep understanding of Christian Scripture will do well to begin with this thorough volume that covers everything from the historical Jesus to the emergence of early Christianity. The contributors stress the importance of Christianity’s emergence within and from Second Temple Judaism. Unique to this book is a special focus on interpretative methods, with several illustrative examples included in the final chapter of various types of scriptural exegesis on select New Testament passages. Readers are guided through the hermeneutical considerations of a historical text-oriented reading, a historical-analogical reading, a rhetorical-epistolary reading, argumentation analysis, feminist analysis, postcolonial analysis, and narrative criticism, among others. These practical, hands-on applications enable students to move from an abstract understanding of the New Testament to a ready ability to make meaning from Scripture.
A Lay Cistercian reflects on six paradigm shifts that help to clarify how all reality fits together. My life has been a joyful experience, not that there were no hiccups or some minor detours along the way. For the most part, I have traveled this way for 80 years, probably better than some but not as good as others. Along the way, just as I have done with my home, I have accumulated lots of "stuff" most all of which I must throw away or give to the poor. Almost all of the things I cherish are not things at all but rather experiences from the past, the challenges of the future, relationships with family and friends, and those situations I will pack in my bag on the journey to Forever. I would imagine I will have to give an accounting of my stewardship by standing in the presence of pure Being and seeing how I measured up. Naturally, no one measures up to God, who is not measurable by any means humans have, except one, Jesus the Christ. God by assuming Human nature, gives us a human measurement we can begin to describe, but not define. Deuteronomy 6:5 and Matthew 22:36. Because God loved us so much that he gave His only Son, we are asked to do the same for those around us. The mastery of Christ Principle is not that difficult to know, it is just extremely difficult to do each and every day. This book is a series of Lectio Divina reflections that help me focus on moving from self to God. I use the Cistercian charisms and practices to keep me centered on seeking God daily. Philippians 2:5 has been my personal center. When I get to Heaven and stand before that which has no beginning nor end, I am going to ask "How'd I do? How close did I come?" These six paradigm shifts are my answer to "How does it all fit together?" Did I get it right? We'll find out. Trying is almost as important as achieving, don't you think? These six paradigm shifts are cosmic, in that they don't depend upon human intervention. They are: What is powerful enough to bring that which has a beginning and an end into existence? This is the physical universe, the base on which humans find themselves moving through space and time. Why is there movement from animality to rationality? This is the mental universe. Why are humans the only ones to know that we know and also have the ability to choose what we reason? No other animal or living thing can do this. Why is that? What is the reason for a physical and mental universe? This is the spiritual universe, the Christ Principle. It is the missing part of the life equation, a theorem that is not solvable without this paradox of the spiritual universe. We could not appreciate this universe without God telling us about it. The most astounding thing is that each human has an invitation to live Forever and Christ tells us how to do that. How do humans use the spiritual universe to fulfill what it means to be human and move beyond death? How can I use the School of Love to find why I am here and my future? How do I use the physical, mental and spiritual universes and my human ability to reason and to make choices that are unique to me based on that authentic reasoning to find meaning and how to love others as Christ loved me? How can I prepare to live in a condition of pure energy that contains pure knowledge, pure love, and pure service? The Christ Principle allows me to prepare to live in a condition of love where humans are unable to approach this pure energy without frying their neurons. Why does the approach that seems to be totally unbelievable become the sign of contradiction that actually compliments science, philosophy, and the search for what it means to be human? These six paradigm shifts help me put together parts of the puzzle of "How does one reality that contains three separate universes of physical, mental, plus spiritual, while being only one reality, fit together?" https: //thecenterforcontemplativepractice.org
Will You Join the Cause of Global Missions? by David Alan Black Pdf
Everyone is called to be a missionary, and that call comes at the same time as the call to follow Jesus. The church in America has come to depend on professionals to "do ministry." In many churches, the pastor, paid to do the job, is the one who is expected to carry out all functions of the church. But it was not always this way. Jesus came as God-in-the-flesh. The pattern portrayed in the New Testament is that every Christian is part of the body of Christ, and the function of Christ's body is to be incarnational, to be Jesus Christ for the world (John 20:21). Author David Alan Black takes on this attitude of outsourcing our mission in his shortest book, yet one he has said might be the most important that he has written: Will You Join the Cause of Global Missions? If you expect here a call to go to seminary and become a professional missionary, you will be sorely disappointed. Instead, Dave calls for us to replace outsourcing with insourcing. Instead of looking for professionals to do the ministry while the rest of us fill the pews, he is pointing us back to the Gospel Commission and the call on every Christian life to fulfill that Commission. It is not enough in the 21st century to put a little bit of money into the church and expect the pastor and paid staff to do the work. Each one of us is called to also give of our time and talents. This little book might be dangerous. You may not be able to put it down without seeing your life radically changed. In fact, the book ends with a call to make precisely that promise. So will you join the cause of global missions?
Author : Christopher Buck Publisher : State University of New York Press Page : 426 pages File Size : 44,5 Mb Release : 1999-05-13 Category : Religion ISBN : 9780791497944
In a novel approach that the author terms "symbolic paradigm analysis," Paradise and Paradigm offers a "theoretically modular" systematic comparison of two "Persian" religions: early Syriac Christianity as the foundation of the East Syrian "Church of the East" (the Nestorian Church of Persia) and the Baha'i Faith, a new world religion. The author compares the hymns of the greatest poet of early Christianity, Saint Ephrem the Syrian, and the richly imagistic writings of the founder of the Baha'i religion, Baha'u'llah. The book employs an original analytic technique in the creation of "symbolic profiles" constructed on Ninian Smart's dimensional model of religion. As Buck skillfully demonstrates, formal similarities between any two religions are best comprehended in terms of paradigmatic differences, which nuance all parallels through a process of symbolic transformation. Buck also shows the communal reflexivity of paradise imagery in representing the ideal faith-community in both traditions.
New York Times Best Seller! 1500 5-Star Reviews! From the author that brought you NEW YORK TIMES best selling books The Harbinger, The Mystery of the Shemitah, and The Paradigm selling over 3 MILLION copies Imagine if you discovered a treasure chest in which were hidden ancient mysteries, revelations from heaven, secrets of the ages, the answers to man’s most enduring, age-old questions, and the hidden keys that can transform your life to joy, success, and blessing…This is The Book of Mysteries.
The complete guide to debunking right-wing misinterpretations of the Bible—from economics and immigration to gender and sexuality. Jesus loves borders, guns, unborn babies, and economic prosperity and hates homosexuality, taxes, welfare, and universal healthcare—or so say many Republican politicians, pundits, and preachers. Through outrageous misreadings of the New Testament gospels that started almost a century ago, conservative influencers have conjured a version of Jesus that speaks to their fears, desires, and resentments. In Republican Jesus, Tony Keddie explains not only where this right-wing Christ came from and what he stands for but also why this version of Jesus is a fraud. By restoring Republicans’ cherry-picked gospel texts to their original literary and historical contexts, Keddie dismantles the biblical basis for Republican positions on hot-button issues like Big Government, taxation, abortion, immigration, and climate change. At the same time, he introduces readers to an ancient Jesus whose life experiences and ethics were totally unlike those of modern Americans, conservatives and liberals alike.
